First thing's first, yes. I have read the book. And going into this, I was concerned. James Clavell's vision is so precise, so clean, you can't possibly imagine it could be brought to screen. And yet, it was. And it is being done beautifully. Shogun is raw, faithful to the time period, and holds nothing back. Hiroyuki Sanada's presence elevates this story to unspeakable heights. I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but this show has brought me so much joy. We are but a few episodes away from the finale but I can't fathom even the slightest dip in quality, because you can tell that Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks respect the source material but also have a tremendous passion for the story they're telling. I'll admit, I'm bitter. Game of Thrones really disappointed me. I've witnessed what happens when you stray from the source material and let your ego guide you. Thankfully, this isn't the case with Shogun. It saddens me that we won't get a season two, just because of how brilliant this show is, but it also urges me to say- hats off to both creators. Thank you for honoring the passion and thank you respecting your audience's time in choosing not to drag this on. Knowing what to do is worthy of praise, but knowing when to leave is even more important. As it is now, this show is perfect to me and I have no doubt they'll stick the landing. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
14 Reviews
I think its a Double Ended Betrayal
rishmahe-134862 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I think I've figured Toranaga's Strategy based on 2 events in the episode. Hear me out
First event was the Stick of Time with the Brothel Owner/Pimp lady when after the Stick runs out she cleverly points out that for someone like Toranaga it could not be a mistake to leave his decimated army for the Enemy to see.
Secondly when Toranaga's Brother tells the story when Toranaga was sent as a Hostage.
Both these events forecast that Toranaga wants his enemies to believe he can't do Crimson Sky as his army is decimated and he surrenders so that he may enter the Osaka Castle and maybe sabotage the defenses for his army to then attack which I think he planned given he is genius in those matters.
He fooled his brother or maybe they both were in it together to then fool the Council and Ishido.
Just I am not sure how or who will lead his army (maybe Anjin sama) which makes the remaining episodes even more interesting.
Secondly when Toranaga's Brother tells the story when Toranaga was sent as a Hostage.
Both these events forecast that Toranaga wants his enemies to believe he can't do Crimson Sky as his army is decimated and he surrenders so that he may enter the Osaka Castle and maybe sabotage the defenses for his army to then attack which I think he planned given he is genius in those matters.
He fooled his brother or maybe they both were in it together to then fool the Council and Ishido.
Just I am not sure how or who will lead his army (maybe Anjin sama) which makes the remaining episodes even more interesting.
The Rains of Ajiro
moritzherz2 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
A good story knows sacrifice. A good story knows to use the element of surprise. A good story knows to hit its viewer right into the heart.
Shogun's seventh entry "A stick of time" does all of these.
Lord Toranaga requests the assistance of his half brother Saeki to join him with Crimson Sky. At first it seems the plan works and the brothers are reunited, but then in good old GoT manner Saeki reveals he was named the fifth regent of the council, which means he is following Ishido's orders.
Lord Toranaga is forced to go to Osaka where he will await execution. But that's not all. Nagakado Toranaga's son tries to kill Saeki while he is in the brothel but he slips and dies a meaningless death.
Oh my god, everything that could go wrong, went wrong! Without Toranaga his army is useless and the fates of Lady Mariko and John Blackthorne are in the hands of the council.
The only possible outcome I can see is for Blackthorne to gather with Yanushige, Buntaro, Lady Mariko and a few good men to take back his ship and try one last attack.
This betrayal almost reaches GoT's unforgettable plot twists like Baelor or the Rains of Castamere. It shows us that no character is safe.
The showrunners made everything right. Now they have three whole episodes to bring the story to an satisfying end. I am more than sure, they will achieve it!
Shogun's seventh entry "A stick of time" does all of these.
Lord Toranaga requests the assistance of his half brother Saeki to join him with Crimson Sky. At first it seems the plan works and the brothers are reunited, but then in good old GoT manner Saeki reveals he was named the fifth regent of the council, which means he is following Ishido's orders.
Lord Toranaga is forced to go to Osaka where he will await execution. But that's not all. Nagakado Toranaga's son tries to kill Saeki while he is in the brothel but he slips and dies a meaningless death.
Oh my god, everything that could go wrong, went wrong! Without Toranaga his army is useless and the fates of Lady Mariko and John Blackthorne are in the hands of the council.
The only possible outcome I can see is for Blackthorne to gather with Yanushige, Buntaro, Lady Mariko and a few good men to take back his ship and try one last attack.
