M.L. Crabb's Blog: The Command Deck, page 4

Fan Castle Sunday: Notes to the Cast and Crew!

Welcome to another #FanCastleSunday!

With Season 4 approaching faster than a train with rockets, I wanted to do something a little different. It's time to let the cast & crew of The Man in the High Castle know how much we appreciate them! I created a form to allow everyone to leave a note, anonymously or with their Twitter handle.

I must confess that I got a bit teary eyed when I went through the responses last night. This truly is an amazing fandom, and I am happy to be a part of it.

Fan Castle Sunday: Interview with Elise!

Welcome to another #FanCastleSunday!
....She is famous for her amazing gifs, and I've enjoyed seeing her posts throughout the years, so please give a warm welcome to the one and only ☆ Elise!

I am right there with her on how this wonderful fandom has allowed her to blossom. Because of the friendliness of  High Castle fans (and cast & crew!), I've been able to break out of my incredibly shy self. I will be forever grateful for that. ❤



@_spookyblake (☆ elise.)Tell the world a little bit about yourself!my name is elise. 25 years. i live in france. i hold a tumblr: @joexjuliana.What drew you to Amazon’s the Man in the High Castle?i watched the pilot in july 2015 and i was immediately seduced by the idea of "what if?" i quickly became attached to the character of Joe and Juliana (and the others of course, but it's two there first).At what point were you hooked? this is the first series that gives me this effect. i have never been so addictive to anything else. I love EVERYTHING. the characters, the atmosphere, the story. ALL. that's why i decided to create a blog on tumblr. i needed to share and exchange about this show. 
Speaking of special, the TMITHC fandom is the best fandom I have ever been blessed to be a part of. The absolute kindness and friendliness I experience on Twitter keeps me coming back and is why I keep drawing and creating the things that I do! What is your favorite thing about being a part of this fandom?it's so true. it's the best fandom in the world. no ridiculous war of ship. everyone respects everyone. it's very rare. and thanks to this fandom, i was able to blossom and open myself.What is the inspiration for the amazing gifs you make?very good question. and to be honest, i don’t know. I just love to make gifs and exchange with the fandom. it's the first time in my life that i feel like I belong to something. that i am useful. so i think my motivation has to come from there. EXCHANGE WITH OTHERS. and give something to others.The creative minds behind TMITHC are talented artists who never cease to amaze me with the sets/scenery, soundtracks, and costumes. What is your favorite set?I really like the tagomi office. very well decorated. the new smiths apartment in the s3 and the old house of jules and frank.How did you feel when they announced that Season 4 will be the final season?i knew this fatal day would come. i was extremely sad. i mean, the man in the high castle has been in my life for 4 years. thanks to this show i was able to meet incredible people/actors. it's going to be horrible to say goodbye for good...Name one thing you’d like to see happen in S4.
i would love to see joe and frank again. with parallel universes, i know it's possible. see them help juliana in her quest. please, give me one last time a HAPPY joe. he suffered too much.Favorites
Male CharacterJoe Blake, John Smith & Takeshi KidoFemale CharacterJuliana Crain & Helen SmithCostumeJoe leather jacket, Juliana plaid skirtEpisodeSeason1: 1x10. Season2: 2x05. Season 3: 3x09.Storylinethomas's disease and the mission to canon city.
As a huge thank you for allowing me to interview you, Elise, here is your very own Club High Castle membership card!


And just for the record, I love Juliana's plaid skirt too. I have a similar one and feel like I am her when I wear it! 

Fan Castle Sunday: Interview with Diana Jensen Cramer!

Greetings, Grasshoppers!
Welcome to another fun filled #FanCastleSunday! Today's theme is what would you do in their shoes? As a bonus, I wrote a little High Castle what if!

