Shogun is a story that has become a milestone in the world of modern TV series.

Since the premiere Shogun surprised by being more than just the detailed adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 work, which it is. But in fact, Rachel Condo and Justin Marks’ production strives to do more than just respect the author’s work. At the same time, it attempts to create a story that delves into a complex political scenario with elegant historical detail. While not forgetting the sensibility of romance running through its plot, in addition to an interesting exploration of feudal Japan, from a Westerner’s point of view.

All of the above comes together in the series to create a production that can be considered one of the best in recent years. Shogun, in his understated, elegant and careful style, reflects on power, influence and privilege in an unusual dimension. This is bringing the entire country to a new cultural level. That is: from a territory over which the emperor had divine power, to another over which the samurai had greater control. That while the plot progresses along the complex path of loyalty and Japanese values, at the center of the political map that would lead to the Edo Dynasty.

Shogun, has the intelligence to turn what could have been an endless narrative of historical and local detail into a grand universal adventure. One that also combines human drama – with more weight than the 1980 version – with the sensitivity of insight into complex characters. The series mixes violence, sex, desire, love and hope as the fight for the country’s largest shogunate turns into a battle between powers. Lord Yoshi Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada in a formidable role) must play his part as regent for the local Taiko’s son to achieve triumph. What will be included, use to the new John Blackthorn (Cosmo Jarvis) and Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) arrived as interesting characters.

Two ends of the same story

But although his interest was neither love nor romantic painting, Shogun found a way to provide exceptional development for the two characters. They both share an inevitable romance. On the one hand, John Blackthorne embodies Western ambitions in uncharted territory. Likewise, the clash of two antagonistic cultures that remain in a precarious balance. Unlike the 1980 version, Cosmo Jarvis manages to give his character a sad depth. He’s not just a survivor. At the same time, he must find his place in the new hierarchy of power.

And he achieves this by becoming indispensable to Lord Toranaga, as well as forming an uneasy alliance with Lady Mariko. It is this script decision that allows her to be the embodiment of all aspects of the feminine principle in the series. She is simultaneously a brilliant woman with her own agenda and vast political knowledge, and an unhappy, abused wife. Meanwhile, her decision to love John and at the same time not betray her country and God, They give her a character full of nuance and special weight in the plot.

By the time they both fall in love, Japan is faced with a brutal and difficult situation in which the two of them will have to mediate. Which will also force them to make personal, delicate and difficult decisions that will mark their lives. Thus, romance between two different characters is part of this version. Shogun, just modulated in a much more intuitive and organic way.

War, violence and love in a balanced debate

At first glance, a new version Shogun, may seem, at the very least, unnecessary. The first, which became a television hit in the 1980s, was produced by the author himself. Additionally, its edited version became a film, which made the adaptation even more famous. With actor Richard Chamberlain at the helm, the plot was less interested in politics than love. The result is a tragic and forbidden romance at the center of the map. confused politician. Recorded in Japan, the album had an exotic atmosphere that seemed unmatched.

So the FX series’ decision to make power struggles a priority seemed like a risky decision. One that became more complex with a detailed analysis of the customs and traditions of the time. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada insisted several times that Shogun It is much more culturally and politically complex than its predecessor. Especially giving great importance to the intrigues, manipulations and plans behind the throne.

This becomes clear in the first and second chapters, which scrutinize feudal Japan as it approaches social implosion. At the same time, in a dangerous situation, when the most important shogunate was beheaded. With a shocking introduction to your world, Shogun He then continued to delve into his characters and setting. Including Portuguese influence in the country, John Blackthorne’s look into an unknown land and the price of betrayal.

Romance in a difficult situation

But it was the connection that quickly developed between Lady Mariko and John that gave the show the opportunity it needed to show two points of view simultaneously. From the purely political and Machiavellian point of view of Lord Toranaga to the bonds of complicity that arose between an Englishman and a lady of the court. The truth is Shogun He found a way to penetrate deeper into the inner world of his characters, without having to lose an iota of the tight fight scene.

The result was the sixth chapter, dedicated to desire, disappointment in love and despair, which surprised the audience. When Mariko translated the courtesan’s words in the first person while standing next to John, the series had its limits. At the same time, it finally brought to the fore all the angst contained between the atypical couple. Graduated Ladies of the sauce world, The episode gave the central romance of the plot a tragic and twilight beauty.

Moreover, when he made it clear that sooner or later the lovers would have to separate. Be it the pressure around them or the taboo nature of their relationship. The point is that Lady Mariko and John brought out the deeply felt side of the story and demonstrated that Shogun It was more than just a historical drama. This combination brought the production to its highest point and perhaps the most painful of its long journey.

The death of a servant and a brilliant season finale

One of the most interesting elements Shogun, lay in its ability to visually tell everything that the plot couldn’t convey through its characters. Visual production and photography team led by Sam McCurdy, Marc Laliberte Els, Christopher Ross, Aril Retblad, They managed to give Japan a melancholy beauty.

All with footage from Japan, as well as from Vancouver (Canada). The result was a journey that used the opulent halls of palaces and royal halls, as well as valleys and fields, to reveal its most subtle moments. Among them are the evolution of its main characters and how they achieved, to a certain extent, redemption in the midst of a battle for power.

Perhaps this is why chapter nine, entitled Crimson Sky, was the most emotional, but was not the end. Not only to gain insight into the meaning of death, pain and hope through Lady Mariko and John Blackthorne. At the same time, analyzing how the sharp break between them occurred, This served to give the plot a more tragic and meaningful meaning, with little concession to emotion.

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For your final chapter, Shogun He managed to complete his story without leaving any loose ends. As Lord Toranaga entered the eternity of his country’s history with John, the series reached a new level of elegance and sophistication. Moreover, explaining that streaming This can be the perfect place for stories that require more depth, time, and research. The greatest triumph the series can celebrate.