i watched bodkin, i thought it was good. watch out for nuns!
Having read the book makes a big difference. Understanding the subtleties of Japanese culture (to the extent possible for a westerner) is a big part of this version of Shogun. They have always been masters of the long game, and this series captures that pretty well, IMO, while remaining true to the book, for the most part.
Always sound advice, especially in Ireland.
Well, we liked it, as I said, but I did think that the original mini-series was a bit better. But the new one was beautiful, far better than the OG in that.
Well, “Nun shall pass!”. 
We loved it so much that when my tv broke the day before the penultimate episode, we grabbed computer chairs and watched it cast to one of the tvs my gaming significant other uses. I am confused by the complaints of slowness, there was plenty of action. Shipwrecks, escapes, more escapes, cannon drama, bombs. I really liked the actress that played Mariko and every scene she was in, especially with Anjin and/or Toranaga, was great.
I did watch the original miniseries and read at least parts of the book as a teenager but I did not remember anything but the most basic idea of the story . We did have some confusion but it paid off to put some effort into it. I’m listening to the audiobook now and looking forward to watching it again with book knowledge.
Agree that Mariko is super.
I haven’t read the book, but it’s on my list, now. I didn’t know there was a previous mini series. I dunno if I’ll look for that or not.
I read the book a very long time ago, followed by Taipan by the same author. I reread Shogun in the last couple of years, so it was very fresh when this series came out.
Were you living in the US at the time? It is hard to imagine someone here (and having a TV) that wasn’t aware of the original–it was massively popular. I don’t think I saw any of it (I was 8 years old at the time) but even I remember it being a thing.
“Nearly 33% of households with TVs watched all or part of “Shōgun,” giving it the second-highest rating in TV history after ABC’s “Roots,” which was broadcast in 1977.”
It was one of the era of huge, hugely promoted broadcast TV miniseries events like Roots, North and South, and V.
I was living in the US, but i didn’t own a TV at the time. And i didn’t recall anyone talking about it at work. 
Brokenwood is back, but the new episodes are too long.
We love them!
I was a kid in 1980 when that miniseries version of Shogun aired on NBC. As you said, it was hugely popular. (Remember at this time, there were no VCRs and essentially only three national networks, so we had few choices.) Wikipedia says the episodes had 23-29 million viewers. And I think the show spawned an interest in Japanese culture.
I know I recorded it- maybe it was re-run?
Googling, Betamax and VHS VCRs were available in the late 1970s, so it’s possible you recorded the original broadcast.
Note that they were not common until years later, so this was effectively “appointment television,” in that if a show aired on a certain night and time, virtually everyone would have to watch it live.
Finished season two of Outer Range. Hope there’s a third season, even though I usually don’t like time travel shows.
Hard disagree. I think the stories are much better with a little more time. Love this show.
I do think they’ve kind of run the Gina/Mike crush joke into the ground, though.
Yeah. I like that this season the personal lives are a small part of the show. I did love Gina’s memoir!
Two bad episodes I just watched stand out:
New Law & Order- The detectives are after a suspect- so of course they yell out his name when about 20 yards away, so we have a food pursuit. Then The real perp throws the gun in the water- I am not sure- the bay? But they know precisely where the gun went in- divers could recover that quickly. The the Defense attorney alleges something fishy becuase a witness one hit a dude after drinking (not drunk) and she pled out to a lesser charge. But he know, the Judge knows, and Nolan knows- that is everyday justice. Perp agrees to plead guilty , they get a deal. Nothing fishy about it.
Then on to the train wreck that is Will Trent- the creepy romance is now official, she is living at his house. (They once were part of the same foster family= creepy). And she is a drug addict- why is she still on the force? Then Trent is having hallucinations - a sign of serious mental illness. Okay, but then trent kneels and looks at a victim and proclaims “A Glock 22!” based upon the wounds. Impossible. Now he then sees shell casings- and from that yep- 9mm. And yes, a microscope can sometimes tell the make of a gun from the casings- but he doesnt have a microscope and he doesnt get that close to the casings either.
Then the B team is looking for someone who killed a molester. They fixate on someone from his building- and pick out one guy- they then arrest him in handcuffs for a perp walk- and the other residents are protesting and throwing things. Well- they have no probable cause, so arresting him is a violation of his civil rights- and he happens to have a rock solid alibi. Sure- invite him to the station for questioning, fine, but I really hope that’s not how they do things in Georgia. Then The FBI arrives and makes a complaint against Trent- which is totally justified. But then trent finds out that FBI agent is dirty and has connections to both victims. But how did THAT FBI get assigned? The FBI doesnt allow agents to pick and choose their assignments. There are 14 field offices and only god and J Edgar Hoover know how many agents in that state- but the chances it was her (who is stationed in Wash DC anyway) is about one in ten thousand.
Do the writers even care about believability? or am I being too picky?
Yeah, the Gina-crushing-on-Mike while dissing the others has worn thin, as has Kristen’s poor coffee. Also, Mike talking to corpses and promising them he’ll do his best has never worked for me.