This betrayal almost reaches GoT's unforgettable plot twists like Baelor or the Rains of Castamere. It shows us that no character is safe.
The showrunners made everything right. Now they have three whole episodes to bring the story to an satisfying end. I am more than sure, they will achieve it!
I'm a bit perplexed.
Kevin-422 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Up to this episode I felt very much at ease with how this show made changes to the source material. In many cases changes in this show added to the book's world but kept the core of it intact.
Now, for the first time, it feels like this episode made changes which subtracted from rather than add to the story. Key characters have been changed significantly. Blackthorne in particular almost regressed to a less comprehending, primitive state of mind. The relation between Toronaga and Mariko is fundametally different and many other characters almost seem vulgar and crude compared to their book versions.
The meeting with his half-brother should have been a study in intricate diplomacy. A case of calculated provocation against the cool and calm of a master of nuance and subtlety. Instead, we are treated to a story of brutal betrayal.
I'll see where this is going to take us but we are in unfamiliar territory right now.
Now, for the first time, it feels like this episode made changes which subtracted from rather than add to the story. Key characters have been changed significantly. Blackthorne in particular almost regressed to a less comprehending, primitive state of mind. The relation between Toronaga and Mariko is fundametally different and many other characters almost seem vulgar and crude compared to their book versions.
The meeting with his half-brother should have been a study in intricate diplomacy. A case of calculated provocation against the cool and calm of a master of nuance and subtlety. Instead, we are treated to a story of brutal betrayal.
I'll see where this is going to take us but we are in unfamiliar territory right now.
Harder To Watch, Hope That Was Just Setup For A Huge Payoff
excellent_person5 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The giant silver banana helmet was excellent.
Besides that, everything continues to go dreadfully wrong for all of the main characters. It's dark to the point I felt annoyed a few times, and it's getting tough to watch. For the first time during the series, I was less than totally engrossed in the world on screen.
We want Toranaga to rebuild his forces and see him strategically and forcefully remove the corrupt and evil bureaucrats from Osaka.
We want to see Anjin come out a hero by making himself essential to that cause using his naval expertise.
Above all, we want to see Mariko and Anjin find some happiness together in that violent and hopeless world.
What our characters get instead is more backstabbing, meaningless death, random cruelty, and sadness.
Anjin had turned the corner and gained respect, but suddenly has regressed back to only being referred to as "barbarian" again and again. He is being openly attacked and disrespected. Time for him to start carrying pistols again. This episode, he seemed to be just "there," distracting Toranaga and his men from critical decision-making.
Mariko looks like a hopeless cause - suicidally depressed and feeling her life is cursed and irredeemable. Her character had brought so much charisma and subtle mystery into the story. Now every time she's on screen, she's just a drag. She's sad and complaining, even at a time when there are way bigger things going on.
With all that said, this show has been outstanding until now, and I don't think any of the plot decisions, dialogue, or anything else was taken lightly. There were some hints - such as the conversation between the courtesan and Toranaga, and Toranaga's son saying he would never simply surrender, and the flashbacks to Toranaga's past - that Toranaga is still in control of the situation and this episode was the setup for the satisfying redemption of the main characters.
We had to be taken to this desperate place to get the full satisfaction of the last three episodes.
I hope.
Besides that, everything continues to go dreadfully wrong for all of the main characters. It's dark to the point I felt annoyed a few times, and it's getting tough to watch. For the first time during the series, I was less than totally engrossed in the world on screen.
We want Toranaga to rebuild his forces and see him strategically and forcefully remove the corrupt and evil bureaucrats from Osaka.
We want to see Anjin come out a hero by making himself essential to that cause using his naval expertise.
Above all, we want to see Mariko and Anjin find some happiness together in that violent and hopeless world.
What our characters get instead is more backstabbing, meaningless death, random cruelty, and sadness.
Anjin had turned the corner and gained respect, but suddenly has regressed back to only being referred to as "barbarian" again and again. He is being openly attacked and disrespected. Time for him to start carrying pistols again. This episode, he seemed to be just "there," distracting Toranaga and his men from critical decision-making.
Mariko looks like a hopeless cause - suicidally depressed and feeling her life is cursed and irredeemable. Her character had brought so much charisma and subtle mystery into the story. Now every time she's on screen, she's just a drag. She's sad and complaining, even at a time when there are way bigger things going on.
