The Reel Rejects - SHŌGUN 1x06 "Ladies of the Willow World" | Breakdown & Review
Episode Date: March 27, 2024PREPARE FOR CRIMSON SKY!! Visit AsteproAllergy.com to Save on Allergy Relief!! LIQUID IV: Visit http://www.liquidiv.com & use Promo Code: REJECTS Shōgun Episode 6 Full Episode Reaction Watch Along: h...ttps://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects Continuing FX & Hulu's highly-acclaimed new adaptation of SHŌGUN with our First Time Reaction, Commentary, Breakdown, and Full Spoiler Review of Episode 6, "Ladies of the Willow World" - as the Lady Ochiba continues her grasp for power in Osaka, Blackthorn and Mariko share an intimate interlude in the Willow World, and Toranaga weighs his options for the coming conflict... John & Andrew dive into the epic drama starring Hiroyuki Sanada (John Wick Chapter 4, The Wolverine, Sunshine) as Yoshii Toranaga, Cosmo Jarvis (Peaky Blinders) as John Blackthorn, Anna Sawai (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, F9) as Toda Mariko, Tadanobu Asano (Thor, Mortal Kombat) as Kashigi Yabushige, Takehiro Hira (Monarch, Gran Turismo) as Ishido Kazunari, and MORE! How does this adaptation live up to the original book, the 1980 miniseries (starring Richard Chamberlain), and the actual history? Let's find out!! #Shōgun #Shogun #FX #Hulu #HiroyukiSanada #Miniseries #Japan #Samurai #Feudalism #FirstTimeWatching #Reaction Follow Andrew Gordon On Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Agor711 Become A Super Sexy Reject For Full-Length T.V. & Movie Reactions! https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Aparrel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Music Used In Manscaped Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG On INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcript
Discussion (0)
Whether it's a movie night or just midday,
Skinny Pop is a salty snack that keeps on giving.
Made with just three simple ingredients for an irresistibly delicious taste
and a large serving size that lasts.
Deliciously popped, perfectly salted.
Skinny Pop, popular for a reason.
Shop Skinny Pop now.
Introducing the new Volvo XC90
with seven-seat versatility.
Google Built-in.
and advanced safety features for all your precious cargo.
The new Volvo Xc90, designed for life.
Visit volvocars.com slash us to learn more.
At Sierra, you'll always find apparel footwear and gear
for 20 to 60% less than department and specialty store prices.
But right now it's clearance time,
so you can save even more on everything you need to get active and outside.
Visit your local Sierra store today.
This video is brought to you by AstuPro and Liquid IV.
So we up into the video, just want to remind y'all that Greg,
Coy Chandra, Michael Tesler, and myself will be at WonderCon the Sunday, March 31st, 2 p.m. in room 207, come say hey and check out our second annual panel.
Without further ado, let's watch the shoot.
Oh, my goodness. Well, gang, before we hop into this, please, if you're listening to this on Apple and Spotify, don't forget to rate us.
And, hey, a big thank you to the folks made this week's episode possible.
Well, that was quite, quite a thick episode.
What did you think, sir?
As always, I just loved it again, hardly any action, if really any at all.
And I'd love that we just got, what was the title again, Ladies of the Willow, something like that.
Yeah.
But, and I love that, you know, the whole thing was literally on Mariko and what's, what's her name again?
Ochiba?
Ochiba, yeah.
And again, that's literally how the...
Ladies of the Willow World.
Yeah, and it literally starts on, you know, the whole montage, that flashback, which was extremely powerful.
And I like that connection between the two that was so fascinating.
I was just so engulfed in that relationship.
I didn't realize that we were going there and just getting, you know, even...
I mean, again, I'm so invested in Mariko as it is.
and obviously the turmoil and the pain and the anguish she's gone through.
And obviously, what she, just everything she has to do in general with Buntar,
just the translating for John Blackthorn and how there's a forbidden relationship there with me.
