Honoring Thomas - The Man in the High Castle

The Man in the High Castle is an American television series depicting a dystopian alternate history. The series is based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick. In the series' alternate version of 1962, the Axis powers have won World War II and divided the United States into the Greater Nazi Reich, comprising more than half of the eastern part of the continent, and the Japanese Pacific States to the west.

[musavvirmahmud]

This show was full of potentials, it had every elements to become one of the best shows. Unfortunately, too much focus on the parallel world made the ending disappointing.

[cholosoy]

This is the most touching scene of the series in a very messed up way:

- The Hitler youth see Thomas’ death as an act of patriotism, and he will now become a mártir for the reich.

- John and Helen are visible hurt and even disgusted with the whole ceremony, but they just go with it for the greater good.

- The higher ups see the opportunity for great propaganda and capitalize on it.

[MrBairiko]

The attention to detail is impressive given how Rockwell behaves behind the podium. Emulating Hitler, who made a lot of vigorous motions during speeches with sweeping arm motions

[CesarGarcia-ndxz]

The moment the Nazi youths start standing was both touching and dark.

[ReveredDead]

Every tyrant in history has known that to truly conquer a people. You must win the minds of it's youth.

[redengineer]

This show had such good actors. It's a shame they wasted that potential.

[tomdonahoe]

Wow! The emotion displayed by Smith & especially his wife without saying a word - damned incredible actors!

[ReaverLordTonus]

I remember the first time I saw this scene, very few moments in my life have given me eerie chills and this one made the list. When you really look at what is happening here it makes your skin crawl, You have a boy who was so indoctrinated into the Nazi ideology that he willingly threw away his life because he thought that was all he could do, that he had no other future. Had he chosen to live, no one would know his name, if anything he would be seen as a disgrace, a burden on the state, something broken to be forgotten. Because he chose to just give up and die, something we in the real world would find sad and terrible, here this twisted society sees him as a hero. Thomas is being honored for nothing more than ceasing to exist, not dying nobly in battle, not accomplishing something for the betterment of humanity or contributing to its culture, just for asking to be killed because he was sick. John Smith sees it for what it truly is, a senseless waste of a life, something that should be looked upon with horror and outrage, but sees that it is revered by all around him, that because his son was willing to do this, others may do the same. The State has created a world where life itself holds no value, that you either exist to serve the state, or you don't exist at all.

[Fredfredbug]

You left out the beginning of this scene, that in my opinion makes the whole thing the best of the show.

In the begging of this scene, a Hitler Youth is singing “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” a song from the musical Cabaret. In Cabaret we see how the Nazis have grown more popular, beyond what the people accepting their presence expected. There one of the main characters asks “Do you think you can still control them?”

Here the same thing happens. The children salute on their own and the parents and adults are shocked and unsure what to do. The kids are lost to the state ideology. All they can do is follow. They no longer control them.

[dean]

0:52 It looked as if John had a flashback to the war, and felt a moment of shame that his son was called a 'hero of the reich', because he and the Allies didn't do enough to win.

[ЛюбомирМесалски-нж]

I like how many passion Hoover is putting in his hypocrisy while screaming

[crowdedboss]

I found it really interesting how they included George Rockwell in the show. In the show, he is a high ranking, Nazi Official whereas in our timeline he is the founder of the American Nazi Party

[kingstonlillyvaea]

2:36 *when you want to get out of assembly

[gp-]

I like how Thomas seemed almost horrified by what his daughter did

[Eskalion]

2:57 oh no it's those guys from 4chan again

[wokeeye]

Before the war, American school children used this salute to pledge allegiance to the flag. They changed it to the current one after.

And swastikas were good luck symbols that were used in post cards.

[attcusw]

2:36
“Sir, there’s a bug on your shoulder”
*points*

[thdadone]

This show was super good, it’s disappointing that Amazon didn’t renew it for future seasons and they had to rush it.

[fortunatebum]

As much dark as it is, it’s still bitter sweet

[universalrandomizer]

2:36 if that is not terrifying, nothing is