High On THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE

Article originally published as THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Review on Seat42F.

Amazon’s newest drama is called THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE. Based on the novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick, the story is set in an alternate 1962, in which the United States lost World War II in 1947, and now lives under the harsh rule of the Axis powers. In this landscape, a film reel showing the Allies winning the war begins circulating, and those in charge become intent to kill all who come across it.

The former United States looks very different in THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE. The West Coast is now Japanese territory, while the Midwest and the East wave a Nazi flag. In between is a nearly lawless neutral zone, which characters from both sides venture into, and seems to be where a large part of the action will take place. While people are generally the same, the country is virtually unrecognizable, with everything from jobs to technology affected.

It’s under these conditions that the intrigue plays out. There is no love lost between the Japanese and the Germans, who have become locked in a Cold War, being the two super powers left in the world. Only Adolf Hitler holds the tenuous peace together, and with his health failing, it looks like things may soon devolve into violence once more.

It’s interesting to see Hitler cast as a peacemaker. It makes sense, given the way the pilot plays out, and it reinforces the wisdom that history is written by the victor. Life isn’t great for the conquered Americans, having lost their freedom, but it isn’t horrible, most going on mainly as normal. With the Great Depression having exacted a heavy toll and work still scarce, many who might revile Hitler are now counting on him to hold everything together.

THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE has a lot going on. I know I’ve said that about other shows, but it seems especially true about this one. There are the larger political machinations, as mentioned above, but there’s also a rebellion and the more personal story around the film reel., I give the writers credit for balancing all of this, likely inspired by Dick, who packed a lot in a relatively short novel. The show manages to tell various stories on different scales and not feel scattered or messy.

On the personal level, front and center, is Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos, Mob City). Living in San Francisco, studying martial arts, she embraces the best parts of the new world. But when her half-sister gives her the reel mentioned above, she feels compelled to follow the trail, taking her into the neutral zone, an area she knows nothing about.

Her counterpart from the German side is Joe Blake (Luke Kleintank, Bones), a truck driver who also has a reel. They come together seemingly by happenstance, but both seem destined to be intertwined. Their connection isn’t romantic, with Juliana having a steady beau at home. Instead, it seems like they are playing a part in something much bigger than themselves, with little foresight into what might happen next.

THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE’s first episode intrigues and engages. There characters are interesting, and while it isn’t populated by an A-list cast, there are a number of familiar faces, all of whom do an excellent job. The world, realistically painted, is complex and vast, and the balance between the elements is expertly managed. I have nothing bad to say about it, and look forward very much to diving into the next installment.

THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE is available now on Amazon.com, with the first two episodes currently free for everyone.

Bones frees "The Patriot in Purgatory"

This week's installment of FOX's Bones is one of the best stand-alone episodes the series has ever made. I do not say this lightly, as despite it's procedural format, I highly enjoy the show most weeks. It may be the only procedural I hold in such esteem. The credit goes to a truly fantastic ensemble cast, and the quirkiness of the various characters. In "The Patriot in Purgatory," these people are taken to new levels of emotion.

The hour begins with Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) bringing together her five best interns so that she can try out some coaching skills she learned from reading Phil Jackson's book. Yes, Brennan is finally into some small aspects of pop culture, most likely thanks to her ever-deepening relationship with Booth (David Boreanaz). She assigns these five to examine old bones with new technology in the hopes of identifying many remains that have never been named.

At first, the squad humorously argues and gets competitive, each trying to outdo the other ones. This is to be expected, as Brennan has, until now, created a fiercely competitive environment. Each jockeys for Brennan's favor, and tries to prove they are better than the others. Had this been the way the rest of the episode played out, it still would have been good, because seeing these personalities clash is entertaining.

Yet, "The Patriot in Purgatory" soon deepens when Vaziri (Pej Vahdat) becomes obsessed with a homeless man. Taking the ignored case to heart, as the police clearly didn't do a thorough investigation the first time around, Vaziri becomes obsessed with figuring out who this man is, even if he neglects the other bodies in the process.

It isn't long before his fellow interns are also drawn in by the mystery. Wendell (Michael Grant Terry), Clark (Eugene Byrd), Finn (Luke Kleintank), and even, eventually, Fisher (Joel David Moore) each lend their strengths, which differ from person to person, to the case. Only together, can they solve the puzzle. This is not only a display of what a great team the Jeffersonian has, and more proof that Brennan picks the right interns, but also an inspiring tale about a quest for justice.

