The Man in the High Castle Season 2: 15 most shocking moments
By Matt Lozano
2. John Smith Murders Dr. Adler
Episode 3, “Travelers”
The Man in the High Castle Season 2 set the stage for Thomas to die by the hand of his father early in the season. Smith took a fishing trip to spend time with Thomas before he killed his own son. However, in a drastic turn of events, Smith spoke to Dr. Adler about not reporting Thomas’ illness. Smith lethally injected Dr. Adler instead to preserve the secrecy of his son’s illness and eliminate any threat to Thomas’ life.
This moment marked perhaps the first moment that Smith betrayed the Reich. He allowed his emotions and love for his family to supersede his loyalty to the Führer and the fatherland. Smith seemed unwavering in his dedication to the Nazi cause. Therefore, this moment exposed the first crack in Smith’s facade in a way. Smith’s actions throughout the season broke away from his original mindset toward the Reich.
Smith murdered a man, disobeyed orders from Berlin, and exchanged information with Chief Inspector Kido on a few occasions. By the end of the season, Smith no longer mirrored the ideal Nazi officer whom every citizen saluted for his loyalty to Adolf Hitler against the conspiracy of Heydrich and his associates.