In Their Shoes 

A short fanfic is the perfect tribute for today's interview with @TheTrueDJC who loves to write fanfiction! 
It's Interview Time!@TheTrueDJC
Diana Jensen CramerTell the world a little bit about yourself!
MitHC fan (obvs.), and beginning writer; also love photography and cooking!What drew you to Amazon’s the Man in the High Castle?The concept of an alternate history was intriguing (and a little frightening).  Then, too, I’d become a fan of Rufus Sewell - he’s really an amazing actor - and I wanted to see what he would do in this role.At what point were you hooked? Is there a specific scene or episode where you realized that TMITHC was something special?What really hooked me and realize how special the show was was the early scenes in the JPS, particularly the first scene with Juliana doing martial arts and then the scenes with Tagomi.  My husband spent some time in the Far East, and shared some of that aesthetic with me, and it struck me at how the show really seemed to capture the Japanese-ness in the characters and how it was influencing San Francisco.  Kind of like twisted Zen... Speaking of special, the TMITHC fandom is the best fandom I have ever been blessed to be a part of. The absolute kindness and friendliness I experience on Twitter keeps me coming back and is why I keep drawing and creating the things that I do! What is your favorite thing about being a part of this fandom?The scope for knowledge and imagination!  And bouncing ideas back and forth about what our favorites are doing.
I can’t draw, but I do write fanfic, and figuring out the motivations of the characters, as well as navigating their world so similar-but-different  to our own past - it’s the best thing!It has been so much fun talking to you throughout the years. You always have something insightful to say about the show. I always look forward to your comments. How has the show influenced you in “real life?” I’ve gotten to know interesting people through the fandom, and they are personal connections in a lot of cases, as well as “fangirling.” 
The show has actually inspired me to be more aware and active regarding the world around me.   The show itself is so clearly anti-fascist; anyone who doesn’t get that isn’t paying attention! But I also follow some of the actors and the production folks, and these are people passionate about society as well as their craft.  They inspire me to speak up!  The creative minds behind TMITHC are talented artists who never cease to amaze me with the sets/scenery, soundtracks, and costumes. What is your favorite set?Is it Smith’s two story house from S1 & S2? Is the Nippon building in San Francisco? Something in the Neutral Zone?
Any of the street scenes!  Those have always impressed me - again, that weird little mindfuck between the world we know through Life photographs, and the world that develops differently under fascism.
And Drew Boughton’s design of the  apartment in S3 is just amazing… How did you feel when they announced that Season 4 will be the final season?Devastated!  Name one thing you’d like to see happen in S4.I’m a *total* sucker for John&Helen, so I would love for them to get together again, destroy the system that destroyed their son! 
Not saying that will happen, but that is my total pollyanna wish!Let’s end this on a positive note--I mean, what are we all going to do when it’s over? ;)I think we are all gonna be amazed… we’ll be catching our breath and maybe wiping away some tears.  But I think we will be grateful, and I think we will feel like even if it’s hard, there’s still hope for good to triumph in at least some small way.  Favorites
Male CharacterOo, hard.  Fave character - Tagomi; Best actor/character - John SmithFemale CharacterHelen.CostumeAnything John is wearing, but more specifically, that SS uniform and leather coat...EpisodeThree Monkeys. The normalcy of it is chilling...StorylineHelen’s S3 realization that the Reich is not good for children and other living things.
Your official Club High Castle membership card, Diana!

Fan Castle Sunday: Interview with Sammie

Welcome to #FanCastleSunday!  Today's spotlight is on @sammietworings. She has one badass hobby you won't want to miss!

If you'd like to be interviewed for a future #FanCastleSunday, drop me a line at mlcartthings@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter @MishiWan, and I'll be happy to! And now without further ado....*drum roll*It's Interview Time!@sammietworings
Sammie Two Rings
Tell the world a little bit about yourself!My name is Sammie, I'm 31 and I work part time for a charity. I've recently got married to my partner of 13 years and I'm studying for my 3rd university degree. I enjoy knitting, I've just learnt to crochet and I'm part of a community choir. I also try my best at archery.
What drew you to Amazon’s the Man in the High Castle?I've always enjoyed 'what if' scenarios in history, the most common being what if, god forbid, the Nazis had been successful! I was curious to see exactly how this would be portrayed on screen - its a very emotive and relevant topic! Would it be watered down to avoid offense, or would be unashamedly honest? At what point were you hooked? Is there a specific scene or episode where you realized that TMITHC was something special?

