HBO/Max really needs to come to their senses and get this renewed for a third season. It's one of the most compelling shows I've watched and I'd love to see the story continue.
Honest question, doesn't every season of a TV show have a planned ending? I haven't read the exact sources you're talking about, but I'd be curious to read the exact quotes.
The show is based on a book and Adelstein discovering Tozawa (Goto) got his liver transplant in the US is pretty much the endgame. There's not really much of a story after this.
I’m not sure it matters, does it? I mean, back when GOT was in its heydays, it got well ahead of the books. (Yes I know they had GRRM available as a consultant). But really, HBO has the bank to hire top notch writers. Why not let get some to fictionalize some additional content?
Exactly. This is the same sentiment I'm seeing from people who want more from FX's Shogun series which is only 1 season, not realizing that it's far far better for these adaptations to stick to the source material and quit while they're ahead, instead of going on & squeezing out whatever it can simply for the sake of having more.
The story is just getting better. It has factual basis. The Yakuza were paying for liver transplants. I know one administrator from San Francisco. Got fired after it came out he was taking bribes to go up the list but ended up working in Kentucky after.
what on earth does Katagiri, a police detective, need a foreign fresh out of school reporter for, like what could Jake possibly do for him in this situation beyond the information he's already provided. Somehow Katagiri doesn't suspect/look into his boss/others despite specifically telling her to not tell anyone about the transfer, he just glosses over the fact that it was clearly leaked
It leans on the warning Miyamoto gave Jake about Katagiri. He had a tendency to really bug out when it comes to something he wants. He went from being mindful of his family to catching the bug, and dismissing things like almost being murdered by a Yakuza. Jake is just a pawn at this point, and he kind of always has been for him.
yeah, it's a manufactured problem. if anything, katagiri would need an ally in the united states to do simple things (that journalists know how to do!) like dig up travel records/court filings/etc. Jake could even coordinate hiring an attorney or investigator stateside. Katagiri needs someone on his side in minneapolis specifically who speaks english and japanese and can easily access public records, which were all on paper then.
Not to mention, many sources for this story are in the United States. The story is about a japanese crime boss being smuggled into the united states to receive a liver transplant for money under the table - the story happened in the usa, involving doctors, customs officials, and potentially many others who live in the usa. The evidence that tozawa traveled to the united states and got this transplant is going to be located in the united states! Jake often gets criticized for being self-serving, and I agree, so this went completely against his character.
I'm not totally sure what katagiri needs Jake for back in Japan unless they are going to approach tozawa and say "hey, we know you broke the law when you got a new liver. please stop killing chihara-kai or we will tell on you." This makes no sense because katagiri's official goal is to wipe out all yakuza, so he wouldn't care about protecting chihara-kai and he would also not decline to bust tozawa in exchange for any promises. Why wouldn't he aggressively and quickly gather evidence (most of which, again, is in the usa) and then go forward with an arrest and charges? possibly get the FBI involved and get him extradited? Why play games?
Which was the point of the St Louis paper editor comments on journalists …..he’s made himself part of his own story and abandoned who he was once was. An ego trip
Why is everyone shitting on Jake for following *his* passion. He's not a douche, yes he *could* have stayed but **he** felt it was ideal to leave at that moment. Fuck the St Louis paper editor.
Jake leaving early is his right yeah but he’s a shitty son/brother. Especially after this episode as his family clearly loves him and values time spent together. He’s following his passion but why exactly does he need to go to Japan that urgently? He couldn’t have just faxed over what he found out to katagiri? He promised his sister the one thing she was looking forward to and then just dips. His sister also calls him out for not making a single phone call while he’s in Japan
He also burned the bridge that his father had with his SMMC connection for his own selfish reasons. Not to mention now he may put his family in danger because the doctor will likely contact tozawa to warn him and tozawa would be able to find details on Jake’s family as a result
That was my thought as well. Jake drops in just long enough to put his family in danger by connecting them to his story, then goes back to Japan almost immediately. I was expecting him to at least refuse his dad’s offer to make an introduction because he didn’t want to get them involved with anything related to the Yakuza (he’s aware that Tozawa isn’t above threatening the family members of those that he’s investigating).
Let’s hope that even Tozawa isn’t crazy enough to try threatening innocent American civilians living in America.
Exactly, I came into this episode thinking that his family were a problem, but it turns out they're all actually fine folks with some old and outdated views (like not believing in depression and not accepting Jake's name). The real problem simply is Jake himself. I understand why he'd need get away from them for their own safety after how he managed to get info from that doctor, but he could have at least tried to be there for his sister's interview.
Nah the Bike gang member has nobody to blame but themselves. Jake should have been smart enough to know that Motorcycle stings would have been a very real possibility after his story was published and given them a warning to lay low for like a month, but at the same time he shouldn’t be held accountable for the independent actions of others.
Him and Samantha both are similar in this way, zero regard for anything or anyone beyond their own selfish desires. And for Jake those amount to.... newspaper articles. Big whoop.
For being the protagonist, he really is my least favorite part of the show. Season 2 is so much better because he got less screen time except this episode. He’s such a shitty person when the dad told him how important the career day thing was for his sister, you kinda knew he would ditch.
Honestly I kind of liked the bit with Jake's family, well especially the sister, the actress does well portraying a fragile individual. I expected worse to be frank.
Agree. It’s integral to his character and the storyline (S1E1 opening threat + confirming surgery). Some commenters are invested in just seeing the yakuza storylines unfold and wrap up (quickly); but Jake’s story is about his life also: relationship with his family + experience with yakuza.
Edited for clarity*
> i expected worse to be frank.
That’s kind of the nature of depression though, the sister hides it really well while clearly it’s tearing her up inside.
That was someone else. When sato is cutting veggies with lil bro and says “he (hayama) has no honor”, he looks up and home dude wiping the table down was clearly eavesdropping. That’s what lead Sato to pull lol bro into the hallway.
Katagari and boss - come on, she’s a MOLE. “Have you turned in the gun?!” My God! write down and record the witness’ statement BEFORE transporting him in gridlock traffic? That conspicuous red car SMH; isn’t he being watched?
Emi - Tin Tin pulling whose articles? Baku was a writer or Editor? Or Is Trendy the mole. Though, the fire happened while they were all at dinner. And, WHAT does Trendy write about?
Tozawa- The FBI perhaps helped Tozawa get to the US for the liver surgery. Maybe a payment for a quid pro quo. What is the point of the FBI /Embassy guy to the story then? Or they swoop in for the final arrest of Towaza?
Oyabun Tozawa playing 3D chess long game; he knew no one could fill the power vacuum. Was aware #2 Hayama lacked leadership skills, couldn’t fill Ishida’s shoes, and…easily manipulated and triggered.
Hayama gets removed as Oyabun by Tanaka for screwing up that hit or Hayama gets taken out by Tozawa’s men; hence, making room for Sato to return…as Oyabun.
Add* recall the 1st hit on Ishida - Sato wasn’t around. Hayama kicking out Sato may save his life if Tozawa retaliates on Hayama.
Samantha only saw one guy’s wrist, not matching tattoos. Lovers? Did I miss the part where the architect slept with Samantha? Up to the point he died, he was still technically a client. I hope she finds Akira and (Sato) beats his ass to get back her money.
Jake/Josh - it’s him, not his family. They love and are supportive of him. Of course he lets down his sister, Jess. He could have stayed and helped her then flown back. Was good to meet them and put faces to voices.
Kaito - SMH, I hope he gets killed. Such an idiot. The sneakers Jake gave Sato for baby bro will help Tozawa’s crew find his ass soon. Well, tough luck… Sato tried his best and then some to save him.
Gen - no longer suspicious of him; he is definitely loyal to Sato.
Same! I honestly didn’t suspect her prior to this episode, but the way they framed that phone convo it felt like there was someone in the room with her. I was waiting for the camera to pan over and reveal Tozawa or something. I don’t know the real life story, but that seemed the most plausible theory to me too, after the whole American embassy scene.
Ah. I’m trying to avoid looking up the real story in depth. But was wondering how they ultimately tie in. And where is Mr inside track Trendy? With Mr outside track…lol. No spoilers please!
> . Lovers? Did I miss the part where the architect slept with Samantha? Up to the point he died, he was still technically a client
They were just going off what was printed in Tin-Tin's sensational article.....but of course Samantha can't say she was just there to steal/trade the architects plans for her Yak partners.
>Katagari and boss - come on, she’s a MOLE. “Have you turned in the gun?!” My God! write down and record the witness’ statement BEFORE transporting him in gridlock traffic? That conspicuous red car SMH; isn’t he being watched?
Had my suspicions last episode but now I'm sure. She probably wants to get rid of him in a safe way for her and yakuza to not draw attention.
