Following episode four’s climactic conclusion, FX’s Shōgun returns with an emotionally wrought entry. Just as Blackthorne feels a part of this new world, past and present loyalties remind him he is an eternal outsider.
The episode picks up immediately following the slaughter of Jozen and his men. Many remain in shock at the turn of events, which more than likely expedites the inevitable: civil war. The village has little time to reconcile with what has transpired when Lord Toranaga returns with a fleet of warriors. At his side, alive and well, is Toda Hirokatsu. Mariko’s husband had miraculously survived Lord Ishido’s attack and returned to Edo. Everyone, especially Mariko and Blackthorne, is surprised to see him.
Back in Osaka, Ishido meets with the Council to address their impending vote, surmising they will need a replacement to bring the Council to quorum. Many names are optioned with each Lord declining them for one reason or another. Soon, Ishido is left alone to stew on this decision.
Back in Ajiro, Toranaga appoints Buntaro to settle in house with the Anjin and Mariko, where she can continue duties for the foreigner and her husband simultaneously. This welcomes friction among the three and Blackthorne’s servant, Fuji.
Toranaga addresses Nagakado’s actions, admonishing him for acting so rashly and allowing Lord Yabushige’s nephew to trick him. As punishment, Toranaga strips his son of the cannon regiment command and instead places control in the hand of the young lord, Omi. Despite his frustrations, Toranaga recognizes the advantage laid at his feet. This provocation forces Ishido’s forces out of Osaka, allowing them to strategize on their land.
Yabushige, still trying to play the fence between Ishido and Toranaga, appears upset at his nephew’s good fortune. He reminds Omi the regiment still belongs to him and orders him to find the spy within their village, for Toranaga has received word of every scheme Yabushige has attempted. Meanwhile, Nagakado and Muraji meet in secret with Toranaga. Aware of Yabushige’s work to find the rat, Toranaga orders Muraji to allow him to find exactly what he is looking for.
In the village, Blackthorne has received a falcon as a gift from Toranaga and plans to prepare it as a meal. The rotting bird permeates a strong stench in the village. Blackthorne playfully threatens death to anyone who dares to touch the deceased animal. As evening arrives, Buntaro is welcomed into the home. Still addressing Blackthorne as the barbarian, he, Mariko, Fuji, and the foreigner prepare themselves for dinner. Mariko serves as a translator between Toda and John. Her mild interpretations to keep the peace fail, as the two men begin a quiet quarrel. Soon, drunk with sake, the quiet quarrel bowls over into a challenge of manhood.
Toda, showing how his arrow is faster than Blackthorne’s cannon, fires two arrows through the wall into an outside post. Both dangerously skim the front of Mariko’s face. As Blackthorne attempts to defend Mariko, Buntaro demands she tell him what her name means. Tearfully, Mariko shares how her father assassinated his tyrannical lord, the ruler before the Taiko. As punishment, he was forced to witness the slaughter of his entire family before being put to death. As a newlywed, Mariko was spared. She’s sought vengeance ever since, but her husband has forbade it because he has ordered her to live. Mariko leaves ashamed. As Blackthorne prepares for bed, he hears crying from Mariko’s room. Racing to see what’s the matter, he finds Buntaro beating her. Blaming the sake, Buntaro leaves the quarters as he has disrupted the harmony of Blackthorne and Fuji’s home.
The next day, John finds Mariko alone by the bathing pool. John cannot believe how she buries what occurred and wonders what becomes of her in the duties to her lord and Buntaro. Mariko formidably questions whether John is truly free if he is constantly seeking freedom. From henceforth, Mariko instructs the only words exchanged between them will be from others’ lips.
Back at the village, John notices sadness throughout the quarters. He asks Fuji what has transpired. She tells John the gardener, an elder named Uejirou, was executed for touching John’s dead bird. Enranged, John demands why they would kill him over a dead pheasant. The moment showcases, again, the stark difference between John’s perspective of life, and the lives the Japanese lead. Viewing this as the last straw, John asks Toranaga for his ship and men as he wants to leave Japan at once. Sensing a shift in their relationship, Toranaga asks what is wrong. John explains the death of the gardener but is only met with how his death served a greater purpose. Mariko reminds him again of how little they control.
Proving her point, the ground beneath their feet opens up as a major earthquake cracks the mountainside and village. Toranaga is consumed underground with Mariko, John, and his son racing to his rescue. Toranaga survives but has lost his swords. John valiantly offers his blades as a replacement. They descend to the village, which has taken much damage. John races to his quarters to find Fuji injured but alive.
In the distance, Muraji has led Omi and Yabushige to a broken home belonging to the deceased gardener. Inside, they find evidence of him being the village spy, making his unfortunate death the day prior incredibly convenient.
The episode ends back in Osaka as Lady Ochiba, the heir’s mother, returns to the palace. Ishido appears happy to see her in good health, but Ochiba sees through his pleasant disposition. She tells him the time for politics has ended. In defense of her son’s life, she demands that the Council will answer to only her.
This episode, written by Matt Lambert and again directed by Toye, showcased how despite their feelings for each other, John and Mariko remain worlds apart. Some of Mariko’s best attributes, unfortunately, keep her bound to her man and their culture, even if she is treated unfairly. Anna Sawai again walks away with some of the best lines of the series. And while we only received a snippet of her, Fumi Nikaido’s Lady Ochiba delivers a haunting preface of what’s to come.
Rating: 9/10