Episode two of Shōgun, “Servants of Two Masters,” introduces us to more major players as we receive context behind Lord Toranaga’s dilemma with the Council Regents. A web of deceit is woven as John Blackthorne becomes a pawn in two separate plots. And the first strike for blood signals the onset of an inevitable civil war.
The episode opens with a flashback to Osaka a year prior. The castle is in mourning as the Taikō prepares for his final moments. Here we meet the young heir’s mother, Lady Ochiba (Fumi Nikaido). In his final breaths, the Taikō warns Toranaga “The vultures are circling,” referencing the other lords will seek to murder his son in pursuit of the throne. He asks Toranaga to consider becoming the sole Regent, guiding Japan, and protecting his son until he comes of age. It had been 100 years since a shōgunate ruled.
After a gorgeous credits scene, we return to present-day Osaka. Lord Rodrigues discusses the heretic foreigner with fellow Jesuit clergymen, Father Dell’Acqua (Paulino Nunes) and Martin Alvito (Tommy Bastow). Dell’Acqua is the leader of the Jesuit missionaries in Osaka, and Alvito serves as a Portuguese teacher. Rodrigues warns the duo of Blackthorne’s crimes against Catholics and how his presence could be a threat. Suddenly Alvito is summoned to the throne room.
Alvito is required to translate between Toranaga and Blackthorne, where we learn of the Englishman’s disdain for Catholicism as he is a Protestant. Doubting the priest will translate honestly, the scene centers on the rapid dialogue between Torananga and Blackthorne to great effect. After this discourse, Lord Ishido arrives, and “the Freak from the West,” is imprisoned and set for execution.
We shift to Mariko’s family which includes her son and husband, Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe). Buntaro is the son of Toranaga’s right-hand man, Hiromatsu. She tells her son about the foreigner until Buntaro interrupts, giving the sense she should not be worried about such matters. One can tell Mariko has been somewhat imprisoned by domestication. Suddenly, Mariko is summoned by Lord Toranaga much to Buntaro’s dismay.
Toranaga welcomes Mariko to feast with him, his wife Lady Kiri (Yoriko Dōguchi), and other noble people, including Lady Shizu. They reminisce on Mariko’s wedding 16 years ago, signaling she married shortly after the death of her father, Lord Kurdo. Soon Toranaga interrupts to debrief Mariko that Lady Ochiba has given birth and will return from Edo. He warns that Ishido and the Council will complete their vote of impeachment. Toranaga plans to use John’s religious bias to sow division amongst the regents, as two of them are devout Catholics. Without the full support of each regent, Ishido cannot proceed with a unanimous vote.
John makes due in prison, where he and other convicts await the same fate. John meets an aging prisoner who reveals his allyship with Toranaga is doomed as they both will not leave this castle alive. The elder also reveals the Catholics control the trade route of Japan’s most valuable vessel, the Black Ship, captained by Ferriera (Louis Ferreira). He alleges their economic power has formed secret bases in Macao to convert Japanese allegiances against the current rule. With this bit of information, John ideates his plan of escape.
Ishido meets with the Council Regents: Lords Kiyama (Hiromoto Ida), Sugiyama (Toshi Toda), and Ohno (Takeshi Kurokawa). Kiyama is the wealthiest of the Regents with direct ties to the Black Ship. Sugiyama is the eldest and most revered, coming from a family of legendary warriors. And Ohno serves fully masked, as he suffers from leprosy. Ishido requests they vote on Toranaga’s impeachment, but Kiyama and Ohno object, opting first to execute Blackthorne. Toranaga’s plan works as predicted.
Seeing this dilemma, Ishido visits Yabushige, where the lord suggests Ishido earn the trust of the barbarian against the Council Regent, so when Toranaga eventually fails, he has a stronger base. With this plot in motion, Yabushige sabotages Blackthorne’s execution, allowing him refuge with Toranaga, and disguising Yabushige’s double cross.
Here, with Mariko serving as translator, John reveals to Lord Toranaga the Portuguese conspiracy, claiming they seek to replace all non-Christian rulers of Japan. He suggests they ally to eliminate their common enemies. Toranaga takes this news to heart, and as the President of Foreign Affairs, delays the Black Ship’s departure much to the dismay of Ferriera and Lord Kiyama.
As night falls, the castle’s silence is disturbed by the sounds of death. Two assassins descend upon Lord Toranaga’s quarters. Toranaga kills one assailant, after fooling her with a decoy. The other is killed in a struggle. With the threats eliminated, it’s revealed the target was not Toranaga, but Blackthorne.
The second episode of Shōgun improves upon the first in expert fashion. Opening with the flashback immediately answered questions from the pilot, allowing viewers to enjoy the story. It also boldly introduced a lot of new characters without sacrificing others’ narratives. The writing and direction – again from Kondo, Marks, and Tulleken – are beautifully executed by the cast; especially the scene in which Blackthorne reveals the truth to Toranaga and Mariko.
Rating: 9/10