Its grim, but the part of episode 1 when the ashes fall on Joe and the Sheriff. The attention to detail had been lovely, but until that point, it hadn't really been stomach churningly sinister.Speaking of special, the TMITHC fandom is the best fandom I have ever been blessed to be a part of. The absolute kindness and friendliness I experience on Twitter keeps me coming back and is why I keep drawing and creating the things that I do! What is your favorite thing about being a part of this fandom?The fans are the best. No one is rude or mean, everyone is kind and its such a laugh to hang out with them. It also helps that the actors are really communicative and involved too!You have one badass hobby. For those who don’t know, Sammie is an archer and is saving up for her first bow! Do you ever feel like Juliana or a member of the Resistance when you pull the string and let loose your arrows? Was TMITHC an inspiration for your hobby, or did you have this awesome hobby long before watching the show?I do have moments when I am loosing my arrows and feeling like an unstoppable heroine like Juliana.
I started archery at the beginning of 2019. In a weird way, I think John Smith inspired me. If he could fit in fishing/hunting into his busy schedule of being a grade-a Nazi scumbag, then I could fit in some quiet moments too. The creative minds behind TMITHC are talented artists who never cease to amaze me with the sets/scenery, soundtracks, and costumes. What is your favorite set?Is it Smith’s two story house from S1 & S2? Is the Nippon building in San Francisco? Something in the Neutral Zone?
Full confession, I've bought all the merchandise of High Castle I can. There is obviously not a lot - but CDs, the upcoming 'making of', I've even got a film reel used in the filming on its way. Its loving attention to detail, its making the whole thing so immersive is what adds to its success. I shudder every time I see a subtle swastika built into the architecture of the scenery.
It'd have to be either the Smith residence or Tagomi-sans office. Its so beautiful, each time they go in. But it is all lovely.How did you feel when they announced that Season 4 will be the final season?I was sad but also pleased - there are a lot of shows that overstay their welcome, that end badly or in rushed ways, so knowing that High Castle was going to be ended properly and neatly made me happy. Name one thing you’d like to see happen in S4.
I've joked with Joel and Lee that I would love to see an alternative world where they are cops together. Or a world where Aaron is Rufus' boss! 
But seriously...High Castle has been very good at showing some of the pros and the major drawbacks of fascist regimes. I want to see the Fascist states fall under the weight of their own flaws.
In the current era of populist presidents and leaders we, the viewers, need to understand the dangers and drawbacks of fascism, that excluding people because of race or disability from a society contributes to its decline. I can think of no better ending for High Castle that the whole thing unravelling.Let’s end this on a positive note--I mean, what are we all going to do when it’s over? ;)Favorites
Male CharacterErich, John, Wegener, Tagomi, Kido and YoshidaFemale CharacterHelen, Nicole, Tagomis painter friendCostumeJuliana's interview dress for the Nippon buildingEpisodeThree Monkeys or A Way OutStorylineThomas Smith or Tagomi's trip to the other world. 
As a special thank you for allowing me to interview you, here is your very own membership card. Welcome to Club High Castle, Grasshopper!

Fan Castle Sunday: Interview with tmithc_fanpage

Welcome to the first #FanCastleSunday! Today's spotlight is on @tmithc_fanpage. It has been a pleasure interviewing everyone. If you'd like to be interviewed for a future #FanCastleSunday, drop me a line at mlcartthings@gmail.com, and I'll be happy to! And now without further ado....*drum roll* 


It's Interview Time!

