By Julie Santiago
Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle” based on the book by Philip K. Dick is definitely a series worth watching for its bold, intriguing and provocative story.
While its graphics may fall short, its script, acting and overall mood does not.
Even the faded desaturated colors much like AMC’s “The Walking Dead” adds to the show’s dark tone.
The test pilot of the series was released Jan. 15 of this year, but it took almost a year for the rest of the episodes to be released on Nov. 20.
Amazon plans on continuing this as a full series.
The series is set in 1962.
The Germans and the Japanese have won World War II, with no word on what happened to the Italians.
The U.S. has been split into 2 different occupied territories and one neutral zone in the mid west where basically everything goes.
The West Coast of the U.S., including Los Angeles and San Francisco, belong to the Japanese.
The east coast, New York and Chicago belong to the Germans.
The main characters are American.
Juliana, played by Alexa Davalos, and Frank, played by Rupert Evans, accidentally become involved with what could be the start of World War III.
With the death of her sister, Juliana is left to smuggle an illegal film to the neutral zone for a mysterious individual, the man in the high castle.
Consequently, after doing so, opens a can of worms, that includes family deaths for her boyfriend Frank.
Although this show has considered some dark possible history alternatives, its most disturbing idea might be how desensitized and accepting many people have become to the enemy forces ideas and ways of living after losing the war.
In one scene, Joe Blake, played by Luke Kleintank, also a main character and spy, asks an officer about strange snow-like gray flakes falling down from the sky.
The officer responds nonchalantly that the Nazi’s are burning bodies and then continues with his day.
While it’s true that most of this drama is depressing, there is definitely romance and maybe even a love triangle waiting to unfold between Juliana Crane and Joe Blake.
This series has received great ratings from many critics including an overall 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Viewers who have a hard time following along with a show unlike a Michael Bay film.
However, with complex issues and a lot of dialogue, might find this boring and slow.
History buffs, sci-fi fans, and patient viewers who love and appreciate getting wrapped in a well- done story, however, will appreciate this binge worthy drama.