Online Series: Shogun (D+ and FX Feb 2024)

[#37]

I finally watched this. It was brilliant. The only complaint I have is that they won't leave it where it ended. More? No thanks, that was the right amount.

Mariko is the archetype of a strong woman that Star Wars hasn't been able to replicate since Leia. I will go further and say that all the female characters with speaking roles (be it mother of the heir or expensive whore) were quite strong, influential, and impressive in their own ways.

I think the writers do an excellent job of diving into the tradition of dutiful service over individual autonomy, especially as it pertains to the women. Mariko and Fuji are both tragically imprisoned by their duties and have had to endure such loss and sadness while maintaining a strong facade and serving those they're duty-bound to.

I think every one of the characters is a prisoner of fate. Even the bad guy, Ishido, thinks he is doing the right thing. The story is a tragedy and any promise of a happy ending is a lie.

I think a second season is a mistake. Thankfully, Band of Brothers wasn't made in this era or there surely would have been a second season...

 

[NyQuil]

I finally watched this. It was brilliant. The only complaint I have is that they won't leave it where it ended. More? No thanks, that was the right amount.

That's pretty much where the book ends.

So they would be inventing any future content with no source material from James Clavell.

 

[Osprey]

‘Shogun’ Makes History With 25 Emmy Nominations

The smash-hit Japanese period epic scored the most nominations of any series this year and follows 'Squid Game' as just the second non-English-language show to be recognized in the best drama category.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

I expected it to get a bunch of nominations, but not this many. Outstanding Drama Series and Best Actor for Hiroyuki Sanada (Toranaga) were sure bets, but Anna Sawai (Mariko), Tadanobu Asano (Yabushige) and Takehiro Hira (Ishido) were also nominated. I'm really happy for Asano. I don't really understand the Hira nomination, but perhaps Supporting Actor isn't very competitive this year. Too bad that Cosmo Jarvis (Blackthorne) didn't get a nomination, but maybe Best Actor is competitive.

 

[I am not exposed]

Yeah, not a masterpiece in my book.

I actually prefer Road Warrior. I find the gritty feel fits the setting better than sweeping vistas and visuals.



So, in the book, it’s a bit more explicit but his reunion with all of them (not just one guy) emphasizes how much he’s changed and how little he has in common with his old crew.

Blackthorne bathes regularly now and finds their manners and physical hygiene repulsive.

Anyway, terrific work from Hiroyuki Saneda in this episode. A lot of the emotion he displays is through facial expressions and subtle eye contact.

Road Warrior is a brilliant film. 10 out of 10 for me.

Fury Road was decent, but the third best in the franchise (after the first 2).

I'm on episode 8 of Shogun. Very good show so far. Agree with a lot of the comments posted here so far. I figured if Osprey is waxing lyrical about it, it must be pretty good!

 

[x Tame Impala]

It felt like Blackthorne’s character fell off a bit too much throughout the season. Could just be my American sensibilities but I was expecting him to be more of a focus considering the tone that was set in the first few episodes.

He should’ve been nominated for something.

 

[I am not exposed]

With Shogun ending, if anyone is looking for another historical series to watch, I was reading today that Netflix just added all four seasons of Black Sails, the pirate drama which aired on Starz from 2014 to 2017. I was reminded of it at several points while watching Shogun, since both are set several hundred years ago, involve pirating and have an emphasis on realism. The main difference is that Shogun is an intimate character drama and Black Sails is more action/adventure like Treasure Island or Pirates of the Caribbean. So, it's different, but I really enjoyed it and recommend it, especially if you were hoping for more action in Shogun.

Netflix Just Quietly Added the Most Underrated Historical Epic of the Past Decade

Now that 'Shogun' is over, scratch your historical epic itch with 'Black Sails,' a wildly underrated drama that flew under the radar, but is now getting a second life on Netflix.

www.inverse.com

I watched Black Sails years ago. Yeah, very good show. Highly recommended.

 

[Osprey]

'Shogun' wins record-breaking 14 Emmys at Creative Arts ceremony as Jamie Lee Curtis gets her first

“Shogun” won a whopping 14 times at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. That's the most Emmys ever won by a show for a single season.

apnews.com

It set the record and we still haven't even gotten to the main event, which is Sunday, where it has a chance to win up to five more (including Outstanding Drama, Best Actor, Best Actress, etc.).

 

[Hasbro]

Using "The Japans" is now my way of referring to that country.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Absolutely cleaning house at the Emmy’s.

 

[Osprey]

‘Shogun’ Shatters Emmy Record With 18 Wins in One Season

"Shogun" breaks the Emmy Awards record for most in one season.

variety.com

“Shōgun” ruled the main acting categories with wins in best drama, lead actor (Hiroyuki Sanada) and lead actress (Anna Sawai).

 

[HanSolo]

Well deserved all around.

 

[Osprey]

 

[Rodgerwilco]

No wonder The Bear didn't want to go in as a Drama lol.