With all that said, this show has been outstanding until now, and I don't think any of the plot decisions, dialogue, or anything else was taken lightly. There were some hints - such as the conversation between the courtesan and Toranaga, and Toranaga's son saying he would never simply surrender, and the flashbacks to Toranaga's past - that Toranaga is still in control of the situation and this episode was the setup for the satisfying redemption of the main characters.
We had to be taken to this desperate place to get the full satisfaction of the last three episodes.
I hope.
veering from the original story but I'm still interested!
nerrdrage17 April 2024
This was a dark, dire episode that does a great job of setting up tension with the nerve jangling music, the grey-and-green pallete, the misty deep forests that seem to be clothed in perpetual night.
We also get more insight into the characters, not just the big three, and hear about their hopes and fears and perspectives on what is happening. Yabushige's nephew seems to be on a collision course with Toranaga now, as Buntaro is on a collision course with Blackthorne.
The details of this episode are very Game of Thrones-y. That's all I'll say, to avoid spoilers.
At the end, Blackthorne seems poised for a different journey that diverges from the one Toranaga and his clan are on. But since they're in the same story, we can be assured their paths will cross again, probably in the next episode.
We also get more insight into the characters, not just the big three, and hear about their hopes and fears and perspectives on what is happening. Yabushige's nephew seems to be on a collision course with Toranaga now, as Buntaro is on a collision course with Blackthorne.
The details of this episode are very Game of Thrones-y. That's all I'll say, to avoid spoilers.
At the end, Blackthorne seems poised for a different journey that diverges from the one Toranaga and his clan are on. But since they're in the same story, we can be assured their paths will cross again, probably in the next episode.
Story is so beautiful, and True Japanese culture
moviesfilmsreviewsinc24 April 2024
A Stick of Time, a new episode of Shogun, opens after a bloody battle, showcasing the show's unflinching portrayal of feudal carnage. The scene features battered corpses and close-up beheadings, but the viewer may feel let down when a man shouts "The war is over!" The show then reveals that the scene is the aftermath of Toranaga's first battle 46 years prior. The young warrior accepts his enemy's surrender and assists him with his seppuku. Toranaga's political maneuvers have been observed since Shogun's pilot episode, and this scene is possibly the most revealing of his character. Toranaga, a man with strong warrior instincts, seeks to make amends with his long-lost brother, Lord Saeki, but their rift is not due to lingering resentment. After a good-natured ribbing, Toranaga and Lord Saeki decide to let bygones be bygones. Toranaga still dislikes his "mongrel half-brother" and uses a tactic to win him over, using top-tier prostitutes. The Anjin is curious about his role in the Crimson Sky plan, but Blackthorne isn't shocked when Toranaga declines to divulge details. The exchange contributes to the mounting friction between these uneasy allies, as Toranaga has never been one to post his plans on a billboard. The Anjin's uneasy allies are influenced by the Anjin's refusal to disclose details, highlighting the tension between their uneasy allies. Omi, upset that Saeki is taking up Kiku's time, redirects his anger to Blackthorne, accusing him of soiling Gin's tea house. Gin, unperturbed, suggests Kiku is infatuated with someone else. The show's dynamic female character, Fuji, embodies the best traits of Toranaga, Blackthorne, and Mariko, providing the clearest thematic link between their storylines. Fuji's conflicting emotions remind us that she shares Blackthorne's courage and Toranaga's commitment to duty, while also possessing Mariko's knowledge of the futility of it all. Saeki publicly disrespects Toranaga, leading to an act of betrayal that makes a story of childhood incontinence look like kids' stuff. His official reasons for betraying his brother and nephew to the Council of Regents might be political, but it's clear that he was primarily motivated by old-fashioned sibling rivalry. Yabushige, who has been playing both sides of the fence, is also uncertain about his allegiances. Gin's wisdom and entrepreneurial ambition come to the fore as she shares her vision of a brighter future in which courtesans are unionized and allowed to work together in a centralized brothel district.
The whole episode felt like a missed opportunity
M_Shakib2 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Don't get me wrong, the ingredients were there to cook up a 10/10 episode yet somehow it fell short. They had everything to make this into a 'rain of castamere' but wasted it with pointless scenes like the confrontation between blackthorne and yabushige. Wtf was that? Also that outburst of blackthorne at the end made no sense at all. How was he able to walk away after showing such disrespect?
I'll admit the ending caught me in a surprise but even that felt a bit underwhelming, because the actor playing nagakado just doesn't know how to act. At this point, Hiroyuki Sanada singlehandedly making this show watchable.