And then obviously, you know, the mental anguish she's got to go through with Buntaro,
the services, and, you know, the faith that she has with her religion.
And then obviously, you know, her services to Toranaga.
I mean, this is a very, just fleshed out incredible character.
Now you got this incredible flashback and this relationship again.
I'm like, damn, this is such a deep character.
And then seeing this relationship with, sorry, what's her name?
I will get all these names down one day.
Lady Ocuba.
Oh, Chabah.
Thank you so much.
That was quite the reveal that her, I mean, obviously we had been told from the previous episode
that her father was, you know, the one that killed the tyco from the previous, you know,
the previous tyco before the last one.
Monaco's father.
Correct.
Thank you so much.
Yes.
So we had been told that, but actually to see that it was her father and that they were, yeah,
and that they were friends.
I'm like, oh my God, I didn't realize that.
Now we're going to have a turmoil on that they were friends.
And now there's going to be, obviously, there's bad blood between them, I would imagine.
And for her to go from that to being the mother of the heir to the successor to is like a whole other kind of twist.
Yeah, for sure. And I know like the whole first half I probably look. Well, I mean, I often look foolish in general.
But, you know, just just saying like, oh yeah, her and Toranauga, they're in cahoots. I'm like, I don't know about that because while Toranaaga didn't actually, you know, kill him.
Mariko's father did. So, but he planned it and, you know, helped him do.
At least she thinks he does.
Yeah, or that's what she thinks.
But obviously, I'm curious to see what the resolve is with her and what her end game is.
Although I have an idea, but I've been very wrong.
But I love that this show always keeps me on my toes.
My predictability is very usually wrong, which I love because everyone who knows me knows
a big pet peeve of mine is I hate stuff that is predictable.
It's just inform you like, I hate it so much.
And the show is the exact opposite of that.
It's always got me on my toes.
I'm like, I did not see that.
coming. That was one thing. I really did not see that coming with that. Again, that
relationship between the two of them and that flashback. That was incredible. I got so much
more to say. What did you think of the episode? Yeah, no, I agree. It's always really gratifying
when a show, any kind of, you know, story can grip you, yeah, with context and with just the revealing
of further information or further, you know, corners of the map we haven't quite trodden yet. And
And this show is great at that.
I mean, yeah, because you have, and it's a lot to keep track of certainly, and it makes me excited to go back and catch the finer points on a rewatch and see some of the greater nuances that underlie and underpin all these things, especially because, again, they do, you know, give you the credit to pay attention and all that stuff.
And you're on such a kind of complicated chessboard.
And despite all of that, I just feel so kind of steeped in the intrigue, the pain.
the sort of weird
resolve that rises
out of some of these traumas, you know, because
you're watching, there are so
many characters, especially the
women on this show who are
sort of like forced
to die and be reborn
almost as like a whole other person
in order to cope and survive with
you know, this world that is set up.
It's that thing she says at the end, you know,
like men go to war for various
reasons, but a woman is always at war.