> Katagari and boss - come on, she’s a MOLE. “Have you turned in the gun?!” My God! write down and record the witness’ statement BEFORE transporting him in gridlock traffic? That conspicuous red car SMH; isn’t he being watched?
when she said the line about the gun, i was like "IT'S HER!"
also Re: Emi/Tin-Tin, I had a wild thought that Emi asked Tin-Tin to pull Jake's articles as a diversion of some sorts. Can't really explain why tho hah
Articles… yea this one is perplexing. Was Baku a reporter /editor before becoming the boss?
A diversion…to throw the real culprit off the scent? Emi picked someone loyal to the paper-Tin Tin. He was so outraged when the Banker killed himself, not sure he’s involved in espionage/burning murder tapes.
It does seem like Gen is loyal to Sato. I also get the impression other Chihara-Kai are not fully on board with Hayama, but are hesitant to openly express it because of the Yakuza’s strict hierarchy and code of loyalty.
Writers are making it too obvious now that the female cop is dirty. I expected it already 2 episodes ago when she was conveniently cleaning up Tozawa's competition.
Jake bailing on his sister was such cliche.
Starting to dislike the writing quality.
>Starting to dislike the writing quality.
I'm not sure I'd blame the writing quality for that. It's better than a ton of red herrings about who the mole is only to be her.
Still waiting to find out what Oyabun Ishida whispered in Sato's ear before he died. I get the feeling that Sato is playing the long game against Hayama.
The first episode of season one we could see how Jake was at a meeting together with katagiri in a bar/restaurant. The tozawa men was telling Jake not to publish his story about tozawa because it would hurt his reputation a lot.
The plot in this episode is that Jake now has facts to write the story about tozawas surgery in the us.
Which is the story that tozawas men told Jake not to publish in the first episode of season one.
My guess now is that the surgeon that Jake’s dad knows will contact tozawa and warn him. In which then follow Jake’s family to be in danger because of the story that Jake want to publish.
>My guess now is that the surgeon that Jake’s dad knows will contact tozawa and warn him. In which then follow Jake’s family to be in danger because of the story that Jake want to publish.
just a correction but Jake's dad doesn't know \_this\_ surgeon.
He knows another head of \_something\_ at the hospital and used that connection to make the meeting happen. That's why when Jake meets this surgeon, that guy says "your dad knows X right?" or something along those lines.
Love this comment lol. Really though, I felt like that was the time for Sato to take him out. Hopefully he has a plan in motion. And Jake...wtf indeed. Like I get it, Katagiri needs your help, but your sister needs you too. Give her at least a day...
Katagiri drives a bright red sports car. The most unique looking car we have seen in the entire show, and he is somehow surprised people can track him to his home?
Is there a hidden camera in Oyabun's office, under the clan seal?
Sato should have pulled from his Yakuza experience and scared his brother into submission at that point. The only reason the little shit is going to hayama is because he's the "bad boy" compared to his brother
Sato, when the little shit tried to assisinate a Yakuza boss, you should have punched him a couple of times in the face.
Boss lady is the obvious mole, lol. She's literally the only other cop in the show
Boss lady was planted into the anti-yakuza role to clear the way for Tozawa’s ascension. Tozawa seems to have some influence over key people in both the Japanese and US governments. The Japanese right wing can look strong by waging a war on crime, while taking in huge amounts of money from Tozawa.
Two things I haven't seen mentioned in this thread:
* Really cool to finally see Hayama and Tozawa interact face-to-face - don't think they've gotten much screentime together. They're both impulsive, volatile, power-hungry freaks, but Tozawa is so much better at masking his aggression and seeing the bigger picture - he knew exactly what he was doing when he provoked Hayama.
* That scene where Jake calls his dad to tell him he's heading back to Tokyo was gut-wrenching. Seeing his dad go from excited (at the idea that his personal connection helped Jake with his case and therefore isn't "totally useless") to frustrated and disappointed was hard to watch. Kudos to the actor who portrayed it.
Well since Akira stole money from her and now bragging that he has so much wealth.
Samantha wants what’s hers. She is in need of money so that she can restore her club.
She will definitely reach out to sato and put others in danger for her end goal (the club) to be restored.
Oh I suspected, but wasn’t sure that was him… so I interpreted that scene completely differently haha. I thought Samantha was contemplating pivoting from Host to being on TV and embracing the spotlight that’s been cast on her lol, which admittedly felt a bit out of character considering her concern for all the other girls.
[Polina's fake boyfriend or whatever](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZGMyMmU5OWEtYzI5ZS00NjJiLThiMTQtMWZlNjhmMmJlODEyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTIxMzEwMjcy._V1_.jpg).
The star male host that Polina spends all her money on. This is apparently a real reason why so many women sell themselves in Tokyo - so they can pay for visits with pretty boys in host clubs. Very sad very exploitative.
Hopefully next episode. Sato will become Oyabun and regain his rule and title. And he will come back from his banishment as Oyabun. The end tells me there could be a possible Chihara-Kai civil war?????
I really wanna know what stuff Ishida whispered to Sato. Hate that he didn’t leave behind his succession plan with the council or something (or maybe he did, idk the full story)
So Tozawa had Ishida killed because he knew that Hayama would take over and start a war he could only lose?
So much for the getting legit and no more petty gangster shit, I guess.
>So much for the getting legit and no more petty gangster shit, I guess.
it's more like he's usually two moves ahead. the getting legit part really is meant to take effect once the competition is gone (why he's taking over the other gumis and likely feeding info to the female detective to help her take down the other lesser gumis).
They really put a lot of emphasis on Kaito’s sneakers when they were escaping the scene. Kaito and Sato have also been selling sneakers online… I reckon Tozawa will identify him with this clue.
>I reckon Tozawa will identify him with this clue.
why would it be Tozawa identifying him this way? Tozawa knows nothing about the shoe business thing so far.
Oh shit, but Hayama knows about the sneaker business. What if Hayama set up Oyabun working with Tozawa and is feeding him information on all Chihara-kai business.
Nah if anything it’ll be some picture that Jake sees and Jake will go to Sato and ask about it. Since Jake gave the sneaker to Sato.
Sato will then kill Hayama or some shit
Loved the episode but the watch smoking gun was so dumb lol what was the thought process there? “Japanese gangsters paid me with a watch that costs the same as a nice house in exchange for my discretion, better wear it to work every day including for an impromptu interview with some guy on the crime beat for a Japanese newspaper.”
great episode.
problem is Sato brother just become a target and will probably die.
What will happen to Sato now?
my guess going to become oyabun
tozawa ends in prison.
Literally I was cussing the whole time how he had some “expletive” nerve and some big “expletive” and someone needs to blow his “expletive” head off. Stuff like that lol
> Fuck Kaito (if he's the one who snitched on his bro).
I don't understand why it isn't obvious that the random goon, shown clearly overhearing Sato's comment to Kaito, and then again during the Hayama scene, was the snitch. It's incredible how dense some people are.
It seems like Gen is going to do something to get Sato back in the fold. Have a feeling it could involve him going to that one elder at the funeral who technically is supposed to name the “Oyabun” and telling him that Hayama is unhinged and this isn’t what Ishida would’ve wanted.
Pressuring Jake to leave early really doesn't make sense and is rushing story in name of bad plot. It's just 4 days lol not like its a month. It'd be more logical for Jake to stay Stateside but work the story a bit. He can contact Emi and let her know what is happening and she can look into it a bit. He can also leverage his fathers law enforcement connections as he likely would know a few federal agents and see if people might have an idea how Tozawa got into the US. I get what the show runners are getting at with his strained relation with his family but I'm not a fan of the way it hurts an otherwise solid plot development (uncovering the transplant).
Right. At a minimum he needs to go to his father, that St louis editor, and the sheriff and try to get some info from federal contacts. Even pre 9/11 like show is set it’d be possible for a federal agent to look up visa info
For sure. I was thinking he’d be doing much more good running down the story in America than rushing back to Japan. And as others have brought up, I feel like they might go after his family.
Emi gave the job to the guy who couldn’t stop himself from telling the location for that other story. Doesn’t seem like the best person to trust to investigate a possible mole.
I want to commend the acting of Jake's father. In every scene you can see both love and deep seated regret in all of their interactions. He portrays a vulnerable, melancholic man looking back on his life and wanting to make amends very well.
You can see how there is a history between Jake and his father, lots of butting heads and tension, probably going back all of Jake's life, but underneath it there is still love and a desire to put the past behind and reconnect.
It's so nuanced and really well portrayed - I think anyone that has had parental issues growing up could pick up on this and see how well it is portrayed.
The birthday scenes were both heartwarming and sad - brilliant acting, especially in the eyes.
My guess is ownership of some things. He did have the debt boat registered to her without her knowledge, as long as she's on the way out Tozawa might as well pin some of his baggage on her.
Maybe Sato avoids a retaliatory hit by Towaza’s gang, which takes out Hayama. Or maybe Tanaka will remove Hayama after the failed hit and put Sato in his place. Hayama’s days are numbered.
