In episode six of FX’s Shōgun, the women take center stage as the mounting dispute escalates. In Ajiro, Lord Toranaga plans a new strategy, meanwhile, Blackthorne and Mariko’s relationship shifts amidst their attempt to remain strictly professional. In Osaka, Lady Ochiba takes the reigns of the council as we learn how her and Mariko’s fates are intertwined.
The episode opens 22 years prior as a young Mariko and her father, Akechi Jinsai, arrive at Azuchi Castle. She meets Ruri, the daughter of the powerful warlord Kuroda, and they begin a heartfelt kinship. One evening as the girls prepare for bed, Mariko overhears terrible wailing. She looks outside her quarters and sees a violent scene. Her father assures her she is only dreaming and to return to bed. She silently lays back down with Ruri grasping her hand in comfort.
We flashforward a few years to Ruri and Mariko as teenagers. Mariko trains as a samurai, her father’s prized pupil. However, Mariko is married off to prized warrior Toda Hirokatsu. Distraught by her father’s choice, she is told “duty endures” and that “There is nothing more.” Meanwhile, Ruri enjoys the privilege of being the princess of a feared general, who seeks to unite all of Japan. One fateful night diverts their fates forever.
In present-day Ajiro, Toranaga holds a memorial service for the lives lost from the earthquake. He also honors Blackthorne for saving his life a second time, rewarding him with a fief and the title of chief general leading the cannon regiment. The Anjin is in disbelief and isn’t the only one; Yabushige and Omi are appalled at his promotion. But there is no time to worry about a barbarian as they must construct a new strategy after losing many of their fleet.
At Toranaga’s throne, Buntaro apologizes for his drunken spat, and he explains how Mariko has always been cold to him. He sees how her disposition is different toward the Anjin. Toranaga instructs him to isolate himself from Mariko for seven days as punishment.
Blackthorne again requests his ship and men to leave Japan, Toranaga declines his offer. Blackthorne instead suggests he recover his ship as a means of attack against their enemies. He believes hitting the Black Ship will stifle the finances backing the Portuguese and the Council. With Mariko translating, Toranaga refuses this request, citing he has no qualms with the Portuguese. Instead, he suggests the Anjin spend a night at the brothel – and Mariko must accompany him. Toranaga questions Mariko and Anjin’s relationship, seeking an end to their obvious fraternization.
Viewers leave Ajiro for the halls of Osaka Castle. In the middle of the night, a fire blazes in the royal quarters. Rumors of Toranaga plotting to kill the Heir spread, putting his and the lives of his allies in danger. Hiromatsu, Lady Kiri, and Shizu plot to leave, but because of Shizu’s pregnancy, the women remain behind. Hiromatsu escapes to warn Toranaga of the dire situation. Elsewhere, Alvito and Dell’Acqua learn of this alleged conspiracy and the bounty for Toranaga. Alvito feels they have elected to ally with the wrong side. Dell’Acqua questions why he has remained so devoted to Toranaga in the first place.
Another flashback brings us to the moment of Ochiba’s father’s murder. Lord Kuroda was assassinated at the hands of his general, Akechi Jinsai, Mariko’s father. As he died, Ochiba’s family and her status died with him. Soon she was taken in by Daiyoin, the Taiko’s wife, and groomed to become one of his consorts. In a perilous scene, we learn the extremes Ochiba experienced to become the only woman able to bear Nakamura Hidetoshi’s child. Thus, Nakamura Yaechiyo, the lone Heir, was conceived.
Back in the present, Lady Ochiba joins forces with Ishido to expedite the appointment of a new regent. While Ishido views this as a mutual partnership, it is clear Lady Ochiba is pulling all the strings. Lords Kiyama and Sugiyama discuss the threat she poses to all lives within the castle. Later in the evening, after an opera displays the Taiko and Lady Ochiba’s beautiful union, the two approach Lord Ito about filling the empty regent seat.
Hiromatsu’s arrival to Ajiro spurs Toranaga to officially plan a new strategy. Omi and Nagakado suggest Toranaga execute Crimson Sky upon Osaka. It is a deliberate and forceful strike upon an enemy. Upon victory, Toranaga would assume the role of shōgun. In bold defiance, Toranaga rejects this swift action and the title of shōgun, extolling there must be another way.
As dawn settles, we follow Mariko and Fuji’s humorous encounter with Gin, the brothel’s madame. They secure Kiku, the prized consort and Omi’s love interest. Another thing the Anjin has taken from the young leader of Ajiro. Mariko and Anjin arrive at the Willow World. Mariko warns him to be mindful of their actions as every movement is being carefully studied.
Kiku arrives as Mariko translates the history of the Willow World and their ladies’ objective. She informs Anjin that it’s not just a place of “physical pleasure, but it can be more.” It’s a place to escape and find “relief, safety…in one perfect moment.” As these are Kiku’s words, they are being translated through Mariko, revealing what Blackthorne truly desires. In this moment, the two are exasperated by the forbidden love hidden in their deepest of hearts. Blackthorne joins Kiku, leaving Mariko sitting in silence.
The morning after, Toranaga confers with Mariko. They talk about her childhood and what she remembers of Ruri, now Lady Ochiba. The conversation shifts to her marriage and how Mariko felt betrayed by her father for marrying below her status. Toranaga reveals that Akechi married Mariko off to shield her from what was to come — the murder of Kuroda. Feeling she has failed to avenge her father’s demise, Toranaga promises it is not too late to complete her mission.
In Osaka, the Council of Regents prepares to vote with Lord Ito filling the fifth seat. One by one, each lord votes yes for impeachment. Needing a unanimous vote, the final yay lies with Lord Sugiyama. In a turn of events, he votes no, citing insufficient evidence proving Toranaga plotted to kill the Heir. The vote fails. Lady Ochiba and Ishido refuse to accept this result.
Later, Sugiyama realizes his fate for such disobedience. He and his subjects attempt to escape Osaka but are murdered. His death is attributed to bandits, but everyone knows the truth. When Ishido questions Lady Ochiba’s bloodthirst for Toranaga, she alleges he was the main conspirator in her father’s death. She too seeks to avenge her family’s name. As news of Sugiyama’s death reaches Ajiro, Toranaga has no other choice but Crimson Sky. He will persuade his half-brother, Saeki, to supplement their fleet.
This episode, one of the series’ best, shines with the women at the forefront. Anna Sawai’s Mariko explains it best, telling Lord Toranaga that men choose war for different reasons, whereas women are “simply at war.” The writing is exceptional, expertly crafting the similarities between each woman: Mariko, Lady Ochiba, and Kiku; all forced to bear so much in the name of duty. Duty reserved in the support of a man. In the same breath, their duty aligns them with a unique power over the opposite sex, as seen in the way Lady Ochiba steers Lord Ishido and the entire realm because she birthed the throne. Kiku’s profession is collectively frowned upon, but what she offers can’t be found anywhere else in Osaka: the privacy to be one’s true self. Mariko’s dutiful service to a frozen marriage has aligned her with a powerful ally in Toranaga, as well as other resources and skills, cementing her a power she has yet to yield.
Rating: 10/10