Shōgun (TV Series) Ladies of the Willow World (2024) User Reviews

Valuable context, done beautifully

[andrewjlanza · 8/10 · 27 March 2024]

This episode serves viewers well because it provides some much needed background info for some crucial characters. Mariko gets the most character development here, as we finally get some light shed on her situation. It's badly deserved, and it helps you appreciate her circumstances much more than was possible before. Anjin continues to grow in his ranks and value to Toranaga, and his portrayal continues to impress. Scenes of chaos in Osaka inbetween some great moments with Mariko, Anjin, and Toranaga keep the episode flowing masterfully well.

Ladies of the Willow World has the great, tense moments we've come to expect, but it lightens the mood in a ways not previously explored in the series. The episode showcases Shogun's range, as if it didn't already show enough. Enjoy.

Even Shogun's weakest is modern streaming olympus!

[moritzherz · 8/10 · 1 April 2024]

Episode 6 of Shogun may be the weakest so far, but it is still extraordinary.

After the tensions between Blackthorne and Lady Mariko and Lord Toranaga the anjin gets the pleasure to share the bed with the courtesan Kiku, lover of Yanushige's nephew. Although his interest is to Lady Mariko he accepts the offer. You could see by the reactions of Lady Mariko, that she has feelings for him and he clearly has too. Lord Toranaga knows too it seems. He sends her husband away for seven days and makes the offer with the courtesan to keep Lady Mariko focused on her tasks.

In general this episode heavily focuses on her past and how it interweens with Lady Ochinaba's, the mother of the heir. It was Lady Mariko's father that killed Lady Ochinaba's father and therefore got executed. It also seems Toranaga was the one that planned it. This would explain why Lord Ishido wants him out of the way, since he is like a marionette to Lady Ochinaba. All in all this is very complex and again reminds me of Game of Thrones' politics.

To impeach Toranaga and therefore declare war to him the council must be complete. Ishido found a marionette to replace Toranaga but then one of the christians protests. In good old GoT manner he gets "killed by bandits" and the way is free to start the war.

I think this episode is the weakest so far, but it also has a difficult task to fulfill: Setup for the great finale. This job was very well done!

The stakes are high, as we still don't know how Yanushige will act and if he supports Toranaga with his secret plan to attack Osaka with one hard blow. If he decides to betray him, this could be a serious threat to his life.

In summary I think this episode is very important and sets up a great finale. However it suffers a little bit from this task and therefore it is the show's weakest so far. The exceptional part about it, is that this still is better than most of the countless garbage productions we get regularly these days!

4 episodes to go, enjoy the ride!

Important information, presented beautifully!

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 9 May 2024]

This episode kicks off, showing us Mariko's past, and shedding light on what happened back then! This allows for the viewer to further understand her situation!

We qlso see how Toranaga might have been more involved in what her father did in the past, than we thought! This means that we cannot help but think, that Toronaga has agendas thatbwe are still not perfectly aware off!

Lady Ochiba also shows herself as an interesting powerfull force, not to be underrestimated! In Shogun.. femqle characters can be just as powerfull as male characters!

Once again, every scene was something og beauty that transports you to this period in time!

The ending gave me chills and I am only getting more and more excited!

Ei, Ei, Oooooohh!!!!!

[excellent_person · 10/10 · 26 March 2024]

As we now have come to expect... this is another hour of pure absorption into Japan, and this exciting story.

The background is the Toranaga clan recovering from the earthquake, dealing with destroyed property and mass casualties. Even in this situation, the Anjin continues his ascent to power he doesn't want.

The main theme looks at the roles and sacrifices of women in this male-dominated society. And, how ambitious women can use their amazing skills of manipulation to get what they want. (If a Japanese woman kneels on the floor behind you and starts giving a monologue challenging your manhood... run!)

Notably, Lord Toranaga is never seen near a woman. Nobody holds a thread of influence over him, but he understands the effect of women on the men around him.

The standout scene of this episode is getting to experience a Japanese courtesan house. We enter that world with a first person view of some stunning night-time visuals, and then the professional manner and speech of Lady Kiku. Sadly, the actual "pillowing" is left to our imaginations... speaking of Anjin getting cool stuff he didn't really want.

