The Man in the High Castle

[Tokora]

Just finished watching the show on Amazon prime and it was amazing. The amount of effort put into the culture of a Japanese/German occupied America in unbelievable. To those that have watched, I do have a few questions though. Spoiler warning.

It was mentioned that Christianity was banned throughout the world. While Germany did have plans to replace it with an Aryan friendly religion, why would the Japanese ban it? The Japanese mainland had a sizable Christian minority and such a prohibition would alienate many loyal Japanese citizens.

In the book Germany was ruled by Martin Bormann then Joseph Goebbels following a power struggle. In the show, Hitler was alive and well for the first 1-1/2 seasons. He was suffering from syphilis! How did he even survive the early 50's!?

While damming up the Mediterranean was mentioned in the book, I remember it all being part the empire of Italy. What happened to Mussolini's empire?

In the book, "The Grasshopper lies Heavy" was about a cold war between the United States of America and the British Empire where the US collapsed. While the Cuban missile crisis made a brilliant plot, why do you think the other conflict was never mentioned and is there any possibility of it being mentioned later in the series.

It is a great show but as a history nut, some of these details just baffle me. On an unrelated note, anybody have any ideas about when the third season will come out? Also feel free to just comment what you thought about the show.

[Tokora]

Really? Nobody? I would've thought at least a few people on the site would've been interested in and/or watched the show.

[Bheothachadh]

it was pretty good, I want series three sooner that it will come tho (

[Tokora]

Apparently only two people on the site, including me, watched the show. This topic died a quick death. You people don't know what you're missing.

[Dytarma]

I've heard of the series, though I haven't watched it, I've read the book.

[Tokora]

I've heard of the series, though I haven't watched it, I've read the book.

You should watch it if you have Amazon prime. While the only connection between the book and the show is the characters, it's still a good story unto itself.

[Maichuko]

Iv'e only heard about the book. how long is the show?

[Kravanica]

Truly awesome series. The stories it follows are so interesting and the world feels so real. The amount of detail that went into creating Berlin and the Volkshalle was outstanding.

[Dytarma]

I've heard of the series, though I haven't watched it, I've read the book.

You should watch it if you have Amazon prime. While the only connection between the book and the show is the characters, it's still a good story unto itself.

I don't have Amazon prime, but I'll find a way.

[Populi-Terrae]

This show is beyond awesome. Season 2, especially the ending, was spectacular.

[Kravanica]

It was mentioned that Christianity was banned throughout the world. While Germany did have plans to replace it with an Aryan friendly religion, why would the Japanese ban it? The Japanese mainland had a sizable Christian minority and such a prohibition would alienate many loyal Japanese citizens.

Probably following Germany's example like they did with their racial policies. Also because it's evident that they believe their race and culture are superior.

In the book Germany was ruled by Martin Bormann then Joseph Goebbels following a power struggle. In the show, Hitler was alive and well for the first 1-1/2 seasons. He was suffering from syphilis! How did he even survive the early 50's!?

He had access to the best doctors in the Reich. Though perhaps in this timeline he didn't have syphilis.

While damming up the Mediterranean was mentioned in the book, I remember it all being part the empire of Italy. What happened to Mussolini's empire?

Based on the maps they show it was absorbed into the Reich. Makes sense since later on in WW2 Fascist Italy had become nothing more than a German puppet state. I guess after winning the war they didn't feel the need to keep Mussolini's puppet state around.

In the book, "The Grasshopper lies Heavy" was about a cold war between the United States of America and the British Empire where the US collapsed. While the Cuban missile crisis made a brilliant plot, why do you think the other conflict was never mentioned and is there any possibility of it being mentioned later in the series.

Possibly because they didn't want to fudge the image of the UK and the US being allies.

[Populi-Terrae]

It was mentioned that Christianity was banned throughout the world. While Germany did have plans to replace it with an Aryan friendly religion, why would the Japanese ban it? The Japanese mainland had a sizable Christian minority and such a prohibition would alienate many loyal Japanese citizens.

