I stumbled upon Ripley without knowing the novel, and I'm only 3 episodes in. All very slow so far, which of course is intentional to slooowly draw you into it. But yes, it's gorgeous, visually. Shogun, I watched all through, and I appreciate the subtitles; it adds to the "stranger ina strange land" feel of it, and the casting is excellent. John Blackthorne looks perpetually roughed up and out of it, even in fine clothes.