The fight between Mariko and the spearmen was mostly for show. Ishido’s men couldn’t kill Mariko and she knew she couldn’t beat a dozen armed men. But she had to make an effort to fight them to shame Ishido into forcing a woman to physically fight.

Give Anna Sawai the Emmy now for giving one of the greatest performances ever seen by an actress or actor. As a matter of fact give her every award right now.

Ochiba means fallen leaves so the last line about leafless branch lost in the veil was a shot at Lady Ochiba

Lady Mariko dying has the same effect as Lucerys’ death in House of the Dragon. We call her Emmy Sawai in our Castle now. She was the Crimson Sky, this is her Poem: “Flowers truly become flowers, and people truly become people, because they know when to fall that's her death poem ... and the hidden meaning is to be your true self (real beauty) while realizing a death in my opinion - Mariko sees through Ochiba, even if she acts differently, cruel, trickery, sarcastic but Mariko has known her since childhood and she still is Lady Ruri who was once gentle and caring to each other in the past”

Mariko ties the sash around her legs before she (almost) kills herself so her legs don’t start flailing around as she’s dying (which was considered inelegant for a woman)

Don't worry. Ishido lost when Mariko died. Ishido fucked up

Ishido's image is absolutely wrecked. He is peasant born, so Mariko calling out his lack of manners was a sick burn. The other lords were called out for being cowards since they are afraid to leave. Mariko declaring herself the descendant of a long and proud line of Samurai who would not be denied, nor held hostage followed by attempting to leave was brutal. Osaka is not safe for the hostages because Shinobi can get in and kill noble woman. Ishido is unable to protect them, therefore he is weak. Obviously people understand what is going on behind the scenes before this, and the implied threats. But this episode just ripped the mask off, while calling out the powerful lords. Are the Lords beneath Ishido and cowards, or his equals on the consul and samurai.

YEP.. you got it. Ishido hired the shinobi, with Yabushige's help, to kidnap Mariko. That way he can claim intruders took her after he said she could go. Yabu wanted her alive, as he told her to move. So of course, she didn't want to be taken alive, she knew it was Ishido's plan, cause her death would give the same result somewhat, now Ishido can be challenged for not protecting his 'hostages' and his own home, it's a disgrace to his house and name, so let them all go, he lost.

With Mariko's death, Christian lords and famous samurai families became Ishido's enemies. This is part of what Toranaga had planned from the beginning. Toranaga had already come up with this plan when a shipwreck arrived in Izu. Mariko undestood it and played her role.

This show deserves all the awards. It's so amazing. Also, 100k to the moooon.

You guys are sooooo close to 100K. Let me offer congratulations in advance. Also, I absolutely adore Anna Sawai and I'm so impressed by what she did with this role. Mariko's emotional and dramatic arc is so complicated, and she carried it off incredibly well. I really hope we get a lot more of her in the future. She's incredible and deserves pretty much any role she wants after this.

I think Ishido, with Yabushige's help, was just trying to have Mariko kidnapped. The ninjas weren't trying to kill any hostages until one of them woke up and yelled "intruder." Also two ninjas tried to carry Mariko off instead of killing her.

This episode genuinely shocked me. I’m still shocked. I didn’t sleep well last night after I watched it. This is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, it’s astounding, I’m truly speechless. It’s just so good??? How is it even this good?????? Unbelievable. This episode got me at the edge of my seat, tense the whole way through. My nerves are still a mess… That being said the ending absolutely broke me. Feels like I’ll never be happy again haha It was such a beautiful end for her character though. Her journey is so complex and just beautiful. There’s one of the top comments here explaining all the meaning with it and it made me love the episode even more.

19:58 Hosokawa Gracia, the real-life daughter of Samurai lord and the model for Toda Mariko, left these poems as her final statement. 散りぬべき 時知りてこそ 世の中の 花も花なれ 人も人なれ means flowers are beautiful because they know when to fall. Humans should be the same. Now is the time for I falling . Hosokawa Gracia refused to become a hostage of Ishida Mitsunari and Gracia also faith to Christ and was unable to take her own life,had one of her vessels stab her chest with a spear.

In the mid-17th century, Spain had hegemony in Europe. Philip II, whose territories included Christianity and Portugal, controlled the world's maritime trade with a powerful armada. And he was trying to conquer China (Ming Dynasty) by using Japan's military power, which had succeeded in domestically producing guns. The method of increasing the number of Christian feudal lords through Christian missionary work, increasing their political power, and controlling them as territories was a specialty of Spain's world conquest strategy. At that time, Japan's silver output exceeded 1/3 of the world's trading volume, and the Netherlands, which became independent from Spain, established the East India Company and exported cannons and gunpowder to export Japanese silver. It was successful. By teaching Ieyasu about Spain's conspiracy and driving out Christianity and Spain, only the Netherlands, which pursued only profit, continued to trade with Japan even during the Edo period of national isolation.

I bawled at the end. It’s such a well written character. Specially when she gets frustrated while fighting the men, she drops on her knees crying. Such accurately written it is that you are bound to feel for Mariko. Anna Sawai NAILED IT!

