Shōgun (TV Series) A Dream of a Dream (2024) User Reviews

Studying The Wind

[rxckne · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

The Shogun finale was a masterful closing of the book to one of the greatest miniseries in television history. After the events of episode 9 the world suddenly felt empty, and the reality of the show really kicked into place. But with that emptiness came a light of life that left it's impact on the entire series and the world that was built within it.

Every character had a fitting ending to their arcs that left open interpretation for what could still come, but also closed the door at the proper moment. Blackthorne and Toranaga's encounters weren't entirely what I expected, but the void that was left on the show in the last episode made their scenes everything they needed to be.

But what made many elements of Shogun come together was the monologue near the end, which was probably my favorite scene of the entire show. Toranaga being given the freedom to let out his thoughts and put many of the events of this show into perspective was something I didn't know I needed but I'm very glad it happened. Doing justice to many arcs with his own words and also opening himself up to be seen in a different light. Crimson Sky was seen as this Great War, but turned out to be much more impactful and devastating with one individual that made everything go into motion. The sacrifice that was made seemed small compared to what I expected of Crimson Sky, but what happened left an impact that nobody else ever could and that was shown in this finale.

The dynamic in that monologue was great and not what I'd expect of a scene with Toranaga and Yabushige. But given the circumstances it made sense. Yabushige is a character that has a comedic undertone, but ever since episode 1 when he risked his life to help the sailor he immediately became one of my favorites. The poem he wrote perfectly encapsulates what I'd expect from him in that moment and after the events of the last episode the ending to his arc was perfect.

Also I'm not sure if I'm bugging out, but in the final shot was that character holding what I think it was in his hand? I'm not sure if it's the exact cross because I feel like that'd be impossible, but I think that goes to show that those 2 characters will be intertwined far past Shogun's finale which makes sense considering the words that were spoken prior.

It pains me that Shogun ends here and that it's a show that won't have a tight hold on the TV world for the rest of the decade, but in these 10 episodes it certainly will leave a great impact if it hasn't already. Better to end a series while it's on top rather than to drag it out longer than it should be. Huge kudos to the performances from Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai and Cosmo Jarvis to name a few. They were perfectly casted and guided this story masterfully.

What a ride

[conspiracaotvbr · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

The finale of Shogun is, like the whole buildup was, a masterstroke of storytelling brilliance that left me utterly fulfilled. As the curtains close on this monumental series, it's abundantly clear that it has cemented its place in television history as one of the greatest of all time.

Every frame of the final episode is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering dedication of its creators. From the stunning cinematography to the hauntingly beautiful score, every aspect of this series reaches new heights of excellence unseen in nowadays TV.

And as we bid farewell to this extraordinary journey, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it. Bravo, Shogun. You will be sorely missed.

Flowers are only flowers because they fall

[excellent_person · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

I'm sitting here dwelling in such bittersweet sadness, processing what I just witnessed. The content of the episode was bittersweet sadness, as well as seeing this series I have loved and waited for every week come to an end.

From the events of the past 9 episodes, basically every character is left dwelling in loss.

And yet, there is a grand purpose laid out that gives meaning to it all: The prospect of a united Japan living in peace. Can they recover from their catastrophic losses and continue on?

Like a newborn baby in Toranaga's arms, subtle signs of hope, faith, and new life emerge.

Mariko taught us that life is delicate like a flower, and only meaningful because it eventually falls.

The character arcs I cared about most were wrapped up in a way that left me satisfied and hopeful for them.

And through a couple of ingenious narrative methods that fit seamlessly into the story, we get a glimpse of the future coming after the curtain falls.

Although it's sad to see this series end, having shared the journey of Shogun, we are "Zutto Issho." Always together.

The battle that isn't

[pep-77109 · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

We are so used to endings that have to culminate in CGI battles and big noise (and I certainly like them when watching most MCU movies and shows) that you might miss what this gem is all about. I mean, the show itself has built the arc up to this expectation (or was it just me and too many other previous series), but what they made of this final episode and the whole series as such is simply a marvel. A masterpiece of storytelling, of character development, of writing, of acting, of tying up loose ends so perfectly and giving Shogun exactly the farewell it deserves.