And I mean, you know, you can
fight in the comments and unpack that in the in the modern sense but in a in a more you know in a
grander sense i do think that that's a really sort of interesting theme to to lay down because of
course i mean you've got someone like lady ochiba who is clearly you know making a play for power
and making a play to pull the strings and you know perhaps land herself in you know at like as
the bearer of the air you know she's already got a certain she's already managed to like climb
to a certain protected status or a certain, you know, uh, you know, status of, of great importance to
everything. And so watching her really embrace and use that after seeing what we saw in the
flashback and her kind of echoing that sentiment of like turn your eyes away from, I can't
remember the exact line, but you know, from things that you can't control. And there's so much of
that at play across all of this because so much of what we've seen thus far, I thought back to
the very first episode. It's like, you know, that guy couldn't control himself in the face of
disrespect toward his lord, you know, in Torunaga. And that's another, it's just a small, seemingly
small thing that had grave consequences that is sort of, yeah, just born of like, you either got to go
with this, this just seems like a place and time to live in where you have to have like so much
restraint and force sight and control over your emotions. And, you know, if men are subject to that
in the ways that we have seen here thus far, it seems like the women are subject to it in like a
wholly more twisted way. And this is a, you know, show that's already given us a couple characters
who are being kept alive as a means of punishment and torture in at least, you know, one
perspective or another, you know, Madako and Fuji being, you know, the two I'm directly
thinking of now. But yeah, like having this, this setup where, you know, minus a couple places
and a couple sort of situations, you know, it's mostly men calling the shots and, you know,
lording over each other and, you know, bickering and doing the politics and all that stuff. And
in this episode, I think, especially, we kind of get the glimpse into, you know,
the ways in which, you know, a lot of these characters, a lot of the, the, you know, female characters
especially have to kind of navigate around that and use, again, unspoken means to influence and
or to, you know, grasp at power. And then you think of, like, Kiku, like, all, we don't really
know that much about her even still. And yet, you know, because we have her proximity to these
other characters and stuff like that and with what we know about various other characters,
what we've seen them do in the present versus how they came up in the past.
Everyone kind of, you know, keeping an eye on the throne because, you know,
everything is up in the air right now.
It makes me all the more curious if we're going to get some kind of big reveal
or some kind of revelation with Kiku as to what her plan is
or what her motivations might be beyond, you know, being one of the willow,
one of the, you know, blossoms beneath, you know, the willow on the lake
or whatever, however they summed that up.
Right. And it was interesting seeing like all three.
I mean, obviously there's so many different things happening in this episode,
so many different subplots that were just so well done.
Yeah.
But like having the focus of those three characters and then seeing like the different, like
you have two characters who really crave power with Oceba and Kikku.
And again, I'm very excited to see like what possibly the revelation is with Kiku and her backstory
and all that too.
And then you have a character like Mariko
who is just so...
I mean, again, Ochoba has had a lot of pain
and anguish with what happened to her father
and obviously having to be...
You know, there was that interesting line with her too
with like, I looked fate in the eyes
and scratched it or something.
It was just, again, so many interesting
and wonderful lines of dial.
I don't know where these incredible writers
come up with these insane, amazing lines.
But it's just, again, interesting
seeing how they're like working up
the totem pole of power and then Mariko is just such a woman of honor and just like her journey
as well. And then I really loved that scene with her and Torinagra. He's like, he's like, why did
my father like marry me off to a man like Buntaro? And like, you know, and he's like, you,
you, you, you haven't figured it out yet after all these years. Like he like he was just setting you
up. Like his mission is not yet over. He's instilled that into you like. He set you up to carry on his
mantle. Exactly. And like, that is.
just that's just incredible writing it's just it's so layered and it's got so much emotional
depth there and like well it makes you think so many things yeah because in her position you're
like i didn't i didn't ask for that but also you know i've had to carry the the weight of shame
from you know the actions of my family before me and just like yeah there's so many different
things at play yeah and i know we're going to see i would guess there's going to be some
theories in the comments like did uh john blackthorn and kiku
Did they actually do it?
Did they consummate?
It's my opinion, and again, we can get into arguments in the common section.
I do not believe they did.
I'm curious what your theory is on that, because, I mean, obviously, we didn't see it.
That is not always the case of, oh, well, if we didn't see it, it didn't happen.
But just the fact that he's turned down so many cortisans, did I say that right?
Okay, cool.
John's always making sure I say things right, which I appreciate, by the way.
People love a grammarist.
Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much, John. I appreciate it.
But, no, I mean, he's turned down so many in the past and also, too, like, you can tell just, obviously, we know how much, like, him and Mariko just care for each other and just how much, you know, how passionate they are towards each other.
And obviously, the looks and, and there was so much subtext into how, you know, how they were speaking towards Kiku, how they were talking towards each other.
