MovieChat Forums > The Man in the High Castle (2015) Discussion > Waste of a premise!

Waste of a premise!

posted 6 years ago by Renovatio (2990)
4 replies | jump to latest

Wow... What a waste...

The premise is so good, an alternate history where the Allies lose World War II and then they turn it into just another cliché TV series with people crying every five minutes and a ton of plot turns just to waste time...

No exploration of what it feels like to live under a totalitarian regime... Not just for so called "undesireables", but equally importantly the effect it would have on the rest of society...

Watching this series, you would be hard pressed to tell what was different living under Nazi rule in terms of everyday life... You'd think it's just the military having different uniforms and titles... No sense for how pervaisive totalitarianism is... it is total! it affects everything...

And the Japanese ruled Pacific States... So, TV is a bit different and women have not had their civil rights move and sexual revolution... That's it?! You'd think they weren't in control of the country, just living as priviledged expats in gated comunities, having the top government jobs...

So much more they couod have done... Ideas to be explored, etc...

I recognise that it is a TV show and would not expect it to be special aesthetically, but come on... No propaganda? No fascist aesthetic? I suppose it would have easily run the risk of being missunderstood if they tried some of that, but couldn't they have tried something?!

[–] Renovatio (2990) 6 years ago

ok... at the last episode if the first season it finally starts to be about more than crying for Trudy... 2nd season off to a good start, finally getting to see some of what I outlined above... Still a lot of talk anout daddy issues though...

[–] brux (14666) 6 years ago

You're still watching, right? It must not be that bad. I was skeptical at first, and it did not really go with the book, but now it has made its own space for itself and I think they are doing a fairly good job. I'm, kind of liking the series now ... in season 3. If you are watching, what to do you think?

[–] Renovatio (2990) 6 years ago

I haven't watched any of season 3... I will revisit it at some point... I usually don't watch TV shows, but this one did have a very good premise, so that is saying a lot

Some interesting parts in season 2. Should be interesting to check out the 3rd season at some point

Are you enjoying it?

[–] brux (14666) 6 years ago

I just now finished the last episode, 10. I did think it was interesting and good, though it is in the typical form of a cliffhanger. Now I have to wait another year or more for the next season to find out what happens. I thought it speeded up and got more intense than the first two seasons and did not make any false steps. I thought it was good.