Holy sh*t THIS is how you do "strong, compelling female characters". I couldn't take my eyes off her the entire episode, Anna Sawai was terrific.

Yabushige is such a traitor but the actor is so charismatic that I can’t help but sympathize for him

You have to see from Mariko’s POV, she was ready for death. The final scene was the death that actually meant something for both her masters. Toranaga and God. Self sacrifice, like a true Catholic.

25:28 "Whyyyyyy?" She knew her part well and played it to the conclusion. She was supposed to die by seppuku to incite a riot by the nobles". When that did not happen because of the permit, she found another way to kill herself to keep Toronaga's plan on track

At least dying from an explosion is instant death instead of gutting yourself open

I can see Buntaro and Blackthorn making peace with each other (at least temporarily) to wreak vengeance on Ishido for Mariko’s death.

I think everyone watching had the same reaction to her death. Complete shock

19:10 One of supporter/sympathizer of Mariko family (Akechi jinsai), he felt so SAD he beat that drum with a heavy strike that surprised even his fellow guard as well.

This is the second time that “intruders” have attacked high born “guests” at Osaka castle. This proves Ishida is incompetent. What is just as bad is that he is low born. Now, the other lords will have no reason to trust or respect Ishida.

The show is amazing and it got me to read the book it is based on by episode 6. They moved around the timings but apart from two VERY major moments, did in the end get it all packed in so far. I can only hope with one episode left that it ends on a high or adds them in! The only thing I dislike about this show is they stripped john right back to the bones, took away his agency and made him a bit whiney in the middle of the show. The book shows with certainty that he can fight (tho ofc with swords not as well) and his bravery is without question. Many characters men and women openly respect him, and behind closed doors appreciate the effort he makes to try and assimilate. Omi / Yabu / Kiku / Fuji.

Wonderful commentary as always You have proved Shogun is a terrific rollercoaster of emotion for all of us

Oh sweet summer child. When you said you have dealt with your previous episode emotions 😢😢😢😅

I think in the future Anjin will not do it for himself. But he will join Toranaga. Because of Mariko. Buntaro, despite being dumped by Mariko, thinks that in the future he will be very angry. Maybe join Anjin (Buntaro probably doesn't hold any grudges against Anjin for Anjin's relationship with Mariko). Anjin is angry. Buntaro is angry. The people of Osaka There might be an uprising against Ishido. All events. Side with Toranaga. Toranaga is toranaga. He knows how to use events that happen to his advantage. "If the bird doesn't sing, he will wait until it sings." P.S. This is all just my personal speculation.

The actual person on whom Father Arvito is based is said to have been a Jesuit trade treasurer. He must have been involved in a very deep dark side (slave trade). He's a little different from the character in this drama. But this kind of character suits him very well. However, it is also fun to look at the history and compare it with such real people. What Yabushige did was normally beheaded. Normally, after such a betrayal, Yabushige would not be allowed to commit seppuku with honor.since it is a TV drama, there are compliance issues, so I imagine the end result will be seppuku or being killed.

22:10 The Archer in me giggles, "Phrasing". The long pause at the end was brilliant editing.

Turns out it was a blowout🎉

25:33 Love that you acknowledge that Martin is a fashion icon😂

You know it's gonna be a good one when you gotsta pop in on Yutaka to see his reaction.

anna sawai just pulled a crimson sky and secured every damn award she could. Even in the episode after this, they talk about how damn amazing she is

I think the “leafless branch” poem is a message to Lady Oshiko because I read somewhere that her name means fallen leaf.

I've watched so many reactions to this episode, and you folks are the only people to realize the Crimson Sky plan was for Mariko to push the rules unto death so that it would incite a rebellion. Mariko dying was always part of the plan. I thought they made that clear, but you two seem to be the only people who got that.

I would gladly help, leafless branch in the cold.. is the same interpretation of weakness and vulnerability and or too weak but to rely on other to survive the harshness of cold (challenges)

Ending was so sad 😢😢😢

Both of you expressions was exactly mine when the explosion happened.

Yabushige betrayed him. I wanted him to come back at the end, but with Mariko's death, he doesn't have any excuses anymore. Yabushige seems to be popular in America, but I get the impression that he always plays bad roles in Hollywood movies. He is also good at playing such funny roles. If you are interested in Tadanobu Asano's other works, please check out the movie ``Mongol'' in which he starred. He plays Genghis Khan. He speaks all Mongolian. He is a hard worker. This is also an amazing movie.

She was crimson sky all along

Guys...this is some Jon Snow bullshit going on, my soul screams SOMEBODY CALL THE RED WITCH...I don't want to accept it, honestly. So heartbroken. This was not what i was expecting honestly. Thank you for your reaction!

Marikoooo!!!! RIP😢 So mad how they gave us a false sense of relief by stopping Mariko from taking her own life to just have her sacrifice herself at the end and die anyway. But I know her death serves a greater purpose.