And then how they were whole kind of, like, just touching hands, like, before he walked in the room.
in my opinion there's no way they did anything so i'd be shocked if they did um even with the words
that were exchanged afterwards so um but again some incredible lines of dialogue that were uh when
they were in that room like oh we can turn the lights off and make it darker or the shadow whatever
the lines were very interesting yeah play of of negotiation across all this because you had the
the initial haggling with the the miss the madam or whatever you call it the you know
you know, the head of the brothel, you know, and that back and forward to being like, you know,
you know, charge you 500 because we're the best out there, you know.
And it's like, well, I mean, come on.
It's only for, except for Toranaga himself, is for his, you know.
Hatamoto.
Yeah, it's for his hatamoto.
It's for, you know, a friend of his who he wants to honor a little bit.
So, you know, can we cut the, and then just the, yeah, the insistence when they're there,
that there are no prying eyes that we can, you know, make it dark if you want it dark.
We can, you know, keep you in this, you know, fantasy place removed from everything else where you can kind of feel free to be at ease and be open and express and indulge and whatever else.
But you're constantly sitting there wondering to yourself like, but how secret is all of this really, you know, because I got to imagine that maybe this fortress is impenetrable, so to speak.
but you know who on the inside is paying attention you know and and where are those people taking this information and if kiku has you know as much ambition as it seems like she does right i have to imagine that yeah i mean behind the scenes there's probably a whole lot of talk that you know in again the you know transactional space doesn't get brought up to just the people passing through but i have to imagine that like you know there's a whole other life being lived behind the
the scenes here that we don't get to see.
And two, you know, since it is sort of a crossroads point, I would imagine, you know,
you never know whose information is going to come through and fall into, you know,
certain hands, especially in a privileged and intimate situation such as this one.
So it's like fascinating to think about it.
And to, yeah, and to watch yet another conversation between, you know, the engine, between
Blackthorn, Modico, and someone she's translating between them for, you know, and like the
looks, again, like there's so many great things across this show, across the different subplots
that are held in looks and body language and you're often left to wonder like, okay, what is
really being said, you know, and sometimes it's clear and other times you're like, okay, you know,
I can kind of see the wheels spinning under the surface, but I can't quite tell what conclusion is
being reached or whatever else and so like they're great at orchestrating these situations that are
so intimate but that are also uneasy and i think that's really it takes a lot of finesse to do that
and and amid a show that again has so many different layers in terms of politics culture language
you know uh various other you know sort of timeless clashes between the sexes and the classes
and all sorts of stuff you know like it's it's continually kind of tipping the
hat to the construction and the and just the uh the you know mapping out of the events and
and the emotionality shout out to ask the pro for sponsoring us so some fun facts about me i've been
seeing an en t the past couple of months got a CT scan done for my allergies and right now i'm trying
to find time to get deviated septum surgery so like many of you i am someone who's tried pretty
much every nasal spray you can think of because i have difficulty breathing through my nose which leads
to day to day and sleeping problems on a consistent basis so before agreeing to this i wanted to try them out
Because this is a serious thing I deal with. They provided me with free samples. This is my second bottle. This is without a doubt the best nasal spray I have ever used. That's not some talking point. That's my very own personal testimony.
Genuinely, for me, it's fantastic and lives up to how it's advertised. It's the fastest 24-hour over-the-counter solution available. It gets to work in just 30 minutes while other sprays take hours to kick in. It's also the only one out there that's steroid-free for 24-hour relief.
Astopro has seriously changed the game for me, offering full prescription strength relief from nasal congestion, running nose, and sneezing.
The difference this makes is phenomenal.
It's kind of insane how this relief to my breathing and nostrils just kicks in and I'm back in action really fast.
So if you're like me, battling with nasal allergies and looking for relief, get fast acne, nasal allergy or symptom relief with Astopro.
Go to Astopro allergy.com for a discount so you can Astopro and go.
It's faster with Astopro, bro.
I saw that commercial.
Astopro, it's faster, bro.
