In 1980, Shōgun hit the airwaves, sparking a television revolution. Every decade or so, a new TV show drops that completely shifts the way production companies approach projects. Whether it's a unique format, a new take on a familiar genre, or a closer look at previously unfamiliar ideas, these shows resonate with viewers in a profound way, prompting other screenwriters to do all they can to replicate that success.

Shōgun is an example of one of these series. It originally aired on NBC in 1980, with five two-to-three-hour-long episodes released over five consecutive nights. This miniseries format was introduced by 1977's Roots , and Shōgun further popularized it. The story, based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell , revolves around English pilot John Blackthorn, who shipwreck

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