SHOGUN Episode 9 Ending Explained 

Anna Sawai absolutely delivered with her role of Mariko in this episode! I was so intrigued to see how they'd handle the ending of the episode and it was better than I could have imagined it! What a fantastic piece of television. Let me know what you thought in the comments below! The final 15 minutes of Shogun break me every week....

Mariko is the definition of brilliant written female character

Toranaga sacrificed the Knight, Bishop and Queen for the checkmate. This show is amazing, really wish it was more episodes.

The samurai that kill 2 of ishido's men need some recognition. The best action since buntaro solo fight

Those samurais that knowingly gave up their lives to prove a point were absolute legends

I seriously hope Anna Sawai gets an Emmy for this role - her performance in all episodes has been nothing short of genius, but especially in this one. The sounds that came out of her when she fought the guards was guttural and animalistic - the fierceness of her true self was no longer concealed. That scene made my mouth drop open.

Lady Ochiba mentioned that "Mariko alwyas knew where to stand, and when to leave" I think that was later shown during the final moment when she know exactly "where to stand" in that room and "when to leave" to complete her duty.

He sacrificed his rook, he sacrificed his most loyal knight, now he sacrificed his queen. King stands almost alone, alas a few well-placed pieces remain with the opposing king cornered by his own pieces.

The reason Toranaga asked Mariko if she is ready to do her part is because he already knew that Yabushige will betray them every chance he gets. Toranaga already saw all of this coming from a mile away.

Ugh. The interactions between Mariko and Ochiba were INTENSE. Like so much was said without anything being said.

The gruesome seppuku scene in previous episodes raised the stakes, priming viewers to utterly dread Mariko's pivotal scene. Tension was highest here because audience has grown most attached to her character, and for her second.

Mariko deserves an Oscar for this performance

I loved John and Yabushiges interactions in this episode 😂

Shoutout to the 3 stroke samurai.

To be honest, I've never been depressed after watching a show before, and Shogun ep.9 had just made me feel like I've actually lost someone dear to me.

Mariko was standing in front of the door like a cross. She pulled a Jesus move. Sacrificed herself for others.

First!, I loved the false sense of security the show created, it is one of the best episodes of the series.

if Anna Sawai dont get at least Emmy nomination for her role in this show....Emmy rewards must be stoped for eternity!!!!!!

Toronaga is doing what he tried to teach his son. That lesson about men and falcons. How you can get people to be your fist even when they don't know they are.

Yabushige finally turning completely on Torunaga was painful to see. I thought he wouldve had a change of heart after seeing Mariko face off against all odds. But hes being portrayed realistically, hes always been about self-preservation, not honor. Now i can't wait for the finale 🔥

Anna Sawai deserve an Emmy for this acting.

At the gate, the guards with spears could have easily killed Mariko, they were preventing her from leaving. Ishido knows can't kill her and risk turning the nobility against him. Ishido prevented her seppuku because that would have same effect. Similarly in the castle, the shinobi entered to capture Mariko, not kill her. They could have easily slit her throat, but they were pulling at her waist to drag her away. Ishido's goal was not to kill her, but to continue to confine Mariko so she could not leave the castle and could not commit seppuku, thus preventing the lose-lose decision Toranaga was forcing upon Ishido. No it wasn't like Mariko was escaping death while trying to leave the castle, or when the shinobi stormed the castle as Ishido could not afford to kill her. But Mariko sacrificing herself against the door explosion is the way she could die honorably, without committing the Christian sin of suicide, saving the hostages, and turning the nobility against Ishido, the ultimate sacrifice and checkmate.

im honestly sad knowing next week is the final episode. i know there will not be a season 2, but i just wish good things dont always have to come to an end 😢