I haven't read the book, so I don't dare judge the show against its source material. But what it does, it does brilliantly.

It's so beautifully crafted and perfect to the end that even if not all the episodes were a full 10 for me (with a mathematical average of over 9 for sure), the whole series gets a 10 for itself every day. And for once, I envy those who were able to (or had to) wait and watch and enjoy it for the full ten weeks, as I only started watching after the seventh episode aired and was just too quick to get through all ten. The time was too short and I will miss it.

Wonderful ending to an incredible show

[romanslawomir · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

If one thing Game of Thrones taught us, is that it without impactful ending the series overall loses a lot of its value. This is not the case here.

What a brilliant finish. This show has shown, that in an age filled with non stop CGI action nonsense, there's still plenty of space for a breath of fresh air, a historical political drama, which Shogun executed to perfection. Outstanding cast, wonderful acting and next-to-none direction have all made this a memorable journey, likely to be held as benchmark for years to come.

I am very glad to have taken this journey together with John Blackthorne and I wish for anyone who's not seen this show yet the same amount of enjoyment i received throughout its run.

Honouring Clavell's novel

[kxb-34144 · 10/10 · 24 April 2024]

What a ride! The final episode of Shogun did not disappoint. I can understand why some other reviewers may be disappointed that the finale did not show the battle of Sekigahara between Toranaga and Ishido, and I'm sure I would have been impressed to watch it, after all, the whole series is spectacular with its visuals. However, that is not what this story is about. For those who have not read the novel, I strongly recommend you do, or at least find an audio version of it! It will give you more context as to why things happened the way they did.

Shogun is a brilliantly written novel with multiple primary tropes. Primarily obedience and deception. The story is not about the war; it is about how those who are obedient to Toranaga are used to deceive those who are not, culminating in him building the alliance he needed for his plans. The whole point of the story is to show how one person will do whatever they need to get what they want. Throughout the series, you are presented with evidence that Toranaga is using those around him to guide his plan. The reader/watcher is treated like the people around him, being misled and manipulated to think they know what is happening, but in truth, they are being lied to for the writers' enjoyment.

Toranaga orders Fuji to consort Blackthorn and for Mariko to stay with him in order to incorporate him into the culture by making him learn Japanese and the culture. Toranaga knows that Blackthorn will be a distraction for the Christian Daimyos. He knows that Blackthorn will be a way to keep a rift between Ishio and the regents because Ishio doesn't care, but two Christian members do. Toranaga even states as much in his final monologue.

Yoshi was known to be a turncoat by Toranaga, and he knew that Yoshi would eventually betray him. Toranaga planned for that to happen at the time that he needed that betrayal. Toranaga sent Mariko to Osaka specifically for her to die. Mariko followed his orders, knowing she would most likely die. For those who do not like this fact, remember that she had wanted it ever since her father dishonoured the family. It was what she had been asking for for over a decade. Toranaga knew that he could trap Ishido by sending Mariko to Osaka and that Ishido would likely resort to using Yoshi to help capture Mariko. He used them both (Mariko knowing the plan, but Yoshi not knowing) to achieve the desired effect. By Yoshi betraying Toranaga at the time of Toranaga's choice, Mariko fulfils her orders, which ultimately leads to the Council of Regents and Lady Ochiba turning on Ishido.

There are way too many examples of unforeseen obedience and deception to write about here, but before you make a decision about the finale of Shogun, consider what the real story is all about. Was it about an eventual war, or was it about how one person was able to "study the wind" and adapt to the situation he was in by guiding those around him to get the desired effect?

Great show but I feel a bit misled

[adamkzane · 8/10 · 23 April 2024]

This complaint may be a simple critique of the source material, but the plot in my opinion fails its goal of being a political thriller with the fact that all of Torinaga's enemies seeming to have no will of their own.

We aren't really given reason to care for his enemies which seemingly listen to everything Ishido says, and thus his swaying of their decisions shouldn't cause him to become shogun? If Ishido without Torinaga couldn't become shogun, and the other houses are scared of him, why can Torinaga become shogun without Ishido?

I loved the concept of Torinaga being this morally grey character the entire time, but again as a political thriller drama where plot twists are the norm, this ending felt lackluster, like an epilogue to a climax that never really showed up.

