Ep 2. Sunrise

In the second episode of The Man in the High Castle season 1, titled "Sunrise," the storyline shifts attention to the characters of Joe Blake and Juliana Crain, both of whom are seeking their respective goals in Nazi-occupied America. Joe is a former member of the Resistance and is now working for the Nazis, carrying out a mission assigned to him by his superiors. On the other hand, Juliana is trying to relay a film reel of controversial footage to the Man in the High Castle, whose location she is yet to discover.

We find Joe receiving his orders from a senior Nazi officer, who tells him to head towards Canon City, Colorado, where he will find a contact who will guide him further. The officer also warns him of the dangers that lurk on his journey and advises him to be careful. Joe is understandably skeptical of his mission, but he has no choice but to comply with the orders.

In the meantime, Juliana manages to reach the Neutral Zone, where she tries to obtain information about the Man in the High Castle. She visits a fortune-teller, hoping to get some answers, but all she gets is a cryptic message. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Juliana decides to make her way towards the Rocky Mountains, where the Man in the High Castle is rumored to reside.

As both characters set forth on their journeys, we get a glimpse of life in a world where the Nazis have emerged victorious. We see people going about their daily lives, but there's a sense of unease that permeates every scene. There is a curfew in place, and anyone caught breaking the rule is punished severely. The Nazi police force makes regular rounds in the streets, and their uniform serves as a reminder of the harsh reality that people are living in.

Joe's journey towards Canon City is not without its challenges. He faces several obstacles along the way, including a group of rebels who ambush him. However, Joe manages to overpower them and continues his journey. When he finally reaches his destination, he is met by a man who leads him to a secluded area in the woods. There, Joe is shown a map that details his next mission.

Juliana also faces her fair share of challenges on her way to the Rocky Mountains. She has to evade the Nazi forces and find her way through unfamiliar terrain. However, she is aided by a Japanese man named Tagomi, who stops to help her when she is stranded on the road. Tagomi is a man of honor, and his kindness towards Juliana provides a stark contrast to the brutality of the Nazis.

As the episode nears its end, Joe and Juliana both come face to face with their respective goalposts. Joe finds himself in a precarious situation as he tries to carry out his mission, while Juliana discovers a shocking truth about the film reel that she was trying to deliver. The episode ends with both characters still in pursuit of their objectives, setting the stage for further development in their stories.

Overall, "Sunrise" is an engaging episode that delves deeper into the world that The Man in the High Castle has created. It shows us the lengths that people will go to achieve their goals, even in a world where hope seems dim. As Joe and Juliana set forth on their respective journeys, we are left wondering what fate has in store for them. The episode sets up the next part of their journeys perfectly, leaving the audience eager to know what happens next.