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Post by volleyguy on Mar 19, 2024 23:25:54 GMT -5
Just finished watching episode 5 of Shogun. Here Blackthorne learns a very painful lesson that his words as a hatamoto has very literal life and death consequences. We also get the full revelation of Mariko's background, specifically her painful family history and why she was willing to follow Toranaga. Fuji as the unwilling consort also comes to her own, deftly balancing household management and Blackthorne's ignorant commands. We also see how Toranaga seem to be outplaying his untrustworthy vassal Yabu at every turn. And the appearance of Lady Ochiba at the end of the episode reveals herself as another villain in the show, someone possibily more dangerous than Ishido to Toranaga? She does remind me of Cersei from Game of Thrones, that's for certain. Blackthorne (or rather, the actor’s portrayal of the Blackthorne character) is the weakest link of the show. I just wanted him to shut up most of this episode because he was ruining everyone else’s great performance.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 19, 2024 23:31:58 GMT -5
Just finished watching episode 5 of Shogun. Here Blackthorne learns a very painful lesson that his words as a hatamoto has very literal life and death consequences. We also get the full revelation of Mariko's background, specifically her painful family history and why she was willing to follow Toranaga. Fuji as the unwilling consort also comes to her own, deftly balancing household management and Blackthorne's ignorant commands. We also see how Toranaga seem to be outplaying his untrustworthy vassal Yabu at every turn. And the appearance of Lady Ochiba at the end of the episode reveals herself as another villain in the show, someone possibily more dangerous than Ishido to Toranaga? She does remind me of Cersei from Game of Thrones, that's for certain. Blackthorne (or rather, the actor’s portrayal of the Blackthorne character) is the weakest link of the show. I just wanted him to shut up most of this episode because he was ruining everyone else’s great performance. Hehe, he was meant to be seen as a savage in a way, so making you feel that way might be intentional on the part of the producers. Actually Cosmo Jarvis is arguably more accurate to the book's version of Blackthorne than the overtly charming and handsome Richard Chamberlain version of Blackthorne.
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Post by volleyguy on Mar 19, 2024 23:35:51 GMT -5
Blackthorne (or rather, the actor’s portrayal of the Blackthorne character) is the weakest link of the show. I just wanted him to shut up most of this episode because he was ruining everyone else’s great performance. Hehe, he was meant to be seen as a savage in a way, so making you feel that way might be intentional on the part of the producers. Actually Cosmo Jarvis is arguably more accurate to the book's version of Blackthorne than the overtly charming and handsome Richard Chamberlain version of Blackthorne. The barbarian angle from the Japanese perspective comes across clearly, but the actor is playing him more naive (and annoying) than barbaric it seems.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 19, 2024 23:39:01 GMT -5
Hehe, he was meant to be seen as a savage in a way, so making you feel that way might be intentional on the part of the producers. Actually Cosmo Jarvis is arguably more accurate to the book's version of Blackthorne than the overtly charming and handsome Richard Chamberlain version of Blackthorne. The barbarian angle from the Japanese perspective comes across clearly, but the actor is playing him more naive (and annoying) than barbaric it seems. We'll see how it works out...this portrayal of him, in the later episodes to come.
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Post by volleyguy on Mar 19, 2024 23:41:10 GMT -5
The barbarian angle from the Japanese perspective comes across clearly, but the actor is playing him more naive (and annoying) than barbaric it seems. We'll see how it works out...this portrayal of him, in the later episodes to come. It will be fine. The other performances more than make up for his shortcomings.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 19, 2024 23:47:23 GMT -5
We'll see how it works out...this portrayal of him, in the later episodes to come. It will be fine. The other performances more than make up for his shortcomings. True. Sanada is awesome as the regal yet cunning Toranaga. Yabu is a delicious character. Despicable yet you are drawn to watch him. Anna Sawai as Mariko in episode 5 really show more of her true character and personality and let slip the stoic mask she had on. You feel for her now and understand more of her plight.