A rare and unique program

[efd-10467 · 8/10 · 24 April 2024]

Overall Shogun is a unique piece of television, rich in colour and costume with a script and plot that does not follow your your normal 'hit' series trends.

The hero or heroes of the show are not clearly defined, the villains are not necessarily baddies, just the other side of the story.

The female characters while on the surface submissive unfold as powerful players who are the centrepieces of most episodes.

While Western religion and culture is recognised it is not the main driver, it's Japanese. The violence at times is shocking but key to the story, the studies of death and service are stark but beautiful.

The big point is how it told it's story without following the typical plot patterns, leaving you feeling fascinated, even excited, but never certain about the next step, rare in modern entertainment.

It's was never about the action. It's about the epicness.

[nikitamedianik · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

Beautiful finale. Every scene felt special. It's a truly unique experience when some calm dialogs can tell more story than action or some epic battle in LOTR style. "Dream of a dream" could be a perfect meaning for every single character arc in this show, symbolic and simply satisfying. Cosmo Jarvis really deserves more roles in this industry, his acting is phenomenal. That show was special. It's a very strong commentary about the fate, the power of a human spirit. About a genius Toronaga, his mind is just so clever and smart, it's actually quite scary at some times.

Bravo! Of the best series of our generation! Instant classic. Planing to buy a blu-ray in near future.

Perfect.

[FilmInColdBlood · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

Each episode of Shogun is a masterclass in storytelling, with a heartfelt core that resonates deeply. The series captivates, offering an enthralling journey through its richly crafted narrative. It's a symphony of emotional depth and exquisite detail. The only problem I have is that it ended. Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis, and Hiroyuki Sanada deliver performances of unparalleled finesse. Sawai's portrayal is a delicate balance of strength and vulnerability, while Jarvis's nuanced interpretation captures the complexity of his character. Sanada, with his venerable presence, brings a gravitas that anchors the series. Together, they create a mosaic of human emotion that is as exquisite as it is captivating.

Great show but a bit unsatisfactory ending..

[guinden · 7/10 · 24 April 2024]

I loved the show i still think it is a masterpiece from the characters, acting, visuals, scripts, twists, cinematography, music everything is top notch.

Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai are simply amazing in the show. They pretty much steal the show.

Up to the last episode i was speechless and couldn't wait to see how the show ends. But the ending for me was a bit disappointing and confusing.

Why showing the old Anjin and then listen to Toranaga saying he will never leave Japan.. So obviously he did, but how? Was Toranaga wrong? Was his prediction of becoming a shogun and peace in japan was wrong also? The series ended with so much questions even though we can say cause the letter he got Toranaga was quite certain about the outcome of the war which will never happen but he was clearly wrong about the Anjin not leaving Japan ever..

So even though maybe this was intended to leave some of these questions open i think it was an extraordinary yourney. Too bad there won't be a season 2.

Great set up, terrible pay-off

[kaifreeman · 5/10 · 25 April 2024]

There's almost no resolution to many characters and plot lines, the regents for example, especially Ishido and Ochiba story just finished abruptly, it's almost felt like a waste to spend so much time with them when they Barely develop as characters and are defeated in a 5 minute exposition dump offscreen by Toranaga.

The Portuguese plot turned to nothing too, just feels like a waste of time, no interesting machinations, characters or plot lines from that camp after episode 3.

Yabushige, Fugi and Mariko are the only characters who feel fully realised and explored and even Yabu's character felt off in the finale, why did Mariko dying turn him into a crazy madman until the end where he was normal again?

Toranaga and Blackthorn characters felt like we needed more, I wanted to see Toranaga atleast interact with Ochiba or see him physically get Ishido and actually become Shogun, I don't need a big battle to see those things, why even set up these rivalries and mental battles if we never even see how it resolves and ultimately ends in real time.

As for Blackthorne, they set up some things but there was never any payoff like him teaching the Samurai how to accurately shoot cannons, or him meeting his old friends, even when he mentions his family back home it's just like things we see once and it never develops into anything.

I would of liked to see Buntaros full reaction to Marikos death too, if we had the battle maybe he could feel like he won't let Mariko's sacrifice go to waste and it partly motivates him war.

