FX’s groundbreaking adaptation of James Clavell’s Shōgun arrived at its epic finale this week. With Osaka shaken by the death of the honorable Lady Mariko, Lord Toranaga and his vassals process their grief as Lord Ishido and the Council Regents seek victory.
The episode opens with a dream sequence; an elderly man’s grandchildren ask about his prized sword and if he received it from an actual samurai. The grey-haired, bedridden man is revealed to be John Blackthorne, home in England years later. Soon, the scene transitions back to reality as Blackthorne awakens to Yabushige shaking him out of his dream state. They’re surrounded by the wreckage of the explosion. Injured but alive, they discover Lady Mariko’s lifeless body lying peacefully on the ground.
News of Mariko’s death impacts the council, making them question the safety of Osaka. Ishido accepts no accountability for the attack and instead blames Toranaga, using this argument to expedite his war march. But the Christian lords object, citing Mariko must first receive a Christian burial. Lady Ochiba supports this notion from Lord Kiyama and Ohno, pressuring Ishido to concede. Lord Ido also reminds Ishido that war must be supported by the Hier’s banner. Ishido reassures he has the heir’s support saying, “War is inevitable.” Mere seconds later, the chamber is shaken by a mini-earthquake.
Ishdio finds Yabushige, still clearly struggling from the events of the previous night, his hearing impaired from the blast. Ishido is prepared to grant him his reward, but Yabushige regrets his actions, stating Mariko was only to be held captive. Then, he meanders about the earthquake that occurred years ago, when the Taiko prepared for war against Toranaga. It was a bad omen then, as war never came. Ishido ignores his rambling and orders him to return to Izu.
Some days later, we reunite with Blackthorne, dreaming of Mariko. He startles awake, realizing he has slept for days missing Mariko’s funeral. He’s escorted to Lord Kiyama where he’ll finally be allowed to leave Japan. Alvito has been tasked with guiding him. The former enemies develop a truce, mostly out of their common bond for Mariko-sama, aka Maria. As they walk through the forest, John suspects this is where he is meant to die. Alvito confirms he was to be killed in the woods, but his life was spared at the request of Lady Mariko. John departs with Yabushige for Ajiro.
As the two arrive at the village, they see John’s ship burned and sunken underwater. It’s revealed that Christian villagers conspired in an attack on his vessel, leaving him stranded in Japan. Toranaga promises he will not rest until the culprits are brought to justice. Meanwhile, Yabushige is arrested and ordered to face punishment for his betrayal in Mariko’s death. Toranaga orders Yabushige to commit seppuku by sunset. Denying his request for the Anjin as his second, Toranaga will accompany Yabushige for his final moments.
John returns home to find Fuji. The two sit in silent awe missing their third. Fuji reveals to the Anjin that since her duty to him is complete, and no family remains for her in the village, she will leave to become a nun. John wishes for her to stay.
John meets with Toranaga to discuss his situation. With no translator, Toranaga’s spy Muraji reveals himself as the lord’s servant – a mighty samurai in his own right – and assists in their conversation. Lord Toranaga remains determined to seek out the saboteurs, but John begs against it. He wished no more death upon Ajiro Village, the place and people he had come to call home. Still unable to convince Toranaga, John comes clean on how he planned to use Toranaga for his financial gain. He then prepares to commit seppuku, trading his life for the safety of the village. Toranaga stops him, demanding him he rebuild his ship and organize his fleet. John appears confused.
As sunset arrives, Yabushige and Toranaga find ascended alone on a far cliff. Omi tearfully accepts his uncle’s fief as its heir. He also receives his death poem and final will, as Yabushige describes him as the son he’s never had. In these final moments, Yabushgie questions his lord’s motivations. Toranaga reveals he and Mariko orchestrated the burning of the Anjin’s ship to test him and his loyalty. And that Mariko was Crimson Sky, the final piece in his grand scheme to vilify Ishido and inevitably grant him the title of shōgun.
Lord Toranaga explains a hypothetical chain of events where the five lords prepare for war, but the Heir withdraws support from Ishido, as promised by Lady Ohicba in a secret message. Soon, the Regents turn on the bureaucrat before the war can commence, elevating Toranaga to the throne to rule over a peaceful Japan. Yabushige wonders how the Anjin plays a role in his strategy, Toranaga merely smirks, citing he kept John around “because he makes me laugh” and that he needed a distraction while outsmarting his opponents. Yabushige begs for more answers when Toranaga hits him with a call back to episode one: “Why tell a dead man the future.”
The episode closes with two beautiful scenes, solidifying the bright futures for our characters. John and Fuji both say their final goodbyes to their loved ones. Instead of keeping their remains in her home, Fuji scatters their ashes in the sea, where John explains they can be “together…forever.” John attempts to release Mariko’s rosary into the water, when Fuji says, “Let your hands be the last to hold her.” A callback to Mariko’s exact words to Fuji. Later, John and the villagers work to retrieve his vessel with no success until Buntaro arrives to assist. Their exchange of mutual respect a signal of John’s acceptance of their culture. Japan as his home.
Episode ten is an emotional display of hope amongst the insurmountable acceptance of grief and delivers the perfect capstone to this incredible series. Writers Maegan Houang and Emily Yoshida, and director Toye continue great work, capturing major shifts and arcs each character has experienced. We find ourselves even sympathetic to Yabushige in his final moments, who saw the fault of his ways too late. The acting is powerful, delivering the best moments in silent glances and slight bows. And the masterful callbacks to episode one are icing on the cake. Another display of the creators’ attention to detail. Bravo to one of the year’s best series.
Rating: 10/10