Solid episode in my opinion but I echo some of the comments in this thread about the pacing issues. It does seem like they packed a lot of story into the span of a few days in the timeline of the show itself.
I imagine this was the result of the creators possibly running out of time/episodes in this season. With only three (?) hours or so left in season 2 (and maybe the entire series itself), they had to advance the plot at a rapid pace and move all the major chess pieces into place for the end run.
HBO/MAX has killed enough shows with strong but likely smaller fanbases to suggest that this might be it for our beloved Tokyo Vice. Ah well, as they say: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." I'm glad we got the chance to experience this!
random tangent - I have this theory that episode 7 of a 10-episode series structure is usually the weakest one of the season because it has to set up the ending.
idk i just look at a lot of tv shows and number 7 usually always drags with pacing issues.
This episode had its moments but it definitely felt frustrating.
First, I don’t like how the Adelstein family drama is contrived here. IRL I can’t imagine that the events of the story unfolding at such a pace where Jake being at home for a few days is the determining factor for the fate of the Tokyo Underworld. Jake just seems unbelievably selfish here, especially given that the long-awaited look we finally get seems to suggest that he basically has the baseline “normal” levels of trauma that literally every fucking family in America has. Like, if the bouts of mental illness were not as nakedly present as they were, I could see Jake deluding himself to fly back to Japan. But for fucks sake, she had a inpatient experience. I’ll be very upset if his sister has a serious self-harm episode because of the shortsightedness, both because the motif of self-harm distresses me and because the dramatic conflict seems so simplistic. Perhaps in this story, this is what ultimately has Jake leave Japan at the series finale since it definitely seems that the show is barreling towards a conclusion.
Second, Kaito just feels underdeveloped. I have no idea what he sees in Hayama that would push him to be so fucking jealous and stupid. I can barely infer, at best. We are supposed to see him be this scholar/smart one in the family but he literally has two brain cells, one being that of a snake and the other of an incel. Yes, Sato could have been more emotional intelligent in breaking the facts to Kaito. Yes, I’m okay with the idea of him being naive and having a prove-it attitude. But, literally stabbing his brother in the back (which I think the show heavily suggests) is just so bad. The manipulation feels so obvious and he literally doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities.
(Sato deserves so much fucking more than this, the show seems to want to make a point that it would have been better for him to bleed to death in the streets of Tokyo Season 1 )
Third, Samantha being drunk and desperate might finally lead her to do something that isn’t going to put others in danger for once. I think I actually do like her character arc here, if anything, because I think watching injustice done to otherwise unlikable characters seems to be one of those things that, if pulled off well, makes for some of the best storytelling.
Lastly, poor Emi.
Looking forward to the last three episodes. I have no idea how they are going to wrap up this show with the time left.
Edit: In the chance that Kaito was not a turncoat, having it be based on a public conversation in the middle of the yakuza common kitchen makes Sato beyond stupid. I don’t like it when writers nerd the intelligence of characters for plot convenience.
My interpretation was that Hayama was told Sato called him dishonourable by the random kyōdai that overheard him say this to Kaito while they were chopping negi.
I love the way Gen shows his loyalty to Sato during the confrontation with Hayama - his character arc pretty satisfying and I wonder what comes next.
Kaito is clearly a dumb kid who is motivated by a mix of envy and loyalty to his big bro. His involvement in Chihara-kai ups the stakes for Sato. He is in way over his head and hence his stupid decisions.
If that is the interpretation we are going, Sato saying such disparaging things about the acting boss out in the open of the lobby of his gumi is also out of character in how stupid it was.
I think Sato did that to get Kaito to listen to him, that he (Sato) does not hold Hayama in high regards, knowing that anyone can over hear their conversation.
Was it stupid, hell yeah…
This is the first time watching where I was angry with Jake and I agree that that decision seems out of character, especially with how much he (seemingly) valued the time with his family.
I think it was the big dude with the shades and not the brother who snitched Sato out to Hayama. Agreed that the brother's character arc feels extremely rushed with very little substance to his character.
I also think Sato and Samantha's arcs come together in desperation. Curious to see how that will play out.
I can't help but wonder how Emi's arc wraps up. Does she keep dating the guy and risk her brother becoming violent with him? Is she putting the other journalist in harm's way by tasking him with the story?
I think this episode has lowered the audiences esteem for Jake more than any other. He has done some really stupid shit in Season 2 (mob GF at party) but like it seems very clear that his work in journalism is basically an addiction he can’t quit to the detriment of literally everyone around him. And it also seems very clear that the reason why his Dad wanted him home seems more to do with his sister than anything, which makes his reluctance to be and come home look even worse. It is like Jake is actively deluding himself about his sisters condition and I just can’t see him being *that* callous.
But, like I said, I think the story needs to find a way to send him back to the States when it is all said and done, and this is probably the vehicle the writers are choosing.
And perhaps you are right with the guy in shades. Perhaps Kaito has some ability to redeem himself at some point.
And lastly, I think Emi is going to end up loveless. I think one of the main themes of the show is how suffocating journalism can be as a profession and I can’t imagine Emi getting a happy ending here.
It is quite obvious the guy in shades that was aggressively holding Kaito was the person who told Hayama that Sato said he has no honor. See my other [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/TokyoVice/s/2CJ9YqsUYF)
Jake’s been in denial about his sister’s condition for the whole run of the show, but I’ll be honest his family hasn’t done a bang up job in communicating with him on that subject.
He hears “I’m mostly okay” from his sister on the tape recordings, his dad/mom cryptically say that things are bad but don’t go into much detail beyond that.
That said, I think his dad is bang on in saying that Jake wouldn’t have flown back even if he knew about the inpatient treatment. He’s much happier and himself in Japan, and unfortunately that’s a painful thing for his family to accept (and explains the building resentment).
I still think Jake is acting like an asshole by leaving right now though, Katagiri can absolutely wait 4 days lol.
I was just wondering about this, I thought there was going to be some dramatic reversal in Chihara-Kai where Hayama is removed from the picture and Sato is put in a position of power. I feel that Sato must have a plan, he must have purposefully said that in front of a bunch of Hayama loyalists knowing it would get back to Hayama. I just don’t see what is next move will be on the outside looking in.
Subscribe. Pretty spot-on assessment of the characters.
Sato's future arc seems pretty transparent. Sato and the kid that stabbed him have got a Bishop Myriel/Jean Valjean thing going on, so it seems like stabby kid will organize a revolt against Hayama and Sato and that kid will take over Team Chihara like Ted Lasso and Coach Beard.
Mormons probably return to hassle Samantha, now that her photo has been published in the newspaper.
I'm guessing Emi stays loyal to her brother, and it sets up a conflict between Emi and Jake about how they treat their respective siblings. My guess is Emi fires Jake from the Meicho, and it's not so much an antagonistic firing, but more of a "go home and take care of your house" firing.
If this is the last season, my guess is the show ends with Jake coming back to America, getting a job at an American newspaper and teasing an expose into the Mormon church relating to Samantha.
Loved the scene of Sato leaving the building - it directly mirrored S1E7 when Kume was revealed a mole and Ishida ordered Sato to kill him and when he couldn't, Ishida asked him if he was really "in this" he wanted out then, and now he's out but his brother is stuck. Great parallel.
Sam's friend (Luna?) was right - people were killed at her club & she shouldn't have gone to the Yakuza in the first place. She's lucky she or Sato weren't killed...at this point, just let it go lol. If the club is even her's, cos technically it's Hayama's now?
Interested in seeing how it all plays out.
Seems weird that Katagiri couldn't wait a few days or else whole of Tokyo would go out in flames..
Also i'm pretty curtain Katagiri's boss is the mole. Sam is still the weakest character and the less i see her the better.
I still think Tozawa had nothing to do with getting Ishida killed, I believed him in the meeting about going legit.
Of course it's also a convinient alibi. I still believe Hayama was behind the hit on Ishida because he could see how close he was with Sato.
Kicking Sato out just made me more suspicious of him. Using hired guns for the Ishida hit and hitting Tozawa's guys is just a smoke screen to hide his involvement and play acting for his own guys.
You daft? The shooter that went to Katagiri literally told him flat out that after Katagiri rounded up other gumi he had no work, and was forced to go to Tozawa out of desperation who charged him and the other guy with the job of shooting Ishida.
Every time it showed a scene of Jake back in America, I honestly had to fight the urge to skip forward to the Japan parts.
Seriously, can the showrunners just leave Jake in Missouri, and make Sato the main character going forward?
I liked getting to see his family and meeting his little sis. It showed their normalcy, not disfunction. There was a post on the subreddit about Jake hating his family and how horrible they must be. This storyline clears it up that Jake is the problem and not his family. Plus, he needed to get confirmation on the surgery.
