I’ve gotta admit - even for a movie and television junkie like myself there just seems to be such an overwhelming amount of good content out there to consume in the age of the streaming wars. So a TV show has to be exceptionally good to not only grab my attention but hold it and have me commit to it for the whole series. Shōgun is one such rare show. Masterful in every aspect of the word, Shōgun with its intricate, political narrative, compelling characters, and stunning cinematography is appointment viewing TV and one of the best television shows of 2024. 

 

An original adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, FX’s Shōgun is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.

 

There’s been a meme floating around the movie and TV internet world begging for more swords and sandal epics out of Hollywood. Well Shōgun is their answer. With the first episode alone running for 70 minutes, it is a show that does detail with an apparent ease which is second to none in the world of TV today. From the intricate detailing of the costumes and set design with superb cinematography to boot, the creators of Shōgun draw you into the world that they have created by this attention to detail. 

 

But it’s not just the production design that makes this must watch television, the high stakes political maneuverings that dominate the narrative, with one considered power play after another, has you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what turn will come next and who could pay the ultimate price as a consequence. 

 

At the center of all of this are three characters: Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a considered yet deadly military leader, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a brash, opportunist, and Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a stoic, religious figure. All three give commanding performances which help to draw the audience deep into the story.

 

Masterful in every aspect of the word, Shōgun with its intricate, political narrative, compelling characters, and stunning cinematography is appointment viewing TV and one of the best television shows of 2024.