I don't buy Toranaga keeping Blackthorne around just for the lols when they have pretty much only had one friendly positive interaction in the whole show when they were swimming. He also looked grateful and appreciative of him when he saved him from the earthquake.

Also since we now know what Crimson Sky is, Blackthorne really got away with being disrespectful to Toranaga in front all his men and son without any punishment? Fugi's late husband and child died for less.

I'm jealous so many enjoyed this show and think it's a flawless masterpiece but it's a overall 7/10 for me. Very good setup, acting and costumes but also some half-baked character's and plot threads with a unsatisfying finale.

"I don't shape the wind, I only study it"

[greenmangreat · 8/10 · 23 April 2024]

What a twist of fate. The "noble" Toranaga turned out to truly be a self-serving megalomaniac who saw his friends, vassals, and even his own son as mere pawns to further his cause to rule Japan. It's almost cruel that Ishido and Ochiba were right about Toranaga's schemes against the heir all along, and that we as the audience have been strung along to root for a ruthless despot.

As for Blackthorne, his purpose gets revealed to us: he is merely a source of entertainment and ultimately inconsequential to the overall movement of Toranaga's schemes. Even the vision of Blackthorne being an aged grandpa in a lavish English home turned out to be no more than a "dream of a dream". Like Blackthorne, we have all been misled by the cunning Toranaga.

After the thrilling penultimate finale, I was almost expecting Shogun to end in some epic battle. After all, the real life Battle of Sekigahara took place on an epic scale. But in hindsight, I realise that portraying such an epic battle might have felt too rushed. Instead, all we get is a flash forward of Toranaga's machinations. Pure political scheming, from beginning to end.

I do not consider this to be a satisfying finale, and yet perhaps, it is a finale apt for a show that has told us multiple times that we are all mere cogs of a much larger machine at work. We live, and we die.

Genius Adaptation!

[SouthofSideways · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

Having read the book, I wondered how the writers were going to conclude the series. Especially since (spoilers) the book barely depicts the war beyond a couple of short paragraphs as an epilogue of the vast 1125 page epic.

The genius, however, is how the writers took what existed in the novel and restructured and repurposed it to elevate the story as it came to its close.

One example, Blackthorne threatened to commit seppuku as a means to protect the village from death on his behalf was something that happens in the first third of the novel and is unrelated to Toranaga's plan. Yabu threatens his village to teach Blackthorne Japanese language and customs within six months or he'll execute them. Blackthorne learns this and threatens to take his own life unless Yabu backtracks on his ultimatum. When he refuses, Blackthorne proceeds to make good on his threat but is physically prevented by Omi.

Here, it's directly used towards Toranaga, when he learns that he's executing and punishing villagers for the destruction of his ship (which, we later learn, was Toranaga's doing.) Blackthorne's reaction and attempt to commit seppuku was in lieu of more lengthy exchanges between the Anjin and Lord in the novel. Making that change actually improved the impact of the ending whilst remaining true to the source material.

I imagine there will be some disappointed viewers who were hoping for a Game of Thrones style battle between armies but this isn't that kind of series.

What we got instead was the beautiful unveiling of a clever man's plan - playing the long game - who had managed to outsmart everyone and got what he wanted all along.

This also invites a whole rewatch of the series, knowing what we know now and fully understanding Toranaga's plan in real time, understanding where it's heading.

In fact, I might also re-read the novel.

Incredible work to everyone involved in this very special TV show - the writers, directors, cast, art directors, cinematographers, composers - everyone.

As a fan of the original novel, I'm thrilled with how brilliantly the story has been adapted and that it has been so well received by audiences everywhere.

Pawns and the Path of Letting Go

[rookescanor · 9/10 · 23 April 2024]

And thus, comes the end of a great historic tale (at least in this visual form). This episode wasn't as dramatic as the previous one, but it did come to a conclusion, and either way this episode played well and its significant part for the series.

The actors were great, and the episode felt the Act 3 of the story, aftermath the Climax of the previous episode.

Sad to see Anna Sawai's character go off the previous episode, but then again all of it happened according to history, and there are some bitter pills to swallow in the actualities.

