Shogun Season 2 & 3 On The Way And We’re Worried
Even with the year less than half over, Shogun has already proven to be one of the most popular TV shows released in 2024. Based on the James Clavell novel of the same name, the show was planned as a limited series and covered all the material of the book in just ten episodes. However, the show has now been renewed, with talk of maybe even at least two more seasons, and fans are getting concerned about how the quality of the show will fare with no more material to adapt.
It Was Meant As A Limited Series
Shows that run as a limited series are usually a rarity for this exact reason, with networks wanting the option to continue to build a fanbase as the show progresses over several seasons.
Shogun’s first season has been regarded as near perfect, so with the writers now being put into the position of having to create original material, it creates uncertainty if they will be able to match that quality with no inspiration to draw upon.
The Queen’s Gambit
News of a show getting renewed for additional seasons is usually a cause for celebration among fans, but some shows do have very definitive end points. It is why we have not seen any further seasons of The Queen’s Gambit, which was also adapted from a novel.
That show also covered all of the book material in just one season, wound up being hugely popular, and had some wondering if a second season might be possible. Unlike Shogun, The Queen’s Gambit creators have stuck to their guns of standing by their original end point.
We Thought It Was One And Done
Previous comments from the show’s creators seemed to indicate they would have a similar philosophy for Shogun. Previously, show co-creator Justin Marks had said, “We took the story to the end of the book and put a period at the end of that sentence. We love how the book ends; it was one of the reasons why we both knew we wanted to do it — and we ended in exactly that place.”
Perhaps Marks did genuinely later formulate ideas for stories beyond where the book ended and that is why the offer for renewing the show appealed to him. But some fans are skeptical.
Game Of Thrones
It might seem pessimistic to doubt the ability of the writers of Shogun when the first season they did was already so well done. However, some point to similar circumstances like Game of Thrones.
The early seasons of Game of Thrones are still praised as being some of the most well done episodes of television ever made. However, once the show surpassed the novels from George R.R. Martin in where the story was at, we began getting original content from the writers instead.
The ending of Game of Thrones is now often called one of the worst show endings of all time, so clearly many fans felt there was a drastic drop off in quality.
The Calvell Estate Is On Board
FX and Hulu are working with the estate of James Clavell in this process, so evidently the deceased author’s family feel confidence that additional seasons of Shogun will not go against what he would have wanted.
If the quality of the show can continue to be maintained with a logical continuation of the story, it is hard to imagine anyone complaining about the decision. However, if season two falters, Shogun may become the latest example of writers not knowing when to stop.
Source: IGN
