Loved 'Foyle's War' and was immediately hooked when first getting into it. Love it even more now, on re-watches things that didn't quite make sense at first are clearer and things that were not noticed or appreciated before are and much admired. Everything that came over as brilliant on first viewings still are brilliant on re-watches.
"High Castle" is the first episode of the sadly last season of this wonderful series and while it is a decent episode it's a long way from being one of the best 'Foyle's War' episodes. To me it's a lesser episode, that it's far from bad is a strong indication of how good 'Foyle's War' is and how fantastic the best episodes are in the series' prime. "High Castle" could have been better. Two of its biggest problems is the over-obviousness too early of the killer, written in such an over-the-top way that one knows that they're involved in some way from the start (the only other 'Foyle's War' episode to have a too obvious denouement is "Bleak Midwinter"), and Nigel Lindsay's hammy and one-dimensional performance (also sporting the single worst accent of the series).
Could care less for the flat underdeveloped character of Adam and there are parts of the story, like agreed the Vera subplot, that feel incomplete.
Still, there is a lot to like about "High Castle". Just had to get that mad clear before one got the impression of me disliking the episode. Which is further from the truth. The quality of the production values are high. with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact.
Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking while the story is suitably complicated (apart from the denouement, which is disappointing because most endings of 'Foyle's War' are very surprising) and intrigues.
One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during and after the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with a lot of honesty and tact. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue.
Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal, am really liking that she is becoming more developed and coming into her own even more, and Hilda and Arthur are worthy regular characters, if not yet as interesting as Milner (missed but not enough to wish for his return).
It is a pity that Lindsay is not up to snuff, because the rest of the supporting cast do solidly. In particular John Mahoney who plays his father, he is excellent and like in 'Frasier' one can easily mistake him for an American (he may live in America, but he was actually born in England, that shocked me when first finding out).
To conclude, a decent episode with a lot of good things but considering the high calibre of 'Foyle's War' in general "High Castle" could have been much better. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"High Castle" is the first episode of the sadly last season of this wonderful series and while it is a decent episode it's a long way from being one of the best 'Foyle's War' episodes. To me it's a lesser episode, that it's far from bad is a strong indication of how good 'Foyle's War' is and how fantastic the best episodes are in the series' prime. "High Castle" could have been better. Two of its biggest problems is the over-obviousness too early of the killer, written in such an over-the-top way that one knows that they're involved in some way from the start (the only other 'Foyle's War' episode to have a too obvious denouement is "Bleak Midwinter"), and Nigel Lindsay's hammy and one-dimensional performance (also sporting the single worst accent of the series).
Could care less for the flat underdeveloped character of Adam and there are parts of the story, like agreed the Vera subplot, that feel incomplete.
Still, there is a lot to like about "High Castle". Just had to get that mad clear before one got the impression of me disliking the episode. Which is further from the truth. The quality of the production values are high. with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact.
Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking while the story is suitably complicated (apart from the denouement, which is disappointing because most endings of 'Foyle's War' are very surprising) and intrigues.
One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during and after the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with a lot of honesty and tact. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue.
Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal, am really liking that she is becoming more developed and coming into her own even more, and Hilda and Arthur are worthy regular characters, if not yet as interesting as Milner (missed but not enough to wish for his return).
It is a pity that Lindsay is not up to snuff, because the rest of the supporting cast do solidly. In particular John Mahoney who plays his father, he is excellent and like in 'Frasier' one can easily mistake him for an American (he may live in America, but he was actually born in England, that shocked me when first finding out).
To conclude, a decent episode with a lot of good things but considering the high calibre of 'Foyle's War' in general "High Castle" could have been much better. 7/10 Bethany Cox