That's A-T-E-P-R-A-Lergy.
Remember, use as directed for relief of nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose due to allergies.
Thank you again, Astopro, sincerely.
All right, Reject Nation, so today I want to share something with you that has been a wonderful addition to my health and fitness journey that I discovered during the holidays, and that is liquid IV's hydration multiplier.
I'm down to my very last packet, and I'm freaking out, but it's okay.
I got more in the mail.
Now, a lot of you have been so kind to notice how I've been working on my physical health.
Thank you for all the compliments.
And one thing I learned is that proper hydration is absolutely crucial, especially post-workout and pre-filming after post-workout.
And my wife actually introduced me to this product, which is perfect because we not only care about quality, but a good taste and quality product.
Whether it's after a sweaty workout or just after, you know, a good night out, you know what I'm saying?
Efficient hydration and replenishing electrolytes is key.
You just feel better, and it tastes fantastic.
I can't emphasize that enough.
And another thing that I'm always on the lookout for, too, is products that have zero sugar or zero sugar added.
because that's one of my main dietary restrictions throughout the week.
And they, of course, got products that fit that description that also tastes good, too.
So, yes, thank you so much.
So liquid IV's hydration multiplier is, in summary, as they are a non-GMO electrolyte drink
that delivers hydration into your bloodstream faster and more efficient than water alone.
Sometimes drinking a whole gallon is not always efficient.
But in fact, it can provide the same hydration as drinking two to three bottles of water.
I'm also big on efficiency.
Plus, it's packed with a little of essential vitamins, and even we know vitamins are good for the body.
It's vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
You can customize the water amount to your taste.
Again, perfect for post-night recovery, traveling, or just having a big night out.
You know what I mean?
No, mom.
So, if you want to boost your support for the channel and boost your hydration game, go to
Liquidiv.com and use promo code rejects at checkout.
That's Liquidiv.com promo code rejects.
And remember, Liquid IV.
It's not a real IV.
But it sure feels like it.
So stay hydrated, stay healthy, and let's keep crushing those health and fitness goals together in the year
2024.
For sure.
Also, uh, one of my favorite.
are parts of the show, as I've mentioned a few times, is the relationship between
Tornaga and Blackthorn and just seeing more the development of that relationship.
I just, like, him honoring him with some gifts just to say thank you for jumping in there
to save me during the earthquake and the landslide.
You jumped in there with no intention of getting anything back in return.
You just jumped in there to save a life.
And I appreciate that.
Like, thank you so much.
And I'm not going to give you exactly what you want.
Yeah, but I'm going to reward you for this.
But again, I still.
I love that relationship.
I love all their interactions.
I just,
I find it so fascinating again.
And I also think it's interesting, too,
just watching the actual politics of it, too.
Like, again, he's not doing it for politics.
He's just, hey, I appreciate what you're doing for me kind of thing.
And then you're seeing his son.
And then you're seeing,
God, I can't.
Yeah, Yabush, Yabushige.
Yabushige's nephew, like,
you're seeing, like, them getting very jealous at this barbarian
is being lavished with gifts.
and he's got ahead of the command now and all that.
And it's just, it's like it defies logic too for them.
Yeah, it's like, hey, we've, we've been here for years.
We've paid our dues and this guy.
Holding it down.
Yeah, and this guy comes in out of nowhere.
Well, yeah, and I would equate it like for sports logic.
It's where someone just like, you've been like head of the team for like three or four
years.
You're like on the varsity.
And then this freshman just comes in.
It's like, wait, what the hell?
We've been here for years.
And this guy just comes in.
And it's like respect kind of thing.
So, I mean, I understand where they're coming from.
So it's an interesting look, you know, POV look from where, you know, their heads are at.
But again.
And on the heels of the last episode where Yibushige was like, who's army you're trying to give me commander?
Then this episode is like, it's not my army anymore.
But again, like that's not the threat.
And I understand why.
Like, it's still great writing.