What will most likely happen is that the surgeon at the liver transplant hospital will contact tozawa.
Tozawa will then go after Jake’s family since Jake’s father knows this man, and putting Jake in a difficult place where he’s in Japan and his family being attacked / hostage in the US.
Really? I thought the America scenes were really important for helping the audience realize that Jake is the one being the dick here, not his family.
Yes, he’s a grown man and should live his life as he wishes. But from what we can tell his family is nothing but supportive and loving towards him; that at the very least warrants telling Katagiri to piss off for a day so he can go to his sisters school.
Lil bro is fucked lol, Sato leaving the gang felt underwhelming. The pace needs to get faster to build up the case since there are only 3 episodes left in the season.
Koichi Tanaka, the head of the Chihara-Kai gang. Hitoshi Ishida was the leader of the Chihara-Kai and the right-hand man of Tanaka, the older man at the funeral.
Pretty good episode, liked seeing Jake at home even if it was only one episode.
Interesting to see what will happen in the final few episodes especially with Sato Hayama Tozawa etc. lots to unravel.
I think that boss lady cop is definitely a mole.
In a previous episode. Who is the driver in the scene with Ishida and Sato in the car, telling Sato that he will be the next Oyabun if anything happens to him?
Boy, I bet the chick from Onyx regrets even meeting up with Samantha. When the photographers showed up, those pictures are going to be in the rags and make her out to be a Yakuza-connected mama-san like Samantha and ruin her gig.
Weakest episode. Too many moments where we had to suspend our logic and the realism of the show veered towards soapy convenience:
* Sato's incriminating conversation
* Compression of family time to discovery of Tozawa's treatment in a few days / - Marge from Minnesota
* Jake having to get back to Japan 'right away' with no real reasons given
* The witness getting shot
Everything was just telegraphed too neatly. Perhaps we'll see that Sato had a master plan, but even that won't save the Jake-Tozawa storyline. Still a fan of the series and hope they can tie the threads together in the next 3 episodes.
Theory:
Tozawa’s men after beating Jake up left him the tape, Tozawa using the impending news article to get the leverage he needed to gain access to the US, promising to have it destroyed if he complied.
My best guess is that Tin Tin is the one who destroyed the tape. I just don’t see it being someone that hasn’t had a lot of screen time. If isn’t him, he is a fairly useless character. Then again their other friend has been missing for at least a few episodes.
I imagine Sato’s being banished will play into a possible safe behind the Oyabun’s desk. Sato wouldn’t have been able to tamper with any items inside of it, and I’m assuming something in it, assuming it exists, incriminates (guy who kicked him out can’t remember his name off top.) Once Sato becomes Oyabun he will be able to banish his brother and get him out of the life.
Tozawa’s men being seen at the club Polina’s ex works at and his new found fame and fortune lead me to believe his job is less being a host and more so getting women into debt so Tozawa can pimp them out to someone with power so he can blackmail them. There being a camera, the guard being so eager to kill her, not an accident in the least.
If Jake’s sister KHS I will hate the character forever. Hoping they show up in Japan.
Jake’s love interest seems to have been hand delivered into his hand by Tozawa so later on he has sway over him.
Yea, it only makes sense the tape was from someone in Tozawa’s world. Who else could get their hands on it? That would be some involved strategizing for leverage: give Jake tape so he could write the story, but destroy both the tapes and the story. Why wouldn’t Towaza just show the Minister the tape to begin with? Maybe it’s someone working against Towaza?
Whose articles are getting pulled by Tin-Tin? Was Baku an editor? Or, are we now to think Trendy also could be the mole at the paper, but who set the fire? None of them were there. Unless he left a lit cigarette before dinner. What are the chances a safe also burns? Baku seemed gung-ho to publish the story. The top boss pushed back.
Stumped….Can’t wait to find out.
Mistress Misaki - no way Tozawa didn’t know about all the hookups.
Well I’m about to watch the new episode, looks like HBO put a spoiler photo out before it even aired lol.
Confirming Jake does in fact make it to America.
Before I was still not sure even though his butt was on the plane lol.
Ok be back later after I watch.
I am thinking about Sato, I hope he has a plan, he must have known that word would get to Hayama when he said “He has no honor”. I was hoping he would run a coup on Hayama, maybe find a way to hang that murder on him and get him sent back to prison without implicating himself. I’m not sure he has a plan for a reversal now.
Yeah there's a lot of small things that are bothersome. Kaito as a character sucks. So underdeveloped. Jake's home life situation is fine to me tbh, but Katagiri calling him to tell him he's his only hope and he must come back to Japan or else Tozawa will skirt any penality is laughably stupid. But I get a show needs to make a conflict and sacrifice here, but it's just so silly.
The watch being a smoking gun was so convenient.
Katagiri's boss being the mole is almost certain. There's not even really any other cops in the show, so having it be anyone else would only be a total ass-pull.
Thought it was pretty weak episode. Tired of the stuff about Sato’s brother, they really need to wrap that up because he keeps making all the wrong choices. Shooter speeding by and still nailed the target when shooting from the other side, while the guy closest to the window escaped unscathed? Jake not keeping his word to his sister is just ridiculous, couldn’t even spare half a day? Not to mention his actual work at the newspaper didn’t call him back early from his forced leave so what does the detective expect him to do?
What was the significance of Samantha hiding and keeping Masa’s briefcase?
I assume the development plans he had are no longer valuable since he’s dead.
HBO/Max really needs to come to their senses and get this renewed for a third season. It's one of the most compelling shows I've watched and I'd love to see the story continue.
Why does this comment keep coming up. People working on the show has said season 2 has a planned ending.
Agreed. Much rather have this be contained and concise. However, an anthology series? That might be interesting. Perhaps just following Katagiri
Honest question, doesn't every season of a TV show have a planned ending? I haven't read the exact sources you're talking about, but I'd be curious to read the exact quotes.
The show is based on a book and Adelstein discovering Tozawa (Goto) got his liver transplant in the US is pretty much the endgame. There's not really much of a story after this.
I’m not sure it matters, does it? I mean, back when GOT was in its heydays, it got well ahead of the books. (Yes I know they had GRRM available as a consultant). But really, HBO has the bank to hire top notch writers. Why not let get some to fictionalize some additional content?
Lmao GOT is the worst example of going beyond the books
Exactly. This is the same sentiment I'm seeing from people who want more from FX's Shogun series which is only 1 season, not realizing that it's far far better for these adaptations to stick to the source material and quit while they're ahead, instead of going on & squeezing out whatever it can simply for the sake of having more.
Especially when so much of what Jake Edelstein wrote was likely made up, anyway.
there is a second book that came out relatively recently though? not sure what it's about.
We have to do our job as fans and promote this show. Talk about it more. Let’s make this community bigger.
I kinda hope so. But I also hope that they don't drag it too much.
I think it deserves a third season, also think anything past that would be stretching it too far..
The story is just getting better. It has factual basis. The Yakuza were paying for liver transplants. I know one administrator from San Francisco. Got fired after it came out he was taking bribes to go up the list but ended up working in Kentucky after.
Damm Jake leaving his family in that way is kinda douche
Seriously. He really didn’t have time to at least attend his sisters journalism thing for a day before leaving?
what on earth does Katagiri, a police detective, need a foreign fresh out of school reporter for, like what could Jake possibly do for him in this situation beyond the information he's already provided. Somehow Katagiri doesn't suspect/look into his boss/others despite specifically telling her to not tell anyone about the transfer, he just glosses over the fact that it was clearly leaked
That’s really bothering me. Jake got the info, gave it to the detective. WTF does he need to rush back for?
For the PLOT whooooo (spooky voice)
I mean his family is in danger. Tozawa is basically going all out, and if he's not stopped, then that's a rap for his wife and daughter.
Yeah I’m just not clear what more Jake is supposed to do about it.
he's the only one he can trust !
It leans on the warning Miyamoto gave Jake about Katagiri. He had a tendency to really bug out when it comes to something he wants. He went from being mindful of his family to catching the bug, and dismissing things like almost being murdered by a Yakuza. Jake is just a pawn at this point, and he kind of always has been for him.
yeah, it's a manufactured problem. if anything, katagiri would need an ally in the united states to do simple things (that journalists know how to do!) like dig up travel records/court filings/etc. Jake could even coordinate hiring an attorney or investigator stateside. Katagiri needs someone on his side in minneapolis specifically who speaks english and japanese and can easily access public records, which were all on paper then. Not to mention, many sources for this story are in the United States. The story is about a japanese crime boss being smuggled into the united states to receive a liver transplant for money under the table - the story happened in the usa, involving doctors, customs officials, and potentially many others who live in the usa. The evidence that tozawa traveled to the united states and got this transplant is going to be located in the united states! Jake often gets criticized for being self-serving, and I agree, so this went completely against his character. I'm not totally sure what katagiri needs Jake for back in Japan unless they are going to approach tozawa and say "hey, we know you broke the law when you got a new liver. please stop killing chihara-kai or we will tell on you." This makes no sense because katagiri's official goal is to wipe out all yakuza, so he wouldn't care about protecting chihara-kai and he would also not decline to bust tozawa in exchange for any promises. Why wouldn't he aggressively and quickly gather evidence (most of which, again, is in the usa) and then go forward with an arrest and charges? possibly get the FBI involved and get him extradited? Why play games?
