‘The Man in the High Castle’ Recap: ‘Every Door Out…’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

​Over the course of its four-year run, The Man in the High Castle has provided us with some important and thoughtful moments. For we’ve seen how easily fascism takes hold in a world where the ruling class demands for it to be the status quo. Plus, we’ve also seen how costly the fight against tyranny can be since so many characters in this story, have lost great personal and emotional gains in this ugly push and pull between the Japanese Pacific States and the Greater Nazi Reich. But of the many incredible moments we’ve been privy to over the years, there’s still one big question that this series always hinted it would answer, but has yet to bother to address; what is it that sparks the fire of a resistance?
 
As it turns out, it would seem that season four is going to try its best to answer that question at last since ‘Every Door Out…’ explored the genesis of what motivated some of these everyday people to join the fight. Which is why we were privy to seeing the birth of the Black Communist Rebellion, and that was quite the fascinating moment since it would seem that excessive oppression and loss is enough to motivate a group of people to stand up and put their lives on the line to ensure that others don’t have to suffer such losses. And what’s truly incredible about the BCR, is how far they’re willing to go to send a message, since this story also featured the genesis of a grandiose plan to assassinate several high-ranking officials of the Empire, an opportunity that Wyatt definitely wants in on.
 
Yet while seeing all of that come together was fascinating in its own right, the story still had more to explore when it comes to what helps bring a resistance to life and oddly enough, one aspect of this was explored by way of John Smith’s family. Because young Jennifer felt out of place in returning to the Reich, to the point where she quickly felt the need to begin to share with others some of the wonderful things she discovered in the Neutral Zone. Which of course, did not sit well with her father, but the message inherent here was clear. In that, sometimes the truth is what helps people to resist, since they realize they’ve been lied to and cannot stand the thought of living that lie and that’s basically where Jennifer is at right now.
 
But while all of this was incredible to watch, the story didn’t solely focus on this thematic concept, it also did a little more work in setting up the grand finale to come. And much of that was handled by way of Juliana and the multiverse. For in this particular tale, we came to learn that the Reich has figured out the finer points of dimensional travel, and they’re now sending spies and saboteurs out into the multiverse to secure the Reich’s future abroad and Juliana’s involvement in the matter, is that she’s well aware that the Nazis are traveling to her new Earth to cause trouble and keep an eye upon her. Which means, she is soon going to have to make a choice, either continue to hide and potentially see the Reich conquer another world, or return to the fight and try to end this madness once and for all…
 
If anything, I have to admit that I’m quite impressed with what this series is doing a mere two episodes into this fourth and final season. Because it just keeps finding new ways to raise the stakes and return us to a sense of danger and it is succeeding at every turn. After all, who isn’t worried about Jennifer’s safety in the Reich, regardless of her father’s standing, since the Reich is suddenly a place where fear Is growing. But what matters most, is the sheer fact that this series is working hard and fast toward an epic finale, one that will bring everything together in potentially heartbreaking and devastating fashion and it should be interesting to see if the carefully laid plans put forth in this episode are successful or not and really, the only way to find out… is to dive back in. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to my Amazon Prime app. Until next time. 

---