In reply to Stichtplate:
> Two episodes in and actually contemplating watching the next when it drops at midnight. Boy, have they chucked some cash at this. Looks extraordinary, well written and some great character actors.
Yes, properly grown up drama with great performances and looking a million dollars. Really looking forward to the rest of it.
I read the book last year with some trepdiation - it could easily have been 'problematic' (as the young people say) but it's aged very well. It treats both cultures fairly and has some great female characters in. I re-read 'Tai-pan' too, that's not so good - more melodramatic and less serious.
I also watched 'Blue Eye Samurai' on Netflix - an 18 rated animated series set in the same period. It's a revenge western and it's stunningly good - beautiful to look at, great story, fine voice actors (Kenneth Branagh is the baddie), very violent and with graphic sex scenes. Well worth giving a go to, even if animation isn't your thing.