Following episode seven’s tragic ending, we reunite with Lord Toranaga, his loyal vassals, and the Anjin as they prepare to mourn Lord Nagakado. The sudden loss of the young warrior has impacted morale, leading each character to wrestle with their fate and ponder whether blind loyalty is ever admirable.
The episode opens solemnly with Toranaga’s caravan reaching Edo. The inevitable becomes real as the characters prepare for an end. One silver lining: Toranaga is allotted 49 days to grieve his loved one, momentarily delaying the fatal sentence. Mariko returns John’s journals, given that his tenure will soon be over. He will be allowed to reunite with his men, who have been captives in the city. When John asks what will become of his translator, she doesn’t answer. He asks her not to go to Osaka, but Mariko replies, “My allegiance forbids me from doing anything else.”
Back in Osaka, Lady Ochiba and Lord Ishido discuss their eventual victory over Toranaga. To strengthen their power over the Realm, Ishido recommends the two cement their alliance with marriage, hinting at past feelings. Lady Ochiba is hesitant at the proposal.
As Nagakado’s body is prepared for its final resting place, Toranaga’s men reminisce about the courageous, but reckless warrior. Lord Toranaga is absent as he’s fallen ill. Hiromatsu calls Nagakado an “embarrassment,” but Lord Omi, fighting tears, defends Nagakado’s honor, highlighting how dedicated he was to defending Toranaga. Later, Lord Yabushige is told he will travel to Osaka solo to begin the surrender process.
Mariko happily converses with Lady Rin, who gave birth to a healthy newborn. During their conversation, Buntaro appears, seeming hospitable toward his wife. The two agree to rendevous later.
Blackthorne briefly reunites with his religious nemesis, Alvito, who is on his way to see Mariko and Toranaga. John details his plans to reunite with his men, his vessel, and the Black Ship before leaving Japan.
Alvito meets with Lord Toranaga to gauge his mind on a possible alliance with Lady Ochibam citing Ishido as nothing without her support. However, Toranaga, whose face is described as having “the color of defeat,” refuses Alvito’s council, citing he and the clergy are no longer allies. He reassures the priest is allowed to build his church following his “peaceful defeat.” Many are stunned that Toranaga plans to submit to Ishido but, Hiromatsu believes it is all a rouge.
Mariko and Buntaro meet, recite poetry, and prepare a sacred ritual, which involves creating and drinking a specific tea. Buntaro, pondering on happier times, believes they will die in Osaka. Rather than suffer at the hands of the Council, he wants to leave this place with his wife, finally willing to grant her request. Mariko, who struggles to recall their alleged happier moments, refuses his offer citing she’d rather live 1,000 lives than die with him this way. She leaves him alone to weep.
Blackthorne’s reunion with his men fares no better, as they are filled with resentment. Only six remain and have passed time with sake and a revolving door of courtesans. The lone man exclaims how their journey should have ended when the captain died, but their pilot needed to make a name for himself. Another example of loyalty toward a man with insufficient reward. With no other options, Blackthorne tucks his tail and seeks to ally himself with Lord Yabushige. Timid, Yabushige, rejects the offer as disloyalty to his lord is an abomination. Mariko states: “When loyalty begins, it has no end. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be loyalty.” John counters by suggesting loyalty ends when it leads to senseless death.
The royal quarters in Osaka Castle are awakened with screams as Lady Diayion has suffered a stroke. On her deathbed, she pleads for Lady Ochiba to stop these games and break her alliance with Ishido, citing the bureaucrat “comes from nothing and has nothing.” Within seconds, Diayion dies with the heir’s mother by her side.
We return to Edo as Toranaga has called his vassals to sign their intent of surrender. Yabushige will journey to Osaka first, returning the cannons and other artillery. Suddenly, two vassals object to Toranaga’s gutless surrender. This same duo wore battle armor during the funeral procession, a clear act of opposition to the lord’s decision. Soon the sorrowful meeting turns into a heated argument.
Hiromatsu, Toranaga’s long-life friend and ally, threatens to commit seppuku if Toranaga does not change his mind. Toranaga does not yield. Shocked at this revelation, Omi cries for this to cease, but it is too late. Hiromatsu summons his son, Bunatro, to be his second. Bunatro protests asking to follow him in death; Hiromatsu silences him, noting he will “know what it is to be denied.” He bids Toranaga farewell as he drags the blade from left to right across his abdomen. In one strike, Buntaro finishes the deed. A grotesque silence consumes the room.
Mariko meets Toranaga in his chambers. She reveals that Anjin sought to ally with Yabushige, but the lord denied his request. Unsurprised, Toranaga reassures her that Yabushige will change his mind, especially after witnessing Hiromatsu’s death, noting that he and the foreigner are short-winged and predictable. Suddenly, Mariko realizes Hiromatsu’s death was a premeditated sacrifice, meant to convince all that her lord had accepted defeat. Toranaga asks his loyal subject if she is prepared to do her part. She responds: “I am ready.”
The episode closes with Yabushige and Anjin setting sail for Osaka, but not before Mariko appears announcing she has been ordered to accompany the new pair. And Toranaga finally bids his son farewell, thanking him for the extra time he was granted. He promises him and Hiromatsu both, that it will not be wasted.
Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour and written by Shannon Goss, episode eight continues the series’ streak of outperforming the previous entry. Chapter eight boasts some of the best scenes of the series, starting with a character whose arc is incredibly layered, Kashigi Omi (Hiroto Kanai). Introduced as a power-hungry brute, Kanai’s performance as the young lord displays he is not one-noted like his uncle. His commitment to duty is genuine, and he has a heart for others, proven by how he defends Nagakado. The scene between Mariko and Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe) is another standout. With the eightfold fence removed, Mariko bears only contempt for her husband. Their love is merely a duty to be fulfilled. And finally, the seppuku scene – fooling everyone including the viewers. The death would have been enough, but Hiromatu’s (Tokuma Nishioka) touch of irony at Buntaro’s expense showcases the writer’s attention to detail, a pull-line throughout the series.
Rating: 10/10