The truth of the whole plot is unveiled. The shrewdness of tactics and the acceptance of death are part of war, I guess. The episode played out these aspects well. I'm going to miss the experience of the series for quite sometime.

Beautiful ending, all the feels

[knightyke · 9/10 · 23 April 2024]

It is pretty clear the feeling that I am left with having watched the last episode. I am so going to miss this show, never been a miniseries like this. It is imprinted on my heart even. I held my breath more than once, many shows would have big epic endings, but this was a teaching, humbling moment just as some episodes have been this season. I did look at the runtime of episode 10 and I had qualms about there not being a big epic ending but I went with it nonetheless. (And I get that some people would feel that something is missing, to be completely frank.) Moreover, it was personally three episodes of emotional gut punches and it outweighed everything else. But every little detail of show has just been incredible, the weight of any action is very much felt with time and in 10 episodes, one can break down every character to their core motivation, fear etc. And at a time when television shows are about meeting quotas, over rushed projects, this was just steady and a breathe of life we all needed. I dreaded when the credits scene was coming, never wanted it to end, could have more in it, but I thought, my word, am I glad to have been a part of this journey.

Masterpiece.

[fervic-56181 · 10/10 · 24 April 2024]

A person must have his balls in place as an author not to enter into the typical fanservice of an epic battle to please the masses (which everyone expected) with epic deaths and everything that this entails to give it a creative, brave and unusual resolution...

This will not please some, as they expect the typical journey with a familiar outcome, effects and battles, but my congratulations to the author for taking risks and not following standards. Since Dark I haven't watched a series so gloomily portrayed, it really is dark...

Win before starting the war? Brilliant and creative writing....

Pure Poetry

[yahaira-729-694701 · 10/10 · 24 April 2024]

I enjoyed each episode in this mini series almost Tru to Japanese culture to say more with less. Amind the beautiful images of the Japanese culture prior to western influeces a story is developed and told from the barbarian Anjin, and hisctranslator Mariko san and finally the lord Toragana played by the gifted Yurohiro Sananda who portrays and delivers a dance of tenderness throgh solemnity and power. At least in this final episode, he reveals his deeper inner heart and we see his careful planning working out at last; a true master of the game of war and power. He sanctions his nation's peace by knowing whom and what to sacrifice in this game . I will miss this story. Cheers!

)

A great ending for a great show

[Castillo230 · 9/10 · 23 April 2024]

This show is without a doubt one of the most compelling, and well made TV shows of 2024.

A brilliant adaptation of the book, and in my opinion, a huge upgrade from the old "Shogun" (1980) show.

Everything about it is excellent, the characters, the plot, the soundtracks, the sets, the raw and accurate portrayal of Japanese culture and history and so much more.

But, there is 1 gripe that I have with the show, and it's the lack of action, and specifically the final battle between the council and Toranaga (the battle of Sekigahara). We waited patiently for it, for many episodes, and..... it doesn't happen.

I don't know why they skipped it. Was it the lack of budget? I don't know but I was slightly disappointed by that.

Other than that I loved it. Especially the last scene between Fuji and Blackthorne. Also the scene where Buntaro and Blackthorne make peace was beautiful.

Yabushige dies sadly, but at least he dies honourably, with a smile on his face.

All in all a solid ending for a solid show.

An Emotionally Heartbreaking Masterpiece: The Perfect Finale

[aistufing · 10/10 · 24 April 2024]

The last episode was truly a masterpiece in storytelling. It was emotionally heart-wrenching, and it stands out as the best finale I've ever watched. What made it so impactful was its departure from the usual action-packed or violent scenes. Instead, it focused on raw emotions and character development.

The series had been building up to this moment throughout its run, and the payoff was worth every moment. The way the characters' arcs reached their conclusions was both heartbreaking and beautiful. There were no flashy fights or intense action sequences, but the emotional intensity was palpable.

The episode managed to convey complex emotions without relying on typical dramatic devices. It delved deep into the characters' psyches, making us feel their pain, their joy, and their struggles. This is storytelling at its finest, where the emotional journey takes precedence over everything else.

In summary, this episode was a perfect blend of storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. It's a rare gem in a world where finales often disappoint. I was left emotionally moved and reflecting on the series long after the credits rolled.

Decent finish, though slightly unsatisfied.

