Tomorrow Is Tomorrow – As the third episode of Shogun begins, Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) believes it is their best will yet. He wonders if it’ll really be today. Yabu goes to Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) who asks if he heard about the attack last night. They begin talking about the society of the Amida. Yabu tells Toranaga what he knows about the society. Toranaga questions what he would pay for his head. Yabu wants it done if Toranaga has decided to take his life. Toranaga questions whether he is a reliable friend or whether Ishido has poured poison in his ear. Yabu reveals that Ishido offered him Toranaga’s seat on the council.

Yabu insists it didn’t interest him, but he wants the Suruga Province. Toranaga tells him he can keep his head because the assassin was sent to kill the Anjin. He agrees to give Yabu the Suruga Province. Toranaga won’t say what he’ll do there and instead asks Yabu to watch the morning with him. After the intro, Father Martin Alvito tells the captain that his black ship must stay where it is. Toranaga has learned about the profits they’re making from the China trade so he wants a report on their rates of exchange. Ferreira reminds them that he works for the crown and not the church. He is adamant that the black ship will sail tonight.

John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) speaks to Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) while receiving treatment from a doctor. Toda tells him that the assassin belonged to a very dangerous sect. The doctor suggests sending a doctor to pillow with him because he is so upset. When John refuses, Mariko asks if he’d prefer a male companion. Buntaro comes in to ask if Blackthorne is behaving himself. He says they’re leaving immediately and the barbarian will be coming with them. They’re going back to Ajiro with members of Toranaga’s clan. Toda tells his granddaughter that he has been ordered to go with the group to Ajiro.

He says he is sorry for her husband and baby, but they died because they belonged to a greater fight. Now, it’s her turn. The group prepares for a fight as they get ready to leave. Blackthorne asks if he can speak to Toranaga before they go. He is told to stay close to the litter as they walk. Kiri tells Toda Hiromatsu that she is coming. They are warned that Lord Ishido is coming. He comes in and asks about Kiri and Blackthorne leaving. Toda has to interrupt at one point and explains that Ishido honors them by paying his respects. After checking on them, Ishido says he’ll have Jozen and his men escort them to the gallery.

Blackthorne watches as they create a distraction and switch out the carriage passengers. As Yabu rides out, he makes sure Ishido’s man knows he keeps his promises. Toda tells Kiri well done and it’s in the hands of the gods now. Blackthorne asks Mariko if she knows, but she isn’t sure anyone knows. She tells him that Toranaga is famous for his trickery. She admits he’ll be killed if he’s found and they will be too. Once they reach the gate, they’re informed that all travelers will be verified according to Ishido’s orders. Blackthorne interrupts to prevent them from finding Toranaga. He keeps them busy until they’re allowed to pass.

Later, Mariko tells Blackthorne she is certain her lord has a plan. They talk about pillowing. Mariko admits her husband is Toda Hirokatsu although his friends call him Buntaro. The boy is her only child. Blackthrone says he has a boy named Tudor and a daughter named Lisbeth. They end up getting attacked. Before long, Lord Jozen is told that Toranaga is there. They begin making their way to the gallery. Mariko and Blackthorne run into a crew. Blackthorne knows them so he says hello to the captain. They see the Portuguese black ship on the water. When one man gets left behind, Blackthorne argues they should go back. Yabu refuses. Toda Hirokatsu is left standing. Toranaga yells at him before he turns around to face more of Ishido’s men.

Once they get on the ship, Blackthorne points out the fishing boats nearby to Mariko. Ishido learns that Toranaga was with them all along and Yabu betrayed them. Blackthorne and Toranaga realize they’re stuck. Blackthrone recommends approaching the black ship. Vasco Rodriguez (Nestor Carbonell) and the others on the black ship learn about Blackthorne. Blackthorne tells them that Toranaga seeks an audience. Toranaga requests an escort through the harbor because the people on fishing boats are pirates. The captain wants more than what Toranaga is offering. Toranaga offers them money and a chance to build a Christian church in Edo.

In exchange, he wants their help with Lords Kiyama and Ohno. Father Alvito and Father Dell’Aqua discuss the offer and eventually agree. Then, Ferreira says he wants Blackthorne. Father Alvito shows Toranaga Blackthorne’s books to show him what type of man he is. Martin is told they can hold the promise of the church even after he is dead. Blackthorne learns he is being left behind. Blackthorne tells the captain to sound the drums. He yells at Vasco who is told to sink him if he gets any closer. Blackthorne manages to get through the fishing boats. Vasco is ordered to sink his boat. Instead, Vasco allows Blackthorne’s ship to pass.

He says that’s a debt repaid. Toranaga says he will return to his gallery. Ishido speaks to the others about Blackthorne’s escape. Lord Hiromatsu comes in with a message. He tells them that Toranaga has decided to resign from the council. Ishido is adamant that they’ll impeach him anyway. Lord Hiromatsu remembers that the Taiko requires five Regents for any vote. Toranaga intends to go to Edo while Yabu trains a new regiment in Ajiro. His son complains that Yabu conspires with Ishido. Toranaga says he’s playing a game of friends and enemies when you only have yourself. Mariko speaks to Blackthorne about the winter. She asks if he looks forward to going home.

Blackthorne admits he left England before his daughter was born. He tells her why he came before he says he is sorry about her husband. Toranaga shows Blackthorn the books the priests gave him. It’ll take a long time to translate them. Toranaga wants Blackthorne to train a regiment in foreign tactics. Blackthorne agrees but he wants his men and his ship. Toranaga tells the others and insists Blackthorne can’t be called a barbarian anymore. He makes Blackthorne a hatamoto. They go for a swim. Mariko tells Blackthorne that Toranaga wants him to teach him how to dive. While teaching him how to dive, Toranaga asks him for a race. Mariko warns Blackthorne not to let Toranaga win.

 

Shogun Review

The third episode of Shogun continued with the same problems as the previous episodes creating a lackluster experience that doesn’t match the 80s series. In some ways, the new series may do a better job of expanding on the ending since it’s moving at such a rapid pace. Other than that, it does everything worse than the older show.

A lot has been changed in the series that doesn’t sit well, including the death of Buntaro. That will completely change Mariko’s character in future episodes although they’ve already tried to shape her into something she wasn’t. The episode made things too easy for Blackthorne who had little to no struggle escaping in the ship. Truthfully, Toranaga probably escaped from Osaka too quickly because it removed the ability for Blackthorne to develop deeper relationships with him and Mariko.

Blackthorne teaching Toranaga how to dance in Osaka was far more effective than teaching him how to dive. The dialogue isn’t spectacular either, but the lines aren’t always delivered effectively. The moment when Mariko offered Blackthorne a girl and subsequently a guy had no impact like it did in the 80s series. It was skimmed over like everything else in the new series.

On the other hand, the new series is trying to be more complex by adding so many characters and more Japanese-speaking scenes. That could work with a little more finesse, but it only creates an overly complex, frustrating experience here. Half of the time, it’s a guessing game trying to figure out who is who because the characters aren’t properly introduced. This is just weaker in every possible way and the painful weekly releases aren’t going to help maintain viewer interest.

The episode scores a 4.5 out of 10. Recaps of Shogun can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Discuss this series and others at the Reel Mockery Forum.