Before long, the guys decide that their bones belong to a man who died shortly after 9/11 due to injuries suffered on that fateful day. Not only that, he is a soldier. This quickly draws Booth into the mix, becoming just as determined to solve the case as the squinterns, and everyone else helps, too. Thankfully, this time murder isn't involved, but there is a huge disservice being done to a guy who should be a national hero, and Booth will not rest until the truth comes out, and the body is honorably buried.

"The Patriot in Purgatory" is a holiday episode. Not many shows tackle a Veteran's Day theme, but Bones shows that an inspiring tale can be told at this time of year. It took such a series, with a character like Booth, who is devoted to the military, to do it right. While not based on anyone that actually lived, at least, not that I know of, it is a spotlight on the sad tragedy of what happens to many soldiers who return from war, and the neglected heroes living among us.

This also provides an opportunity for each of the squinterns to share their 9/11 story. Wendell's, in particular is sad, but Vaziri also gets to give voice to many an American Muslim who suffered on that day because of the actions of extremists. He reminds us that we should not hate the religion, which isn't really to blame, but the people who take it and twist it into something ugly. Christian history has plenty of similar examples. Let's not forget that.

In the end, tears flow, and viewers are left feeling deeply moved. There is some serious drama and character development here, all perfectly executed. This is why "The Patriot in Purgatory" deserves to be watched and remembered. And maybe, like the best of Christmas-themed specials, dusted off every few years to be rewatched and enjoyed again on the holiday it celebrates.

Bones airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

'Bones' faces a new bump in the road

This week, FOX's Bones presents "The Bump in the Road." Brennan (Emily Deschanel) finds it hard to concentrate on her work, now that her baby is in daycare nearby. Cam (Tamara Taylor) also had a mommy dilemma when her daughter, Michelle (Tiffany Hines), begins dating new-ish Jeffersonian intern Finn (Luke Kleintank). Will these parents be able to compartmentalize their kids and their careers, and still do right by both?

In the fall batch of Bones episodes, the new dynamic between Brennan and Booth (David Boreanaz) does not hurt the series at all. If anything, Bones becomes energized by the shake up. However, the same cannot be said of the past two episodes, which are more baby-centric. Yes, it's nice to see Booth and Brennan have a little family, and the scenes featuring these two are mostly authentic and sweet. Bones has always been good at writing the romantic stuff. It's Brennan-as-a-mommy that they have yet to figure out, and so other parts of "The Bump in the Road" come off as clumsy.

Brennan studies human behavior, without fully understanding how to fit into social interaction herself. It's always been a part of her character, so it's no surprise that being a mother is an adjustment. However, the overwhelming emotion Deschanel lets slip into the part glosses over this. This is not the complaint, as it isn't a surprise that giving birth could change a person.

However, to hear Brennan endlessly talk about motherhood doesn't feel all that authentic. The scene where she catches Angela (Michaela Conlin) hiding her own child in a file cabinet is worse. Sure, it's believable that Angela might sneak her kid into the lab, but the whole thing feels like a staged set up to give Brennan something to babble about. The way Brennan is now being written just seems a bit fake. It's like the writers know how they want her to act, but haven't quite mastered how to make it happen at the same level they were writing the character previously.

Booth fares a bit better, but then, he's not the mommy. His scene with Special Agent Shaw (Tina Majorino), where she admits to having a child, also feels staged. The fact that she acts awkwardly as Booth stumbles for something to say, settling on praising her motherly abilities, of which he has not witnessed, saves it. He act authentically out of step after such a weird confession, and she also looks uncomfortable. This works, even if the initial conversation does not.

Cam, too, is written weirdly in "The Bump in the Road." She is a cheerleader and mentor for Finn, until he wants to date her daughter. Understandable. But then Cam implies that her concerns are about Finn's past, which has already been justified to her and the audience. Why not have Cam express hesitation because of how she sees Finn treat a girl in the diner at the beginning of the episode? That would feel much more real. And without her bringing it up later, instead, using other excuses, why even have that scene?

The lack of focus on this week's case is not a problem. Bones is at its best when it lets its character breathe, and doesn't stick them stringently into the crime formula. But since the characters have all undergone big shifts, and the writers haven't completely adjusted yet, "The Bump in the Road" feels like a mediocre effort. Perhaps it should have been a practice script that didn't see the light of day.

Given the long track record of greatness that Bones has, things will probably get sorted out, hopefully sooner, rather than later. Watch Bones Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

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