Shogun has a lot to say and do in the span of its ten-episode miniseries. Its two-episode premiere set the stage, introduced all the major players, packed in political intrigue and excellent action, and still made time to chat. This week’s follow-up continues its standard of quality with a few stellar set pieces, new dimensions of shrewd scheming, and the formal acknowledgment of the show’s central relationship.
The latest episode, “Tomorrow is Tomorrow,” comes to the screen courtesy of Charlotte Brändström. Brändström is an exceptionally prolific TV director. She’s likely best known for several episodes of Amazon Prime’s divisive Rings of Power series. She also has credits on shows like The Witcher, Outlander, Jupiter’s Legacy, and The Continental. The episode’s writer, Shannon Goss, also worked on Outlander and the recent Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Why does Lord Toranaga leave Osaka?
At the end of episode two, one of Toranaga’s political rivals sent an assassin to Osaka to kill John Blackthorne. Lord Toranaga cleverly swapped their rooms for the night, allowing him to slay the armed ninja. Lord Toranaga readies his warriors, with Blackthorne and Mariko, to travel from Osaka to Edo. Mariko explains Toranaga’s youth as a hostage in Edo to Blackthorne. As they prepare, Toranaga dons his wife’s clothes and travels in a litter to throw off enemy assassins. When one of daimyo Ishido Kazunari’s samurai insists on inspecting Toranaga’s procession, Blackthorne throws an exaggerated fit about the sanctity of a woman’s private space to prevent the soldier from discovering Toranaga. As they travel, he and Mariko discuss England and Japan’s traditions around women, including his more prudish view of sex. They seem to share some chemistry, and her description of her husband suggests an unhappy marriage.
As Toranaga’s group marches through the forest to the docks, Kiyama and his Catholic soldiers strike. They fire flaming arrows, eliminating several samurai. Lord Toranaga is forced to reveal himself, joining the brawl as Mariko and John fight off armed warriors. Though many soldiers die, Toranaga, John, Mariko, and others survive. John reaches the crew of fishermen whom he guided through the storm in episode one. They row out to the Portuguese Black Ship, leaving Osaka without Toranaga’s permission. As they leave the shore, Mariko’s husband stays behind to cover their escape. He seems to sacrifice his life, but his death is not depicted. Toranaga arranges a deal with the captain, offering him silver and a church in Edo if they ferry him safely past the enemy vessels. Unfortunately, the Portuguese captain insists they leave Blackthorne behind. Toranaga reluctantly obliges, trading the outsider’s life for his.
How did John Blackthorne outrun the Black Ship?
Shogun follows John Blackthorne and Lord Toranaga as they pursue their mutual ambitions. Blackthorne has been a prisoner for most of his screen time, so it’s time he had a chance to prove himself. As the Black Ship leaves him behind, Anjin pilots the fishing vessel to catch up. His allies row their hearts out, but enemy rowboats wait to eliminate him. The Portuguese captain orders Spanish navigator Vasco Rodrigues to destroy Blackthorne’s boat if he comes too close. He manages to push his vessel into the Black Ship’s wake, then beyond them to seize the lead. His victory allows him to board the Black Ship with Toranaga’s blessing.
Lord Toranaga sees use in Blackthorne’s foreign techniques. He orders him to teach a military detachment to sail as he does. Toranaga appoints Blackthorne a Hatamoto, a position of honor in his retinue. With that decision, Blackthorne is finally recognized as part of Toranaga’s team, allowing him some safety. Meanwhile, Toranaga’s representative stops the other daimyo’s debate, unveiling the shockingly clever twist that they can’t vote to execute Toranaga without his presence. Toranaga resigns, stalling politics and setting the path for war.
“Tomorrow is Tomorrow” is an excellent episode of TV. Toranaga consistently reveals himself as one of the most engaging political tricksters in modern media. It’s endlessly entertaining to see his schemes play out as the nation’s most powerful schemers fall for his clever ploys. Blackthorne’s newfound respect threatens to wholly upend his character. He’s spent the past two episodes being beaten and abused. He proves his worth and secures a place in the feudal system. The episode ends with Toranaga and Blackthorne cementing their bond with a diving lesson. The two men swim together, enjoying a moment of cathartic fun between the brutal, paranoid conflict. It’s a wonderful way to pay off the official upgrade of their relationship. They still aren’t partners, and Blackthorne is still miles from a savior, but Anjin is one of the thousand moving pieces in Toranaga’s plan to survive and seize power. “Tomorrow is Tomorrow” is another excellent episode of Shogun well worth watching.
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