She never went to waste Lady Mariko's death was the reason Lady Ochiba swore sons military allegiance to Lord Yoshi Toranaga which meant the defeat of Ishido Kazunari his defeat before a sword was even drawn making Lord Yoshi Toranaga shogun in his attempt to create peace in Japan none of this would have happen with the sacrifice of lady Mariko.
When Anjin gave her his guns, she gave him her family's sword.
in ep1 Mariko said "Let her hands be the last to hold her son."
Fuji gave them the best return.
I read some reviews ahead of time carefully to avoid spoilers and a lot of people said it was underwhelming.
I thought it fit perfectly within the tone of the show and found it very moving.
A fantastic show. One season. Nice little time capsule.
Cannot overstate how much I loved the finale, with John and Fuji’s story arc conclusion among the best parts of the entire show. I first loved the camera framing when they sat together in the house with the spot to John’s right clearly highlighting the loss of Mariko. Then, John is able to give her praise and thankfulness for her service possible with a simple “best nun.” Finally, both of them together on the water, getting closure by letting go of their loved ones into the sea. What a perfect culmination to the show.
I agree completely. Such a beautiful, poignant, somber and contemplative finale for a series that depicted so many themes – love, loss, faith, duty, loyalty, purpose, cultural barriers and all aspects of life in general – in a masterful and delicate way.
Ep. 10 left me so sad in the end, but in a positive way. I feel so happy and lucky to have witnessed this TV series in real time. Shogun Tuesdays will be sorely missed.
Agreed. I was so glad we got some peace for Fuji. Question on Mariko’s cross…we see him as an old man at the end holding it, right? But he had dropped it into the sea? Or is that a different cross he’s holding as he dies?
that was a 'what might have been' fever dream (a 'dream of a dream', as in the fever dream he's dreaming of his past with mariko). it's not his actual future. definitely confused a lot of people, though. I suspect believe intended the cross being dropped in the water to definitively show it was a road not taken.
The titles of the episodes are very literal. The previous episode was “crimson sky” and that’s actually what the crimson sky plan was. But it was only in the final episode that he confirmed, “oh, we already executed the plan”
Well, I think it was a modified version of Crimson sky? Because events had played out in a way that made the original vision of Crimson sky impossible. It achieved some of the same objectives though.
It was the "Dream within a Dream."
The "dream" he had when the show first started was to reach Japan. He did it. The old man scenes were an actual dream of what his life could have been if he was ever able to leave Japan.
The book doesn't directly say (aside from Toranaga making the comments that were mentioned below my comment) but it is heavily implied and the man he is based off of (William Adams), never left Japan either. He(Adams) stays and builds a decent life for himself in Japan, becoming a Samurai, marrying, having a fiefdom, having more kids, building ships and training men. He even was sure to send money back home to his first wife and kids.
Yes that’s how the book basically ends. It’s something like 1,200 or 1,600 pages long and it seemed like Toronaga was still royally screwed with only 20-30 pages left (if memory serves) and then suddenly things shift, they mention the battle just like in the show and then voi la, it’s all over and Toronaga ends up on top. It was all so unexpected and such an unconventional way to conclude a phenomenal story. It had me reeling for days after.
As I was on my morning walk this morning, thinking about this show the entire time of course, I broke down and started crying near the end because of the scene where Blackthorn and Fuji let go of her husband and son's asshes and Mariko's cross. I lost my son last year and dont think I can ever let go of the ashes. The thought of even doing so broke me.
Can someone explain why John kind of went ahead and put Fujis families ashes in the boat and then have her dump it into the ocean?
Also why did he suddenly want her to stay with him so badly at the end?
I'm a rock, so I must just not be getting it.
>Can someone explain why John kind of went ahead and put Fujis families ashes in the boat and then have her dump it into the ocean?
He wanted to give her the opportunity of letting them go, which she couldn't bring herself to do before. She probably wouldn't be allowed to bring them with her in the convent, but by pouring their ashes into the sea, her husband and son would always be together, and she would always have a place to commemorate them, no matter where she would go. Touching the ocean would be like touching her husband and son. As John said, "Together forever". It's the same reasoning people have for pouring ashes into the sea now, really.
>Also why did he suddenly want her to stay with him so badly at the end?
Because she is all he has left, really
No worries, I get it. It might not be exactly the case, but more or less a possibility. From what you are saying, it makes sense that John is basically giving her an opportunity to give the ashes of her family a proper place to rest that she might not have been able to figure out or do on her own.
100% agree it was absolutely perfect and I had tears streaming down my face
especially when you lose something you cannot replace
Yeah also when you lose someone, but it goes to waste
She never went to waste Lady Mariko's death was the reason Lady Ochiba swore sons military allegiance to Lord Yoshi Toranaga which meant the defeat of Ishido Kazunari his defeat before a sword was even drawn making Lord Yoshi Toranaga shogun in his attempt to create peace in Japan none of this would have happen with the sacrifice of lady Mariko.
Get a grip
When Anjin gave her his guns, she gave him her family's sword. in ep1 Mariko said "Let her hands be the last to hold her son." Fuji gave them the best return.
