Comments on: “The Man in the High Castle” released a few hours early https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/ Tue, 12 May 2026 20:11:45 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Robert https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34643 Robert Mon, 14 Dec 2015 19:27:25 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34643 Same reasoning about a little divergence and a lot of basic source material. It's been a long time since I read the book, so much of the movie seemed "fresh"; now it's time to strengthen my understanding of the story by rereading the book. Now that I think about it, that synergy between the source novel and the screen adaptation is one of things that has me so jazzed about all the science fiction novels being turned into TV lately. The story can get really deep and involved that way, I can study it as much or little as I want, and that's the way I like it. Same reasoning about a little divergence and a lot of basic source material. It’s been a long time since I read the book, so much of the movie seemed “fresh”; now it’s time to strengthen my understanding of the story by rereading the book.

Now that I think about it, that synergy between the source novel and the screen adaptation is one of things that has me so jazzed about all the science fiction novels being turned into TV lately. The story can get really deep and involved that way, I can study it as much or little as I want, and that’s the way I like it.

]]> By: SDG https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34637 SDG Mon, 14 Dec 2015 07:17:47 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34637 I didn't dare read any of this until I'd caught up. you guys are funny. I didn’t dare read any of this until I’d caught up. you guys are funny.

]]> By: SDG https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34636 SDG Mon, 14 Dec 2015 07:16:15 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34636 Finally got to watch episode 10. This show was so well done, glad I watched it and will continue watching it. From some of the comments it sounds like there is enough divergence from the book that reading it will not really spoil it. I may just put itin the queue now. Finally got to watch episode 10. This show was so well done, glad I watched it and will continue watching it.

From some of the comments it sounds like there is enough divergence from the book that reading it will not really spoil it. I may just put itin the queue now.

]]> By: Robert https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34123 Robert Sat, 28 Nov 2015 21:35:04 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34123 Hang in there, it's worth it. Hang in there, it’s worth it.

]]> By: SDG https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34115 SDG Sat, 28 Nov 2015 08:47:11 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34115 Well my initial guesses about possible heroes turned out to be wrong.Can't win em all. Man its hard to not just play the next one, but I've got to sleep. Not sure when I will have time to finish the last 4 episodes. I have to say the whole thing creeps me out. Well my initial guesses about possible heroes turned out to be wrong.Can’t win em all. Man its hard to not just play the next one, but I’ve got to sleep. Not sure when I will have time to finish the last 4 episodes. I have to say the whole thing creeps me out.

]]> By: Robert https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34090 Robert Fri, 27 Nov 2015 06:51:38 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34090 I wouldn't call it incredible, because alternate history done right requires getting so close, right in the "uncanny valley", that it's all disturbingly familiar. And disturbingly different. Man in the High Castle achieved that as a production. I was dazzled to the very end by the world they created. I read the book long, long ago, so my memory's hazy; but I think they pretty much covered it in ten episodes. What is probably a stroke of genius is adding the Resistance to Dick's story, because it provides a vehicle for some of the characters to continue the story into a second season. It's 1962 in that world in season one. It feels like there's a huge amount of space in which to keep telling the story of how that world develops going forward. The biggest, largest-scale theme going forward is the growing tension between Japan and Germany, and damn, that's something you could really have fun with. The Trade Minister's final scene was nicely ambiguous. He was meditating and then suddenly found himself in what sure looked like our universe. What did it mean? Was he really transported across universes, did he die, or was it all just a dream, Dorothy? Stay tuned for season two. Overall the first season's ten episodes were excellent, I thought. I'd give it five stars, and I'd keep watching if they keep making it. Loved it. I wouldn’t call it incredible, because alternate history done right requires getting so close, right in the “uncanny valley”, that it’s all disturbingly familiar. And disturbingly different. Man in the High Castle achieved that as a production. I was dazzled to the very end by the world they created.

I read the book long, long ago, so my memory’s hazy; but I think they pretty much covered it in ten episodes. What is probably a stroke of genius is adding the Resistance to Dick’s story, because it provides a vehicle for some of the characters to continue the story into a second season.

It’s 1962 in that world in season one. It feels like there’s a huge amount of space in which to keep telling the story of how that world develops going forward. The biggest, largest-scale theme going forward is the growing tension between Japan and Germany, and damn, that’s something you could really have fun with.

The Trade Minister’s final scene was nicely ambiguous. He was meditating and then suddenly found himself in what sure looked like our universe. What did it mean? Was he really transported across universes, did he die, or was it all just a dream, Dorothy? Stay tuned for season two.