About seeing certain characters as villains. Lady Ochiba is bang on the money on the fate of her son, should Toronaga win. Yashubie is basically attempting the same moves Toronaga used in his younger years to reach the position he has now. His true shortcoming is that he failed (or was unlucky). And Ishido isn't the only one using hostages. Guess whose castle is full of those to ensure loyalty as well ... I think western audiences will learn something Blackthorn only realises when the dust is settled. Not a single one of the Japanese leaders cared or needed any help from anyone from Europe. He was a pawn moved where he needed to be to stir up the Christian lord's and keep the Portuguese guessing (and away from interfering). Let's not forget Toronaga was 100% ready to sacrifice Blackthorn at 2-3 occasions in the show (even more in the book). With only circumstances or other people preventing that. No one of whom he talked to cared at any time about his big offer/plan about going after the Black ship. The reason Toronaga send the canons back? Those are immaterial for what is to come. Even if they were theoretically a game changer they had not enough of the nor enough infrastructure around them to make them worth anything but a prop tool in their game of politics before the actual warfare. And anyone who reads up the real historical events will know the probability of Toronaga getting aid from a christian army ...

Her being dead is the whole purpose of this Osaka trip. She’s loudly protesting Ishidos power game. The whole reason is make the other people to think, who Ishido is. Tranagas plan was to gather everyone who are siding ishido because of the hostage situation, to go against Ishido. So killing mariko needed to happen. As ochiba said, there’s gonna be many people who are not happy about her death. That’s the plan. I think those ninjas were sent by toranaga. That’s why they didn’t kill toranagas ladies and baby.

An incredible tribute to the OTHER Season 1 / Episode 9 on Game of Thrones when Nedd Stark lost his head....

見ながら話してて内容に集中できるのかな

Game of thrones all over again

😢

Saved just to get blown up 😢

I’m sure a whole lot of y’all Crimson Cried. Welcome to the Crimson Herring. Despite my criticism in previous episodes about how Mariko the wife continued to handle her domestic affairs, especially after how the truth of as to why she was kept alive has laready been revealed; I do have all the respect in the world for Mariko, the Retainer. She fulfilled her duty and managed to say out loud what every Lord in Osaka was feeling but were too afraid to say. And she was committed to everything to the end. (Minor Tangent: I am happy the gate scene was not a "girl-power mopping the floor with all those men" moment) Now all of Osaka's Lords are soured against Ishido; and Ochiba might have to put the engagement on hold in order to Mourn Mariko. Her mission is a success. Speaking of which, it’s so heartwarming and heart breaking that “Leave us” scene between Mariko and Ochiba. I'm Happy Ruri-hime did not just outright hate Mariko for being her father's daughter; but their exchange was so heartbreaking as they both knew each other so well and what the other was doing and them pleading with each other to make the step to end the hostilities, and saying their goodbyes like that... it was made clear: Ochoba was willing to do anything to continue on living, while Mariko was samurai through and through and was trying to convince her that the duty is what is most important. The fact that Ochiba-Sam’s had to turn away to hide her tears and she can’t maintain her mask )9 fold fence) was just Gold. i think I'm sweating through my eyes. And Blackthorne finally doing the right thing and deciding to Second Mariko, instead of just dismissing all of Japan's customs and cultures as BS , that was the best gift he could have ever given her. So much so that despite my misgivings about Mariko the wife; their last night of intimacy was completely EARNED; despite all your valid concerns which I mostly agree with.🥹🥹🥹 And thankfully, Ishido stepped in, because Blackthorne was already shown as not capable of properly wielding that sword. Yabushige's betrayal was to Kidnap Mariko AND not lay a hand on any of the VIPs (it was shown on screen that Shizu and Kiri was not killed when the shinobi identified them in their sleep). They need to make it look like some bandits or assassins got to her while she was sneaking off in the evening despite getting her permits: that was why the shinobi did not kill her right away, but rather were trying to take her away. Mariko became aware of this right away and chose where to meet her end: she did not go to the gate where she would get captured as Yabushige intended. Having grown up there with Ochiba, she knew what would happen when she chose to hole up in the store house.

You guys gonna try out last of us 2 some day?

Would love to see Fallout reactions!!!

You can say, Mariko got her back blown out. 😁

Curious question: why do you cringe at the latin song? It makes the moment sombre imho

There is no peace without war Ochiba落葉 is Nobunaga信長's niece Mariko鞠子 is Akechi明智's daughter(princess) buntaro文太郎 and mariko鞠子 fight and die for toranaga虎永 As a result, it helps everyone mariko fulfilled his duties as an official in place of his father. If you keep toranaga alive, there will be peace

this is not american bs

Worse than Ned's death in 1.9 of GoT. She IS this show. But I guess there's just one more episode and no more seasons, so whatever. But it sucks.

25:33 I'm dying 😂

lady ochiba said if mariko dies, those in the castle will revolt, and if she is freed and let go, they are going to ask to leave too, and indeed they did ask to leave... but mariko made the decision to end her life, and made her death twice as valuable to those she serves, in that now the people in the castle won't just ask to leave, but also will revolt. two things ishido did not want to happen. the people yabushige let in who are ishido's men, did not intend to kill mariko, but to hold her hostage, but mariko gave up her life to end those plans.

They Glenn’d us.