Shogun is a rare treat in the modern age of TV. It's not an action show, despite its excellent swordplay and dynamic combat scenes. It's a wartime drama that lives and dies on the larger movements of powerful leaders. Through the last two episodes, fans and characters have looked to Toranaga, desperate to see whether he has an answer. "Chapter Eight: The Abyss of Life" depicts the depths of Toranaga's struggle before revealing the next steps.
Director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour helmed the eighth episode of Shogun. He's best known for his well-received science fiction thriller Black Box, produced by Blumhouse as part of their Welcome to the Blumhouse collection. On the small screen, Osei-Kuffour directed two episodes of the CW's Into the Dark, an entry in Mike Flanagan's The Midnight Club, and two episodes of Netflix's The Recruit.
8 Best Historical Games To Play If You Love Shogun
Here are some fantastic historical games for fans of the Hulu/FX adaptation of James Clavell’s novel Shōgun.
How has Toranaga's army responded to his surrender?
Last week's dynamic conclusion depicted Lord Yoshii Toranaga yielding to the long-awaited requests from the five Daimyo. He agreed to travel to Osaka and submit to his seemingly inevitable execution. John Blackthorne voiced his disgust immediately, but Toranaga's other trusted confidants held their tongues. Young Nagakado attempted to overturn the decision by assassinating Saeki, but he died in the process. His inadvertent sacrifice buys Toranaga the customary 49-day mourning period, a brief stay of execution. Most of Toranaga's generals want him to reconsider, but the trip to Edo for Nagakado's funeral seems to weaken the former daimyo. He misses his son's funeral, watching the pyre burn from afar.
At every turn, Toranaga affirms his intention to travel to Osaka and surrender. This prompts Anjin to pursue other opportunities, first reconnecting with one of his former shipmates. John's old friend has suffered a considerably worse time in Japan, leading him to accuse John of betrayal. John beats him savagely, then leaves him behind. He then offers his services as a sailor to Yabushige. The Lord of Ito refuses to work under Toranaga's nose, leaving John without a plan. Yabushige does, however, oppose Toranaga's surrender. Many samurai attended Nagakado's funeral in armor as a protest. Buntaro proposes mutual suicide with Mariko, but she refuses, choosing to suffer life rather than die with her husband.
When Toranaga assembles his leaders to sign the official surrender letter, they refuse to put it in writing. Tensions come to a head rapidly as Toda Hiromatsu, Toranaga's oldest friend and closest confidant, declares that he will commit seppuku immediately if Toranaga insists on his decision. Toranaga remains unmoved. Hiromatsu slices his belly while his son, Buntaro, cleanly severs his head. The death of the beloved old general shocks Toranaga's court, prompting Yabushige to reconsider Blackthorne's offer. Despite their language barrier, they affirm their partnership and prepare to sail for Osaka. The circumstances have escalated rapidly as Lord Toranaga's situation emerges. New character dynamics keep the story engaging as the truth finally slips out.
What is Lord Toranaga's true plan?
While Toranaga's forces struggle to accept his decision, circumstances in Osaka grow similarly complex. Lady Ochiba-no-Kata allied with Ishido to clear a path for her son, placing Toranaga in danger. Her political intelligence rivaled the other daimyo, but her station remained strange. Ishido proposes a strategic marriage to Ochiba, strengthening their hand as they oppose Toranaga. Her conflicted approach hits a sudden snag as her mother, Empress-turned-Buddhist-nun Daiyoin, suffers a stroke. Daiyoin falls into critical condition. With her dying breath, the peaceful old woman implores Ochiba to surrender her hostages and end the hostilities. Her place in the series could change drastically in the coming episodes. She'll soon learn Toranaga's scenario, after the daimyo sent her the Portugeuse priest Alvito with a message.
The most critical question in this arc of Shogun is whether Lord Toranaga truly intends to surrender. "The Abyss of Life" confirms what many believed from the moment Toranaga announced his decision. Every stage of his submission has fallen carefully into Toranaga's most brilliant ruse. Lord Toranaga sacrificed the life of his son and his closest friend. He admits his cunning plan to Mariko in a quiet meeting, choking back tears as he reveals the truth. He gave everything to convince his foes that his defeat was genuine. With that admission, he sends Mariko to join Yabushige and John Blackthorne. They will sail to Osaka in his stead to enact the next phase of his plan. In the episode's crushing final moments, Lord Toranaga visits his son's grave, swearing not to waste the time his loved ones died to provide for him.
Shogun has been a tour de force since the beginning, but "The Abyss of Life" is a stunning new height for its brilliant storytelling. This remains the role Hiroyuki Sanada was born to play. He delivers landmark moments throughout this episode, met on all sides by brilliant performances from the rest of the cast. "The Abyss of Life" sets the stage for the final two episodes, which will likely deliver one of TV's finest finales.
Shogun Episode 6 Recap
Ladies of the Willow Wood explores Mariko's backstory while her childhood friend works to destroy Lord Toranaga.
