I'm writing this based only on the pilot, but OMG! There are Nazis and the Imperial Japanese, and they occupy America. This actually gives us a perspective on ourselves. In the show, the Nazis torture people, and the Japs invade someone's home, calling it a matter of "national security". In our reality, the CIA tortures people, and the NSA invades our homes, calling it a matter of "national security".

It's not simply a matter of an alternate reality. There is an object from our reality in theirs. That moves the show from pure fiction to science fiction. Our reality affects theirs. Does theirs affect ours?

Set in past, but not our past, the show requires a lot of careful details in the shots. The San Francisco skyline is an old one, and yet there are modifications for the increased Japanese influence.

The show is dense, and I found myself rewinding multiple times. One example is the origami unicorn. This was very significant in the movie Blade Runner (director's cut), and I'm guessing it is here too. Blade Runner is a movie that is like great literature, and I've always wanted a TV show that is like great literature, so maybe the Man in the High Castle is it!

Thank you Philip K. Dick!

Watching a great series finale is akin to saying good-bye to an old friend. So, as I write my final review of this stellar series, I'm feeling a little blue. But, let me walk you through my experience watching this series, which is now setting records as one of the longest continuing series by Amazon Prime.

Season One - (1 August 2017) This is my present binge watch, and I'm enjoying it. This series is based on a book by Philip K. Dick (author of BLADE RUNNER, TOTAL RECALL, THE MINORITY REPORT, THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU). This series is a blend of genres, so there is a little of something for everyone. It is a period piece (with an anomalous mystery), a SciFi other-world creation, a thriller and a drama. So, just relax, suspend belief and follow the writer's breadcrumbs. It's a great ride. The cast is great. The story arch is compelling. There are some stand-out performances, but basically, it is a great ensemble piece. My ratings for the episodes went from a 7 (good) to an 8 (great) to a 9 (superb), and the season finale was a solid, "WHAT!" The series was now a 10 (WOW) out of 10.

Season 2 (4 August 2017) This season's story backtracked allowing the audience to recalibrate, but then, quickly, drew us back in to its thrilling pace. It continued to give us superb storytelling, engaging performances, dynamic character building, depth of production and the season finale was breathtaking, and I have nothing but high praise for this series - a solid 10 (brilliant) out of 10.

Season 3 (7 December 2018) Already on my TOP TV SERIES list, my only concern is that, for the whole series, we are waiting for the big reveal of how this universe works, and each season this reveal is delayed - how long can we defer resolve? An additional challenge of this season was to maintain the mystery without violating the original premise. There were interesting new characters, great storytelling and interesting challenges left for season 4. My rating for this series is still a 10 (well done) out of 10.

Season 4 (11 December 2019) I knew this was to be its last season, so, I began it with a bitter-sweet anticipation. Of course, it was following up on a cliff-hanger from the season before. There were some major character losses, none quite so jarring as the first one. (I felt like we had been robbed.) Although the finale left more questions unanswered, I knew that any finale would have left me longing for more. This was a wonderfully conceived premise, superb storytelling, a fantastic cast giving us enduring characters, timely existential questions and moral repercussions. This is TV at its best, 10 out of 10, all the way and I will miss it (and probably rewatch it, every 4 years, or so). [SciFi, Period, Mystery, Drama]

Season 1 had me absolutely captivated and obsessed with this world. Season 2 was also pretty good, but everything started going downhill when they started introducing unneeded side plots and characters. Season 3 was just a mess, and season 4 was just empty and *boring*.

I sincerely believe the downfall of this show began when they veered away from the character's internal struggles (and the introduction of the sci-fi elements didn't help either). That's why season 1 was the best, because everyone was being torn up inside trying to survive and make decisions they could live with in an unforgiving, ruthless world.