Believe me, Toranaga knew the Shinobai would have been sent since they were sent when he was there as well. Either way. He knew Mariko most likely wasn’t making it out of Osaka and so did she which is why last episode he asked her if she is ready to do her part and she looks in the camera with a sense of relief but also restraint and says I’m Ready! Toranaga is a a master of everything. He’s a master of strategy and deception and the art of war. He has 20 pieces on the board all moving simultaneously and he watches them all very very close

The biggest mistake I made was watching this series before it finished. Now, I have to wait every week.😅

I loved how she stood up to Ishido

I cannot believe there’s only one episode left feels like there is still so much story to tell

Mariko - Has Jaime Lannister as a father. - Was a friend with Ochiba like Rhaenyra and Alicent. - Died like Hodor.

there was a beautiful parallel in seeing mariko taking blackthorne's hand after the near-seppuku & the scene from the beginning when the young priest offered her a necklace with the cross when "you just need something to hold on to".

As someone old enough to remember the first series, I knew what was coming for Mariko, but hoped against hope she would live. This series is wonderful, beautiful and the best TV I have seen for a long, long time.

The leafless branch poem told me what I needed. She was talking about being the last of her line. It was powerful foreshadowing.

Something I absolutely loved and gave me goosebumps was the scene where Mariko sama first arrives and insists on being allowed to leave the next morning. The inflexions in her voice paired with her discourse made me think: „Now HERE‘s a woman who REALLY knows what she wants, what her value is and where here loyalties are.

I also thought the line about flowers only being flowers because they fall could be the show speaking to the audience, in reference to all this talk about it being only a one season series. I would venture to guess that this was not the intention of the writers, but it does speak to the depth of the dialogue in this wonderful show.

I think the line John drew in the garden was to symbolize how one action will have a ripple effect on its surroundings, somewhat like what happens in the opening credits.

Have really enjoyed, having both subtitles, Japanese and English has not been a distraction, but added to the overall brilliance of this show. Not sure how much of any battle scene we will get in the final episode. Hope it wins awards for the cast and crew, it deserves it.

Its been so long since I watched a tv show and had a scene make me say out loud “ Oh my God!” love this mini series so much.

Sir, you do the best job of recapping each of the episodes. Excellent work!

This is the greatest episode till now

Wow my emotions are all over the place for this beautiful episode. I started tearing up as soon as Blackthorne said “he’d do it” and then she gets saved only for her to die for such a meaningful cause…. I’m gunna have trouble processing this one 😢. Sawai definitely will be missed well done! So sad to see her leave that way 😭

The intensity of the episode came in waves one after the other. The necessary content to keep audience hooked to their seats after every crest of an episodic high point. And there were many in this one. I might not know the history of events that well, but by storytelling POV this episode worked really well. A level of taste with uncertainty and anticipation, the likes of which are rarely expressed in fiction (though here, derived from factual history), kept my heart in my mouth for the most part of the episode, peaking towards the end. The penultimate episode of the season have brought high expectations for the final one. Looking forward ahead.

I read the book some 40yrs ago. This series and your brilliant explanation of the scenes has made me buy the book again 😊😊

Such an intense episode and the actors, especially Mariko, really made it come to life. Amazing performance and producers, really a great job to them. RIP Mariko

Wow. Great breakdown. When you repeated her line about a flower, that hit me hard. I’m not crying you’re crying!!! 5:51

A 10hr final episode, please. 🙏

Damnn. Wonder how Yabu will handle this. Wait till Buntaro finds out

great episode............. also interactions between lady Ochiba and Mariko were fricking tense and great

Plot, character arcs, acting, costumes... All of it is just brilliantly done. I really appreciate these explainers as well, you've done an amazing job with the addition of some historical references and context!

Very well done in-depth analysis of the episode. Thank you so much for your insight

I didn't read the book, so I was still believing that mariko wouldn't die, and when her is stopped to kill herself I celebrated so much. And then the end happens, I'm completly destroyed 😭😭

Blackthorn whipped out the hand-cannon😲

I appreciate your insights, They are the icing on the cake on the meal of drama. I cannot wait for the coffee and sake to finish this tasty treat.

