Shogun
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But as with every other element in the show,Shogunis going to earn its love story.
Blackthorne is uncouth, dirty, crass, and bullheaded.
But he also represents something undeniably attractive to Mariko: freedom to pursue your own perceived destiny.
What goes unsaid but seems understood here is that Blackthorne is also Toranagas property.
These new rules threaten his independence, as he now cant even suffer insomnia in peace.
When Mariko reveals that Fuji has just lost her husband and child, Blackthorne asks why she isnt grieving.
A child has no fight.
This prompts Mariko to open up to Blackthorne for the first time, invoking the episodes title.
Do not be fooled by our politeness.
Our bows, our rituals.
Beneath it all we can be a great distance away.
Safe and alone, she tells Blackthorne.
She then hands him the pistols he was previously barred from retrieving from theErasmus.
Hes outraged when he learns Toranaga resigned from the Council of Regents (I apologize for my bad manners …
Worried about picking the losing side, his constant declarations of allegiance to both are losing credibility.
In short, he just cant help wearing all three of his hearts on his sleeve.
Thank god hes got his nephew Omi in his corner, then.
As the young leader of the fishing village, Omi is a bit more cunning than his uncle.
When Yabushige bemoans over the sake Toranaga left without drinking, Ishido probably thinks Ive betrayed him.
I look fully committed to this losing cause, Omi is ready with a plan.
Its a good reminder that Toranagas maneuver hasnt solved anything; hes just bought himself some time.
In any case, hes off in Edo for most of this episode, tending to affairs.
After being away from his seat of power for months, its time for Toranaga to visit home.
The gun regiment training starts with a confrontation in Blackthornes courtyard.
After some posturing, Fuji tells Blackthorne to let her hold his guns.
As Omi approaches her, she draws on him, saying, just be on your way.
First, however, Blackthorne must prove himself useful to Yabushiges army, and Omi begrudgingly leads the way.
The training field shows offShoguns impressive scale.
Or, at least, black powder.
But English naval cannons are new to Yabushige and company, whove never seen anything so destructive and accurate.
That doesnt mean hes totally off the hook.
Mariko has theErasmuss logs, and inspecting them, she notices an entry describing a place burned to hell.
She instead chides him for thinking that his enemies (the Portuguese) will ever be Toranagas enemies.
In the midst of this confrontation, an earthquake rumbles beneath their feet.
Because death is in our air and sea and earth.
We control nothing beyond that.
This is bad news: If he returns, hell surely be asked to commit seppuku.
If he refuses, hell be labeled a traitor who sided with Toranaga and sentenced to death, anyway.
He buys himself time by promising Jozen a cannon demonstration, but Nagakado remains suspicious.
I see only a house, he says.
And here I see much woman, and one who owes me no explanations.
Mariko answers, And then you are free.
Later that night, as Blackthorne is sleeping, Mariko comes to him in the dark.
(Im still only about 95 percent sure myself.)
That foolishness is what prompts him to ride out with his sword held high, proclaiming, Nebara Jozen!
Your presence here is intolerable.
You have offended my fathers name.
Nagakado, in fact, is proud of his work.
It is war, Mariko says, fearfully.
But not everyone is shocked at the violent massacre.
Just beyond Yabushiges shoulder, Omi is smiling.
In the original novel and TV series, he instructs the Japanese army on how to use rifles.