@tmithc_fanpageThe Man In The High Castle Humour and Discussion
Tell the world a little bit about yourself!
Well, I’m like every other ordinary human who gets by everyday and LOVED The Man in the High Castle! Hence why I created the page! One of the best decisions I ever made :)
What drew you to Amazon’s the Man in the High Castle?When the show first came out I remember adverts coming up for it quite a lot (especially on my kindle I had at the time!) I didn’t think much of it but was always a little intrigued. Skip forward a couple of years and I began watching the period drama Victoria where I got to watch Rufus Sewell act for the first time. He did such a great job and I was fascinated by his wonderful acting. So, when I found out that Rufus was also on The Man in the High Castle, I just HAD to watch it. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the show and the rest of the cast that is involvedAt what point were you hooked? Is there a specific scene or episode where you realized that TMITHC was something special?Hmm, I guess overall I was hooked from the very beginning! Just the bizarness of the Nazi’s being in control and the answer to “what if the axis won the war instead” really fascinated me. If I had to pick a specific scene or episode that had me hooked I would probably say the episode where John and his family are celebrating VA Day. Not only did we get an insight into the family life of John Smith but it was also just very weird to see people celebrating the Nazi’s winning…Speaking of special, the TMITHC fandom is the best fandom I have ever been blessed to be a part of. The absolute kindness and friendliness I experience on Twitter keeps me coming back and is why I keep drawing and creating the things that I do! What is your favorite thing about being a part of this fandom?Oh gosh, I LOVE this fandom so much! I think my favourite thing about being a part of this fandom is seeing the sheer respect and love we all have for the show, cast and crew. I’ve seen some other fandoms who just like the show because it’s good to watch, or who like the cast because they’re attractive. Don’t get me wrong, the The Man in the High Castle cast is one VERY attractive cast but I just love how we don’t just dwell on that one point. We are all so supportive of the cast and crew and want what’s best for them, such as winning Emmys (wink wink, nudge nudge). I also love how we come from all over the world too and get on so well! We share different opinions on different characters and we respect those opinions instead of arguing! And finally, I LOVE seeing the artistic side the show has brought out in fans like you!What made you decide to create a TMITHC fanpage on Twitter? I know I am not the only one who enjoys your posts, questions, and hilarity!Your questions always make me think, I might add! Aww well thank you! I had been a massive fan of the show for about a year and a half before I decided to make this page. Why did I create it? Well, NO ONE I know in real life watches the show, so I have no one to talk to about it! That’s when I decided “hey, why not create a page where I can talk to people who are also fans of the show and even try to communicate with the cast and crew too! I decided I would make it so it had a mix of funny jokes and memes, as well as discussions and questions about the show! I’m so happy I made that decision :)The creative minds behind TMITHC are talented artists who never cease to amaze me with the sets/scenery, soundtracks, and costumes. What is your favorite set?Is it Smith’s two story house from S1 & S2? Is the Nippon building in San Francisco? Something in the Neutral Zone?Gosh I LOVE everything about this show! Haha! Those behind all of the aesthetics of the show did an AMAZING job and I have nothing but respect and gratitude towards them for that. If I had to pick my favourite setting, it would have to be either Smith’s suburban house in S1 and S2 as it always had a warm, happy presence in it and it was based in a beautiful area. However, I did also love their penthouse in S3 sheerly because of the modern design, it was beautiful! I did also love Tagomi’s house too and even the pub where Ed meets Jack in S3 simply because the lighting in there gave it a warm atmosphere and so much goes on in that pub!How did you feel when they announced that Season 4 will be the final season?I won’t lie, I was gutted. I mean, the show is only just beginning, really! There is so much more to explore in this show and only having 10 episodes to do this is a shame. I’m happy in the sense that usually, when shows last more than 4 or 5 episodes they start to become boring and repetitive and would hate for that to happen to TMITHC. But at the same time, I really think we could have got one more season out of this show. All in all, I’m excited for S4 and really feel like it is going to blow all of our minds!Name one thing you’d like to see happen in S4.Wow, one thing?! Haha. I would say I would love to see Kido and John (especially John after what he’s been through) rebel against their axis powers and work together to bring them down. I would also love to see John travel through Die Nebenwelt and meet alt-Thomas!Let’s end this on a positive note--I mean, what are we all going to do when it’s over? ;)Favorites
Male CharacterJohn Smith (what a surprise! Haha).Female CharacterHelen Smith or Juliana Craine.CostumeAnything that Helen Smith wears (STUN-NING), Smith’s relaxed suspenders look, the evolution of Juliana’s hair.EpisodeS1E6, when we meet John’s family and it’s all happy and warm. OR the episode where John is almost assassinated by Heydrich on the hunting trip… so intense!Storylinehas to be Thomas’ illness and how it affected everyone around him, including Juliana who tried her best to protect him!
As a special thank you for allowing me to interview you, here is your very own membership card. Welcome to Club High Castle, Grasshopper!

Fan Castle Sundays: A TMITHC Fan Celebration

With November just over the horizon, Season 4 is inching closer and closer, which means that the end of the show will be here before we know it. I’ve met many wonderful people through TMITHC, fans just as dedicated as I am. I’ve made friends, I’ve laughed, and I’ve lamented over characters. I’ve even swapped things in the mail with friends across the pond!

Truth be told, I don’t know what I’m going to do after Season 4. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: TMITHC has been a huge part of my life for the past couple of years.

I look back at all mky Rufus Sewell drawings (ha, ha!), peg dolls, fake props, and Club High Castle and wonder what the hell am I going to do once it’s over?

The thing is, fandoms last forever. TMITHC will never fade so long as we keep it alive. I’m going to Keep watching, keep creating, and keep making friends, which is why I’m going to put some of the fans in the spotlight!

Join me this Sunday for the first ever #FanCastleSunday, a series of fan interviews! It's a day to share your fanart, gifs, photo manips, memes, and more!

While we’re at it, can we bring back #ManCastleMondays?

Lee Shorten, High Castles Sgt. Yoshida

Behind the Iron Eagle

This post was inspired by a conversation I had with @tmithc_fanpage and my amazing #HighCastle friends on Twitter. We were talking about the multiverse and coming up with different worlds. We wondered how many would show up in Season 4 and if there was one ruled by the Red Army.

This reminded me of the alternate history novel I never finished where, you guessed it, the Red Army conquered most of the planet.

