This is how John Blackthorne’s final moments in Japan unfolded when the tenth and final episode of Shogun came to a conclusion tonight.
Shogun is a spectacular historical drama about a conflict between the east and west in the 17th century, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. John Blackthorne, portrayed by Cosmo Jarvis, is a navigator who gets stuck in Japan and becomes embroiled in a civil war between Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his rivals on the Council of Regents.
Ten thrilling episodes of the action-packed saga, which is partially based on a true story, have told the tale; the finale, “A Dream of a Dream,” will premiere today.
Here’s what transpired with Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), the show’s central character whose future seems bleak at the conclusion of Episode 9, along with Blackthorne and Toranga.
What happened to Lady Mariko in Shogun?
There was no last-second reprieve for Lady Mariko at the start of Episode 10, as the character is killed when the door she’s standing in front of explodes. A tragic end for the character, which leaves Blackthorne distraught, and praying over her dead body.
A lot of folks are in mourning for Mariko, which makes this a somber and almost hopeless ending. However, Mariko’s influence is evident throughout the entire episode because to the agreement she made before to spare the Anjin’s life later on. Additionally, Mariko is believed to have caused his ship to catch fire.
In the meanwhile, the Council of Regents declares war to be fought following Mariko’s burial, accusing Toranga of attempting to sow discord among them. Upon hearing of her passing, Toranga exclaims, “What a bonfire she made!”
Lord Toranga vs John Blackthorne
A confrontation between Toranga and the alleged heretic Blackthorne—who takes off his sword and gun before seeing the Lord—is arranged. Immediately after, Blackthorne breaks down in tears in front of Toranga, expressing his regret for any offense and revealing that he has lost hope and faith.
Blackthorne requests that he die in place of the villagers, who are being tortured and executed for wrecking his ship, saying, “I Anjin by my death protest the callous punishment of the village by Yoshida Toranga.”
After receiving no response to his request, Blackthorne attempts suicide, but Toranga stops him and then makes two further demands: the navigator must restore his ship and assemble a fleet. After the villagers’ suffering is over, Blackthorne and Toranga may work together. Toranga later remarks, “I don’t think it’s his fate to ever leave Japan.” Which seems to contradict the brief glimpses forward, but more on them later.
Toranga’s Shogun endgame
Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) is determined to have participated in the attack on Mariko and is sentenced to seppuko. Yabushige and Toranga have an emotionally intense talk in the minutes leading up to his death, after he has given both his will and dying poetry.
During their conversation, Toranga admits that he burnt the Anjin’s ship to test the navigator’s devotion. We then hear about his plan. With the Regents unified, Toranga saw that sending soldiers to Osaka was futile, so he sent a lady “to do what an army never could.”
Then, using a quick flash-forward, he forecasts how events will unfold. In one month, the five armies will face off on the battlefield. However, due to Mariko’s activities, Lady Ochido has ended her Ishido alliance and will keep the Heir’s troops off the field. And if Ishido does not have a flag, the Regents will turn against him.
Toranga then intends to establish a center of authority in Edo in order to create a country free of violence and usher in a “era of great peace.” He also decides to keep Blackthorne alive “because he makes me laugh, and my enemies need a distraction.”
When challenged about his own desire and whether it was all for the sake of becoming Shogun, Toranga refuses to answer and instead aids in the assassination of Kashigi Yabushige.
