One of the most contentious seasons of any TV program is the fourth installment offered by The Man In The High Castle. Though the narrative arcs are as complex as ever, the abrupt ending of this show has left a bad taste in the mouth of several fans. As the story draws to a close, it is up to Juliana Crain to prevent Reichsmarschall Smith from using the Die Nebenwelt Portal (and subsequently controlling all Earths in the multiverse.)
And if things weren't dicey enough for the Nazis and the Japanese, the Black Communist Rebellion finally plays its hand in the game. Except for the series finale, audiences have given their approval of the final season — here is the list of the best episodes according to their IMDb rating.
Fire From The Gods (Episode 10) — 5.9
John Smith is a phenomenal character, even if he doesn't appear in the original story written by Philip K. Dick. In the series finale, his life falls apart as his wife, Helen, completely loses her trust in him (when she finds out that he intends on building new concentration camps after invading the Japanese-occupied Pacific States.)
After she dies in a resistance bombing, Smith comprehends the gravity of his actions and kills himself while Juliana watches. In the end, a large number of people come out of the portal, the significance of which remains inscrutable.
Hexagram 64 (Episode 1) — 7.4
In the first episode, Juliana finds herself in the alternate timeline after barely managing to avoid being murdered by Smith. She becomes an aikido trainer there and has bonded with both alt-Thomas and alt-Helen.
Tagomi is revealed to have been assassinated (offscreen), and Kido believes that the Reichsmarschall was involved in the act. The Black Communist Rebellion is hinted at when the Kempeitai discover a book written by its founder, Equiano Hampton.
Every Door Out... (Episode 2) — 7.7
Josef Mengele displays his understanding of the portal and the multiverse that it connects to (which allows the Nazis to enter different dimensions and secretly tinker with the respective nuclear initiatives.) The American Resistance and the Black Communist Rebellion tentatively join forces with each other.
Childan finally obtains the recognition he has longed for when the Crown Princess acknowledges him as a "man of culture." In the Smith residence, Jennifer has been brainwashed by Nazi propaganda to the extent of accusing her own sister, Amy, of treason.
All Serious Daring (Episode 6) — 8.1
John Smith almost prefers his life in the other universe, at least until he learns that his son wants to go fight in the Vietnam War. He later confers with Abendsen, asking as to the possibility of transferring Thomas to his world. Juliana plucks up the courage to consider asking Helen for help (against her own husband.)
The Crown Princess is imprisoned in her own home by General Yamori until the latter is arrested by Kido for Trade Minister Tagomi's killing. The Black Communist Rebellion decides to paralyze the Pacific States by sabotaging the crucial Crimson Pipeline.
No Masters But Ourselves (Episode 7) — 8.1
As the Black Communist Rebellion begins their elaborate plot, Kido attempts to extract information about their activities from Childan. Fortunately, the resistance plan succeeds, and Bell Mallory threatens the Japanese Empire with continued bombings unless they receive their freedom.
Margarete Himmler has a frank discussion with Helen Smith (claiming serious consequences if she does not prove her loyalty to the Reich.) She consequently goes on a television show to assure audiences of her allegiance.
Happy Trails (Episode 4) — 8.1
Juliana returns to her own universe, with the realization that she cannot stand by and let everything be destroyed. Himmler invites himself to dinner with the Smith family, where it is obvious that his health is failing rapidly.
John Smith finds out that alt-John is dead, briefly considering the idea of replacing his other self. Hawthorne Abendsen is blackmailed by the Nazis into running a program known as Tales from the High Castle, which blatantly suggests that the Allies winning World War II would have been a devastating outcome.
Hitler Has Only Got One Ball (Episode 8) — 8.1
Unable to deal with both the Black Communist Rebellion and the Manchurian Resistance, the Emperor of Japan evacuates the Pacific States, allowing the BCR total control.
Kido refuses to leave, but is captured and imprisoned in the same room in which Frank's family was gassed to death. Childan is officially permitted (by the Crown Princess) to travel to Japan and make his home there. John Smith is called to Berlin, where he finds out that J. Edgar Hoover has obtained incriminating evidence against his family.
The Box (Episode 3) — 8.3
Helen Smith grudgingly moves back home to her husband, in order to erect a semblance of the ideal household befitting the Reichsmarschall of North America. Kido's son, Toru, reveals that the Empire is failing to contain the Chinese insurrection, which angers his father's patriotism so much that he disinherits him.
The Black Communist Rebellion uncovers (from Childan) that the Japanese are planning to leave the West Coast. In the other universe, Juliana is attacked by a Nazi assassin sent by John Smith, but alt-John saves her life, unfortunately dying the process.
Mauvaise Foi (Episode 5) — 8.6
The Japanese Empire and the Black Communist rebellion have a meeting, in which they discuss their respective terms. However, the Kempeitai waylay the two groups, killing Equiano Hampton and arresting Admiral Inokuchi for acts of "high treason." John Smith travels to the alternate universe, where his wife and children still care for him.
He is especially happy to see Thomas again, but a wedge is soon driven between them when his son declares his ambition of becoming a Marine. It gets worse for John when he finds that the friend he had betrayed, Daniel Levine, ends up being his best alt-buddy.
For Want of a Nail (Episode 9) — 9.1
The penultimate episode of the season is packed with change — John Smith murders Himmler in cold blood, and takes over the Nazi Reich with the (secret) support of Wilhelm Goertzmann. The convoluted series of events that follow end with Goertzmann taking control of all Nazi dominions as the Reichsführer, with the exception of North America (now under Reichsführer Smith.)
On a sad note: Childan and his new fiancée, Yukiko, attempt to board the ship from San Francisco to Japan, but a guard refuses to allow him through — even after taking every last thing of value from the poor couple. Robert watches miserably as she leaves him forever.