Ladies of the Willow World

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Ladies of the Willow World", sixth episode was probably the least action oriented so far, but it did not made worse for that. This is a type of an episode that build a foundation for story to come. Yet it was a bit to slow and you can't deny the fact that it could have benefited from some tighter paced scenes. Nevertheless acting was as usually great, and settings were well done as well.

Overall, with 4 episodes left in season 1, I'm looking forward to see the outcome, even despite "Ladies of the Willow World" being a slow ride towards finale. An episode that is important for story (hopefully).

The sixth episode of Shogun, titled "Ladies Of The Willow World," focuses on the female characters, including Mariko and her mother, Ruri. Mariko's father, Lord Akechi Jinsai, murdered the previous shogun and was forced to execute his family members and commit Seppuku as punishment. In the latest episode, it is revealed that Toranaga played a role in the assassination, as he restraining Jinsai. Ochiba No Kata, who hates Toranaga, reveals that Jinsai killed her father and that Toranaga planned the assassination. She urges the regents to destroy him, but she believes Ishido cannot win. The episode highlights the importance of female characters in the shogun series. In the episode, Toranaga and Mariko discuss their unhappy marriages and the consequences of such relationships. Toranaga is unhappy with Buntaro for his actions at the Anjin's house, and he expresses his disgrace towards him. Mariko, on the other hand, shows Blackthorne a different side of life, as long, unhappy marriages can make anyone angry and bitter. Mariko explains that her father had big plans for her, but she didn't know that he married her so badly. He sent her away to keep her safe, knowing that he was about to carry out his heinous regicide. Toranaga also questions Mariko about Ochiba's hatefulness against them, and she replies that men go to war for various reasons, while women simply go to war. At the end of the episode, news of further strife in Osaka comes, and Toranaga declares Operation Crimson Sky, a plan to storm Osaka with force and form a new government with Toranaga as shogun. Ochiba believes that Toranaga may be playing a longer and more subtle game than he lets on. One of the best scenes involves Blackthorne and Mariko visiting a "Tea House" called Willow World, where they spend the night with a famous courtesan, Kiku. Mariko is there as a translator and spy for Toranaga, but rumors of her and the Anjin's closeness have preceded them. After a ritual sake pouring and discussion about the Willow World, Kiku invites both of them to the private room. Mariko declines, and Blackthorne follows the courtesan alone, brushing his hand over Mariko's hand.

This episode kicks off, showing us Mariko's past, and shedding light on what happened back then! This allows for the viewer to further understand her situation!

We qlso see how Toranaga might have been more involved in what her father did in the past, than we thought! This means that we cannot help but think, that Toronaga has agendas thatbwe are still not perfectly aware off!

Lady Ochiba also shows herself as an interesting powerfull force, not to be underrestimated! In Shogun.. femqle characters can be just as powerfull as male characters!

Once again, every scene was something og beauty that transports you to this period in time!

The ending gave me chills and I am only getting more and more excited!

The previous episodes were boring already but this one is an episode just for the ambiguous side stories. But also misses that mark; quite an accomplishment, so the writing must be so bad or underdeveloped when they filmed the scenes. The chemistry among the figures, especially between Mariko and Bloddthorne is non existent. They should get rid of the Englishman, because as it stands now, he is perceived more like an extra and hasn't contributed much to move the story forward except being a Western-Placeholder being explained Japanese customs and culture at that time. Which is btw also heavily flawed and modernized to cater a Western audience.

This show is so incredibly disappointing and jaw breaking as I find myself yawning constantly.

The main plot inches towards the inevitable showdown between Toranaga and the Regents but the real point of this episode is the development we get for Blackthorne and Lady Mariko.

Until now, Blackthorne has been something of a cypher. We know he came to Japan as a fortune-hunter and he holds animosity for the Portuguese, but that just seems like something he's inherited from his culture. Is there something more to him?

This episode exposes his core conflict: he's a man without a home. He left England presumably because of dissatisfaction with his life there, despite having a wife and children. Now he wants to leave Japan, still as antsy as ever. Is there any place he would ever feel at peace?

Not coincidentally, there are hints about the future of his currently icy relationship with Mariko. The romance plot, which everyone expects who's seen the 1980s version, is being handled with deft restraint. This is some very good writing, and avoids any possibility of the romance being forced or soapy.

Mariko's backstory gets fleshed out more but in her case, it's been pretty obvious what her struggle is: she's intelligent and sensitive in a world that makes it very hard for a woman like that. Her current husband will never appreciate that aspect of her, so she needs a new hubby, hint hint.

Put it together and you have two people whose core conflict can be resolved by the other. Maybe not this season at the pace they're going but certainly there will be a season two and beyond.