This article contains spoilers for the ending ofLost.
TV nerds (including yours truly) had an entirely different introduction to Hiroyuki Sanada, however.
For us, Sanadas Western pop culture career begins with the final season of classic ABC dramaLost.
It also, admittedly, wasnt perfect.
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Sanada appears in the first six episodes ofLostseason 6 as the enigmatic Dogen.
Smoke Monster (Titus Welliver) wouldnt dare enter.
WhileLosts six-episode Temple arc isnt particularly fondly remembered by fans, Dogen is.
And thats because hes cool as hell.
Well-trained in the martial arts and fearsome in battle,Dogen kicks Sayids undead ass easily.
Most impressively, however, Dogen is revealed to not solely be a lonely samurai stock character.
Dogen agreed and has been living at the Temple ever since, never to return home.
Dogens recontextualization from stereotypical samurai to grieving father is a perfect example of whatLostdid so well.
Benjamin Linus isnt a shrewd leader but a coward with daddy issues.
John Locke isnt the messiah but a stooge.
*Dude being the operative term here.
For all of the shows admirably progressive intentions, Lost never had super compelling arcs for its female characters.
Thats why Sanada is the perfect choice to embody Dogen.
His characters are equal parts human and otherworldly.
Think of Lord Toranaga onShogunnow.
Remember Dogens touching monologue about the time he made a Faustian bargain with Jacob?
This is what happens immediately after it:
Why did Sayid kill Dogen?
Even all these years later, its not entirely clear.
But doesnt that robLostof a compelling new character?
Doesnt it also turn one of the shows leads into a mindless drone?
Most importantly: doesnt that moment contradict this whole point about the shows superior characterization skills?
Indeed it does do all of those things, dear reader.
The first two episodes of Shogun are available to stream on Hulu now.
Episodes premiere Tuesdays on Hulu and Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. All seasons of Lost are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the U.K.