[cameronj-59615 · 7/10 · 25 April 2024]

I've really enjoyed this show, from the beginning I was hooked.

I went into it thinking it was going to be a action packed show, though as I soon stated to understand that it was a drama with little bits of action slipped into it.

The show was leading us the whole season to a battle, a big battle. After about episode 6 I started saying to myself after every episode, it's got to be the next one. So to say I was a little disappointed and mislead when I started to see the credits running at the end of episode 10 with no battle being played out, is kind of an understatement.

I get what the show did, I get the story and the bigger picture, but considering there most likely isn't going to be a continuing season, imagining the bigger picture isn't as satisfying as seeing it.

It depends

[justkidding42 · 4/10 · 23 April 2024]

If it's a season finale we just watched this episode was a masterpiece.

If it was a series finale then I have some issues with it.

I know that this series was a character study and it was not about battles etc but the promise of a war or at least a battle was implied from episode 1 If the series ends just with Toranaga describing his imaginary (and most likely) outcome of all the events then I am sorry but it's not the way a series of this caliber should have ended.

It's like Tyrion Lannister describing the Red Wedding to us.

For all I found it was a series finale and I am a bit upset although I loved all the episodes I didn't like the landing.

Poetry on the screen

[agm-99117 · 10/10 · 27 April 2024]

What a fantastic series, based on James Clavell's novel, which itself was based on the true life of 'Miura Anjin', the English Navigator William Adams.

This final episode releases all the pent up tension of plots, counter-plots loyalty and treachery. This is what the book, and the series are about, not set-piece battles or action, so those reviewers likening it to GoT are surely disappointed, and I think rightly so.

While there is some temporary digression from the book, and a lot of detail necessarily missed, the series does the story justice, the costumes are phenomenal and the acting brilliant, especially Mariko, Toranaga, and the Lady Ochiba. It doesn't do to compare with the 1980s version, which was my favourite TV series of all time, better in some ways, not in others.

For those dismissing Toranaga as 'just another ambitious warlord, wanting to be Shogun', this is what they all were, for different reasons. The 'revered' Taiko was another such, but could not be Shogun because he was not from the ancient aristocracy, Taiko was just an Administrator title, and the role was made hereditary by his ancestor trying to create a dynasty. Toranaga is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu and heralded the peaceful Edo period in Japanese history.

What a journey!

[stirner-1 · 9/10 · 23 April 2024]

I love this show more than I loved the original book. Yes, many things are left out, and it seems to me that this show is really about the women of the World of Shogun. Not about the men, except maybe Toranaga. But while this ruins other shows it works in Shogun. These women are excellent characters. Here we have "strong women" without the forced stuff, the nonsense politics. Also the show is maybe more Japanese as the book, because it concentrates on Japanese culture, not just on Clavell's notion that Europeans were stinky.

The picture, the actors, the scenes, the mood everything is nearly perfect. When it ends it is chatartic. But we really needed a Sekigahara battle scene...That is what I am missing still.

Like leafless branches

[moritzherz · 9/10 · 23 April 2024]

When I started to watch this Show I had high expectations given to the high score it has. What I did not expect was to fall in love.

We start where we took off last week, right after the door explode. I had hope. Many had hope that she will survive. But it would not be Shogun if she survived. And so she died. Mariko-sama died.

She was many people's favorite character. She was Shogun's heart. And now it was ripped out of its chest and the world feels not the same. It is emptier. It is like a leafless branch.

The showrunners planned this from the start. They did not want one epic final battle to conclude the show. They wanted it to be Mariko's death and its aftermath.

But it does not end without giving us the reveal we all have waited for. Lord Toranaga's plan was to become Shogun from the beginning. All the sacrifices he made served this purpose. So he can restore peace in the realm.

He tells that Yabushige before his death, so only the viewer knows about it. Yabushige, the anjin and Lady Mariko are tools of Toranaga and they always were.

I am not sure if I like Toranaga for that or if I hate him. Mariko died because he set her in danger. But her death will save the lifes of thousands. A satisfying and unique ending.

I wanna thank the showrunners and you my fellow readers and colleagues for this incredible journey! We will keep Shogun in our hearts and show it to our children and grand children! The story ends, but its legacy will live forever.