Christianity was never widely accepted by the Japanese, even now, in Japan, there are hardly any Christians. Plus, the whole idea of Christianity runs contrary to the Japanese idea that the Emperor was descended from the heavens, so it makes sense.

[Tokora]

I knew there were more people on this site who watched it!

Iv'e only heard about the book. how long is the show?

There are two seasons, ten episodes per season, an hour per episode. 20 hours total if you binge watch.

snip

Thanks for answering, that all sounded very helpful. You probably hit the nail on the head for Mussolini!

It was mentioned that Christianity was banned throughout the world. While Germany did have plans to replace it with an Aryan friendly religion, why would the Japanese ban it? The Japanese mainland had a sizable Christian minority and such a prohibition would alienate many loyal Japanese citizens.

Christianity was never widely accepted by the Japanese, even now, in Japan, there are hardly any Christians. Plus, the whole idea of Christianity runs contrary to the Japanese idea that the Emperor was descended from the heavens, so it makes sense.

News to me (I remember there being a Japanese Christian and a German missionary in the the book "Hiroshima") but I guess it makes sense. Still sounds stupid to alienate loyal subjects in my opinion.

[HYDRA Nazi Germany]

This show's plot is similar to the idea of HYDRA defeating Captain America during World War II and taking over the world. HYDRA and the regular Nazis would be similar masters for the American people. The Man in the High Castle does remind me of a Marvel production because of these similar plot elements.

[Datlofff]

The show seems like a good premise, Though entirely unrealistic, The japanese navy would never have the strength to overpower the US, even if Pearl Harbor was a success like it should of been, american production would of just cranked out more ships, and a mainland invasion of the US at that time was basically impossible. Don't even get me started about the bare bones german and italian navies though, which couldn't even control the baltic sea and mediterranean seas

[Maluvia]

I'm a big fan of the book and I found the series to be very disappointing in terms of aesthetics and the changes to the plot.

[Wisconsin9]

I watched the first season, and enjoyed it. The second season I sort of half listened to while playing Hearts of Iron.

[Lautrec-]

Never heard of it before, seems really interesting. Thanks for posting this, OP.

Is the show complete?

[Caracasus]

Read the book, seen the first 1 and 1/2 seasons of the TV show. I preferred the book, though I liked what they did with the TV show. To answer some of your questions as far as I know....

It was mentioned that Christianity was banned throughout the world. While Germany did have plans to replace it with an Aryan friendly religion, why would the Japanese ban it? The Japanese mainland had a sizable Christian minority and such a prohibition would alienate many loyal Japanese citizens.

In the book the Japanese empire seems to have two distinct (and in places contradictory) cultural themes. 1. there seems to be a re-emergence of traditional Japanese thought and philosophy. Coupled with that, there is an obsession with pre-war Americana and collectables, large enough that the economy of the Pacific States is potentially threatened if it emerges that many of these items are fakes. I'd hazard a guess that perhaps the Japanese empire wished to distance itself further from the predominant religion of a conquered people?

In the book Germany was ruled by Martin Bormann then Joseph Goebbels following a power struggle. In the show, Hitler was alive and well for the first 1-1/2 seasons. He was suffering from syphilis! How did he even survive the early 50's!?

Buggered if I know. I can recall in the book there being speculation whether Hitler is even still alive. I felt the book did a much better job of reminding you of how controlled access to information and the truth was in the occupied states. Perhaps serious medical interventions?


While damming up the Mediterranean was mentioned in the book, I remember it all being part the empire of Italy. What happened to Mussolini's empire?

It's barely mentioned apart from in passing in the book, and yeah, can't recall it being mentioned in the TV series. One of the characters in the book reads the Mediterranean empire given to Mussolini as almost an insult. In the TV show, as with the book, Italy is pretty much written off it would seem.

In the book, "The Grasshopper lies Heavy" was about a cold war between the United States of America and the British Empire where the US collapsed. While the Cuban missile crisis made a brilliant plot, why do you think the other conflict was never mentioned and is there any possibility of it being mentioned later in the series.

