About The Guy In The Palatial Estate

Post 448:

            Review time. Just finished The Man in the High Castle’s new season, and I’ve got my thoughts all lined up. Pretty maids all in a row.

            Not really. Truthfully, I’m conflicted.

            The book is neat, and so is the show, but it’s not what I’d call fun. It’s about Nazi bastards and dystopian crazy town, so of course it’s not going to be fun, but it’s entertainment, gosh sakes.

            The show is really written well. By that, I mean that all the plot points hit when they’re supposed to. Pay attention to all the twists and turns and all that, but in the end… yeah. Spoilers.

            A few of the main characters don’t really land for me. When an integral dude shows back up or dies and you don’t care that much, it’s a sign that something was underwritten or missed the mark.

            This happens in season three. Motivations are a little foggy. I’m okay with this, but in the end I like my love to be love and my enemies to be my enemies.

            It’s a complex show, so I get it—with not that much out there that’s killing it right now, I’d say it’s worth watching. Certainly better than the Jack Ryan thing amazon put out a month or two ago.

            Some positives. I want to know what happens. I’ll say I really dig the good Japanese older dude—he’s got mad presence and it’s cool how they integrate the spiritual method of traveling between worlds and juxtapose it with the Nazi way, which is heartless and scientific.

            Let’s be honest; this is a work of great care and attention to detail. You won’t see me doing reviews of network procedurals, because there’s not a lot of there there. Your average weekly program is formula, wooden characters, and turn off the old noggin. So as much as I take swipes, we’re talking about good work and admirable people trying to pull something off.

            In the end, it’s a little in the weeds, but worth a shot. Just a little dour and a few too many swastikas. Nazis. I hate those guys.  

            Give it a watch. It’s at least almost as good as Desperate Housewives.

            Okay. That was a stretch.

            Writers and characters. Hard work and art. I know, I fall for it every time.

            Cheers. See you after.