Shogun

[JustSayOV]

So I started watching the FX show here as soon as it came out and got through 2 episodes and really liked it, so I actually stopped watching and decided to listen to the book on Audible (was like 50+ hours) and just got done with it this morning on the way to work, so here are my thoughts on the ending (been trying to avoid this thread until now):

1) So now that i am done with the book, i'll go back and watch the rest of the show, but it sounds like the "rushed" last episode seems to be pretty much in line with the book. Here I just listened to 49 hours of character development and lies and deceit, political and religious struggle, etc etc and then yeah, pretty much the last 20 minutes of the book is Toranaga just tying up all loose ends in a long monologue, explaining the truth of his plans all along and how he did it all and then basically saying what the future will hold....all the while implying that the future is HIS future because thats all part of his plan basically.

Per the book, it is 100% implied Blackthorne never leaves Japan. There is no implied dream sequence or anything else to do with Blackthorne in the book after Toranaga says he'll never leave Japan (and this is just Toronaga talking to himself, never tell Blackthorne that).

I really, really liked the book, but yes the book did not end with the climax you kind of anticipated.

2) Blackthorne should have had blonde hair and blues eyes per the book.

 

[ISUBryceC]

So, count me as somebody who really liked the ending. It's my understanding in shows like Game of Thrones usually the big battle was episode 9 and then episode 10 was always kind of a slow burn. The big battle in Shogun was a battle of wills with Mariko and Ishido, and Mariko won in episode 9.

Here are a few thoughts of mine and why I liked it, and the series, very much, with spoilers galore:

1. I think a big battle would have been out of character for the show. The show is about Mariko ultimately, and what the sacrifices of some people meant to Toranaga. Hiromatsu, Nagakato, and Mariko all died, but in their deaths, the greater battle was avoided.

2. I think Mariko is the main character, and when you think about it that way, the ending made a whole lot more sense. Episode 10 is all about the effect SHE had on the future of Japan and all of these people in her life. Fuji, not a Christian, decides to become a nun. Ochiba is so distraught by her death that she is now going to be aligned with Toranaga which basically puts Ishido out to pasture. Blackthorn truly learns and embraces the Japanese stoicism and even he and Buntaro make up at the end. All of these things though are done because of her example, not because of anyone else.

 

[Rifler]

So more of an epilogue then,.. yes, makes sense.