Thank you for another great episode breakdown. I was truly awed by the emotions that we see through Mariko. I also really liked the fact that we have seen the lost love her husband had for her and his attempts to reconcile with her at the end by joining her in death showed that all he ever wanted was for her to love him. This in no way excuses the torture and brutality that he took against her but it gave a tragic dimension to his character that surprised me as I had written him off earlier as a stereotypical villain. Not to take away from the Mariko portrayal but this episode also gave some of the biggest character development that we have seen in Blackthorne. He has thrashed around trying to understand his role and options while being tied to a "suicidal" warlord and showed all of the ways he had not embraced the Japanese code of honor and loyalty. Yet despite this difference, he also realized that he no longer was like his fellow sailors and was now trapped between two worlds. His love for Mariko has been a constant but seeing him step up to be her second was so powerful. He did not believe in suicide for honor but he did love Mariko and found deep down that his faith still mattered to him. He could not risk her soul being lost and he also realized that the second provides a release from the pain in the end. The fact that a barbarian showed more respect for the Japanese tradition and embraced that honor while the regent backed out of his obligation was truly stunning to the women who were sitting as witnesses. I love the way this series has shown the basis of honor in society as a double-edged sword. Mariko used all of their traditions and respect for honor to shame and ultimately tear down the power of Ishido. She was more effective than a thousand samurai soldiers would have been in this upcoming war.

Just finished watching it. Stunning, beautiful, deeply sad, full of deep characters and profound moments. One of the best series ever. As a book reader this lives up and Honors the literature. Just wow!

I was happy to see Mariko didn't die at the gates only to be crushed when she blew up. At least she went, filled with strength with pride. Something I was happy to finally see. RIP Mariko 😢

Fabulous. On the edge of my chair the last 25 minutes. The best show out there .

Thank You, I watched the 9th episode 3 times today on HULU. and I didn't understand the full picture of events...as always thank you again for opening my eyes !

That ending went from 0-100 quick! Damn Mariko!!!! John was racking up the kills here that John blackthorne was showing some seriously good marksmanship skills there. Was john wick of the 1600's and It's like he's been holding these swords for the whole show then just decides 'screw it, I'm pulling out the gat.'

This episode broke me.

Truly an incredible show, and deserves all the accolades. Beautifully, written, acted and executed show. I have watched each episode twice now, and it just gets better. Can’t wait for the finale

I sat on the edge of my seat the entire episode and was completely blown away.

We needed at least 5 seasons more of this show 😫

Mariko went out with a bang

This episode made this show go from good to great for me. A culmination of everything so far. Loved all the slow and ominous scenes and the music with them 🤌🏽

damn! its getting interesting every episode. Cant wait for next week!

Oh god, another devastating blow to my heart. I felt so sad. It's so unfair, yet her will was fulfilled. Now, retribution; and it should be glorious.

I like your voice ! Thanks for your hardworking ! RIP Mariko sama 😔

Love the original miniseries. This newer version is equally as excellent. There are differences but the frenetic action sequences outstrip the original. And Anna, what an actress!!

The only show worth watching on tv right now. excellent 💯

As someone who’s never seen the original show or read the book, I really thought towards the end of the episode that Mariko had decided to live and value her life, after the conversation she had with Anjin and the night they shared together. I took it as them finding a middle ground between their cultures and beliefs, which made me all the more shocked in the last 5 minutes of the episode

Got goosebumps. I'm sad and hype at the same time. Can't understand my emotion!

Great video explanation 🎉 I love the show and I wish we have more episodes. Anyway, it has been an spectacular show and production and actors ❤ should get more credit !!!!

