When it comes to television—nay, entertainment writ large—the best advice I can give to you is to watch FX’s historical epic Shōgun immediately. As of this writing, only two episodes remains in the limited series (with no plans for a second season, though other stories may be explored). But Shōgun has already proven itself as a masterful piece of storytelling and entertainment.
Based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name, Shōgun takes full advantage of its source material. I’ve often thought that one of the benefits of adapting a book is that the author will have already planned and presented more than can be used in a shorter form of media (such as TV or film). This gives the directors/showrunners the freedom to adapt the best—or at least, most cinematic—parts of the work while drawing from the depth the book provides.
That isn’t to say adaptation is easy. It’s a fine line to walk. But those who do it well can create something special—and Shōgun fits that bill.
Swords and Samurai
Shōgun takes place in feudal Japan in the year 1600. The Taiko (supreme ruler of Japan) has recently died, leaving a single heir too young to take the throne. In the interim, five regents are selected to maintain order and manage the country until the heir comes of age.
During this turbulent time, the most influential regent is the revered Yoshii Toranaga (played expertly by star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada). So influential, in fact, that the other members of the regent council fear him and conspire against him. But Ned Stark this is not—though Toranaga is honorable, he is a master of politics and subterfuge. One of the joys of this show is watching Toranaga try to outwit the overwhelming forces that oppose him.
Toranaga is surrounded by an ensemble cast of characters, each with standout personalities and remarkable depth. Early in the show, we are introduced to Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a sailor and ship’s pilot. He is captured, but soon proves his unique worth to Toranaga, who takes the Englishman into his service despite pressure from other clans and the Portuguese (who held a monopoly on European-Japanese trade at the time). Blackthorne—or as the Japanese call him, “Anjin”—is the fish-out-of-water in this story, and he is often as bewildered at the customs of the Japanese people as they are of him.
Another notable character is Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), a highborn woman with a tragic past. Though she carries an immense burden, she serves Toranaga faithfully, and is eventually assigned as Blackthorne’s translator. They form an intriguing relationship and draw out the most honest expressions from each other.
Beyond this “Big Three,” there are several more characters who are unique and memorable, but the story revolves around Toranaga, Blackthorne, and Mariko—to great effect.
A Grand Simplicity
Shōgun is a beautiful, exciting show—packed with contemplative moments of character-building and thrilling bursts of action. But what is striking is the show’s commitment to simplicity. If this sounds like a knock, I promise it’s not. It’s admirable. To this point, the show has essentially confined itself to two locations: the fortress-city of Osaka and Ajiro, a small coastal fishing village.
And yet, the show pulls a magic trick by losing none of its epic scope. More than that, by staying rooted in a few places, we care about what happens there. Another, lesser show might have tried to hop all around Japan, trying to convey scope but losing its character focus. But by narrowing its focus, Shōgun has crafted a world that feels authentic and lived in. It also allows for the showrunners to use CGI in its most effective fashion: as a supplement, not the main focus. I won’t spoil anything here, but Shōgun boasts more than a few jaw-dropping moments.
The show’s characters are anything but simple, but each possesses a clarity of purpose. It’s never on-the-nose, but the audience is given plenty of information as to what each character wants (or thinks they want). Though a good thing, this can be a bit of a risk—if your character’s motivations and personality are clear, the audience will hold you accountable if you write something that seems contrary to that character. Gratefully, Shōgun has a firm grasp of its characters and lets them lead the story, not the other way around.
Conclusion: Shogun Review
Shōgun is an incredible achievement. Though there is some sadness that the show (at least with its current story and cast of characters) won’t continue on beyond its limited scope, ultimately, it’s a good thing. We need more shows that tell a gripping story, from start to finish, and don’t overstay their welcome simply to milk their IP for all it’s worth.
Whether you’re a fan of historical epics, character-driven drama, samurai, or just good TV, I can’t recommend Shōgun enough.
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