A big part of this episode is dedicated to filling in the backstories of Mariko, Lady Oshiba, Toranaga, and others through narration and flashbacks. We now understand the dynamic of the marriage of Mariko and Buntaro, and can empathize with them, or at least understand each of their frustrations. Buntaro wants a warm and grateful wife who is actually into him. Mariko wants a better man or death.

There is some important forwarding of the main plot, especially in the last minutes that must be seen to understand what will happen next...

I hope SHOGUN doesn't end at 10 episodes... this needs to be a multi-season show!!

character growth

[nerrdrage · 8/10 · 15 April 2024]

The main plot inches towards the inevitable showdown between Toranaga and the Regents but the real point of this episode is the development we get for Blackthorne and Lady Mariko.

Until now, Blackthorne has been something of a cypher. We know he came to Japan as a fortune-hunter and he holds animosity for the Portuguese, but that just seems like something he's inherited from his culture. Is there something more to him?

This episode exposes his core conflict: he's a man without a home. He left England presumably because of dissatisfaction with his life there, despite having a wife and children. Now he wants to leave Japan, still as antsy as ever. Is there any place he would ever feel at peace?

Not coincidentally, there are hints about the future of his currently icy relationship with Mariko. The romance plot, which everyone expects who's seen the 1980s version, is being handled with deft restraint. This is some very good writing, and avoids any possibility of the romance being forced or soapy.

Mariko's backstory gets fleshed out more but in her case, it's been pretty obvious what her struggle is: she's intelligent and sensitive in a world that makes it very hard for a woman like that. Her current husband will never appreciate that aspect of her, so she needs a new hubby, hint hint.

Put it together and you have two people whose core conflict can be resolved by the other. Maybe not this season at the pace they're going but certainly there will be a season two and beyond.

Done so Beautifully

[moviesfilmsreviewsinc · 10/10 · 24 April 2024]

The sixth episode of Shogun, titled "Ladies Of The Willow World," focuses on the female characters, including Mariko and her mother, Ruri. Mariko's father, Lord Akechi Jinsai, murdered the previous shogun and was forced to execute his family members and commit Seppuku as punishment. In the latest episode, it is revealed that Toranaga played a role in the assassination, as he restraining Jinsai. Ochiba No Kata, who hates Toranaga, reveals that Jinsai killed her father and that Toranaga planned the assassination. She urges the regents to destroy him, but she believes Ishido cannot win. The episode highlights the importance of female characters in the shogun series. In the episode, Toranaga and Mariko discuss their unhappy marriages and the consequences of such relationships. Toranaga is unhappy with Buntaro for his actions at the Anjin's house, and he expresses his disgrace towards him. Mariko, on the other hand, shows Blackthorne a different side of life, as long, unhappy marriages can make anyone angry and bitter. Mariko explains that her father had big plans for her, but she didn't know that he married her so badly. He sent her away to keep her safe, knowing that he was about to carry out his heinous regicide. Toranaga also questions Mariko about Ochiba's hatefulness against them, and she replies that men go to war for various reasons, while women simply go to war. At the end of the episode, news of further strife in Osaka comes, and Toranaga declares Operation Crimson Sky, a plan to storm Osaka with force and form a new government with Toranaga as shogun. Ochiba believes that Toranaga may be playing a longer and more subtle game than he lets on. One of the best scenes involves Blackthorne and Mariko visiting a "Tea House" called Willow World, where they spend the night with a famous courtesan, Kiku. Mariko is there as a translator and spy for Toranaga, but rumors of her and the Anjin's closeness have preceded them. After a ritual sake pouring and discussion about the Willow World, Kiku invites both of them to the private room. Mariko declines, and Blackthorne follows the courtesan alone, brushing his hand over Mariko's hand.

Shogun: Episode 6 - A Lull in the Storm?

[ronswilliams-03171 · 6/10 · 27 March 2024]

Shogun started strong. The first few episodes dazzled with stunning visuals, epic battles, and a captivating introduction to feudal Japan. The clash of cultures seemed a recipe for enthralling television. However, by episode 5 and especially 6, "Ladies of the Willow World," the show's pacing and storytelling dissapoints.

The episode isn't without merit. The production quality remains top-notch, with beautiful costumes and set design transporting viewers back in time.