But from their perspective, it's like, you all focused on the wrong thing.
Like, you got a way graver threat out there.
than worrying about a barbarian getting some lavish gifts and having a command of something he doesn't even want.
Oh, it's a wild card, though, too, you know, because it's like they obviously can, you know, he's obviously garnered the favor of Toronaga, but they also have that barrier of culture and understanding.
And so, yeah, like, I don't in a breath blame there for side-eyeing and for being sort of skeptical, but also you can easily tell that there is, you know,
self-serving layers that we have become very familiar with here is they're both, you know,
sort of upset that their viper power has not worked out, or at least their chess moves in this
most recent round have not panned out in their favor so much. Absolutely. And before I get to the
Regents, which I definitely want to talk about, I found it very fascinating. Toranagas, as we know,
he's a very intelligent character. He plays chess while other people play checkers.
He's he could tell something's up with Marico and.
John Blackthorn, so I found that fascinating to see where that's going to lead to, because
I mean, at some point, I have a feeling he's going to find out that something happened.
But again, I feel like he, like, that's the, again, another great thing is to me, that whole
scene where he's talking to her, to me that said, hey, I know, here's an opportunity for you
accompany him, you know, as a translator.
Sure, and she makes the choice to not accompany them into the quarters for, you know, the actual act.
Right.
And so she cannot, you know, translate if he, you know, is talkative whilst pillowing or however he decided to put that.
And so like, yeah, and it could be, you know, obviously it could be different.
But yeah, to me, that conversation said like, hey, look, you know, you know, Puntro was just in here being like, hey, you know, I've tortured this woman forever.
and there's just something softer and warmer
and totally unreserved for me
in the way she looks at that guy.
So I feel like he's got to know.
No, for sure.
In Toranaaga, I thought that was fascinating too
that he asked to, well, why don't you just divorce her then too?
I was like, I was not expecting to know.
Is that even an option?
Yeah, right, right.
Yeah, that was fascinating.
And for which of you is that?
It's like, is it an option for you?
And then she gets killed.
Like, I honestly don't know how that side of things works.
And most, I feel like it's from my vantage,
seems like only very recently that like divorce has become like a common thing that isn't
like disgrace your entire standing in your in your community.
But yeah, like all the little things surrounding that and even the summation of like, again,
we see there a lot of older shows obviously involve this aspect of society and brothels and
courtesons and things like that. But this has been a fascinating glimpse into that because I think
a lot of shows to pull from like a Game of Thrones or something like that, you know, you'll
cut to the brothel and it'll be basically an excuse to just have like a bunch of naked actors
on screen and, you know, you're doing something that feels like not inappropriate to like
the time and place necessarily, but often it strikes me as sort of like a, yeah, let's get
our soft core scene going. Whereas here, you know, I like that like, yes, we go to the brothel,
we confront that certainly and there is the temptation. There is the sort of,
rush of what that is. But there's something like way spiritually and in practice different about
it that's just quite striking to me. And yeah, like there's little waxes of poetry back
and forth about, you know, the ways in which you can kind of ascend to a different plane for a
brief moment and leave all these various, you know, slings and arrows of life behind and, you know,
for a perfect moment
you can synthesize with somebody
and feel infinite
and just like stuff like that
is not usually the priority
I am used to seeing out of stuff like that
and so I appreciate
that this show has just
sort of come with that examination
of like
even though I am sure
that like the way they staff
these establishments
is probably problematic
to understate it
at the same time
like the purpose
and the full
philosophy is more interesting just like the simple blunt transaction of it all.
So it's just another thing that I'm glad that this show is approaching with a certain amount of sophistication and thoughtfulness instead of just being like, yeah, let's take a break for a nude scene or something like that.
Yeah, I would have liked that more, but I mean, also fun can be fun sometimes.
Yeah, right.
No, no, no, I feel you.
It's more deep and layered than that.
I totally agree with you.