I think this might come from Phillip K Dick's use of I-ching when writing it to make major plot decisions for him. Perhaps his interpretation within the Grasshopper Lies Heavy was considered too "out there" for TV audiences?

[Caracasus]

The show seems like a good premise, Though entirely unrealistic, The japanese navy would never have the strength to overpower the US, even if Pearl Harbor was a success like it should of been, american production would of just cranked out more ships, and a mainland invasion of the US at that time was basically impossible. Don't even get me started about the bare bones german and italian navies though, which couldn't even control the baltic sea and mediterranean seas

The premise of the book is that an assassin kills Roosevelt, the USA continues isolationist policies and things kind of fall apart in the US. American industry and production stalls, coupled with isolationist policies this means that Europe and the USSR are left to fend for themselves. Once they're all but done for, Japan and Germany invade.

[Germaustia]

I watched both the seasons, love the show. Might read the book.

I have a question it really doesn't affect anyone having it spoiled so here.
What happened to Russia? Did they continue the pact, after seeing how strong Germany was becoming?

when talking about bombing the Japanese, and attacking different areas.

There's multiple areas left alone, meaning that some places still would remain, what would they be like?
PLUS Canada was taken over, which sounds pretty interesting to me, so the Germans had to endure another Winter war, depending on when they invaded?
And not to mention, how did 'The Final Solution' go? Did the Jews get killed within Europe, and now America has Concentration Camps as well? Thats one side I haven't seen anything about, and I understand its touchy, but it should be answered.
Then there's also the question, of if they didn't go through with the Final Solution, were they just used as like what the Egyptians had done, used them as construction workers?

[Tokora]

I was starting to worry that this thread was dead.

Never heard of it before, seems really interesting. Thanks for posting this, OP.

Is the show complete?

I don't think it's finished, but it better not be because after two seasons you're left with more questions than when you finished the first episode.

snip

Thanks, those were all good answers.

What happened to Russia? Did they continue the pact, after seeing how strong Germany was becoming?

They probably left the Russian neutral zone in the hands of right-wing warlords.

And not to mention, how did 'The Final Solution' go? Did the Jews get killed within Europe, and now America has Concentration Camps as well? Thats one side I haven't seen anything about, and I understand its touchy, but it should be answered.
Then there's also the question, of if they didn't go through with the Final Solution, were they just used as like what the Egyptians had done, used them as construction workers?

If the Japanese are trying to exterminate the Jews despite having tried to resettle them into Manchuria than I can confidently say that the European Jew is most likely extinct. Ditto for the Roma.

[Germaustia]

Snip

Thanks for your responses.

[Datlofff]

The show seems like a good premise, Though entirely unrealistic, The japanese navy would never have the strength to overpower the US, even if Pearl Harbor was a success like it should of been, american production would of just cranked out more ships, and a mainland invasion of the US at that time was basically impossible. Don't even get me started about the bare bones german and italian navies though, which couldn't even control the baltic sea and mediterranean seas

The premise of the book is that an assassin kills Roosevelt, the USA continues isolationist policies and things kind of fall apart in the US. American industry and production stalls, coupled with isolationist policies this means that Europe and the USSR are left to fend for themselves. Once they're all but done for, Japan and Germany invade.

The allies didn't need america that much though, and even then. The war is what got america out of the stuff it was in. As soon as japan attacked pearl harbor, it would be all over. And if they don't, they would never get past the massive navy america already had defending the coast. Isolationist or not, the North Carolina, and Iowa classes still got ordered, and would still have been completed. Nimitz would of made sure of it. Also, americas carrier fleet, would of been built still, the Yorktowns and the Wasp, the Langley, and the Ranger. Just because america is isolationist, doesn't mean they suddenly stop building military supplies. America's economy was shite until the war, and the war is what brought it to life, as soon as they say the Japanese attacked Hawaii (They had to to have enough range for their capital ships to reach the US) It would of been game over for the axis.