Here's where the episode stumbles. While the emphasis on character development is commendable, the execution feels sluggish. The episode unfolds at a glacial pace, relying heavily on dialogue and internal struggles. While some viewers may appreciate this deeper dive, others might find themselves checking their watches.

The absence of the thrilling action sequences that captivated audiences earlier becomes more pronounced in episode 6. The political maneuvering and strategizing, while essential to the overall story, lack the urgency and excitement established in the first few episodes.

Verdict: Shogun: Episode 6 is a visually stunning but slow-burning affair. The high production values can't quite compensate for the lack of action and the deliberate pacing. This episode might leave some viewers yearning for the show's initial spark. Whether the series can recapture its early momentum and find the right balance between character development and plot progression remains to be seen.

They just couldn't help themselves

[vincent-93104 · 1/10 · 22 April 2024]

Just when we thought it was safe to enjoy what looked like a cinematic masterpiece, we were deceived by another Trojan horse from the entertainment industry. This series starts off well and seems to be a faithful retelling of the source material. The characters are fantastic. The visuals are absolutely stunning. The cast is incredible. The acting is absolutely masterful. I was holding my breath the entire time thinking, this couldn't be true. Could it?

NOPE! This episode crams in as much feminist nonsense into the 50 or so minutes as possible, completely destroying the authenticity they created so well up to this point. Anyone familiar with either the source material or you know, the history of Japan / the Samurai will be incredibly disappointed to this nonsense injected for no reason whatsoever. The completely fabricate a back story for Ochiba and try to have us believe that warlord samurai in the year 1600 would bow and scrape to her. This was embarrassing to watch and completely ruins the story.

Ladies of the Hollow World

[Oslo_Jargo · 3/10 · 26 March 2024]

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

*Plot and ending analyzed*

Another dismal episode, to be quite abrupt about it. There is a lot of useless background storytelling that rushes quickly, so that most viewers will be scrambling to comprehend what exactly is going on. I had no difficulty myself, but the sloppily assembled history of the Japanese translator is a tedious modern way of hurrying through unimportant details.

And then the Englishman is made admiral, and also put in charge of the artillery unit. All that because he saved the Japanese lord's life in the ridiculous earthquake scene. Brilliant writing. An Englishman who constantly whines about wanting to go back home, and yet in the first episode he was whining about discovering the Japonés. Now he is to be trusted with a navy fleet and artillery unit? Okay. Brilliant writing.

This episode also has an enormous feminist bias, and it overshadows the entire plot and historical reference that was present in the first two episodes.

My conjecture in Episode four that the Japanese translator was somewhat important has come true. Like you could not see that silliness coming.

There is also an inordinate amount of time at the local brothel that goes absolutely nowhere. You think they would throw in a good samurai fight or something by this point. But they discuss the intricacies of "tea pouring". All while the after effects of a major earthquake are forgotten. Just an inconsistent storyline that is swept under the rug.

And the outcast Japanese lord's army was destroyed in the earthquake, and yet he formulates a plan to storm the other rival lords' main castle. Brilliant writing.

And then there are plenty of Lady Macbeth themes taken right out of Shakespeare, except that they are not handled with dexterity or finesse like you see in the excellent Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood (1957), Andrzej Wajda's Siberian Lady Macbeth (1962), or Roman Polanski's Macbeth (1971). It is absolutely incredulous that a concubine courtesan consort who bore the heir because the wife was unable to, is now pulling all the political strings.

Anyone who has thought about giving up on this imprudent, frivolous and empty-headed series will probably jump ship by this point.

A new high

[ansku-1 · 1/10 · 27 March 2024]

The previous episodes were boring already but this one is an episode just for the ambiguous side stories. But also misses that mark; quite an accomplishment, so the writing must be so bad or underdeveloped when they filmed the scenes. The chemistry among the figures, especially between Mariko and Bloddthorne is non existent. They should get rid of the Englishman, because as it stands now, he is perceived more like an extra and hasn't contributed much to move the story forward except being a Western-Placeholder being explained Japanese customs and culture at that time. Which is btw also heavily flawed and modernized to cater a Western audience.

This show is so incredibly disappointing and jaw breaking as I find myself yawning constantly.