Good, but the old TV series were better

Yea, that muted ending and furniture of a protagonist didn't do it for me. Never once was he shown to be actually needed by Toranaga and he wasn't even funny to be his pet clown, because they communicated too seldom here. And many important scenes about the protagonist were cut to make time for a parade of side characters.
And too many times it seemed that Toranaga was just plain lucky and adapting, not megaminding everything ten steps ahead. Yea, he was a ruthless liar who surrounded himself by people he could easily manipulate, but he wasn't omniscient to predict all random things. Like, what happened to his son, or his brother betraying him, or what happened to Mariko.
And speaking of Mariko, she was more of a protagonist in this show than ML or Toranaga combined. MVP, but disappointingly way too suicidal.
My favorite character in this drama is not her though, but Yabushige - the most human and entertaining one to watch. He was squirming on the frying pan for the whole series trying to get the most profit, but failed expectedly :).

Anyway, it's still a good drama. Production quality, especially the costumes were great. Too bad they didn't show the epic battle of Sekigahara, but it wasn't in the book, so ok. I'd give it an 8. But old TV series in terms of the plot and characters were still better, imho.

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Best comedy of 2022!

This short format, fast paced kdrama is not only packed to the brim with sizzling comedy, but also somehow managed to pull off one of the most charming and well done romances I've seen this year, even though it's just one of the subplots going on in it.
The funny lighthearted plot, pacing, acting - everything's excellent.
All the cast did a stellar job and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their hilarious characters navigating through various situations at their chaotic workplace and after it.
It's a very bingable show, a surprisingly great comfort drama and rewatch value is very high. A solid 9, highly recommend!

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