Koike Eiko is ok as Hojo Masako but Masako was so influential that I always have the really strong portrayal from Iwashita Shima from Kusa Moeru in mind.
...
I personally don't know why Sanadamaru got better ratings than Naotora. Kanbee I can understand since it was decent. Sanadamaru wasted so much screentime on unimportant stuff and super important stuff ...
I think that this drama started too early and is wasting way too much time on Nobushige's youth. The interesting stuff happened when he became older his youth ...