Movies News Talk
Though both Netflix's Marco Polo and Fx's Shōgun are ambitious historical epics set against a backdrop of political intrigue and conflicting civilizations, Shōgun stands out as a better series for its gripping story, complex characters, and exacting attention to detail. The main variations between the two shows are discussed in this post together with the reasons Shōgun is a more interesting and successful viewing experience.
Shōgun and Marco Polo both follow the story template of an outsider negotiating the complexity of a foreign country, running afoul of influential people and enmeshed in political disputes. This common ground invites comparisons between the two shows by making one familiar.
Stumble in the Realm of Historical Fiction: Marco Polo
Though it had a big budget and a cast including seasoned performers like Joan Chen, Netflix's Marco Polo fell short of its promise. With a dismal 33% aggregate Rotten Tomatoes score, the first season drew heavy criticism. With a 100% fresh rating, the second season showed some improvement but the show was canceled following two seasons due to uneven output and a reported loss of $200 million for Netflix.
Marco Polo's Game of Thrones Imitation of a Faulty Strategy
Though Marco Polo tried to be Netflix's response to HBO's Game of Throne, he fell short. Its scant character development and historical accuracy disappointed viewers. The central idea of the series, Marco Polo—a Venetian merchant—being an outsider in the court of Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong), lacked the subtle complexity and gripping narrative found in Shōgun.
Unlike Marco Polo, Shōgun has received great praise; on Rotten Tomatoes, Shōgun earns a 99% score from critics and a 92% score from viewers. The success of the show can be ascribed to its several strengths: ambitious scope, painstaking attention to detail, and great performances.
Shogun's Mastery of Storytelling and Authenticity
Shōgun, as called by Metal Gear Solid producer Hideo Kojima as "Game of Thrones set in 17th-century Japan," shines in its historical accuracy, painstaking attention to period-piece details, and authenticity. From its complex social systems and political power dynamics to its cultural subtleties and amazing scenery, the series deftly captures the complexity of 17th-century Japan.
Focusing Japanese characters in Shogun: a major departure from Eurocentrism
Shōgun sets itself apart by centering its story on Japanese characters, especially Lady Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a driven woman who acts as a translator between Toranaga and John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), the English marine pilot who gets stranded in Japan, and Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a powerful daimyo with many political rivals.
Acknowledging Eurocentrism: Towards inclusive representation,
Shōgun recognizes the inherent Eurocentrism of its source material even as it strives significantly to center its story on Japanese characters. The show aims to offer a more nuanced and balanced viewpoint, so addressing the inherent prejudices and power relations seen in historical accounts.
The convenient access point for audiences that Shogun's streaming availability offers
Currently streaming on Hulu, Fx's Shōgun season 1 is available on Netflix for both Marco Polo's two seasons. Viewers' easy access to and immersion in the worlds of both shows thanks to this streaming accessibility helps them to compare and contrast their different approaches to historical narrative.
Ultimately, when compared to Netflix's Marco Polo, FX's Shōgun is a better historical epic. Shōgun is a more interesting and fulfilling viewing experience because of its gripping story, subtle characters, painstaking attention to detail, and representation of a more varied and inclusive viewpoint. The show is evidence of how well historical fiction can enthrall viewers and provide insightful analysis of the past.