Mini-series - 10 episodes
Watch Shogun on Hulu // Buy the book (paid link)
Created by: Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks, Shōgun, James Clavell (based on the book by)
Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer
Plot
When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, Lord Yoshii Toranaga discovers secrets that could tip the scales of power and devastate his enemies.
Verdict
The production is an absolutely impressive recreation of seventeenth century Japan. We watch lords jockey for positions of power en route to be declared shogun. I like the idea, this game of political chess, but if you're hoping for battles and fights, this isn't it. This show is a series of maneuvers to outwit opponents, and it's a show that demands your full attention. It's likely a show enjoyed more on a rewatch. Englishman Blackthorne always felt too easy, a typical audience surrogate to show us how different this culture is. While I wish this was less about Blackthorne, I like the part he played in the conclusion.
Watch It.
Review
Five warrior lords battle for a vacant position, shogun. Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) seems the most apt, but that's also why the other four lords want him out of the picture. The entire season is Toranaga positioning himself to claim the title, whether characters realize it or not.
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| Hiroyuki Sanada plays Toranaga |
Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is a rescued sailor that has to learn a new culture. The lords interest in him stems from the cannons on his ship and how that could help their chances for power. Blackthorne is also the typical American character in that he must point out the issues he sees in this society. His relationship with Buntaro becomes contentious as Blackthorne likes the man's wife. I'm more interested in Toranaga's power grab plans. I think that's part of the point. Toranaga diverts attention, his contemporaries and the audience's, as he lines up his next play.
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| Cosmo Jarvis plays Blackthorne |
While Blackthorne wants to leave, he doesn't have the authority. He's a prisoner. You expect Blackthorne to be the hero for Toranaga, using his combat knowledge for victory. Toranaga uses him mainly as a distraction. He's also a contrast. Blackthorne is the one to loudly stop something disastrous from happening. Toranaga is likely to stand back lest he reveal his position. I wanted to see more of Toranaga and less of Blackthorne.
The production is absolutely amazing. I went into this thinking it would be ancient battles, but this is a political show that doesn't look like it on the surface. I love the slow burn nature of this, but the show and characters don't do what you might expect. Late in the season Toranaga argues what's more important, Japan or his clan? Toranaga has been strategizing for the big picture this entire series. He never fights a battle he doesn't know he will win. Positioning himself to win is the intrigue. Once he's in position, it's not a question of who the next shogun will be. Many people may be disappointed that we don't see a large scale battle. It seems like the series is building to that, but this series isn't about honoring expectations.
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