This was even more tense and gut wrenching than i could have ever imagined. I had only one complaint and that was concerning Yabushige's being a complete dirt bag. I hope someone throws him in a boiling pot of water. Anna Sawai is someone i knew little about before this epic series but what a performance she delivered! Was Mariko standing in front of the door going to be enough to block the explosion? Also i didn't realize she had a kid? Where'd he come from? Outstanding series, outstanding review and insights as always BrainPilot

I think Mariko sees death as equal to life because she can bring honor to her life in death (too).

This show as a whole is remarkable. The fact my favorite character dies in the 9th episode reminds me of another favorite character from Game of Thrones that also died on the 9th episode, Ned Starks.

Very good explanation and description! Thank you

what a roller coaster of emotions! i'm so sad there's not another season.

Marikos sacrifice broke my heart 😢 I was wishing her to live

Lady Toda Mariko, I love thee!

Man this episode was heartbreaking but it was truly admired and loved ❤

"She is not the leafless branch. She [Mariko] is the flower that has fallen." Great poetry there, sir.

This was an amazing episode.

I am Japanese. After this, the Battle of Sekigahara, the largest civil war in Japanese history, took place. After that, Japan enjoyed 300 years of peace, but it was destroyed by Perry of the United States.

your explanation and panegyric is spot on! I agree that the screenplay, acting, settings, props worked together synergistically to make this one of the best mini-series of all time...the only way this can be bested is for FX to extend this series for another couple of seasons esp. given the fact that the actors are still around, the sets are already built, and the public demand is certainly there. as Michener (whose 3rd and last wife was Japanese btw) is no longer around to write a sequel...maybe a prequel to the series?

What’s so fascinating is the way of the samurai even in the face of death, always about honor. Those samurai who died when Mariko first tried leaving, well knowing they were outnumbered and more than likely going to die, still showed honor and respect. Mindblowing

This was, indeed, one of the best episodes that I've seen so far in Shogun. The show has been excellent with their storytelling since day 1 but this one hits differently. I feel very emotional about Mariko's fate. I thought that she'd finally be happy - with John on her side, but only to cut it short by Yabushige's betrayal. But I guess, in the end, it was death who finally made her the happiest. Death has finally set her free of her conflicted self and died with a greater purpose. I am definitely looking forward to the last episode. I wish there could have been more. But as what was said in the review, all good things must come to an end. Wish it doesn't have to be. 😞

4:04 mariko was not welcoming death because it wasn't their intention to kill her. she knew she was just gonna get taken. they needed to kidnap her so ishido can keep her hostage in secret while the rest are dead.

finally, the pillowing we've been waiting for 😋😋😋😋

Good lord, this episode was amazing in so many ways.

Never having read the book, i legitimately thought the plot would take Mariko Sama jumping onboard with Anjin Sama back to England. Like it was a scene off "around the world in 80 days". I had hoped it would broaden Marikos existential thoughts by travelling to europe to become Japans unofficial ambassador, be as it may historically inaccurate. I suppose it becomes a spin off and titled "Duchess of Japan".

I have a feeling the last episode will have a longer-than-usual runtime because this episode was already the 2nd longest runtime with it being 1h and only the first episode being a bit longer with 1h and 10m

This episode made me cry.

I have been so impressed with this series. The entire cast is amazing and the acting is fantastic.

my favorite episode, i love lady marika acting in this series

Blackthorne goin John wick on all the samurai that went against him. Shit made me sad seeing mariko go out like that after seeing her and blackthorne embrace each other. All the enemies gotta die after this.

Did anyone else have difficulties literally seeing what was going on? With my TV at full brightness and rewatching the last few minutes on my laptop, (just in case) I was able to take a picture where the screen was almost 100% pure black.

Great review for a great show.

This eps was so good 😭😭😭😭😭🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Im not sure but did you notice in the opening/intro that the shogun mask/headdress on top of a mountain or something at the end appears "more complete" and gradually takes shape? Feels like it is the representation of toranaga's journey towards being the shogun. Maybe on the last episode the whole of it will be revealed??

This damn episode was literally amazing 😭 the drama & build up and intensity

amazing episode