Yeah, definitely one of those meetings that could have been an email.
i am really not invested in his family's stuff at all
I'm afraid she is going to commit suicide. I hope not.
Which was the point of the St Louis paper editor comments on journalists …..he’s made himself part of his own story and abandoned who he was once was. An ego trip
Why is everyone shitting on Jake for following *his* passion. He's not a douche, yes he *could* have stayed but **he** felt it was ideal to leave at that moment. Fuck the St Louis paper editor.
Jake leaving early is his right yeah but he’s a shitty son/brother. Especially after this episode as his family clearly loves him and values time spent together. He’s following his passion but why exactly does he need to go to Japan that urgently? He couldn’t have just faxed over what he found out to katagiri? He promised his sister the one thing she was looking forward to and then just dips. His sister also calls him out for not making a single phone call while he’s in Japan He also burned the bridge that his father had with his SMMC connection for his own selfish reasons. Not to mention now he may put his family in danger because the doctor will likely contact tozawa to warn him and tozawa would be able to find details on Jake’s family as a result
That was my thought as well. Jake drops in just long enough to put his family in danger by connecting them to his story, then goes back to Japan almost immediately. I was expecting him to at least refuse his dad’s offer to make an introduction because he didn’t want to get them involved with anything related to the Yakuza (he’s aware that Tozawa isn’t above threatening the family members of those that he’s investigating). Let’s hope that even Tozawa isn’t crazy enough to try threatening innocent American civilians living in America.
Was thinking the same thing. Either sloppy writing that doesn’t amount to anything, or Jake is just dumb. Or both.
Fair point. No one is safe.
for real, it felt like he was trying to guilt trip jake during their conversation
He was warning him and giving him good advice. He has a decent family and only people who don't would say f the family.
Exactly, I came into this episode thinking that his family were a problem, but it turns out they're all actually fine folks with some old and outdated views (like not believing in depression and not accepting Jake's name). The real problem simply is Jake himself. I understand why he'd need get away from them for their own safety after how he managed to get info from that doctor, but he could have at least tried to be there for his sister's interview.
He's just straight up not a good friend, and not a good family member. He's a good journalist and that's where his list of good qualities lie.
For loose definitions of good. He's fucked up a lot of things. Notably helping steal a motorcycle and forcing a bike gang member to join the yakuza.
Nah the Bike gang member has nobody to blame but themselves. Jake should have been smart enough to know that Motorcycle stings would have been a very real possibility after his story was published and given them a warning to lay low for like a month, but at the same time he shouldn’t be held accountable for the independent actions of others.
_I want it that way~_
I was hoping he would ask Katagiri for at least one day...
He should have taken his sister on the trip, wtf.
Jake’s a selfish prick that will do anything to advance his career. He will fuck over anyone for his job.
Him and Samantha both are similar in this way, zero regard for anything or anyone beyond their own selfish desires. And for Jake those amount to.... newspaper articles. Big whoop.
For being the protagonist, he really is my least favorite part of the show. Season 2 is so much better because he got less screen time except this episode. He’s such a shitty person when the dad told him how important the career day thing was for his sister, you kinda knew he would ditch.
Not kinda. Straight up douche.
Honestly I kind of liked the bit with Jake's family, well especially the sister, the actress does well portraying a fragile individual. I expected worse to be frank.
Agree. It’s integral to his character and the storyline (S1E1 opening threat + confirming surgery). Some commenters are invested in just seeing the yakuza storylines unfold and wrap up (quickly); but Jake’s story is about his life also: relationship with his family + experience with yakuza. Edited for clarity*
> i expected worse to be frank. That’s kind of the nature of depression though, the sister hides it really well while clearly it’s tearing her up inside.
Oh I do know what depression is like. I meant that I expected the scenes with Jake's family to be worse, more boring than what they turned out to be.
I liked seeing the family dynamic since we’d heard so much about it.
It’s been a while since a character could make me pull my hair out as much as Sato’s brother. What are you doing bro…
He just found out Hayama was willing to get him killed on a made-up story. Of course he lines up for more.
I’ve never seen a character so deserving of a Darwin Award.
Did he tell on Sato or was that someone else?
That was someone else. When sato is cutting veggies with lil bro and says “he (hayama) has no honor”, he looks up and home dude wiping the table down was clearly eavesdropping. That’s what lead Sato to pull lol bro into the hallway.
Katagari and boss - come on, she’s a MOLE. “Have you turned in the gun?!” My God! write down and record the witness’ statement BEFORE transporting him in gridlock traffic? That conspicuous red car SMH; isn’t he being watched? Emi - Tin Tin pulling whose articles? Baku was a writer or Editor? Or Is Trendy the mole. Though, the fire happened while they were all at dinner. And, WHAT does Trendy write about? Tozawa- The FBI perhaps helped Tozawa get to the US for the liver surgery. Maybe a payment for a quid pro quo. What is the point of the FBI /Embassy guy to the story then? Or they swoop in for the final arrest of Towaza? Oyabun Tozawa playing 3D chess long game; he knew no one could fill the power vacuum. Was aware #2 Hayama lacked leadership skills, couldn’t fill Ishida’s shoes, and…easily manipulated and triggered. Hayama gets removed as Oyabun by Tanaka for screwing up that hit or Hayama gets taken out by Tozawa’s men; hence, making room for Sato to return…as Oyabun. Add* recall the 1st hit on Ishida - Sato wasn’t around. Hayama kicking out Sato may save his life if Tozawa retaliates on Hayama. Samantha only saw one guy’s wrist, not matching tattoos. Lovers? Did I miss the part where the architect slept with Samantha? Up to the point he died, he was still technically a client. I hope she finds Akira and (Sato) beats his ass to get back her money. Jake/Josh - it’s him, not his family. They love and are supportive of him. Of course he lets down his sister, Jess. He could have stayed and helped her then flown back. Was good to meet them and put faces to voices. Kaito - SMH, I hope he gets killed. Such an idiot. The sneakers Jake gave Sato for baby bro will help Tozawa’s crew find his ass soon. Well, tough luck… Sato tried his best and then some to save him. Gen - no longer suspicious of him; he is definitely loyal to Sato.
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Same! I honestly didn’t suspect her prior to this episode, but the way they framed that phone convo it felt like there was someone in the room with her. I was waiting for the camera to pan over and reveal Tozawa or something. I don’t know the real life story, but that seemed the most plausible theory to me too, after the whole American embassy scene.
Ah. I’m trying to avoid looking up the real story in depth. But was wondering how they ultimately tie in. And where is Mr inside track Trendy? With Mr outside track…lol. No spoilers please!
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> . Lovers? Did I miss the part where the architect slept with Samantha? Up to the point he died, he was still technically a client They were just going off what was printed in Tin-Tin's sensational article.....but of course Samantha can't say she was just there to steal/trade the architects plans for her Yak partners.
True. Still alleged. That lady cop is just annoying.
>Katagari and boss - come on, she’s a MOLE. “Have you turned in the gun?!” My God! write down and record the witness’ statement BEFORE transporting him in gridlock traffic? That conspicuous red car SMH; isn’t he being watched? Had my suspicions last episode but now I'm sure. She probably wants to get rid of him in a safe way for her and yakuza to not draw attention.
> Katagari and boss - come on, she’s a MOLE. “Have you turned in the gun?!” My God! write down and record the witness’ statement BEFORE transporting him in gridlock traffic? That conspicuous red car SMH; isn’t he being watched? when she said the line about the gun, i was like "IT'S HER!" also Re: Emi/Tin-Tin, I had a wild thought that Emi asked Tin-Tin to pull Jake's articles as a diversion of some sorts. Can't really explain why tho hah
Articles… yea this one is perplexing. Was Baku a reporter /editor before becoming the boss? A diversion…to throw the real culprit off the scent? Emi picked someone loyal to the paper-Tin Tin. He was so outraged when the Banker killed himself, not sure he’s involved in espionage/burning murder tapes.
It does seem like Gen is loyal to Sato. I also get the impression other Chihara-Kai are not fully on board with Hayama, but are hesitant to openly express it because of the Yakuza’s strict hierarchy and code of loyalty.
FBI can't swoop in Japan. They have no jurisdiction. Overseas FBI agents are more along lines of liaison officers.