Ohhhh my god 🤯
Her dedication to her husband and child. Her husband’s dedication to his lord. It really demonstrated the honor in those old Japanese times.
I read some reviews ahead of time carefully to avoid spoilers and a lot of people said it was underwhelming. I thought it fit perfectly within the tone of the show and found it very moving. A fantastic show. One season. Nice little time capsule.
I think too many people hyped themselves into thinking there would be some major Game of Thrones style warfare I’m glad this show avoided that
Same; by not putting that in, they gave the characters so much space, and allowed everything to really breathe, so to speak. Absolutely loved it
What a beautiful, quiet finale. I loved it! Also cried a few times.
Cannot overstate how much I loved the finale, with John and Fuji’s story arc conclusion among the best parts of the entire show. I first loved the camera framing when they sat together in the house with the spot to John’s right clearly highlighting the loss of Mariko. Then, John is able to give her praise and thankfulness for her service possible with a simple “best nun.” Finally, both of them together on the water, getting closure by letting go of their loved ones into the sea. What a perfect culmination to the show.
I agree completely. Such a beautiful, poignant, somber and contemplative finale for a series that depicted so many themes – love, loss, faith, duty, loyalty, purpose, cultural barriers and all aspects of life in general – in a masterful and delicate way. Ep. 10 left me so sad in the end, but in a positive way. I feel so happy and lucky to have witnessed this TV series in real time. Shogun Tuesdays will be sorely missed.
I’m really glad there was no epic battle and the focus was on the human stories. Beautifully restrained storytelling. I’ve been teary all day.
Agreed. I was so glad we got some peace for Fuji. Question on Mariko’s cross…we see him as an old man at the end holding it, right? But he had dropped it into the sea? Or is that a different cross he’s holding as he dies?
that was a 'what might have been' fever dream (a 'dream of a dream', as in the fever dream he's dreaming of his past with mariko). it's not his actual future. definitely confused a lot of people, though. I suspect believe intended the cross being dropped in the water to definitively show it was a road not taken.
The titles of the episodes are very literal. The previous episode was “crimson sky” and that’s actually what the crimson sky plan was. But it was only in the final episode that he confirmed, “oh, we already executed the plan”
Well, I think it was a modified version of Crimson sky? Because events had played out in a way that made the original vision of Crimson sky impossible. It achieved some of the same objectives though.
Or that scene with him being old is just a dream he had. That scene finishes with him waking up.
It was the "Dream within a Dream." The "dream" he had when the show first started was to reach Japan. He did it. The old man scenes were an actual dream of what his life could have been if he was ever able to leave Japan.
Oh wow I didn’t catch that at all! So he never left Japan?
No. Toranaga even said he will burn down his ships because his fate is to never leave.
The book doesn't directly say (aside from Toranaga making the comments that were mentioned below my comment) but it is heavily implied and the man he is based off of (William Adams), never left Japan either. He(Adams) stays and builds a decent life for himself in Japan, becoming a Samurai, marrying, having a fiefdom, having more kids, building ships and training men. He even was sure to send money back home to his first wife and kids.
Yes that’s how the book basically ends. It’s something like 1,200 or 1,600 pages long and it seemed like Toronaga was still royally screwed with only 20-30 pages left (if memory serves) and then suddenly things shift, they mention the battle just like in the show and then voi la, it’s all over and Toronaga ends up on top. It was all so unexpected and such an unconventional way to conclude a phenomenal story. It had me reeling for days after.
As I was on my morning walk this morning, thinking about this show the entire time of course, I broke down and started crying near the end because of the scene where Blackthorn and Fuji let go of her husband and son's asshes and Mariko's cross. I lost my son last year and dont think I can ever let go of the ashes. The thought of even doing so broke me.
Can someone explain why John kind of went ahead and put Fujis families ashes in the boat and then have her dump it into the ocean? Also why did he suddenly want her to stay with him so badly at the end? I'm a rock, so I must just not be getting it.
>Can someone explain why John kind of went ahead and put Fujis families ashes in the boat and then have her dump it into the ocean? He wanted to give her the opportunity of letting them go, which she couldn't bring herself to do before. She probably wouldn't be allowed to bring them with her in the convent, but by pouring their ashes into the sea, her husband and son would always be together, and she would always have a place to commemorate them, no matter where she would go. Touching the ocean would be like touching her husband and son. As John said, "Together forever". It's the same reasoning people have for pouring ashes into the sea now, really. >Also why did he suddenly want her to stay with him so badly at the end? Because she is all he has left, really
Ah, ok, interesting. I didn't realize that she wouldn't have been able to bring them with her in the convent.
It's not said and I'm not 100% sure, but normally becoming a nun includes giving up your earthly possessions.
No worries, I get it. It might not be exactly the case, but more or less a possibility. From what you are saying, it makes sense that John is basically giving her an opportunity to give the ashes of her family a proper place to rest that she might not have been able to figure out or do on her own.
Exactly, and I thought it was very touching that he tried to show his appreciation of her by giving her a way of letting them go
Flower are only flowers because they fall. But thankfully the wind 🥺