A Stick Of Time – As the seventh episode of Shogun begins, the soldiers declare that the war is over and Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) has won. The scenes are from Toranaga’s first battle 46 years ago. His enemy surrenders and asks him to tell his scribes that Mizoguchi fought with honor. He claims it was fate that forced him into declaring an unwinnable war. After a long wait, Mizoguchi eventually kills himself. In the present, Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) learns that Toranaga hasn’t spoken to his brother in a long time. If his brother doesn’t help, the war will be over before their swords are even wet. Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe) tells Mariko (Anna Sawai) to make sure Blackthorne knows to keep his mouth shut.
Toranaga’s brother arrives a short time later and mentions his brother’s decimated army. Saeki Nobutatsu is happy to see his brother. They talk about the fact that Toranaga has tamed a barbarian. John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) comes forward and says it’s an honor to meet his liege lord’s kin. Toranaga tells his brother that Blackthorne’s cannon tactics are crucial to their cause. He’d like to discuss his proposal tomorrow. Saeki admits his men are eager to spill blood by Toranaga’s side. He wants to go to the hot springs. Later, Toranaga and Mariko talk about getting Kiku for his brother. When Blackthorne arrives, Toranaga tells him to be on his best behavior tonight. He will not wear his swords or pistol. Blackthorne asks if he will be given command during the attack.
Toranaga has made no decision regarding Blackthorne. John says he is beginning to wonder if the gifts have any meaning at all. He wants to more know more about Crimson Sky, but Toranaga didn’t bring him here to discuss that. Mariko urges Blackthorne to let this go. Blackthorne says he is ready for whatever fate may bring. Lord Omi (Hiroto Kanai) inquires about Kiki only to learn she is not available. Lord Toranaga has bought one week of her time. Omi believes the teahouse has been spoiled since the barbarian was there with Kiku. The woman in charge says Blackthorne’s mind was on someone else that night. Usami Fugi (Moeka Hoshi) gets a visit from her grandfather. He tells her she keeps a clean house despite the fact it’s down pouring outside. He delivers something he promised to keep safe for her when they departed Osaka.
Fuji intends to kill herself and become ashes when her service is complete as well. Her grandfather thinks she should live for their victory. Fuji isn’t confident there will be a victory though. She says they’re honored to have his son, Buntaro. Meanwhile, Saeki enjoys the hot springs while Nagakado talks about the upcoming battle with Ishido’s men. Later, everyone gathers for drinks and dinner. Mariko tells Blackthorne what’s going on all the while. Omi and Buntaro discuss the fact that Mariko has to serve Blackthorne. Buntaro argues she is serving their lord Toranaga. Nagakado asks Saeki to tell him about his father when he was young. Saeki begins telling him a story about Toranaga’s first battle. He confirms he received the courtesan as a gift. Toranaga wants to speak about their alliance tomorrow.
Saeki questions what Toranaga will offer him for his army. He tells Nagakado that Toranaga was once sent away as a hostage to ensure their alliance with the Imatani clan. He heard his brother crapped his pants when he left his mother. Saeki insists he meant no disrespect and only felt bad for the horse. He asks Nagakado whether he prefers stories, legends, or the truth. Saeki confesses he’s already received another offer. Outside, Saeki’s army blocks every road leading out of Izu. Inside, Saeki tells them what’s going on. The Council of Regents invites Toranaga to submit before them in Osaka and answer for his treachery. Toranaga is asked to deliver his response to Saeki who is their ambassador and newly appointed Regent. Saeki tells Nagakado he will be sentenced to commit seppuku for the murder of Nebara Jozen. Toranaga will submit his answer tomorrow by sunset.
The next day, Blackthorne speaks to Mariko about the possibility of Toranaga surrendering. He believes he can help. He insists doing anything is better than standing around. While Toranaga considers his options, Saeki talks to Yabu about sending his general, Igarashi, to negotiate a secret peace deal with the Council. Ishido sends what appears to be his head back to Yabu. Blackthorne learns whose crest is on the ships stationed nearby. Buntaro and the others talk about getting word to the troops in Edo. Nagakado asks his father if he’s made a decision, but Toranaga refuses to tell him. The brothel owner, Gin, wishes to speak to Toranaga who agrees to speak to her. She talks to him about living in the Willow World. He is building a new city in Edo and it could set a standard for the future. She suggests they can place the tea houses in the same place and a guild for courtesans.
