A Dream of a Dream

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.