One of the most popular series of this first part of 2024 has come to an end: the final word has been written on the stories of Shogun, FX series based on the namesake 1975 novel written by James Clavell and in turn inspired by real events. The last episode However, it left some viewers perplexed.
WARNING: Contains spoilers for the ending of Shogun
What do those scenes that open the episode and which feature an elderly person mean John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis)? Why does Toranaga smile at the end? And what was his real plan in the end? These are some questions that the public asked themselves after seeing the final episode of the series edited by Rachel Kondo And Justin Markssome of which have a precise answer and some of which do not.
To begin with: in the end yes, it was all Yoshii Toranaga’s planthe busho and lord of Kanto played by Hiroyuki Sanada and destined to become Shogun of Japan. Inspired by the character of Tokugawa Ieyasuhis intentions have become cloudy in recent episodes but have finally been revealed: the plan Crimson Sky in fact, it did not foresee a direct attack on Osaka and the Council of Five Regents, but was much more subtle. Thanks to the sacrifice of Mariko (Anna Sawai)Toranaga managed to break the unity of the regents but above all to bring them to his side Ochiba No Katawife of the late Taiko e mother of heir Yaechiyo.
Raised together with Mariko, she was deeply shocked by the death of the noble Catholic inspired by the real life Hosokawa Tamako. For this reason, Toranaga is confident that when his army meets Ishido’s in the Battle of Sekigahara, the latter will find himself without the support of his heir and therefore delegitimized in his war. At that point, Toranaga will have an easy time conquering power, becoming Shogun and moving the center of power to Edo, as he has always wanted to do to guarantee an era of peace for his country.
A plan that he himself confesses to traitor vassal Yabushige before helping him die during his seppuku. It is thus revealed that Toranaga, despite keeping his distance, planned everything: Mariko’s death was the true fulcrum of the Crimson Sky plan and he, without getting his hands dirty, guaranteed himself a victory that is predicted in advance. Furthermore, he was the one to sink the anjin ship John Blackthorne, again as part of his plan.
The Englishman’s presence ensured that his enemies were distracted, while he now needs him to remain in Japan to build a new fleet. John thought he was using him for his own purposes, but it’s always been the opposite. But what do those scenes mean then in which we see him aged, blind, on the verge of death? in his dear Englandin the presence of some grandchildren and holding hands Mariko’s crucifix in your hands?
This can’t be a flash-forward, because in the same episode we see the same character pay homage to Mariko’s death by dropping that same crucifix into his hand. The meaning of those scenes must therefore be sought in the title of the episode “A dream within a dream“: John Blackthorne only imagines leaving Japan and living a life that, however, would always remain linked to those years, to Toranaga and Mariko. On his deathbed, he only seems to think back to those events and this is why he probably “graciously” accepts the new task assigned by the future Shogun. Even in his dream he can’t forget Japanso she begins to accept the idea of never leaving him again.
A decidedly different ending from the one hypothesized in episode nine, because that gesture on the sand had made us think of a definitive break between the anjin and Japan. However, we had not taken into account the Machiavellian plans of Toranaga, who seems to control the wind as he pleases (or is only capable of studying it, as he specifies). In any case, it seems that we will have to make do with these readings of the ending: in fact, one does not seem to be foreseen second season of Shogun.
What do you think? Did you like the series released in recent weeks? Tell us your opinion, as always, in the comments.
Read also: Shōgun is extremely historically accurate… except for this detail
Photo: Disney+
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