Enjoy the first two chapters for a look inside an alternate reality!

Just in case this needs to be said...This is not a political excerpt. It is pure fiction. That's it. :)   

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The End of the Worlds: High Castle at SDCC19

 “The ending is epic, it is conclusive, yet ambiguous, and delicately done.” – Daniel Percival *

They released a clip from the opening of Season 4, which you can watch here:


I’m going to paraphrase the quotes from the panel that intrigued me the most, and then I’ll dive right into my thoughts. Here's the link to the recap video on the official @HighCastleAmazon Facebook page.

“At one point we see Helen at her happiest. We see the true Helen.” 

“As you know, Kido has a wife and two sons. We get to meet one of his sons briefly.” 

“Before the war she and her family were in segregated Alabama. After the Axis won, they were sent to a labor camp which became an extermination camp. She escapes and flees to the neutral zone.”

The official synopsis:

In the climactic final season, America will witness rebellion on both coasts as Juliana and Wyatt join forces with an emerging Black insurgency led by Bell Mallory. Takeshi Kido will be forced to reckon with the demons of his past, and John and Helen Smith’s lives will be forever changed after Smith steps through the Die Nebenwelt portal and travels the path not taken.

I’ll begin with saying that I have no idea what to expect. These aren’t exactly theories and are more like questions, hopes, and dreams. I mean, this is High Castle, after all!

Now that we know Smith steps through the portal, will he try to take a living Thomas? What world does he end up in? It can’t be “our” world because his other self is alive and well—blasting the Beach Boys. I have so many questions about that Smith. Is he a good guy? Or is the footage of him misleading? I can’t wait to see what the writers have come up with for him!

I hope Juliana finds another Joe in that world. The Joe in the nuclear war world knew, and he shot that world’s Juliana so that the one in the primary universe can traverse between as many worlds as possible. And this makes me wonder if more Joes know the stakes.

I hope we get to see the utopian world mentioned in the book. I hope some of our favorite characters end up there after everything they’ve suffered through.

That’s it for now! I am sure I’ll have more theories and questions as we get closer to November.

What are your hopes for Season 4?

* Paraphrase, but that's the summery of what he said.

Summer Update

#HighCastle at SDCC is less than one week away! Who’s going to follow the live tweets with me?Okay, so I’m going to do my darndest to get better at blogging more often.

Here’s what I’ve been up to lately:

I made myself a new and improved website!


You may have noticed my new domain on this blog - mlcartthings.me

The old website was created in notepad with HTML and a dash of javascript. If I wanted to update anything, it was a royal pain, so it comes as no surprise that it was hardly ever updated, ha ha! When you want to get better at coding, making a website and following Microsoft tutorials is the way to go!

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I finally decided to take a shot at selling my art on Etsy. We shall see how this goes! I spent Saturday painting my heart out for it. Here's to hoping for the best!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/mlcartthings
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In August I’m traveling yet again, but this time it is for FUN. It is my first non-work trip since 2015. I’m going to Idaho to see my family, and I hope to take a lot of photos of the landscapes there because I want to use them as ideas for the revamp/rewrite/it’s not Sisters anymore/ of “Alice.” Part of me wants to pretend to be the main character and post Instagram stories as if I’m her! But then again, I’ve never been to Idaho and it could look nothing like what I imagine, ha ha!

For those interested, “Alice” is set in the same setting as Sisters, but it is from the perspective of a woman from our world who is shocked to find a parallel universe where the unthinkable happened.

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤That's it for now! Stay tuned because you know I'm going to write about #HighCastle's panel at SDCC! 

High Castle is Coming to SDCC Again!

News on the High Castle Front! 

High Castle is going to be at San Diego Comic Con again! Going off of last year’s SDCC appearance, we can expect some hints about Season 4, a release date, and a trailer! I have no idea what to predict about S4, so I’m going to hold all of my theories and speculations until after the panel.

I CAN’T WAIT!
Yet, it is also a bittersweet feeling knowing that this is the final season of the show that has been a huge part of my life since 2015. Never before has a TV show captured my imagination like Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle.  

Here are the details as posted by the official @HighCastleTV Twitter account:

When: Sat, July 20th at 4:15 PM
I am assuming this is PST, so it will be 7:15PM for us East Coasters.
Where: Room 6A


I truly wish I could be there! Costume designer Cate Adair posted some details on Instagram, and I WISH I COULD TELEPORT THERE. Okay. Deep breath ;) There will be a costume designers guild booth (#734) in the main convention center. That is reason alone to go! 
Here's a screencap of her post: