What an episode and what a season this was for Shogun. What was your reaction? What are you expectations for season 2? Badd Medicine Arcade (Gaming channel) ru-vid.com/show-UCHIstVk00GtduPIXlJLdC3A Early Drops & Full Reactions on YT Memberships & Patreon: www.patreon.com/baddmedicine Backup channel Subscribe here ru-vid.com/show-UC1CLUwA27dz-94o3FR0o3xg
In response to your questions at the end, there was never supposed to be a season 2 because they covered the source material from start to finish, anything moving forward would draw from history but no Clavell novelization. Which is a bummer. It really should have remained a miniseries, because there's just no world in which a sequel lives up to this series. I've heard others say that they should've just adapted other Clavell novels, and I agree. And, I don't think Mariko's character exists in real life, or at least she didn't play such a role. No way the daughter of an assassin would be allowed to carry on having such a role in society, if not outright slain.
I have a movie suggestion that I would like you all to see. It’s called Free Guy. 🥰🩵👨🏻💼 (it’s similar to the movie Ready Player One which you have seen already)
One of the best seasons of television I'd ever watched. Hiroyuki Sanada gave an emmy worthy performance, hopefully it gets the recognition it deserves.
Nearly every major line in this episode is a call back to the same line in a previous episode. "Well come now, let's get ot over with", "Let your's be the last hands to hold...", "Why tell a dead man the future"
Toranaga is master of trickery, he even trick viewers to think he doesn't want to become shogun but actually he is, he is not good guy for sure, he just great leader. Season 2 and 3 in the making if the story based on the real historic event then it's gonna be more and more amazing.
Yeah exactly. Toronaga is just as desiring of power, but he's wicked smaht. On a side note, not Yabushige facing the consequences of his actions! I'll miss that self-serving bastard and the hilarious faces he makes.
@@MsFeco12 it is announced couple weeks ago they decided to have more season, not just season 2 but also season 3, you can look it up tho it is all over internet.
@@MsFeco12 It seems they actually decided to do a season 2 thanks to the great reception the show got, and honestly, as long as they keep the level of dedication to authenticity that they have shown so far, I do believe thats a good thing
When he drops the cross in the sea, he says goodbye to dream of returning to England. Btw when Toranaga says "Why tell a dead man the future" he is referencing What Yabushige said to Omi about Toranaga in the beginning. Revealing that Omi was also a spy for him. Toranaga was always 6 steps ahead. Even if an earthquake interferes.
I thought it was Omi the first time too. But Omi doesn't act like a spy most of the series. so I have since assumed it was Yabushige's aide guy, the guy who wishes him a good death in the end, I don't know his name or what those guys are called. But that guy is the only other person that could have heard Yabushege saying that and was around him all the time. He would have been the most unassuming spy.
@@golden--hand I think that's the deliberate choice. Because we do see Omi conflicted a few times. And ultimately it makes Toranaga look like the ultimate boss. Just like when Nagakado attacked Jozen with the cannons. 1. Nagakado gets punished by losing command of the cannon regiment. 2. Omi is rewarded for being cunning and manipulating Nagakado (And it likely kept him a spy) 3. Rewarding Omi also served to confuse Yabushige so he didn't figure out Toranaga's plans and thought patterns.
@@Christian-el2bz I don't disagree with these things. I just don't think Omi was in on these plans, or the spy that told Toranaga that line "Why tell a dead man his future". Omi was as much a pawn in this situations as Yabushige was. I think the show deliberately gives you reason to think Omi is the spy who tells Toranaga what Yabushige is up to; but I think Omi is mostly oblivious and the real spy Toranaga had on Yabushige was that assistant of his. After Omi was given the cannon regiment, he immediately offered to give it to Yabushige. Omi had been doubting himself and his motives for a while by the end of the show and I don't think it was until the end he 'betrayed' his uncle. Ultimately choosing loyalty to his lord instead of trying to be ambitious and self serving like Yabushige. I don't think he was a spy, I think he just made a choice to be loyal at the end. I think Yabushige's aide makes more sense. Toranaga would have had someone who didn't need to be manipulated and was already a long trusted part of Yabushige's circle all along. Like Muraji, that samurai spy in the village was, if we weren't told he was a spy early on it would have been a shock because he was so inconspicuous the whole time. Yabushige's aide would be the same, he was essentially always there when Toranaga wasn't, even to the very last moment. It was only Omi and that guy there with him when he went to have his last conversation with Toranaga. And that guy was the ONLY other person there to hear that conversation, and they made sure he was in shot behind Yabushige...
@@golden--hand What do you mean with: "the show deliberately gives you reason to think Omi is the spy" - It doesn't? It's not until the final episode, where Toranaga quotes Yabushiges own words back to him, that we as the viewer; understands that Omi was reporting to Toranaga as well as Muraji was. Meaning that The closest person to Yabushige was playing the game as well, AND was pretty good at it. Yeah he did offer it back, but that's easy points, because I bet you he knew that wouldn't fly. Btw in the book (Omi is a clear spy - he's actually more involved in Toranaga's plans in the book) but the series made the deliberate choice of giving us a mostly John Blackthorne (Westerners) perspective - so that we would see the intricacies of their society and games unfold one by one, like dominos. Unfortunately we miss out on Toranaga's brilliance by having the westerners perspective. Because his moves are SO much more flushed out in the book.
@@Christian-el2bz "It doesn't?" I wasn't clear with my words here, what I should have said is something like; the show deliberately gives you reason to think Omi is the spy by the end; as we are given things to be suspicious of him throughout. That line "Why tell a dead man" is what made me think Omi the first time too. But on rewatches, that other guy is also always there. But it still doesn't come off as being a spy to me. Maybe Omi did tell Toranaga all that stuff from before at the end; but that's not being a 'spy' that's coming clean. We are under the impression Toranaka always knew what Yabu was up to, and that includes times Omi wasn't around. The only person we are shown that could have always been there was that aide of Yabu's, who's name seems to be Takemaru. Yeah, there could of been and probably were multiple spies everywhere all the time. But you aren't telling me why this Takemaru can't be a spy, just that in the book Omi defiantly was, which I can't speak to and can only speak to the shows narrative of this story. In this show, Omi being a spy is a worthy suspect, but isn't clearly defined and there is to me good evidence of this other guy actively being a real time agent for Toranaga, where Omi comes off more as a someone lost in what it is they think they want and finally picking a side. We only know Omi told Toranaga about what Yabu did at the castle, nothing more. And while we don't know Takemaru said anything at all, we know toranaga knows stuff, and things Omi does and things he say don't seem like spy activity based on what this show, shows us. his motivations seem more for himself, or to win points with his Uncle occasionally early on. Like he thinks he should be ambitions, but eventually decides to just fit in his place, under Toranaga, at the end. Did Toranaga make Omi set his son up twice for his plans, I'd believe it, but that seems more like Omi's plan for Omi, not doing spycraft for Toranaga. Like I said, I can't speak for the book and its narrative, but maybe the show took a different take then the one you know, I suspect they did in other more obvious places. So I'm not saying you are wrong, but Idk, Takemaru seems like the most prominently displayed background character, nearly every scene Yabushige is in that kid is nearly always there except a few occasions, and that doesn't seem like a coincidence.
The most beautiful part of the finale for me was how many people were affected by Mariko’s death, either by regretting it (Ishido, the Regents, Yabusige), remembering her poetry (Lady Ochiba, Toranaga) remembering her words (Blackthorne, Fuji), or honoring her wishes (Toranaga, the Monk Alvito). Toranaga’s vision (and four-dimensional chess game) was finally realized, but the show never forgot that Mariko was the true heart of the story, transforming everyone by her life and by her death, and destroying Toranaga’s enemies in a way an army never could. She was such an unforgettable character in a such a wonderful show. Thank you, Mariko-dono. You are the beautiful flower that finally fell, but was (thankfully) carried by the wind for all of the world to see and cherish, and you will never be forgotten. 🌸🌺🌸
Everyone's facial expressions made the show so captivating & dialogue told this story beautifully, all characters played their parts magnificently, you truly felt their emotions, scenery, set designs, costumes wonderfully done & kudos to the writers & directors too, I didn't need to see the battle scenes, I was satisfied with that ending, truly a masterpiece of a show! & was an absolute pleasure watching your full reactions along with ya & listening to your discussions, thanks Badd Medicine! 💚❤
It would have been a total sweep if they hadn't renewed it for a second and third season, because it would have been competing in the Limited Series category, and would have won everything. Since it is no longer a limited series (one season only), it has to compete in the regular "Drama Series" category, where it will be up against all of the heavy hitters. They should have waited to announce that there would be more of it until after the Emmy Awards. Tactical error.
@@zoonzoon123 Rewatch and look who is standing around to hear it. There is only 3 or 4 people. For Toranaga to say it at the end means he knew the hole time Yabushige was playing both sides
@@danbadd I think there was a spy, but I don't think it was Omi, he didn't know everything Yabushege was always up to and really didn't act like much of a spy from what we are shown of him, but there was another guy there who was around Yabushige the whole series. That aide of his, the one that he gives his will too and wishes him a good death. He was right there behind Yabushige when he said "Why tell a dead many his future", I really think that guy, whatever his name was, was Toranagas spy.
A production like this show is one of those things that I feel thankful for. So much has to to right and be done well for something like this to come together. As Dave said in the end discussion, one weak link in the production can ripple across and ruin the whole thing and cause so much hard work to go to waste. Quality products require everyone does their part to the best of their ability. And it really is special when you can get several hundreds of people to work together to achieve something like this.
I remember watching Shogun in the 80s when i was 8 and realised after that my folks even had a softcopy of the book before the series was on tv. Now that book brought about an imagination uncensored. I cound've been the last of the siblings to read it as the book was already creased and pages falling apart but i do remember how the story totally drained me as a kid when mariko died. First experience of a beloved character's death from a book but i did remember that ishido was capured, buried at the battlegrounds with only his head above the dirt, tortured for his crimes till he died three days after.
Historically, the real life person Toranaga is based on built a "modern" fleet of ships that mixed both Japanese and European designs and styles called the "Red seal fleet", so it can implied that Blackthorne never left Japan and built the fleet Toranaga asked for.
I mean he's based on William Adams who we know died in Japan even when he was eventually granted permission to return to England. His children however the ones he has in Japan disappear from record after the brutal crack down on foreigners and foreign religion in Japan when Ieyasu's heir takes reign.
Lady Kiri didn’t read the note brought by mariko to imply that kiri who is toranaga’s senior consort of many years already knew what it’d say and what he’s planning.
An absolutely amazing series. The Oak is correct, there was an actual battle. John is based on a real Englishman who washed up on their shores. His journal says he was very well treated....no boiling of crew. He remained in Japan and married a Japanese woman. The real Toranaga is celebrated because he ushered in well over 200 years of peace and prosperity. Sanada san has confirmed 2 more seasons in the works. If he keeps his acting AND producer hats, then I'll watch them. If not, I won't even give it any attention. Blue Eye Samurai series is also FANTASTIC!!!!! I'm sure many others have recommended it. Looking forward to your next reaction ☺
@@Tsiriasmenos Yes, and the wakizashi was often used for seppuku. It had a duel purpose: an auxiliary sword that could also be used in close-quarter combat and for seppuku. The tanto is shorter than the wakizashi and also was used as a weapon. For seppuku, the tanto was used in the context such as Mariko's attempt and Fuji's husband's seppuku.
With all the talk of Edo throughout the series too, which would eventually be renamed Tokyo!! I knew whose side I was on as soon as I heard him say he was building the city 😂 This series really was epic.
@@andrijapejcic9191 The Taiko, known in this series as Nakamura was based on Toyotomi Hideyasu. He was granted that title after avenging the assassination of Goroda who is the equivalent of Oda Nobunaga, by Akechi Jensai whose real life name was Akechi Mitsuhide, and then finishing the unification of the Japanese war lords under his rule.
The first one to thank for this series being so strong is the author of Shogun, the late James Clavell. The book and the show both finish the same way. There is no battle in the book just a footnote that Ishido lost on the battlefield because he had no support and by mid morning they had made mountains from of the heads of Ishido's army. The author only wrote the one book so now the script writers really will have to work hard to make seasons 2 and 3 be just as good. The book does give one clue and that's Toranaga's half brother, his fate, he's not long for this world. But why do we need any more episode's when we already know the end? Toranaga will be Shogun, finally. Something else, those who need their Shogun fix have gone back to rediscover the first T.V. series. Cheers, Chris Perry.
i hope the second season will be a different story as opposed to being a continuation. coz it's already perfect as it is, a few things not addressed to some people's perspective maybe but i think it's perfect as it is.
Lady Ochiba says in an earlier episode that Toranaga's "Secret heart" is no secret to her and she was right all along. Toranaga wanted to be Shogun but ironically Ishido and Ochiba viewing him as a threat is what motivates their moves to get rid of it and ends up actually sealing his victory without a drop of blood spilled in battle. Toranaga will most likely end up supplanting the heir and Ochiba eventually because it's been his secret goal all along to be Shogun and he can't while the heir exists.
Setting the falcon free is saying goodbye to Mariko, on the first episode he described a type of Hawk (the one he just set free) wich is also describes Mariko behavior, now that she is dead, he says goodbye to her as he set free the falcon representing her.
toronaga revealed to yabu that he had him monitored the entire time. in the first episode yabu told omi " why tell a dead man the future". toronaga repeats the same words to yabu in the end.
Actual history offers plenty of opportunity for story development. Just one example: the real Blackthorne/Adams stayed in Japan, built ships for Toranaga/Tokugawa, and went on trading/diplomatic missions for him. Including to Macau, already referenced in this series. That would be interesting to see.
As to your question re: battle - I think ending without ever stepping on to the battleground is 100% in keeping with the devious brilliance of Toranaga and I loved it. I think this episode is a perfect hour of television. Finding out that Crimson Sky is not a plan for war, but in fact completely subverts the battle that the audience has been primed for through the series, is genius.
The thing is there was actually a very bloody battle at Sekigahara between Ishido (Ishida) and Toranaga (Tokugawa). The Christian lords did switch sides...but it was in the middle of the battle, not right before it. 40,000 men died on Ishido's side. The show made it seem like no battle took place.
Those "flashforwards" are just a vision of what John's life would be if he went back to England. He'd grow old and rich, but he'd essentially feel like an outsider even to his own family members who think the Japanese are "savages", filled with grief for Mariko even to the end of his days. When he and Fuji go on the boat and have their "together forever" scene, it is essentially John letting go of the idea of returning to England. He'd be "together forever" with Mariko in Japan. A theme always was that "we grieve those we love by continuing their fight", and John wants to continue Mariko's fight. He'll stay in Japan and Toranaga will always find him something to fight and struggle for, a purpose to continue life without her. _If_ the future seasons also continue John and Toranaga's story, there is no guarantee that John would be safe and make to old age or back to England. It was just a vision, not the actual future.
The death poem Yabushige wrote on the book is so much better than the juvenile attempt we got here What are Clouds But an excuse for the Sky What is Life But an escape from Death
It’s easy to forget that John had a family in England, but I can’t help but be glad that he only dreamed that future where his grandchildren were referring to the Japanese as savages. That was John’s way of understanding that he would never be able to fit in back in England. No one there would understand his transformation.
I love how they show the effects of a concussion that's cause by such a huge explosion. John just dreaming up a storm and Yabushige trying to catch fish that isn't there.
The battle of sekigahara did happen in 1603. Toranaga is based on Tokugawa who his family held the Shogunete for 260 Years. The short sword is a wakizachi, a companion sword used in indoor fighting, taking heads on a won battlefield and ritual suicide called seppeku or harikari. I teach Iaido in Chattanooga and the school Ryu is from the 1500 warring period called Sengoku Jidei. Samurai movies are called Jidei genki or period dramas.
.... and you should check out the 1980 version 9 hours of Shogun with Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga. It is a different feel. Also, correction, the Battle was in Oct of 1600, he was appointed Shogun by the Emperor of Japan in 1603.
@@BlackDeathThrash ... 1868 the year Commodore Perry black ships sailed into Tokyo bay and demanded trade, the Boshin war follows this leading to the end of the Samurai ... Perry became an Admiral before his return 9 months later.
Shogun has a Doctor Who feel to me. John as the innocent uneasy companion looking for something new and finding the Doctor and the whole Universe. Toranaga and the Doctor both see the whole of time and space at their feet.
You guys should do a reaction to the battle of Sekigahara by youtubers HistoryMarche as well as Kings and Generals. They were very well done. I am also certain there were plenty of Japanese made movies of the battle. Toranaga - Real life is Tokugawa Ieyasu. 1 of 3 unifiers of Japan Ishido - Real life is Ishida Mitsunari.
BTW The real John Blackthorne (Adam Willams) never got back to England, in fact he married, had two kids and die in Japan at like 55. Altough he was able to sent letters to his family in England. There are some documents about some British sailors who went to Japan to deliver letters from the British crown and John did as translator for them. These sailors said in the documents that Adam Willams was absolutely a Japanese but with an European face, he knew the lenguage perfectly and knew every custom.
William Adams, but yeah. My spouse, who's Japanese, just got back from a trip to the Izu Peninsula, where she heard of Adams for the first time -- and we're now watching the series together.
In real history, the battle mentioned at Sekigahara is the most famous battle in Japanese history. Also, the lord that Toranaga is based upon (Tokugawa) does not want to give up power to the Taiko's heir when he becomes a teenager. The heir attempts an attack on Tokugawa to unseat him from power. As a result, Tokugawa forces Lady Ochiba and the heir to commit suicide. Also, after becoming Shogun, he goes to war against the Catholics and Portugese (hence why keeping Blackthorn alive) and kicks them out of Japan.
I have to say regarding the war and all that. The one thing that I wanted more of in this show was combat. By the little bits we saw they did an incredible job with the samurai fights so it would've been really nice to see more of that even though I absolutely understand that this is not really a samurai show. It's really a political drama.
The story is a fictional story based on the third novel from the Asian Saga series by James Clavell, so I wouldn’t get too caught up in real history events with characters that are loosely based on real life characters, for example, Toranaga being based on Tokugawa Ieyasu or John being based on William Adams who was named Miura Anjin like John was named Anjin It’s still historical fiction at the end of the day
Yes, the battle happened. The point was they already knew which side was going to win. Ishido was still samurai and he wouldn't choose Seppuku over dying in battle.
Most names in this were changed from the real names in history. And this is more of a altered version of a historical story. But even in the real story, most don't know what happened to John, its presumed he died in Japan. Though his actual name was Adam.
Shogun is not history; it's historical fiction, designed to entertain, not inform. Lady Mariko is based on the real-life Hosokawa Gracia, a significant historical figure. John Blackthorn is based on William Adams, with whom he has many parallels. But he didn't hook up with Hosokawa Gracia. Toranaga is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled from 1603 until 1863. Lord Ishido is inspired by Ishida Mitsunari, a military commander who led the opposition against Tokugawa during the early 17th century power struggle. Ishida served as the leader of the western army and played a significant role in the historic events that shape d Japan's future. There's plenty of overlap, but the character details and many story lines are from the mind of James Clavell.
In real life, ishido was ishida mitsunari, and he doesnt have a huge significance in history BECAUSE he lost against Tokugawa (Toranaga). Tokugawa goes onto establish a shogunate that lasted 250 years until Tom Cruise's arrival.
The crazy lord that they claim mariko's father killed, was Oda Nobunaga, the first of the 3 great unifiers who Japanese recognise as the men who unified the nation. Irl, oda was assassinated by Akechi Mitsuhide, and in this series he was named Akechi Jinsai, Mariko's father. I didn't realise this series was chronicling Tokugawa's rise to power since all the names were changed, but the light bulb went off when I heard the name Akechi. The regent whom Toranaga served, was irl Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the 2nd of the 3 great unifiers, and the 3rd was of course, Tokugawa Ieyasu (Yoshii Toranaga).
about time! the original was a one and done thing but they set this up for a second season for sure, it was amazing they would have to be idiots to not keep it going but it would be all new material
Greetings Everyone. Cinematographically the series is great, all about historical references and acting is great. The problem is that it is not Shogun, it just took the name, the story and made something different. FOR THE ADAPTATION MATTER: IT IS TRASH and CHARACHTERIZATION MEDIOCRE; Having a great actor in a role does not mean the charachter is well depicted. To put a twelve hundred page novel in ten episodes is a bad joke. The positive point is that for all the people that liked the series, and decided to read the book, will have a nice surprise and will not like it, they will love it. Bliss You All and Than You.
I was really disappointed with this finale. I absolutely loved this season and can't wait to see what happens next season. This ending tho....not impressed.
I found the ending so disappointing. The whole show felt like it was building to something that never came. I did really enjoy it, amazing writing, acting etc. But I was personally really disappointed by the ending
But the entire first season was doing everything to win the war without a battle (which is stupid because the battle of Sekigahara was an incredible moment in Japanese history) so if they continue the same storyline it will undermine the entire first season. They should have left it alone but...ya know, money is sweet and money always wins so instead of letting it be they want more money money money so sign ANOTHER season and fabricate another story when there's so much actual amazing Japanese history to use. FAIL.
This show is so historically incorrect its painful. If you want to enjoy this you have to turn your brain off and forget that history is a thing. Knowing the real history and the events that led up to the battle of Sekigahara it was so sad and disappointing to not see that battle...Shogun is a great show with one of the worst endings.
@@BlackDeathThrash oh look a sarcastic bitch being a clown on the Internet and mocking someone who made a valid point about a show leading up to a massive battle and then leaving it out in the finale. 🤡
Blackthorne never reached home. He never died a old man in bed. He was holding Mariko's crucifix that was buried at sea. Old Blackthorne is not a flash forward. A Dream Of A Dream. Also Anjin was buried at Tsukayama Park , Yokosuka , Japan which supports what I said above.
Yokosuka is a navy town. Tsukayama Park, where the Anjin couple's memorial is located, is a natural park famous for its cherry blossoms and has an observation deck with a view of the harbor. It was built so he could see his homeland across the sea.
John’s dream of his future was tossed away and his new life was embraced. What he thought would be a better life was false because he’d changed by all his experiences with Toranaga and Mariko, and the Japanese culture. He was transformed just as Japan was transformed by the Edo period. Mariko’s sacrifice was the pivot point for everyone, including for the man she truly loved.
27:57 that’s right. There was a battle, but what was once fated to be Torunaga getting crushed by overwhelmingly superior forces, he took control of fate and dramatically changed the tide by manipulating the circumstances behind the scenes. Remember that Torunaga was winning battles at the age of 12 so there is a real reason that Ishido was pushing so hard for all the lords to be united against him. The historical version of the battle had Tokugawa (the real version of Torunaga) facing superior numbers, but masterfully manipulated both the field and the politics behind the scenes leading to some those allied against him to turn on each other *on* the field. Great show! They have greenlit further seasons even though they’ve finished the content of the book. John never went home. The “flash forward” was a dream of his. He sets that dream aside on that that mountain top when he says “fuck it. We live and we die”
Yeah, in the Battle of Sekigahara, several commanders defected to Tokugawa's side, which is what that scene of Toranaga explaining was about. Plus, you have to give the book/show some leeway, because it is a fictionalized version.
I don't like that they will make more seasons. They said 1 season first, because that was the material they had. Now they will try and make up stories themself and it will most likely be bad. I would be onboard if they took other stories from the author and filmed.
I'm hoping they get into the other Asian Saga stories (Tai Pan, King Rat and the others) but who knows. If they took next season to tell the actual historical account that Shogun is based on that might work too.
The last line Yabushige hears from Toranaga;"Why tell a dead man the future" was what Yabushige told Omi in the first episode when Omi inquired if they should inform Toranaga. IRL the story was a bit different, for one the person that inspired Mariko never met the person that inspired John Blackthorne. But there was indeed a battle before Tokugawa became Shogun, the people lady Oshiba and her son are based on ended up committing seppuku within the next decades as a result of Tokugawa's conquest.
Yes, the battle of Sekigahara took place and it was the biggest and one of the most important battles in japanese History. It wasnt as one sided as the series makes it look, Ishida could have won, if more clans stayed loyal to him - the whole "Lady Oshiba helt the eirs armies back" is a bit simplified.
Best behind-the-scenes info: the bay where they filmed John and Fuji pouring her husband's and son's ashes and Mariko's cross is the same bay where James Clavell's ashes were poured.
Wonderful following the team on this reaction. I agree 100% that Shogun is the best series presented on TV for a long time. A note to Diamond Dave, and the other Badd Medicine gentlemen - When researching the real history, remember that this series is based first and foremost on the superb novel by James Clavell. The crew behind this adaptation were incredibly faithful to the novel, as were the makers of the 1980 miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain (which I also highly recommend watching). Clavell's novel is, obviously, based on the historical incidents and characters, but was not intended to be a direct play-by-play. In other words, it is a work of fiction. As for this series, it follows the novel, meaning the novel ends more or less with the battle and Toranaga becoming Shogun as future, albeit inevitable, events. It will be interesting to see where the writers go for season 2 without Clavell as the source. Thanks for reacting to Shogun, and especially thanks for the reference to Rings of Power being utter garbage.
Toranaga being 20 steps ahead of everyone, even having a spy soo close to Yabu "Why tell a dead man the future" (thing he told Omi about Toranaga), just proves how increadibly shrewed he is and how this was the only possiblity to win the Shogunate
The wakizashi (The short sword) is actually for indoor use. It's considered rude to lug around a full length sword in doors and since a Samurai cannot be walking around without his sword, they leave the katana with the staff outside and bring the wakizashi indoors. The knife/dagger version of this is called the tanto.
Knew you guys would love this show! Can’t wait to see your Moon Knight reactions when they finally come to RU-vid….Definitely recommend watching The Last Kingdom sometime!!!
The series ends where the book ends. And it was supposed to be a miniseries (just one season). I'm worried now, because the studio realized how popular the series were, and decided to milk it for more seasons. I would rather have this great mini-series and them then move on to something else. There is no more material from the author on this. There is however the history they can still use, but what is there to use? The interesting parts were in the book, and the author changed the actual history to do a good story. Even though he changed the names, the people are still recognizable. The Shogun series should have ended at the 10th episode. Now they are just greedy.
I read somewhere that in the book he actually says that he keeps the Anjin around because in the end, even him needs a friend. I wish the showrunners had kept that. I absolutely hate the "Because hes funny haha" thing, is absolutely off-character from Toranaga. We all know, even him, that he keeps him around because he feels somewhat responsible and "friend" with him. Thats why in the book Anjin is also gifted with the Ajiro village.
I was like the whole video wrapping the hand at my head saying "Noo guys! it was not the future, it was a dream the title of the episode is literally a dream of a dream, Anjin's dream of leaving Japan that never made real" him throwing Mariko's cross was saying goodbye to that dream and to his old self.
ROP only have the rights to the LOTR name and appendices of the books, so they do not have a ton of source material. Everything is made up. Its LOTR in name only. That is why the series is garbage.
These were expert chess moves all around by Toranaga and Mariko. 1. They KNEW Ishido was keeping the nobles prisoner... Mariko called the bluff... fine, if I'm not prisoner then i may leave AT WILL (even requiring permits tramples on a samurai's rights and duties)... 2. and because she is obligated to do as her liege lord (Toranaga) commands her... failure in that duty REQUIRES seppuku. EVERYONE (except Blackthorne) understands this. Meaning that everyone knew already that preventing her from leaving is a death sentence... NOT committing seppuku in response to her failure to obey Toranaga is to disgrace herself in the eyes of all Japan.... it is tantamount to treason. 3. So Ishido gives the permits (because simply letting her go would mean the whole needing a permit thing was a scam and the jig is up)... which prompts the nobles to getntheir permits too... Ishido has no reason not to, because henhad no reason to require them in the first place, other than imprisonment. But naturally Ishido loses if Mariko actually is allowed to leave... 4. So Ishido pays off shinobi and bribes Yabushige's help to "disappear" Mariko... she's gone? Oh she must have left early of course. 5. Mariko knew this... so capture wasnt an option... however, if she were to be killed under Ishido'a qatch then it exposes the lie that Ishido was keeping the nobles in Osaka castle "for their safety". Meaning that Toranaga only needed to order Mariko to "go to Osaka, deliver a message, then return to me promptly". Both knew what Ishido would do...both knew Toranaga was sacrificing his queen piece. Both knew it had to be done to box Ishido in.... either he lets everyone go without any issue and stfu forever,, or Mariko has to die. Both knew Ishido COULD not back down, not with Ochiba controlling his strings. But both also knew that that alliance would collapse should Mariko be killed... not to mention the ensuing revolt frim thr High Families. They knew that no matter the politics, Ochiba wouldnt abide her childhood friend being slain (or forced into having to slay herself). Mariko reminded Ochiba of that friendship when Mariko came up with that line for the poetey contest..."a leafless branch"... Mariko is the leafless branch... "Ochiba" means "fallen leaf". And what is left behind after the leaves fall? A leafless branch...just as Ochiba left Mariko behind. And the conversation they had later was pretty much the conversation Luke and Vader had on Endor..."there's still good in you... you've only forgotten... then my [friend] is truly [gone]". Which is why Mariko walked into that meeting with Ishido DRESSED TO KILL. She was making ALL kinds of statements that day. The only blood being spilled in the Crimson Sky assault was Mariko's. Was it a military attack plan before? Idk. Bit it definitely became a psy-op mission. And with that, Ishido is defeated. Because Ochiba's first duty is the heir, especially if she wants to keep pullimg strings, she cannot allow the nobility to revolt. She withdraws the Taiko's army, leaving Ishido holding the bag. The other Regents lose faith in Ishido to be running things. And one on one Toranaga's army could take Ishido's army, especially with Toranaga's cannon regiment. Without firing a shot, Toranaga wins. The cost of victory was Mariko... and that only because the death of his son boughtnhim the time needed to set up the psy ops (feigning his defeat AND frailty, and using the "mourning period" to legally delay his trip to Osaka, thereby giving time for Mariko to do her mission. In other words, Toranaga knew how to roll with the punches and end up on top... he was definitely defeated until his son died. (Had he managed to kill Toranaga's brother, a whole different timeline would have happened.) Hiromatsu's death i dont think was intentional... but he used the opportunity once it was set in motion. Had Hiromatsu signed the pledge to remain loyal in defeat, it would have probably sold the defeat... but Hiromatsu pledging seppuku if Toranaga didnt renounce his defeat was just too good an opportunity to pass up. It was mentioned sevwral times that Toranaga was always known to be a good strategist. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CANNONS?? They DO come into play... as a credible threat. Most of the moves in chess arent about taking pieces off the board like checkers...it's about forcing your opponents hand via credible threats. Why attack with cannons and have a big battle if you can win instead by isolating your opponent and making it very clear that you have the high ground so-to-speak...or in this case, a cannon regiment which has already proven it's effectiveness?
Everything about Fuji and Blackthorne’s final conversation was so poignant. Blackthorne gave her the closure she needed, but at the same time will not have the closure which he desires because of Toranaga’s machinations. Hiroyuki Sahara is a master at his craft, both as an actor and as a director.
I interpreted seeing the 'future' as him dreaming of a future without Mariko whilst in a coma, as a sort of nightmare. He then thinks about it again when they show it briefly just before he tries to commit seppuku in front of Toranaga. I think in this moment he uses the prospect of that future as motivation to commit seppuku, he looks scared of it as he thinks of that future, then says 'fk it'