‘The Man in the High Castle’ Recap: ‘All Serious Daring’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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​There are countless reasons as to why I so thoroughly enjoy The Man in the High Castle. But at the top of that list, is something that the series features often when it comes to its unique style of storytelling, in that, this is a series that lives and dies by the notion of cause and effect. For there are always consequences and fallout for everything that the characters do in this series and that’s challenged so many in incredible ways over the past four years. And it is that dedication to this notion that had me supremely excited to tune into the next episode of this series, since the fallout of everyone’s actions in the prior story were undoubtedly going to be on display.
 
As it turns out, that was indeed the focus of ‘All Serious Daring’ since we saw John have to reconcile and grapple with the fact that he basically ruined everything wonderful that his alter ego had built. And Juliana had to handle the fact that she had now offered up so much hope to people in D.C. that backing down would be nothing short of a disaster. But truly the centerpiece of this story is the sheer fact that it focused heavily on the fallout that came about from the assassination of Equiano Hampton and well, as I feared, the BCR was in a bad place without their top leader. In fact, they were in essence lost, and argued amongst themselves in regard to their next steps. But thankfully, Bell was able to realize that perhaps not all is lost and that a massive coordinated strike might stun the Empire like never before and it would seem that others agree and something powerful is now in motion.
 
But while the BCR worked to put their new plan together, Inspector Kido found himself surrounded by quite the mess. For the Generals and Admirals felt that the now disgraced Inokuchi needed to stand trial via Court Martial in San Francisco, something that went against every maritime policy in the Empire. But what made this decision far more disturbing, is that it was designed to do more than just send a message in regard to loyalty, it was a straight up attempt to wrest power away from the Royal Family and anyone who believes that the Empire should get the heck out of the Pacific States. And the top brass even went so far as to put the Princess on hotel arrest in order to carry out this sham of a Court Martial and that put Kido in the most difficult place imaginable.
 
For if he stood up to the brass, he too would be branded as a traitor, which meant that he went along with this little charade, despite the fact that it made him sick to his stomach. But there comes a point for every man where he can no longer tolerate the lies being presented to him. And for Kido, that moment arrived when the brass tried to pin Tagomi’s death on the Admiral as well, and that, prompted the Inspector to do something I never thought I would see him do; stand up for what’s right in the world. So, when given the order to end the Admiral’s life by firing squad, he instead turned the tables on the General and his lackeys, placing most of them under arrest, and I say most… because Captain Iijima, the man that helped to end Tagomi’s life, had a bullet waiting for him.
 
If anything, it was just incredible to see Kido finally be on the right side of history and do something that might actually spare lives for a change and I suppose that in keeping with the theme of consequences, plenty more should come from this treachery. For the Royal Family will not take the poor treatment of the princess lightly and it may prompt the Emperor to rethink what it means to be in an endless war, since clearly, it’s beginning to change the men he sent to America. Either way, this was just another incredible episode when all is said and done. For this one was enthralling and tense and powerful and clearly, the plot is now in full swing, and I fully expect this season to pick up steam as we barrel toward a powerhouse series finale. Until next time.   

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