I don't know how true they're being to the book but it feels like this is going into GOT S08 territory. I hope the last 3 episodes prove me wrong.
I'll admit the ending caught me in a surprise but even that felt a bit underwhelming, because the actor playing nagakado just doesn't know how to act. At this point, Hiroyuki Sanada singlehandedly making this show watchable.
I don't know how true they're being to the book but it feels like this is going into GOT S08 territory. I hope the last 3 episodes prove me wrong.
Filler episode with poor ending.
marcorutkiewicz-975863 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Time moves slowly, Anticipating the following weeks episode and I have really enjoyed it thus far.
However, This filler episode didn't further the story until the very last minute, Yet thats easily the part that ruins it.
Yoshii approaches his crawling Uncle, For him to slip on a rock and die, Am I the only one in this scene that knew he wouldn't succeed in killing him?
This will inevitably lead to Lord Toranaga blaming his brother for his sons death and initiating Chrymson Sky.
Filler episodes are expected, Especially if most of the story is already told and it's building up to a big finish, but for a second I thought I was watching Final Destination.
However, This filler episode didn't further the story until the very last minute, Yet thats easily the part that ruins it.
Yoshii approaches his crawling Uncle, For him to slip on a rock and die, Am I the only one in this scene that knew he wouldn't succeed in killing him?
This will inevitably lead to Lord Toranaga blaming his brother for his sons death and initiating Chrymson Sky.
Filler episodes are expected, Especially if most of the story is already told and it's building up to a big finish, but for a second I thought I was watching Final Destination.
It's Losing Me
southside7213 April 2024
Ok, I'm older. I've read the book multiple times, I've seen the 80s miniseries 3 times. This isn't Clavell's Shogun.
This is GoT - lots of promise but crashing and burning.
This is Bram Stoker's Dracula - a much praised movie, that deviated massively from Bram Stoker's novel.
We have 3 episodes left? Maybe I missed it and there's a season 2 coming, but this series is losing me. Seems like the last few episodes, barring a few moments, is the same actors sitting around in the rain in Anjiro mildly plotting, going over the same nonsense over and over. Blackthorne whining about his ship, Buntaro whining about his wife & Blackthorne. Mariko being a grump about literally everything.
They've accomplished almost nothing since the daring escape from Osaka - Blackthorne is still a useless, whiny "barbarian" where in the book by this time, he's much more accomplished with his Japanese, has Samurai warriors, etc. Him and Mariko are firmly in love -
I could go on and on. This had a lot of promise but started falling apart a couple episodes ago.
This is GoT - lots of promise but crashing and burning.
This is Bram Stoker's Dracula - a much praised movie, that deviated massively from Bram Stoker's novel.
We have 3 episodes left? Maybe I missed it and there's a season 2 coming, but this series is losing me. Seems like the last few episodes, barring a few moments, is the same actors sitting around in the rain in Anjiro mildly plotting, going over the same nonsense over and over. Blackthorne whining about his ship, Buntaro whining about his wife & Blackthorne. Mariko being a grump about literally everything.
They've accomplished almost nothing since the daring escape from Osaka - Blackthorne is still a useless, whiny "barbarian" where in the book by this time, he's much more accomplished with his Japanese, has Samurai warriors, etc. Him and Mariko are firmly in love -
I could go on and on. This had a lot of promise but started falling apart a couple episodes ago.
The Worst Episode So Far
accidentsandcoincidences-204895 April 2024
Matt Lambert must've gotten the short straw with the writing assignment for this episode. It's without question the worst out of all seven episodes to this point.
What was the directive here? Maybe something like, "lay waste to every plot and character arc that's been developed so far, and leave the viewers hanging for a sunny-sky resolution..."???
I've watched Sanada perform on screen since he was about 17 years old. In the first movie of his I saw, swinging on trees like a Jackie Chan aficionado, he had more certainty and chutzpah back then than what Lord Toranaga had in this episode.
The Brit sailor was right to tell everyone to go to hell when he walked out on their pointless ceremonial surrender. And what was the point of the Willow World Madam giving us an idea that she had something up her sleeve, some knowledge Toranaga had and which he wasn't sharing with anyone?
And what about the courtesan's desire to "take it to an elevated level" with the betrayer Saiko? She quickly exited. Not clear if she was involved in what happened next, or if she was saving her "elevation" techniques for another time.
I don't see how anything in this episode built on anything before it or leads to any good thing afterward. Basically, this was crummy writing 101. Which is a reflection of crummy thinking.
