FX’s Shogun Early Review

The following is a spoiler-free review of the first 8 episodes of Shogun. The first 2 episodes premiere February 27th on Disney+ internationally, Disney+ and Star+ in Latin America, and Hulu in the US

It’s never too early for prestige television. As the subgenre continues to shift towards streaming, studios continue to pull out all the stops to retain subscribers to their respective streaming platforms and justify their seemingly ever-increasing monthly cost or to entice prospective subscribers to give their platforms a try. In this day and age, content is king and Shogun looks to be the next big anchor series. Based on the book by James Clavell, the story has seen many adaptations over the years, the most prominent being James Clavell’s Shogun, a feature film and television miniseries released in 1980, both starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshirô Mifune. First announced in 2018, creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks attempt to adapt the classic tale for a new generation. While not without its faults, they are fairly successful, though an impressive budget didn’t hurt either as the series falls under the FX banner. Those looking for something epic will definitely not be disappointed as it turns British Columbia, Canada into feudal Japan. That being said, for any not familiar with the original source material, it will be a lot to take in at first but that improves as the narrative becomes more focused as the series goes on. In the end, running at only 10-episodes, its pacing issues will make some viewers believe it’s not enough.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, FX’s Shogun is set in Japan in 1600 in the midst of a civil war between the ruling council of regents who united together before setting their sights on member Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). Now fighting for his life, the consummate strategist’s fortunes looked to change once a mysterious European ship found itself stranded near a remote fishing village. Piloted by an englishman named John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), there was just something different about him. A reasonably civilized man on paper trying to make the best out of a not so ideal situation that may or may not have been of his doing, he found himself pulled further and further into unchartered territory, in a foreign country speaking in a foreign language by Toranaga as part of his master plan. Taking place primarily in Japanese, Blackthorne needed English-speaking characters to interact with and from that spawned his relationship with Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), a woman tasked to be his translator but their relationship quickly became so much more as she reluctantly helped him adjust to Japanese culture. Working to keep his pursuers at bay, he, and his circle of loyal supporters, plotted their strategy outside of the stronghold of Osaka which was no longer safe for Toranaga and his contingent. Deemed a barbarian by the majority of the Japanese people he encountered along the way, Blackthorne was a target as soon as he landed on Japanese soil.

A story like this one inherently came with plenty of political intrigue to round things out. Making for a decent foil for Toranaga, Blackthorne, and co., it was easily the weakest part of the story. Tied to the backstory of Toranaga and Japan itself, diving back into that history led to some strong moments but as a whole, the series did not go far enough in using the conflicts of the past to establish the conflicts of the present. The connections between the characters on either side of the conflicts goes far beyond Toranaga, however, those underdeveloped supporting subplots do just enough to move the story forward while failing to generate more than a passing interest. Building up to the inevitable showdown between Toranaga and the forces of Osaka, the story had to build a bridge from point A to point B and somehow set up that conclusion. The result of that made for a fair share of bloat in the middle episodes in order to reconcile those supporting subplots.

To its credit, Shogun is at its best whenever it focuses on Toranaga, Blackthorne, or Mariko. The core of the story, however it was going to end, they were going to play a part in it. Despite his circumstances and the odds seemingly stacked against him, one should never underestimate Toranaga because he always had a plan even if he wasn’t always necessarily forthcoming with it. More than just the subject of a fish-out-of-water story, Blackthorne is given an arc that allows him to be more and become someone more than the man who initially stepped foot on Japanese soil for better or worse, before embarking on a journey of self-rediscovery. Mariko was a vital connecting piece of the story, finding herself contending with multiple conflicting allegiances that left her in a compromising position on multiple occasions. That unique position afforded her more depth beyond her fun chemistry with Blackthorne and made it easier for viewers to connect with the character and her situation.

As mentioned, the production of Shogun pulled out all the stops. The cinematography is absolutely beautiful, taking full advantage of the British Columbia, Canada scenery. A true period piece from top to bottom, the countryside is truly another character in the story. The sprawling shots of that countryside are something to behold while its thundering score reinforces the series’ epic feel. Where it falters technically is within its spotty special effects in creating shots or adding to the action, something it lacks based on its premise alone. Though the story may not quite go at the pace that some viewers may prefer, trying to fit so much within a short period of time while also trying to do its character justice, what stood out above all else was its performances. Sanada, Jarvis, and Sawai will surely get most of the attention as Toranaga, Blackthorne, and Mariko but its large, primarily Japanese cast, featuring too many actors to name, all deliver solid performances. Sanada can nail a strong and stoic figure in his sleep and Toranaga certainly fits the bill. An imposing figure that demanded respect, he gave him vulnerability, regardless of the fact that it may or may not have been a ploy befitting of his calculated nature. Jarvis brings charm and likeability as an analog for viewers who comes into his own in the midst of a foreign land. Sawai shows off range as she is forced to carry a range of feelings on the inside and maintain an aura of strength on the outside in the face of several challenges to her resolve.

In the end, Shogun is an epic yet flawed adaptation that brings an impressive world to life but in spite of strong performances, is hampered by overall pacing issues.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.