The abandonment of freedom is embraced by more people than some of us may care to admit. To live under totalitarianism is, alas, to some a blessing, for they're devoid of the responsibility to forge their own destinies. They sleep through life, content to let others pull the strings. However, for freedom's advocates, the extremes of governmental control can create a hellish existence and dismantling such, a paramount goal.
This concept predominates Amazon’s “Man in the High Castle”, based on Phillip K. Dick’s classic, parallel-reality novel. The series enters its second season December 16.
In the story's parallel scheme, the Axis, not the Allies,
have won WWII. Now, in an alternate, early ‘60s, Germany harnesses one portion of the
U.S. and Japan the other. There's a burgeoning
tension between the factions, but none as profound as what brews beneath. The latter’s participants acknowledge a series of mysterious films which depict the Allies as triumphant, and the enigmatic Man in the High Castle intends to collect them all.
Returning to the series are Alexa Davalos; Joel de la
Fuente; Rupert Evans; Michael Hogan; Luke Kleintank; DJ Qualls; Rufus Sewell; Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa; Brennan Brown; Daniel Roebuck; and joining the cast, in what’s intended as a significant role, Stephen
Root.
“Man in the High Castle” may not fly well with those discontent with Western-world influence, but for
those who despise global injustice (and yes, many of us still do), the series will prove an inspirational tool. Despite its melancholic content, “Man in the High Castle” demonstrates that one can (and should) oppose tyranny, no matter how grand its scope. It also shows there's always hope for a better tomorrow, no matter what the "reality".