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Post by volleyguy on Mar 19, 2024 23:50:59 GMT -5
It will be fine. The other performances more than make up for his shortcomings. True. Sanada is awesome as the regal yet cunning Toranaga. Yabu is a delicious character. Despicable yet you are drawn to watch him. Anna Sawai as Mariko in episode 5 really show more of her true character and personality and let slip the stoic mask she had on. You feel for her now and understand more of her plight. Sakai has been awesome on the publicity tour stops for the show that I’ve watched.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 20, 2024 0:02:38 GMT -5
True. Sanada is awesome as the regal yet cunning Toranaga. Yabu is a delicious character. Despicable yet you are drawn to watch him. Anna Sawai as Mariko in episode 5 really show more of her true character and personality and let slip the stoic mask she had on. You feel for her now and understand more of her plight. Sakai has been awesome on the publicity tour stops for the show that I’ve watched. Her character Mariko is sure a lot more likeable than her Monarch character (my friend joked she played a cheating ho in Monarch, which...isn't wrong in way if you think about it). It does show the range as an actor that Sawai has and credit to her on that.
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Post by XAsstCoach on Mar 20, 2024 0:10:04 GMT -5
Show is available to download through FX app, Sling, Hulu...and the Disney app? Is it cuz Disney owns Fox Entertainment now?
Hope we can download this through AppleTV soon after the first season is over.
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Post by volleyguy on Mar 20, 2024 0:16:00 GMT -5
Show is available to download through FX app, Sling, Hulu...and the Disney app? Is it cuz Disney owns Fox Entertainment now? Hope we can download this through AppleTV soon after the first season is over. I’m watching each new episode Tuesdays at 7 pm PST on the FX channel. Previous episodes are all streaming on Hulu, but I don’t know on what other platforms it is, or will be, available.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 20, 2024 19:33:17 GMT -5
Episode 6 preview:
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 20, 2024 23:30:09 GMT -5
Hehe, he was meant to be seen as a savage in a way, so making you feel that way might be intentional on the part of the producers. Actually Cosmo Jarvis is arguably more accurate to the book's version of Blackthorne than the overtly charming and handsome Richard Chamberlain version of Blackthorne. The barbarian angle from the Japanese perspective comes across clearly, but the actor is playing him more naive (and annoying) than barbaric it seems. I should add, the term "tatarigami" mentioned in the episode refers to evil demons or spirits in Japanese mythology that brings misfortune and death. The villagers believe Blackthorne is a bringer of misfortune and has cursed the village.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 27, 2024 6:41:48 GMT -5
As for episode 6 of Shogun, after episodes of gory violence...things quiet down a bit to focus on the women in the show. Usually I am not too keen on shows or episodes concentratring on women talk or "exploring women's inner lives etc", but in the Shogun context, I paid attention, because the story on Mariko and Lady Ochiba in this episode directly foreshadows major plot points in the story. What those plot developments are and what the fates of Mariko and Ochiba will be, I can't say of course (I don't want to spoil for those who haven't read the book), but I did notice they changed slightly the reason for Mariko marrying Buntaro, which the book gave a different reason.
I do like the fact Kiku was able in a way to become the "avatar" of Mariko, to express the feelings and connection between Blackthorne and Mariko when they cannot directly divluge their feelings to each other...yet. This episode explores why Ochiba became this villainous and manipulative Cersei Lannister-type character from Game of Thrones and especially how she seem to turn her initial powerlessness to later wanting "to spit at fate". George RR Martin is rumored to based Cersei on Ochiba, so you can think of Ochiba as a sort of "prototype" Cersei.
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Post by ironhammer on Mar 30, 2024 5:17:16 GMT -5
Episode 7 preview:
Shogun's FX:
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Post by ironhammer on Apr 5, 2024 0:58:47 GMT -5
Saw episode 7 of Shogun. Toranaga really has his back against the wall now, after asking his estranged half-brother for help except that half-brother has his own ideas. The shock twist ending with a major character being killed off...not sure what to think of that. Still, there are hints Toranaga isn't out of options yet, as he seem to have a secret plan in store, given his chat with the madam of the local brothel...
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