[spoiler]Then the Smiths allowed their son to be murdered and Julianna killed Joe even though she *knew* he'd been brainwashed by the Nazi's. She'd risked her life for him S01, because she knew deep down he was a good guy in an impossible position, and then did a 180 an decided he was unredeemable (it made no sense and I'm still very pissed about it).[/spoiler]

And, suddenly, there was no more internal struggles. Everyone was either good or evil and there were no more grey zones. A show like this one, where the human spirit is at the center of it all, thrives in the grey zone. That muddled area where bad things are done for good reasons, and viceversa. Where you empathize with the antihero. Where survival and morality are at constantly at odds. Where you struggle with deciding what *you* would do if you found yourself in that situation.

We had a good thing going, and it got thoroughly ruined. Another series to chuck in the ==disappointing== pile.

"The Man in the High Castle" is a thought-provoking and mesmerizing series that explores an alternate history where the Axis Powers emerged victorious in World War II. With its impeccable storytelling, compelling characters, and meticulous attention to detail, this show stands as a true gem in the world of television.

The series is a masterclass in world-building, taking viewers on a captivating journey through a dystopian America divided between the Greater Nazi Reich and the Japanese Pacific States. The painstakingly crafted sets, costumes, and props transport you into this chilling alternate reality, immersing you in a world where totalitarianism reigns supreme.

What truly sets "The Man in the High Castle" apart is its ability to delve deep into the human psyche and explore the moral and ethical complexities of a world under fascist rule. The characters are multi-dimensional, each grappling with their own inner conflicts, secrets, and desires. The performances, particularly by Rufus Sewell, Alexa Davalos, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, are nothing short of exceptional, making you empathize with their struggles even in the darkest of circumstances.

The show's narrative is a beautifully woven tapestry of espionage, resistance, and political intrigue. Every episode keeps you on the edge of your seat, with unexpected twists and turns that defy predictability. It tackles complex themes such as freedom, resistance, and the consequences of unchecked power, leaving you pondering the what-ifs of history.

"The Man in the High Castle" also excels in its exploration of parallel universes and the mysterious films that reveal glimpses of alternate realities. This sci-fi element adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already gripping storyline, leaving you questioning the boundaries of reality and possibility.

The series pays meticulous attention to historical accuracy, seamlessly blending real historical footage with its fictional narrative. This juxtaposition enhances the sense of authenticity and reinforces the chilling plausibility of the alternate history it presents.

In conclusion, "The Man in the High Castle" is a tour de force in storytelling and world-building. It challenges your perceptions, immerses you in a chilling alternate history, and leaves a lasting impact on your understanding of the world. It's a series that demands your attention and rewards you with a rich and unforgettable viewing experience. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of alternate history, or simply a lover of great television, this show is an absolute must-watch.

How appellant the idea of a multiverse where the wavefunction collapse doesn't turn realities unreachable from the other quantum fluctuation results, in brief terms, referring to the "Many Worlds Theory" or the different view of Laura Mersini-Houghton. So the gods want, personna dream. As if the kraft happens, the series goes beyond the original work, admiringly well. The details, scenarios, characters. As a youngster I read mostly the twisted Philip K. Dick stories, those with bugs... Who knows how many, forty years ago? Not me.Heinlein or Le Guin, The Stars My Destination, the Heechee saga, Dorsai, even "old style space operas" by EE Doc Smith, Clifford Simak, to name a few, seemed to leave a clearer picture than Philip K. Dick which one must reread here and then considering the number of superb cinema and TV "Adaptations", too much to refer or choose one as "the best".
Not a fan of dystopian literature or ordinary TV series. But nothing of ordinary is here at play and there are Utopian undeniable traces. Art, decadence, suffering and resilience, life at its fullest. Love, and the hero within each child to crown the cake.
This work of distinguished direction, production, excellent acting and good pace, constitutes a good ensemble, rising the level and not defrauding our founded expectations. For personal reasons I usually expect the conclusion or at least two sequences and then let some distance from trailers, critics. Tasted it at a given opportunity. Better late than sorrow.
It was a pleasure to follow, in a row, three seasons of The Man in the High Castle. Congratulations to the crew.
Honored, with a bow.