What was the directive here? Maybe something like, "lay waste to every plot and character arc that's been developed so far, and leave the viewers hanging for a sunny-sky resolution..."???
I've watched Sanada perform on screen since he was about 17 years old. In the first movie of his I saw, swinging on trees like a Jackie Chan aficionado, he had more certainty and chutzpah back then than what Lord Toranaga had in this episode.
The Brit sailor was right to tell everyone to go to hell when he walked out on their pointless ceremonial surrender. And what was the point of the Willow World Madam giving us an idea that she had something up her sleeve, some knowledge Toranaga had and which he wasn't sharing with anyone?
And what about the courtesan's desire to "take it to an elevated level" with the betrayer Saiko? She quickly exited. Not clear if she was involved in what happened next, or if she was saving her "elevation" techniques for another time.
I don't see how anything in this episode built on anything before it or leads to any good thing afterward. Basically, this was crummy writing 101. Which is a reflection of crummy thinking.
Whyyyyyy???
mmbthx5 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Ok, so I must preface this by saying simply, up until this episode this show has been an amazing representation of one of the greatest novels I have ever read. I understand changes made, for many reasons, until now.
Whilst I cannot be sure, I can say it will be a hard stretch to turn the story back to what it was. Why? Because they decided to add the idiotic failed assassination. 1. Didn't happen in the novel as I recall. In fact much of the interaction between Toranaga and his half brother happens more off chapter, as at this point the real focus is the romance between Blackthorne and Mariko. The whole thing was a ruse to get Ishido and his allies to commit foolishly.
But here?? Toranaga's son makes an assassination attempt and falls in the rain........ not only was this not in the book, how do we get to the point where the brothers do what they do? My fear is they cannot and the rest becomes a rewrite.
The worst part is, I wouldn't care...... yet they chose Shogun as the name and influence. It's an old cliche that breaks my heart: the book is popular so therefore let's take the title, character names, and setting and just wing it with the rest. Had they gone with something more generic I would have absolutely no complain about this episode. Instead they chose a best selling novel that is a seminal work of fiction that brought Sengoku Japanese culture to the world, and helped a young man find a focus in life that not only lead to my field (early modern historian) but also my faith. Clavells work had to be adapted for screen, yet the plot changes here have left me saddened. Up to this point, I have been impressed beyond measure. I truly hope this come back around to the storyline from the novel more, or my perfect 10 rating of the show won't even make it back to 8. I haven't been this upset about book changes since the made Faramir into a near villain in LOTR. Still going to finish this, I have high hopes as this has been stellar.
Edit: much of the rest of the episode is great, aside from the 2/3s they had to make up.
Whilst I cannot be sure, I can say it will be a hard stretch to turn the story back to what it was. Why? Because they decided to add the idiotic failed assassination. 1. Didn't happen in the novel as I recall. In fact much of the interaction between Toranaga and his half brother happens more off chapter, as at this point the real focus is the romance between Blackthorne and Mariko. The whole thing was a ruse to get Ishido and his allies to commit foolishly.
But here?? Toranaga's son makes an assassination attempt and falls in the rain........ not only was this not in the book, how do we get to the point where the brothers do what they do? My fear is they cannot and the rest becomes a rewrite.
The worst part is, I wouldn't care...... yet they chose Shogun as the name and influence. It's an old cliche that breaks my heart: the book is popular so therefore let's take the title, character names, and setting and just wing it with the rest. Had they gone with something more generic I would have absolutely no complain about this episode. Instead they chose a best selling novel that is a seminal work of fiction that brought Sengoku Japanese culture to the world, and helped a young man find a focus in life that not only lead to my field (early modern historian) but also my faith. Clavells work had to be adapted for screen, yet the plot changes here have left me saddened. Up to this point, I have been impressed beyond measure. I truly hope this come back around to the storyline from the novel more, or my perfect 10 rating of the show won't even make it back to 8. I haven't been this upset about book changes since the made Faramir into a near villain in LOTR. Still going to finish this, I have high hopes as this has been stellar.
Edit: much of the rest of the episode is great, aside from the 2/3s they had to make up.
The show has totally left the original story - GoT syndrome
ghiaurov-421003 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
While it is entertaining, there is basically no resemblance to the story told in Clavell's novel.
I wonder why GOT was reamed for leaving all precepts of the novels yet Shogun gets a flying pass.