Again, very fascinating, great stuff with having the actor, I believe his name was Ido, making him the regent for Tornaga.
They replaced Tornaga with Ido.
That was very interesting.
And then you had that other region.
I'm not remembering his name at the moment.
You trade one for the other.
Yeah, exactly.
It's like, now we're back to square one.
see what you're doing.
You're trying to mess with the system here.
You're trying to game the system right now.
And again, just keeping me on my toes.
Like, finally, we've got what we've been trying to do here for the last six episodes.
Boom.
Well, and that's another sort of fascinating way to show like, yeah, even Ishido, who in the
first half of the show has felt like the antagonist or like the leader of the antagonists
in a sense now feels at least as of these couple episodes, certainly less effective or
effectual.
Because he is bound by these protocols and these, you know, is bound by ceremony and tradition and these agreements, this bureaucracy.
And on the one hand, you're like, well, you know, perhaps we need some of that for society to be society.
But at the same time, as Ochiba is, you know, making her maneuvers around, it seems like she is looking to operate on a wholly other plane for which those kinds of machinations will almost be irrelevant at some point.
Yeah. So I'm, again, fascinated to see what kind of fire that lights under the regents.
Yeah. No, she's definitely got some strings and some plans that she's twisting around.
But also, too, when we saw that that regent was trying to escape with his family, like, obviously that's what could have possibly happened to Torinaga.
Had he not, you know, escaped in such a methodical way as he did in that one episode.
So I'm glad, obviously, he got away. And that obviously sucks for that region.
who wanted to get away peacefully.
Also, too, again, them holding back on,
I think it's a wise decision
because we know with the crimson sky,
is that what they said right?
The crimson sky.
We know we've got some crazy action,
I would imagine either in the next couple episodes
or in that final episode,
I would imagine that it's going to be some bombastic,
psychotic, amazing action.
But that was an interesting transition,
how like we saw that and then the very next shot.
They're all dead,
and then you can see his fingers,
are missing. I was like, damn, they are just holding
back. The intimacy of the violence.
Yeah, for sure. But I'm like, I
just have a feeling we're going to
go like apes shit with the action.
Yeah. They were holding back. Like,
wait, we got something special
playing for you guys. Yeah, and I like that, you know,
we've had these brushes with like,
oh shit, war is definitely coming.
And I feel like they're mounting
the tension nicely. I didn't feel like,
I don't feel like thus far we've spun our wheels
at all, even though certainly the
inevitable has been prolonged to
some degree. But that's, I think, part of the tension is like watching as any moment this could all fall over and certain things happen. And, you know, when, uh, uh, uh, what's his name, uh, Nagakado does the whole, you know, attack on Joe's end. You know, you expect one set of things to happen. Certainly there are repercussions, but it's not exactly what you expect. So, you know, part of me is, is anticipating, you know, this mounting climax to be some kind of all out attack on Ozaka.
or something like that.
But yeah, I mean, you don't bring up a prospect like that
if we're not going to do some serious, you know, battle at some point.
Yeah, no, I was just going to also say, too,
in regards to Toranaga and Blackthorn,
I found that in that conversation, too,
they were talking about how the Portuguese only do things for profit.
That was a very, again, very fascinating conversation.
And also, too, you could see that Mariko was getting very defensive
because obviously she's got faith and religion.
religious and so like
and then those guys were like maybe we should
lie with Toranooga you know what I believe
can we scroll down just a little is Alvivo is that
his name Alvito sorry I really feel like
that's going to be a major downfall for the guy
who's ahead of him that I just
he never ever takes his
he's too comfortable in his status
no and I understand that but like you know
it's it's not it's not good to always just like
be comfortable in your own status like it's
It's good to take other people's info at face value and just, like, weigh the pros and cons.
You know what I mean?
And Alvito, like, whether you agree with him or disagree with him, he is cunning, as you say.
Like, he's got some good info.
I would like, he just never listens to it.
You might as well just not even happen there if you're never going to take his advice.