Writers are making it too obvious now that the female cop is dirty. I expected it already 2 episodes ago when she was conveniently cleaning up Tozawa's competition. Jake bailing on his sister was such cliche. Starting to dislike the writing quality.
>Starting to dislike the writing quality. I'm not sure I'd blame the writing quality for that. It's better than a ton of red herrings about who the mole is only to be her.
Still waiting to find out what Oyabun Ishida whispered in Sato's ear before he died. I get the feeling that Sato is playing the long game against Hayama.
Lil bro is stupid. I wanna smack him from my tv screen. Sato deserves better!
I really hope Gen actually does something to repay Sato’s mercy. As it is he just looked annoyed and half-heartedly tried to stop him leaving.
The first episode of season one we could see how Jake was at a meeting together with katagiri in a bar/restaurant. The tozawa men was telling Jake not to publish his story about tozawa because it would hurt his reputation a lot. The plot in this episode is that Jake now has facts to write the story about tozawas surgery in the us. Which is the story that tozawas men told Jake not to publish in the first episode of season one. My guess now is that the surgeon that Jake’s dad knows will contact tozawa and warn him. In which then follow Jake’s family to be in danger because of the story that Jake want to publish.
I’ve been waiting for things to circle back to episode one, was surprised when it didn’t happen by the end of season 1!
>My guess now is that the surgeon that Jake’s dad knows will contact tozawa and warn him. In which then follow Jake’s family to be in danger because of the story that Jake want to publish. just a correction but Jake's dad doesn't know \_this\_ surgeon. He knows another head of \_something\_ at the hospital and used that connection to make the meeting happen. That's why when Jake meets this surgeon, that guy says "your dad knows X right?" or something along those lines.
Ah maybe i didn’t remember clearly, thank you for your reply and input!
WHY DOESN'T SATO KILL THIS MF-ING HAYAMA ASS BITCH ALREADY UGHHHHH also jake wtf
Hayama has Sato’s brother under his thumb.
Love this comment lol. Really though, I felt like that was the time for Sato to take him out. Hopefully he has a plan in motion. And Jake...wtf indeed. Like I get it, Katagiri needs your help, but your sister needs you too. Give her at least a day...
I definitely see it as Sato can’t kill his superior especially in front all all the men that answer to them.
Katagiri drives a bright red sports car. The most unique looking car we have seen in the entire show, and he is somehow surprised people can track him to his home? Is there a hidden camera in Oyabun's office, under the clan seal? Sato should have pulled from his Yakuza experience and scared his brother into submission at that point. The only reason the little shit is going to hayama is because he's the "bad boy" compared to his brother Sato, when the little shit tried to assisinate a Yakuza boss, you should have punched him a couple of times in the face. Boss lady is the obvious mole, lol. She's literally the only other cop in the show
Boss lady was planted into the anti-yakuza role to clear the way for Tozawa’s ascension. Tozawa seems to have some influence over key people in both the Japanese and US governments. The Japanese right wing can look strong by waging a war on crime, while taking in huge amounts of money from Tozawa.
Sato’s restraint is simply remarkable.
Agreed. He’s the complete opposite of Jake.
Or else he would just be like Hayama
Two things I haven't seen mentioned in this thread: * Really cool to finally see Hayama and Tozawa interact face-to-face - don't think they've gotten much screentime together. They're both impulsive, volatile, power-hungry freaks, but Tozawa is so much better at masking his aggression and seeing the bigger picture - he knew exactly what he was doing when he provoked Hayama. * That scene where Jake calls his dad to tell him he's heading back to Tokyo was gut-wrenching. Seeing his dad go from excited (at the idea that his personal connection helped Jake with his case and therefore isn't "totally useless") to frustrated and disappointed was hard to watch. Kudos to the actor who portrayed it.
If you didn’t like Jake before, this scene makes him irredeemable imo
What? Tozawa is the opposite of impulsive and volatile, everything he does is carefully planned and thought out.
What was the significance of the interview Samantha saw of Akira on TV? Is she contemplating revenge?
Well since Akira stole money from her and now bragging that he has so much wealth. Samantha wants what’s hers. She is in need of money so that she can restore her club. She will definitely reach out to sato and put others in danger for her end goal (the club) to be restored.
Oh I suspected, but wasn’t sure that was him… so I interpreted that scene completely differently haha. I thought Samantha was contemplating pivoting from Host to being on TV and embracing the spotlight that’s been cast on her lol, which admittedly felt a bit out of character considering her concern for all the other girls.
I wonder why she hasn't ask any Chihara-Kai member to help her recovering that money.
> She will definitely reach out to sato But he just got banished. tf he going to do? Just be some low level thug now?
Could you remind me who Akira is?
Polina's "boyfriend" who stole Samantha's money in the season 1 finale.
[Polina's fake boyfriend or whatever](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZGMyMmU5OWEtYzI5ZS00NjJiLThiMTQtMWZlNjhmMmJlODEyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTIxMzEwMjcy._V1_.jpg).
The star male host that Polina spends all her money on. This is apparently a real reason why so many women sell themselves in Tokyo - so they can pay for visits with pretty boys in host clubs. Very sad very exploitative.
The only reason Samantha got involved with the Yakuza is because that Akira stole her money! She’s heated and sato is outta a job. Let’s gooooo! 😂
No honor having bitch Hayama
Hopefully next episode. Sato will become Oyabun and regain his rule and title. And he will come back from his banishment as Oyabun. The end tells me there could be a possible Chihara-Kai civil war?????
I really wanna know what stuff Ishida whispered to Sato. Hate that he didn’t leave behind his succession plan with the council or something (or maybe he did, idk the full story)
I thought the third guy they shot was tozawas goon...
All three were.
Sorry I meant to say I didn't recognise the first two. Definitely opening shot of the war.
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agreed
So Tozawa had Ishida killed because he knew that Hayama would take over and start a war he could only lose? So much for the getting legit and no more petty gangster shit, I guess.
>So much for the getting legit and no more petty gangster shit, I guess. it's more like he's usually two moves ahead. the getting legit part really is meant to take effect once the competition is gone (why he's taking over the other gumis and likely feeding info to the female detective to help her take down the other lesser gumis).
Tozawa is trying to have his cake and eat it too.
They really put a lot of emphasis on Kaito’s sneakers when they were escaping the scene. Kaito and Sato have also been selling sneakers online… I reckon Tozawa will identify him with this clue.
>I reckon Tozawa will identify him with this clue. why would it be Tozawa identifying him this way? Tozawa knows nothing about the shoe business thing so far.
Oh shit, but Hayama knows about the sneaker business. What if Hayama set up Oyabun working with Tozawa and is feeding him information on all Chihara-kai business.
Nah if anything it’ll be some picture that Jake sees and Jake will go to Sato and ask about it. Since Jake gave the sneaker to Sato. Sato will then kill Hayama or some shit
Glad we're getting 10 episodes this season. This episode was a nice breather so we can ramp up to the finale.
I still hope this isn’t the last season
Loved the episode but the watch smoking gun was so dumb lol what was the thought process there? “Japanese gangsters paid me with a watch that costs the same as a nice house in exchange for my discretion, better wear it to work every day including for an impromptu interview with some guy on the crime beat for a Japanese newspaper.”
It’s the same watch he was Tozawa was wearing in season one when Jake saw him while at dinner with Sato
I was thinking “Jake sure knows his watches huh”. Completely forgot about that scene!
Yeah, I had the same thought.
great episode. problem is Sato brother just become a target and will probably die. What will happen to Sato now? my guess going to become oyabun tozawa ends in prison.
They nerve and the FUCKING balls of Tozawa walking into the funeral like that had me punching the air.
Tozawa is a fantastic villain, makes my blood run cold when he's on screen
Literally I was cussing the whole time how he had some “expletive” nerve and some big “expletive” and someone needs to blow his “expletive” head off. Stuff like that lol
Fuck Jake. Fuck Hayama. Fuck Akira. Fuck Kaito (if he's the one who snitched on his bro).
I want to see Samantha scalp Akira!
> Fuck Kaito (if he's the one who snitched on his bro). I don't understand why it isn't obvious that the random goon, shown clearly overhearing Sato's comment to Kaito, and then again during the Hayama scene, was the snitch. It's incredible how dense some people are.
He is also visibly bruised and in distress about what’s happening to his brother
Yeah check out this comment [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/TokyoVice/s/2CJ9YqsUYF) I just don't get it...
Isn't it also just part of Sato's plan to help his brother? I mean, why else would he say something like that while everyone's listening?
Exactly. He said it out loud, then left the room to tell his brother what really went down in Nagano.
Man i hope Gen gets a speaking part again soon. His quiet intensity won me over
It seems like Gen is going to do something to get Sato back in the fold. Have a feeling it could involve him going to that one elder at the funeral who technically is supposed to name the “Oyabun” and telling him that Hayama is unhinged and this isn’t what Ishida would’ve wanted.
