THIS is how to do compelling historical fiction. It's a disservice to this show to compare it to Game of Thrones, as many have. It's appeal is completely different.
A lot of the show's finer details aren't spelled out for people to just take in without some genuine reflection. It really challenges and believes in the intelligence of its audience. And I respect that so much. That's a risk in today's media climate, I'm glad to see it paid off so well.
The story is intricate, and filled to the brim with compelling themes and feelings. It balances the perspectives on offer beautifully. Everything feels even handed and very non judgemental to the characters.
It's the kind of show that gets better the more you think about it and watch it. And a lot of that is carried by the absolutely fantastic acting performances and direction. Mariko was the highlight for me. It felt like she was the true heart of the story and her actress clearly took her role very seriously.
And on top of being well written and emotionally affecting, it's also incredibly well produced.
I have no idea what the budget of this show was, but it looks absolutely phenomenal. I love the lenses they used. They have such beautiful blurr quality. And the compositions they create with the cinematography are absolutely beautiful and highlight the mannered and orderly aesthetic of the Japanese culture depicted.
And that's not even to mention the show's most impressive aspect: the production design. Holy... S***t, this show is immaculately produced. Perhaps the best set designs and costumes I've ever seen on a TV show. The level of work put into respecting and recreating the history of this time period is nothing short of inspirational.
I hope this show serves as an example for other studios/creators seeking to create historical fiction. Or perhaps it could lead to more historical fiction produced with such passion and intelligence. I would love to see tons of historical narratives portrayed in this kind of high end style.
But not Alexander the Great, I'm gonna write that myself. I call dibs ;)