Toranaga thanks her for the distraction, but he worries his future is too short for her far reaching plans. She tries to convince him otherwise. She says any spy could tell him about the arming coming his way. It doesn’t make sense he would leave his weakened garrison so exposed. Toranaga asks if she thinks this is his will. Yabu and his men go to the hot springs. Omi and Nagakado talk about Toranaga and whether he has a plan. Omi sometimes wishes they could go back to the time before the barbarian ship arrived. Nagakado argues they just need a plan. Saeki hears him and interrupts to say this hasn’t been easy for him. He says there’s no shame in thinking about one’s legacy. Yabu approaches Blackthorne. He suspects he wishes he’d died in the pot since his end would’ve been swifter. He is bound to this. Yabu doubts Blackthorne even knows how to use his sword.
He draws his and tells Blackthorne to do the same. Buntaro watches from a distance and learns Blackthorne is hopeless. He walks over and puts his sword to Blackthorne’s throat. Blackthorne tells him to do it only for Buntaro to put his sword up and walk away. Yabu claims he would’ve died if he wasn’t there. Nagakado finds Fuji practicing just in case she needs to fight. He mentions that Tadayoshi stood up for his father that day when it should’ve been him. If he had been braver, Tadayoshi and Fuji’s son may still be with them. Toranaga creates a will and gives Gin the land she wants. Buntaro approaches in front of Mariko to ask for permission to kill Blackthorne. He doesn’t like the way the barbarian looks at his wife. Toranaga believes he’d wanted to take Mariko’s head too if he thought this was true.
Buntaro doesn’t accuse Mariko so he can’t accuse Blackthorne. He apologizes before leaving. Toranaga wants to know where Mariko stands in this. He orders her to choose between the barbarian and being with him against her father’s enemies. Mariko pleads with him to free her from her cursed life. He refuses. Toranaga speaks to Hiromatsu about his first battle and Mizoguchi. Saeki arrives for his brother’s answer. Toranaga says he will travel to Osaka and submit to the will of the Council. The others try to talk him out of surrendering. Blackthorne ridicules the decision, tells them they’re all dead, and leaves. Saeki says they will leave for Osaka tomorrow. Later, he has sex with Kiku who asks if she can elevate his play. She says they have tools to enhance his pleasure. Nagakado comes in and tries to kill him. He approaches him outside.
When he tries to kill him, he slips, falls, and cracks his head open.
Shogun Review
Despite all the praise and critical acclaim, Shogun remains a major disappointment and this episode was no different with the lamest possible ending to an episode yet. All the scenes focusing on Nagakado prior to this were thrown away with the character suffering possibly the dumbest death in recent television. The writers thought they could do better with the source material, yet they’ve sucked the life and passion out of the story.
Everything that made the 80s series so great has been stripped from this. For instance, there is no build-up to the relationship between Blackthorne and Mariko so it doesn’t even feel authentic. There is no reason to care about Blackthrone, Mariko, or anyone else for that matter. Blackthorne’s journey to learn Japanese has been removed from the script eliminating the possibility for the character to authentically bond with Mariko.
Blackthorne has stopped feeling like a pivotal figure here and is only shoehorned in from time to time to ensure his presence isn’t forgotten. Even Toranaga has been dumbed down to the point he’s accepting life advice from a woman running a brothel. All the changes have significantly weakened the story and fundamentally changed what it was all about. Plus, someone should’ve told the producers that it doesn’t rain in Japan 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Then again, the colorless scenery does exemplify the overall lifelessness of the story and the characters. This episode scores a 3.5 out of 10. Recaps of Shogun are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Discuss this show and others at the Reel Mockery Forum.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