It's a cute series, but if one would read the novel after this series they will be sorley dissapointed.
Why are we shown only one son who dies... why is Blackthorne so inconsequetial, when he is supposed to be the main protagonist, according to the novel?
Where is the romance between Blackthorne and Mariko?
Why is Fujiko walking about? (she's supposed to be extremely badly burnt)
I love the source material, but this is barely using it as a skelteton, might as well have used the original names and called the series Ieyasu...
3/10 just because it's a nice series.
I wonder why GOT was reamed for leaving all precepts of the novels yet Shogun gets a flying pass.
It's a cute series, but if one would read the novel after this series they will be sorley dissapointed.
Why are we shown only one son who dies... why is Blackthorne so inconsequetial, when he is supposed to be the main protagonist, according to the novel?
Where is the romance between Blackthorne and Mariko?
Why is Fujiko walking about? (she's supposed to be extremely badly burnt)
I love the source material, but this is barely using it as a skelteton, might as well have used the original names and called the series Ieyasu...
3/10 just because it's a nice series.
A Waste (Stick) of Time
Oslo_Jargo3 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
*Plot and ending analyzed*
At this late in the episodes, there really is no longer any hope of the series getting any better. We are beyond that. The writers have dedicated themselves to making the series ridiculously meaningless and insensible.
The beginning of episode 7 has the aftermath of a battle, with a young Toranaga played by a Western kid. Apparently they had no Japanese kid available. He helps his defeated enemy commit ritual suicide. Yeah right. I guess this scene is to establish that Toranaga is familiar with war and death. Even though he probably just sat on his horse during the actual battle. Ridiculous.
Then there is the owner of the brothel, who gets an audience with Toranaga. What was the point? Only the writers know. They also put in a spear training scene with the widowed woman living with the Englishman. To show us that women can fight on equal footing with men. Okay.
And then the Englishman is reduced to nothing. I mean he is no longer prominent for some reason. Except his old usual tactic of being a crackbrained whiner. He offends everyone at the meeting by storming off and cussing at Toranaga's men because supposedly Toranaga threw in the towel to his brother, who was going to help him, but then turns out to be a traitor. More shoddy writing.
Toranaga's son also kills himself by slipping on the loose robe of Toranaga's brother, who for some reason was at the brothel partaking in perverted acts. He cracks his skull. Just like that. The scene is so unbelievably stupid and counterfeit. You wonder why would the writers resort to more silliness to move the story. But they have been doing it all along. Slow ships and boats "racing" each other, a samurai returning miraculously from a sure death, an inescapable ambush in the forest averted, a sudden earthquake, etc. You get the point.
Contrived and pointless scenes litter the entire episode.
And now at this juncture, we can only guess the ending and how the scatterbrained writers are going to tie it all together in some astounding and miraculous manner.
*Plot and ending analyzed*
At this late in the episodes, there really is no longer any hope of the series getting any better. We are beyond that. The writers have dedicated themselves to making the series ridiculously meaningless and insensible.
The beginning of episode 7 has the aftermath of a battle, with a young Toranaga played by a Western kid. Apparently they had no Japanese kid available. He helps his defeated enemy commit ritual suicide. Yeah right. I guess this scene is to establish that Toranaga is familiar with war and death. Even though he probably just sat on his horse during the actual battle. Ridiculous.
Then there is the owner of the brothel, who gets an audience with Toranaga. What was the point? Only the writers know. They also put in a spear training scene with the widowed woman living with the Englishman. To show us that women can fight on equal footing with men. Okay.
And then the Englishman is reduced to nothing. I mean he is no longer prominent for some reason. Except his old usual tactic of being a crackbrained whiner. He offends everyone at the meeting by storming off and cussing at Toranaga's men because supposedly Toranaga threw in the towel to his brother, who was going to help him, but then turns out to be a traitor. More shoddy writing.
Toranaga's son also kills himself by slipping on the loose robe of Toranaga's brother, who for some reason was at the brothel partaking in perverted acts. He cracks his skull. Just like that. The scene is so unbelievably stupid and counterfeit. You wonder why would the writers resort to more silliness to move the story. But they have been doing it all along. Slow ships and boats "racing" each other, a samurai returning miraculously from a sure death, an inescapable ambush in the forest averted, a sudden earthquake, etc. You get the point.
Contrived and pointless scenes litter the entire episode.
And now at this juncture, we can only guess the ending and how the scatterbrained writers are going to tie it all together in some astounding and miraculous manner.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