Like, at face value or anything, it never listens to him.
Like, this is clearly, again, great writing, but he's just going to be a major downfall for him, never listening.
this guy. I mean, he's given some sound advice so many different times. I'm like, I'm glad he's not
listening because, I mean, clearly, you know, we're meant to root against these guys, but still,
it's like. For now. Yeah, right, right. But still, it's like, it's just, it's, it's, it's incredible
to watch that this guy just never listens to him. But again, like he said, makes sense because he's so
comfortable in his standing. So, but again, fascinating. But also to, I just, I thought it was interesting,
the tension where Mariko got just so uncomfortable in the conversation because, and then, again,
that's where Tornaga was watching, like, why are you not translating? Like, what's the arguing
in the conversation here? That was, again, just the show does such a good job, like, without actual
action, like, you really feel the drama. It brings tension. Yes. It's just, it's not an easy thing to do
with, like, lots of dramatic tension. Yeah, with dialogue. It's a very difficult thing to do as a writer.
So I just absolutely praise to the show.
I know we keep praising it, but it's so damn good.
It continues to hold the bar of quality.
And too, I thought it was even, I mean, obviously it served the plot story,
but I thought it was cool, too, to spend some time like watching the,
I don't know if it was Kabuki specifically.
I'm sure there are more kinds of theatrical performance than just that.
But watching that performance and then having that segue into like,
oh, hey, we can use you as a pawn in our little.
political game.
I thought that was fascinating, too, because, again, you're watching, you know, a moment
of, of, it's, again, it's like, you're watching what by many accounts would be like a shared
communal sort of leisure activity of sorts, but at the same time, everyone's a little tense
because of the circumstances of like how we're all here and who feels like they're being
kind of politically imprisoned or not.
And also we're in the text of what is happening on stage,
like literally reviewing this traumatic piece of ancestral history.
It seemed like for Ochiba.
It seemed like they were recounting, like, actual events from her life.
Or if not, maybe I misunderstood.
And they're just things that, you know, echo very much her experiences.
But just even the layers on a scene like that, again,
from just the sheer cultural aspect to the in-context aspects are continually fascinating, beautiful.
final thing I want to say that has no bearing on the actual narration or acting or anything,
which was all fantastic in this episode.
I love that humming music that we were hearing from in the flashback.
And then also at present time, we heard her son humming that same thing.
So it's like a passed on thing through generation and generation.
I thought that was such a beautiful, like, harmony that we were just listening to.
I loved it.
Yeah.
Beautiful.
I got the feels from that.
It's simple, but striking.
Oh, yeah.
No, I really like, because you were talking about it, and I like, I was in my head.
I was like, I'm loving this.
And then you said, yes, exactly.
You were, you were reading my mind.
But it was just, again, simple, but beautiful.
And I just, I felt it was another impactful, incredible episode.
I'm sad we only have four more, but this is damn good television.
It's very good television.
I'm very excited to watch.
Just let us know in the comments.
Are you getting sick of this?
Never.
John Blackthorne.
I hope you make it to the end, boy.
Do you want to see an episode
where I just do this accent only?
Yes.
Let us know in the comments.
This is a really solid impression, man.
Oh, thank you.
I admire them.
I'm jealous.
Practice seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
You're just going to live in this character.
Marika Marigo helps me practice these lines.
I have so many questions, but we'll save those for next week.
We'll hop into your...
Sounds good, Joe.
Yes, your method to process.
Oh, yes. I'm really look forward to that next episode, John.
Well, gang, who do you think's going to make the first move?
Everyone's circling around and everyone's got their knives at the ready.
Who's what's going to pop off next week?
Aside from, don't actually spoil it if you've read the book or something.
But, but, you know, leave your speculations and we will catch you for episode seven.
Cannot wait.
Thank you guys again for just being so great along this journey and lightning us and joining the show alongside us.
It's been a real treat, and yeah, we'll catch you next week.
Much love. Be well.