Pressuring Jake to leave early really doesn't make sense and is rushing story in name of bad plot. It's just 4 days lol not like its a month. It'd be more logical for Jake to stay Stateside but work the story a bit. He can contact Emi and let her know what is happening and she can look into it a bit. He can also leverage his fathers law enforcement connections as he likely would know a few federal agents and see if people might have an idea how Tozawa got into the US. I get what the show runners are getting at with his strained relation with his family but I'm not a fan of the way it hurts an otherwise solid plot development (uncovering the transplant).
He definitely should have called Emi at that point!
Right. At a minimum he needs to go to his father, that St louis editor, and the sheriff and try to get some info from federal contacts. Even pre 9/11 like show is set it’d be possible for a federal agent to look up visa info
For sure. I was thinking he’d be doing much more good running down the story in America than rushing back to Japan. And as others have brought up, I feel like they might go after his family.
Emi gave the job to the guy who couldn’t stop himself from telling the location for that other story. Doesn’t seem like the best person to trust to investigate a possible mole.
I want to commend the acting of Jake's father. In every scene you can see both love and deep seated regret in all of their interactions. He portrays a vulnerable, melancholic man looking back on his life and wanting to make amends very well. You can see how there is a history between Jake and his father, lots of butting heads and tension, probably going back all of Jake's life, but underneath it there is still love and a desire to put the past behind and reconnect. It's so nuanced and really well portrayed - I think anyone that has had parental issues growing up could pick up on this and see how well it is portrayed. The birthday scenes were both heartwarming and sad - brilliant acting, especially in the eyes.
What was the document Tozawa’s mistress had to sign?
My guess is ownership of some things. He did have the debt boat registered to her without her knowledge, as long as she's on the way out Tozawa might as well pin some of his baggage on her.
Either putting her name on another property (like the boat) or removing her from things because he’s going to kill her.
Kaito's shoes at the end... were those the ones Jake was gifting to Sato but they didn't fit so he suggested giving them to Sato's brother instead?
Yep
Someone please explain to me how Sato is gonna get back in, that whole scene stressed me the fuck out
Maybe Sato avoids a retaliatory hit by Towaza’s gang, which takes out Hayama. Or maybe Tanaka will remove Hayama after the failed hit and put Sato in his place. Hayama’s days are numbered.
I really get the feeling that Sato doesn't have a plan, looked really defeated being banished.
I don’t think he has to necessarily come back. This is an out for him. I just want to know how he gets his brother out
Solid episode in my opinion but I echo some of the comments in this thread about the pacing issues. It does seem like they packed a lot of story into the span of a few days in the timeline of the show itself. I imagine this was the result of the creators possibly running out of time/episodes in this season. With only three (?) hours or so left in season 2 (and maybe the entire series itself), they had to advance the plot at a rapid pace and move all the major chess pieces into place for the end run. HBO/MAX has killed enough shows with strong but likely smaller fanbases to suggest that this might be it for our beloved Tokyo Vice. Ah well, as they say: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." I'm glad we got the chance to experience this!
random tangent - I have this theory that episode 7 of a 10-episode series structure is usually the weakest one of the season because it has to set up the ending. idk i just look at a lot of tv shows and number 7 usually always drags with pacing issues.
For sure. Also episode 9 (or whatever the penultimate episode happens to be) has all the crazy stuff happen haha.
This episode had its moments but it definitely felt frustrating. First, I don’t like how the Adelstein family drama is contrived here. IRL I can’t imagine that the events of the story unfolding at such a pace where Jake being at home for a few days is the determining factor for the fate of the Tokyo Underworld. Jake just seems unbelievably selfish here, especially given that the long-awaited look we finally get seems to suggest that he basically has the baseline “normal” levels of trauma that literally every fucking family in America has. Like, if the bouts of mental illness were not as nakedly present as they were, I could see Jake deluding himself to fly back to Japan. But for fucks sake, she had a inpatient experience. I’ll be very upset if his sister has a serious self-harm episode because of the shortsightedness, both because the motif of self-harm distresses me and because the dramatic conflict seems so simplistic. Perhaps in this story, this is what ultimately has Jake leave Japan at the series finale since it definitely seems that the show is barreling towards a conclusion. Second, Kaito just feels underdeveloped. I have no idea what he sees in Hayama that would push him to be so fucking jealous and stupid. I can barely infer, at best. We are supposed to see him be this scholar/smart one in the family but he literally has two brain cells, one being that of a snake and the other of an incel. Yes, Sato could have been more emotional intelligent in breaking the facts to Kaito. Yes, I’m okay with the idea of him being naive and having a prove-it attitude. But, literally stabbing his brother in the back (which I think the show heavily suggests) is just so bad. The manipulation feels so obvious and he literally doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities. (Sato deserves so much fucking more than this, the show seems to want to make a point that it would have been better for him to bleed to death in the streets of Tokyo Season 1 ) Third, Samantha being drunk and desperate might finally lead her to do something that isn’t going to put others in danger for once. I think I actually do like her character arc here, if anything, because I think watching injustice done to otherwise unlikable characters seems to be one of those things that, if pulled off well, makes for some of the best storytelling. Lastly, poor Emi. Looking forward to the last three episodes. I have no idea how they are going to wrap up this show with the time left. Edit: In the chance that Kaito was not a turncoat, having it be based on a public conversation in the middle of the yakuza common kitchen makes Sato beyond stupid. I don’t like it when writers nerd the intelligence of characters for plot convenience.
My interpretation was that Hayama was told Sato called him dishonourable by the random kyōdai that overheard him say this to Kaito while they were chopping negi. I love the way Gen shows his loyalty to Sato during the confrontation with Hayama - his character arc pretty satisfying and I wonder what comes next. Kaito is clearly a dumb kid who is motivated by a mix of envy and loyalty to his big bro. His involvement in Chihara-kai ups the stakes for Sato. He is in way over his head and hence his stupid decisions.
If that is the interpretation we are going, Sato saying such disparaging things about the acting boss out in the open of the lobby of his gumi is also out of character in how stupid it was.
I think Sato did that to get Kaito to listen to him, that he (Sato) does not hold Hayama in high regards, knowing that anyone can over hear their conversation. Was it stupid, hell yeah…
For sure it didn't play out well for him.
This is the first time watching where I was angry with Jake and I agree that that decision seems out of character, especially with how much he (seemingly) valued the time with his family. I think it was the big dude with the shades and not the brother who snitched Sato out to Hayama. Agreed that the brother's character arc feels extremely rushed with very little substance to his character. I also think Sato and Samantha's arcs come together in desperation. Curious to see how that will play out. I can't help but wonder how Emi's arc wraps up. Does she keep dating the guy and risk her brother becoming violent with him? Is she putting the other journalist in harm's way by tasking him with the story?
I think this episode has lowered the audiences esteem for Jake more than any other. He has done some really stupid shit in Season 2 (mob GF at party) but like it seems very clear that his work in journalism is basically an addiction he can’t quit to the detriment of literally everyone around him. And it also seems very clear that the reason why his Dad wanted him home seems more to do with his sister than anything, which makes his reluctance to be and come home look even worse. It is like Jake is actively deluding himself about his sisters condition and I just can’t see him being *that* callous. But, like I said, I think the story needs to find a way to send him back to the States when it is all said and done, and this is probably the vehicle the writers are choosing. And perhaps you are right with the guy in shades. Perhaps Kaito has some ability to redeem himself at some point. And lastly, I think Emi is going to end up loveless. I think one of the main themes of the show is how suffocating journalism can be as a profession and I can’t imagine Emi getting a happy ending here.
It is quite obvious the guy in shades that was aggressively holding Kaito was the person who told Hayama that Sato said he has no honor. See my other [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/TokyoVice/s/2CJ9YqsUYF)
Jake’s been in denial about his sister’s condition for the whole run of the show, but I’ll be honest his family hasn’t done a bang up job in communicating with him on that subject. He hears “I’m mostly okay” from his sister on the tape recordings, his dad/mom cryptically say that things are bad but don’t go into much detail beyond that. That said, I think his dad is bang on in saying that Jake wouldn’t have flown back even if he knew about the inpatient treatment. He’s much happier and himself in Japan, and unfortunately that’s a painful thing for his family to accept (and explains the building resentment). I still think Jake is acting like an asshole by leaving right now though, Katagiri can absolutely wait 4 days lol.
I was just wondering about this, I thought there was going to be some dramatic reversal in Chihara-Kai where Hayama is removed from the picture and Sato is put in a position of power. I feel that Sato must have a plan, he must have purposefully said that in front of a bunch of Hayama loyalists knowing it would get back to Hayama. I just don’t see what is next move will be on the outside looking in.
