In The Man in the High Castle season two episode seven “Land O’ Smiles”, Frank is still left with the guilt of his sister and their kids being killed in a gas chamber. It’s a cliche nightmare where one character makes an effort to save others but ultimately fails. Following his nightmares, Frank and Sarah are sent on a scouting mission to a grain warehouse that the General often visits. While posing as food vendors, Frank blows his cover and the resistance isn’t too happy that he compromised their mission. Or did he? What Frank discovers is that the Japanese were building an atomic bomb, but how does that tie into the films? Of course, the Nazis would learn of it and devastate San Francisco before they could complete the bomb.
While Ed and Childan barely finish the cufflinks on time, they face their biggest issue – the sale. When a skeptical buyer notices that the cufflinks weren’t advertised, they believe they are fake. When all hope seems lost, Ed engineers a story explaining how the last person who had possession of Lincoln’s cufflinks were killed. After the sale, Childan insists Frank should make the drop-off, fearing the Yakuza would kill them off. As close Ed and Frank are, Ed refuses to risk his friend’s life. Childan reluctantly follows as insurance, as he’s the only one who can speak Japanese. Childan clearly said the wrong things as the two are locked up. Who comes to save the day? The Kempeitai who killed off the Yakuza leaders for working with the Nazis. This world is fairly crazy, you’d want to support either side, but ultimately, they are both antagonistic forces.
On the other side of the continent, the Smiths prepare for Dr. Adler’s funeral. Throughout the episode, John Smith seems conflicted as he ponders over photos of his family and Hitler. Perhaps he’s beginning to question his allegiance? During the funeral, Smith is left uneasy for being responsible for Adler’s passing. He isn’t the only one troubled during the funeral, as Juliana is in attendance while knowing no one but the Smiths. Things become more complicated for John as he is tasked with delivering a eulogy. So what does a troubled man delivering a eulogy do? Deliver a eulogy for the deceased that’s actually for themselves.
Things take a turn when Thomas has a seizure after the service. Fortunately, no one notices and Thomas recovers briefly. However, the Smiths are in for a bigger complication when Ms. Adler tells them she refused to allow her late husband be cremated. On the other hand, Helen Smith further makes attempts to cover Thomas’ illness when she confronts Juliana. Juliana insists she believes Thomas’ collapse was due to overexertion. However, while spying for the resistance, she often seems conflicted. The biggest turn of events was at the end of the episode when Hitler was announced to have collapsed, and things don’t look too good.
Observations
- The scene between Ed and Childan getting high after being free of Okamura’s debt was brilliant. More of those, please.
- This episode mostly served as a filler, but a great way to set things into motion for the finale.