Overall the first season’s ten episodes were excellent, I thought. I’d give it five stars, and I’d keep watching if they keep making it. Loved it.

]]> By: Robert https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34089 Robert Fri, 27 Nov 2015 06:51:28 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34089 ...and explain that because it was streamed over the Internet, and not broadcast monolithically from a few fixed points, Amazon was able to produce multiple versions of episodes 9 and 10, and show them to different people in different parts of the world. I verified this, of course, by using a VPN service to log in to Netflix from the East Coast and saw the episodes you saw. This is the future of television, and we're privileged to be here on the front lines right now! …and explain that because it was streamed over the Internet, and not broadcast monolithically from a few fixed points, Amazon was able to produce multiple versions of episodes 9 and 10, and show them to different people in different parts of the world. I verified this, of course, by using a VPN service to log in to Netflix from the East Coast and saw the episodes you saw.

This is the future of television, and we’re privileged to be here on the front lines right now!

]]> By: Robert https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-34019 Robert Wed, 25 Nov 2015 23:00:26 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-34019 The crickets on the thread I started were starting to get to me, so I thought I'd post a placeholder. Just finished reading the article by Umberto Eco on fascism that I posted about on CE. His point #9 struck me for its relevant to MitHC's subplot about conflict brewing between Germany and Japan: <blockquote>9. For Ur-Fascism there is no struggle for life but, rather, life is lived for struggle. Thus pacifism is trafficking with the enemy . It is bad because life is permanent warfare . This, however, brings about an Armageddon complex. Since enemies have to be defeated, there must be a final battle, after which the movement will have control of the world. But such a "final solution" implies a further era of peace, a Golden Age, which contradicts the principle of permanent war. <u>No fascist leader has ever succeeded in solving this predicament</u>.</blockquote>(underlining mine) Puts a finer point on the pressure on Germany from its aging leadership and, apparently, too long a period of peace. I'll get back to you after 9 and 10. The crickets on the thread I started were starting to get to me, so I thought I’d post a placeholder.

Just finished reading the article by Umberto Eco on fascism that I posted about on CE. His point #9 struck me for its relevant to MitHC’s subplot about conflict brewing between Germany and Japan:

9. For Ur-Fascism there is no struggle for life but, rather, life is lived for struggle. Thus pacifism is trafficking with the enemy . It is bad because
life is permanent warfare . This, however, brings about an Armageddon complex. Since enemies have to be defeated, there must be a final battle, after which the movement will have control of the world. But such a “final solution” implies a further era of peace, a Golden Age, which contradicts the principle of permanent war. No fascist leader has ever succeeded in solving this predicament.

(underlining mine)

Puts a finer point on the pressure on Germany from its aging leadership and, apparently, too long a period of peace.

I’ll get back to you after 9 and 10.

]]> By: RL https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-33923 RL Tue, 24 Nov 2015 01:07:43 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-33923 Perhaps you just saw an alternate version... Perhaps you just saw an alternate version…

]]> By: FrankC https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/11/19/the-man-in-the-high-castle-released-a-few-hours-early/#comment-33919 FrankC Tue, 24 Nov 2015 00:54:31 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=52356#comment-33919 I halfway believed you and even re-watched the last episode to see if I overlooked Shatner. You got me. :) The Amazon version omits the Nazi conquest of Space. I know not why. I think it would have added additional flavor. I enjoyed it though, and will keep watching future seasons, if they are forthcoming. I did not find the main resistance characters that endearing. They seemed a bit naive, stupid and completely reliant on pure luck to avoid capture. In particular, the actor's portrayal of Joe, left a lot to be desired iyam. I found him unconvincing as a double agent for the SS. The first season seems to leave you still believing that the idea is for the resistance to win. This was not necessarily Dick's intent. The Nazi and Japanese are firmly in control in this universe, and the only real hope is to wish your way out. I halfway believed you and even re-watched the last episode to see if I overlooked Shatner.

You got me. :)

The Amazon version omits the Nazi conquest of Space. I know not why. I think it would have added additional flavor. I enjoyed it though, and will keep watching future seasons, if they are forthcoming.

I did not find the main resistance characters that endearing. They seemed a bit naive, stupid and completely reliant on pure luck to avoid capture. In particular, the actor’s portrayal of Joe, left a lot to be desired iyam. I found him unconvincing as a double agent for the SS.

The first season seems to leave you still believing that the idea is for the resistance to win. This was not necessarily Dick’s intent. The Nazi and Japanese are firmly in control in this universe, and the only real hope is to wish your way out.

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