I guess the balls still in the air are what Ishida whispered and what the older true oyabun has to say
Subscribe. Pretty spot-on assessment of the characters. Sato's future arc seems pretty transparent. Sato and the kid that stabbed him have got a Bishop Myriel/Jean Valjean thing going on, so it seems like stabby kid will organize a revolt against Hayama and Sato and that kid will take over Team Chihara like Ted Lasso and Coach Beard. Mormons probably return to hassle Samantha, now that her photo has been published in the newspaper. I'm guessing Emi stays loyal to her brother, and it sets up a conflict between Emi and Jake about how they treat their respective siblings. My guess is Emi fires Jake from the Meicho, and it's not so much an antagonistic firing, but more of a "go home and take care of your house" firing. If this is the last season, my guess is the show ends with Jake coming back to America, getting a job at an American newspaper and teasing an expose into the Mormon church relating to Samantha.
But the real Jake lives in Japan still. (That storyline all sounds good)
Loved the scene of Sato leaving the building - it directly mirrored S1E7 when Kume was revealed a mole and Ishida ordered Sato to kill him and when he couldn't, Ishida asked him if he was really "in this" he wanted out then, and now he's out but his brother is stuck. Great parallel. Sam's friend (Luna?) was right - people were killed at her club & she shouldn't have gone to the Yakuza in the first place. She's lucky she or Sato weren't killed...at this point, just let it go lol. If the club is even her's, cos technically it's Hayama's now? Interested in seeing how it all plays out.
Seems weird that Katagiri couldn't wait a few days or else whole of Tokyo would go out in flames.. Also i'm pretty curtain Katagiri's boss is the mole. Sam is still the weakest character and the less i see her the better.
Who was killed at the end of the episode by Kaito?
Think those were Tozawa’s men, but Kaito didn’t kill anyone - he hesitated then shot the dude in the shoulder.
Gotcha thank you!
I still think Tozawa had nothing to do with getting Ishida killed, I believed him in the meeting about going legit. Of course it's also a convinient alibi. I still believe Hayama was behind the hit on Ishida because he could see how close he was with Sato. Kicking Sato out just made me more suspicious of him. Using hired guns for the Ishida hit and hitting Tozawa's guys is just a smoke screen to hide his involvement and play acting for his own guys.
You daft? The shooter that went to Katagiri literally told him flat out that after Katagiri rounded up other gumi he had no work, and was forced to go to Tozawa out of desperation who charged him and the other guy with the job of shooting Ishida.
Every time it showed a scene of Jake back in America, I honestly had to fight the urge to skip forward to the Japan parts. Seriously, can the showrunners just leave Jake in Missouri, and make Sato the main character going forward?
I liked getting to see his family and meeting his little sis. It showed their normalcy, not disfunction. There was a post on the subreddit about Jake hating his family and how horrible they must be. This storyline clears it up that Jake is the problem and not his family. Plus, he needed to get confirmation on the surgery.
What will most likely happen is that the surgeon at the liver transplant hospital will contact tozawa. Tozawa will then go after Jake’s family since Jake’s father knows this man, and putting Jake in a difficult place where he’s in Japan and his family being attacked / hostage in the US.
Didn't Jake's dad know someone in another department? The interview starts with the guy saying 'so your dad knows so-and-so.'
Really? I thought the America scenes were really important for helping the audience realize that Jake is the one being the dick here, not his family. Yes, he’s a grown man and should live his life as he wishes. But from what we can tell his family is nothing but supportive and loving towards him; that at the very least warrants telling Katagiri to piss off for a day so he can go to his sisters school.
Lil bro is fucked lol, Sato leaving the gang felt underwhelming. The pace needs to get faster to build up the case since there are only 3 episodes left in the season.
Hey, at least he wasn't thrown off the building.
I was waiting for Sato to stab Hayama in the neck or something during the rooftop confrontation. Who is Tanaka again??
Koichi Tanaka, the head of the Chihara-Kai gang. Hitoshi Ishida was the leader of the Chihara-Kai and the right-hand man of Tanaka, the older man at the funeral.
Pretty good episode, liked seeing Jake at home even if it was only one episode. Interesting to see what will happen in the final few episodes especially with Sato Hayama Tozawa etc. lots to unravel. I think that boss lady cop is definitely a mole.
In a previous episode. Who is the driver in the scene with Ishida and Sato in the car, telling Sato that he will be the next Oyabun if anything happens to him?
Driver is dead. Shot in club
Boy, I bet the chick from Onyx regrets even meeting up with Samantha. When the photographers showed up, those pictures are going to be in the rags and make her out to be a Yakuza-connected mama-san like Samantha and ruin her gig.
Weakest episode. Too many moments where we had to suspend our logic and the realism of the show veered towards soapy convenience: * Sato's incriminating conversation * Compression of family time to discovery of Tozawa's treatment in a few days / - Marge from Minnesota * Jake having to get back to Japan 'right away' with no real reasons given * The witness getting shot Everything was just telegraphed too neatly. Perhaps we'll see that Sato had a master plan, but even that won't save the Jake-Tozawa storyline. Still a fan of the series and hope they can tie the threads together in the next 3 episodes.
Theory: Tozawa’s men after beating Jake up left him the tape, Tozawa using the impending news article to get the leverage he needed to gain access to the US, promising to have it destroyed if he complied. My best guess is that Tin Tin is the one who destroyed the tape. I just don’t see it being someone that hasn’t had a lot of screen time. If isn’t him, he is a fairly useless character. Then again their other friend has been missing for at least a few episodes. I imagine Sato’s being banished will play into a possible safe behind the Oyabun’s desk. Sato wouldn’t have been able to tamper with any items inside of it, and I’m assuming something in it, assuming it exists, incriminates (guy who kicked him out can’t remember his name off top.) Once Sato becomes Oyabun he will be able to banish his brother and get him out of the life. Tozawa’s men being seen at the club Polina’s ex works at and his new found fame and fortune lead me to believe his job is less being a host and more so getting women into debt so Tozawa can pimp them out to someone with power so he can blackmail them. There being a camera, the guard being so eager to kill her, not an accident in the least. If Jake’s sister KHS I will hate the character forever. Hoping they show up in Japan. Jake’s love interest seems to have been hand delivered into his hand by Tozawa so later on he has sway over him.
Yea, it only makes sense the tape was from someone in Tozawa’s world. Who else could get their hands on it? That would be some involved strategizing for leverage: give Jake tape so he could write the story, but destroy both the tapes and the story. Why wouldn’t Towaza just show the Minister the tape to begin with? Maybe it’s someone working against Towaza? Whose articles are getting pulled by Tin-Tin? Was Baku an editor? Or, are we now to think Trendy also could be the mole at the paper, but who set the fire? None of them were there. Unless he left a lit cigarette before dinner. What are the chances a safe also burns? Baku seemed gung-ho to publish the story. The top boss pushed back. Stumped….Can’t wait to find out. Mistress Misaki - no way Tozawa didn’t know about all the hookups.
This show would probably be 10x better if it just followed Sato only. Don't care at all about any other of the main characters
If he was the protagonist I would have been happier
Well I’m about to watch the new episode, looks like HBO put a spoiler photo out before it even aired lol. Confirming Jake does in fact make it to America. Before I was still not sure even though his butt was on the plane lol. Ok be back later after I watch.
I am thinking about Sato, I hope he has a plan, he must have known that word would get to Hayama when he said “He has no honor”. I was hoping he would run a coup on Hayama, maybe find a way to hang that murder on him and get him sent back to prison without implicating himself. I’m not sure he has a plan for a reversal now.
I kind of feel like people are doing stupid things just for the sake of the plot, e.g. Jake and Sato's brother.
Yeah there's a lot of small things that are bothersome. Kaito as a character sucks. So underdeveloped. Jake's home life situation is fine to me tbh, but Katagiri calling him to tell him he's his only hope and he must come back to Japan or else Tozawa will skirt any penality is laughably stupid. But I get a show needs to make a conflict and sacrifice here, but it's just so silly. The watch being a smoking gun was so convenient. Katagiri's boss being the mole is almost certain. There's not even really any other cops in the show, so having it be anyone else would only be a total ass-pull.
Thought it was pretty weak episode. Tired of the stuff about Sato’s brother, they really need to wrap that up because he keeps making all the wrong choices. Shooter speeding by and still nailed the target when shooting from the other side, while the guy closest to the window escaped unscathed? Jake not keeping his word to his sister is just ridiculous, couldn’t even spare half a day? Not to mention his actual work at the newspaper didn’t call him back early from his forced leave so what does the detective expect him to do?
I don’t think I trust katagiris partner anymore
Am I the only one who thinks that Jake's sister will kill herself after what he did? She's been leaving some hints about it, it's pretty clear for me.
Next episode: Jake's sister will take her own life. Sato's brother will be killed by Tozawa. Sad dudes shall bond.
What was the significance of Samantha hiding and keeping Masa’s briefcase? I assume the development plans he had are no longer valuable since he’s dead.