The Man in the High Castle — Series 4 Episodes 2: Every Door Out… — A Review

21st November, 2019

Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I’m … 

Well, thinking all sorts of things.

I notice — for example — that Jeremy Corbyn’s announced that — should Labour get into government — they will scrap the Universal Credit benefit I’m on.

I’m thinking I couldn’t vote for them, giving that.

Partly?   Because they haven’t said what they’ll replace it with.

And partly because the change from Universal Credit to its replacement will come with the same sort of delays that happened with the change from Job Seeker’s Allowance to Universal Credit.

And from the old Unemployment Benefit to Jobseekers Allowance.

All of which saw delayed payments: at least to me.

And, I’m assuming, to others.

I’m ALSO very aware the Greens are planning what they call a Universal Basic Income of some £89 a week.

One that seemingly doesn’t include housing costs.

As someone planning to vote Green in this election … ?

That’s a concern … and also why I contacted the local Green candidate.

I’ll hear back from them, another time: but I’m … 

Well … 

Concerned … 

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s a Thursday … 

A Thursday where, frankly?

I felt I could go another episode of the fourth season of The Man in the High Castle.

I’m on the second episode … 

~≈¥≈~

Episode 2 — Every Door Out... — shows us Juliana (Alexa Davalos): learning slowly how to cope in a world that — to us — looks strangely familiar … but that seems vaguely unsettling to her.

Especially when its version of Helen Smith (Chelah Horsdal) is encouraging her to get married.   And its version of Helen’s husband, Reichsmarshall Smith (Rufus Sewell) is incredibly friendly.

The real version of the Reichsmarshall — back in the main world — is getting some interesting intelligence: that includes the whereabouts of Juliana.

As a counterweight?   His two daughters, Jennifer and Amy (Genea Charpentier and Gracyn Shinyei) are arguing … constantly.   With older daughter, Jennifer, having a stash of blues records … 

That are seriously frowned upon in Nazi America … 

~≈¥≈~

Meanwhile, on the Pacific coast … ?

The flashback that opened the episode introduces us to Bell and Elijah (Frances Turner and Clé Bennett), as they join Equiano Hampton’s (Britain’s own David Harewood*) Black Communist Rebellion … in what has to be one of the episode’s more emotional scenes.

The episode heads forward three years: showing us Bell reluctantly recruiting Wyatt (Jason O’Mara) into the BCR’s latest action.

Assassinating senior Japanese officials at an auction organised by none other than Robert Childan (Brennan Brown).

Complicated … ?

Oh, yes …

~≈¥≈~

Am I intrigued … ?

Am I paying attention?

Am I enjoying this?

I think I can safely say two things.

First … ?

That Every Door Out… is adding layers to this last series of The Man in the High Castle.

And second?

My video review is … possibly incoherent … !

Either way?

I think this series of The Man in the High Castle is proving to be worth watching.

Going on the evidence, so far.

*        He, like Burn Gorman in series one, is another Dr Who graduate …