The Man in the High Castle

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Season 3
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
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Critic Reviews

  1. Collider
    Reviewed by: Dave Trumbore
    Oct 4, 2018
    100
    The expert editing keeps the pace up as the story dashes from place to place, but there are moments where this work really shines, particularly when acting as a way to juxtapose life in the Reich vs life in the Resistance. There’s something for everyone this season, and though it’s a slow-burn drama compared to some shows on TV today, the 10-episode watch is well worth your time.
  2. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Oct 3, 2018
    75
    Netflix might be the dominant streaming service player when it comes to original series, but quantity never trumps quality, as Man proves. The detail in imagining New York City as a Nazi stronghold remains extraordinary, from the skyscrapers bearing the flag of the Third Reich down to the swastika ice sculpture dripping at a fancy party.
  3. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Karen Han
    Oct 8, 2018
    70
    The third season makes further efforts at relevance, working in new storylines about homosexuality under Nazi reign, but as with the universe-jumping the series now relies on, such efforts don’t really work when they’re not grounded in something more personal and character-based.
  5. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Liz Shannon Miller
    Oct 8, 2018
    67
    In Season 3 there are moments of joy, moments of hope, but in the long run it’s a show about unchecked hatred that doesn’t offer much in the way of solutions, because maybe it knows there aren’t any. It doesn’t destroy the idea that action is ineffective. It even offers its characters some moments of triumph. But it also doesn’t pretend that the path to rebellion is easy, and that average people are able to find it.
  6. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 27, 2018
    50
    High Castle mostly slogs through a 10-episode third season without successfully fusing its best parts into a compelling whole. [1-14 Oct 2018, p.11]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
  1. SeussMyTub
    Oct 12, 2018
    8
    Dark, depressing, but amazingly well done adaptation of the PKD novel. Season 3 continues its breakneck pace of complex plots and charactersDark, depressing, but amazingly well done adaptation of the PKD novel. Season 3 continues its breakneck pace of complex plots and characters as the stakes get higher. The immersion is breathtaking as the whole show actually transports you into a complete alternate universe where the Axis powers won the war.

    As usual its the characters that carry the show. John Smith is the best of these, a complex man who is truly evil, yet somehow has that spark of redemption due to his devotion to his not so perfect family, and could be the key to the whole story (assuming he survives).

    Robert Childan, who normally serves as comedic catharsis to such a depressing show actually takes on a dark turn which I hope will not last. Juliana serves as the main protagonist, yet she is somewhat standard fare compared to the other, more complex characters- she needs to get more interesting, hopefully in the next season.

    All in all, well done.    … Full Review »
  2. the12black
    Oct 7, 2018
    9
    Another solidly written season, with performances to match from the cast. This season was a bit faster paced and there is a bit more action,Another solidly written season, with performances to match from the cast. This season was a bit faster paced and there is a bit more action, but not so much that the series has become “The Man in the Die Hard Castle.”

    I’ll definitely binge this again on a long weekend.    … Full Review »
  3. ManiacUK
    Oct 9, 2018
    8
    I was sceptical at first because the season starts off really slowly; there's definitely a case of drawing a line under several of theI was sceptical at first because the season starts off really slowly; there's definitely a case of drawing a line under several of the characters of the previous season and introducing new ones. Similarly, the storyline has shifted, as was to be expected, with characters becoming more proactive in the fight for freedom. With this comes a greater deal of action, but these scenes are not overused - they are tense and keep with the atmosphere of the show.

    The sci-fi elements, largely introduced in season 2, also take a far more prominent role this time round. They develop nicely over the course of the season, being slowly revealed and explained to viewers. I'd say that if you're not a fan of sci-fi in general, then this probably won't be to your taste as the show is definitely now moving in that direction.

    Finally, the writers have now introduced the issues of homosexuality and what may be described as “alternative” sexual desires to the show. While this could have been embedded sensibly, the prevalence with which it appears in the show makes it seem incredibly forced. Characters who were previously portrayed as straight are now homosexual and many others seem to have a skeleton in their closet regarding sexual preferences. It just seems over the top and, despite the number of characters affected, it is developed upon very little and adds basically nothing to the show. If the writers wanted to explore this social issue they should have stuck to one or two characters and expanded on their story.

    Overall, however, the season was enjoyable and pretty much in line in terms of quality with the previous two. By the time you get to the end you do feel like maybe they could have covered more ground, possibly extending by a few episodes, especially considering the long wait since the last instalment, but generally it is satisfying enough. As per usual the season ends on a cliff-hanger, with several major events taking place, and that will surely keep you hooked until next time – let’s just hope we don’t have to wait almost 2 years like last time!    … Full Review »
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