What I’m Watching: The Man in the High Castle

The Man in the High Castle: Season 1, Episode 8 “End of the World” (B)

Everything that’s happening with Juliana and Frank is feeling very muddled, and I’m losing interest pretty quickly. After her horrifying visit last episode, Juliana has now shared with her family the fact of her sister’s demise, and it makes it feel increasingly like she has nothing left at home for her. Frakn, on the other hand, is fully committed to fraudulently making her money with his custom antique guns. His reluctant partner Robert got a whole lot more into the idea after he was humiliated by being told to use the tradesmen’s entrance when he came back to visit those who had just recently hosted him for an intimate dinner as a social experiment. Lem showing up was a bit of a surprise, but there’s plenty of trouble afoot with the whole film thing, and no one’s coming away from that clean. Back on the East Coast, the best character on this show, John, was much more sympathetic than ever before as he got the heartbreaking news that his son is sick, which, in this messed-up totalitarian world means that he’s doomed for untimely death to ensure that no weakness can be allowed to survive. Rufus Sewell is the powerhouse standout of every episode, but he was especially terrific in this hour as the conflict was visible on his face. Following that up with a visit to his old friend Rudolph only amplified his emotional side, demonstrating that he is capable of caring about some things, even if his life is reigned mostly by brutal efficiency.