The finale of Shōgun unexpectedly takes us on a temporal leap, defying the contemporary trend. In this altered timeline, John Blackthorne's grandsons curiously inquire about the samurai attire adorning his chamber. Their queries lead us back to a haunting moment - the instant after Mariko's tragic demise in the explosion.
As John clutches her lifeless body in his arms, Yabushige stands beside, overwhelmed with remorse for his actions. The Council of Regents mourn the loss of Mariko, their hearts heavy with grief. The tide swiftly turns against Ishido, who is now cornered by the recent revelations.
Desperately, Ishido attempts to sway the council, insisting that Toranaga is the culprit behind the attack. His cunning wit is unparalleled, and he argues convincingly that no one else could have perpetrated such a heinous act.
However, Lord Ohno's voice cuts through the air, insisting that Mariko deserves a dignified burial before the armies march against Toranaga. Ishido, his face hardened, rejects the request, reminding them of her tainted bloodline. This sparks Ochiba's ire, who seems to have turned against him in this moment of crisis.
As Ishido is poised to sign the letter from Toranaga and declare his orders, a small earthquake jolts the castle, shaking its foundations. Outside, Yabushige whispers a warning to Ishido, reminding him of a similar occurrence that doomed the Taiko. The castle, once a bastion of power, now stands as a witness to the shifting sands of fate and the fragile nature of alliances.
Days after the harrowing incident, John emerges from his slumber, granted permission by Ishido to return to Edo. Accompanying him to the bustling harbour is Father Martin, whose words on the journey paint a chilling picture. He reveals to John that he was meant to be ambushed in the dense woods, destined to perish. However, it was Mariko's selfless sacrifice that spared his life. She brokered a deal with the church, offering the destruction of his ship as a bargain for John's survival. As they sail back to Edo, the wreckage of his vessel stands as a testament to her courage.
John's face betrays the anguish within. The loss of the woman he loved, coupled with the overwhelming guilt of owing her an insurmountable debt, weighs heavily on his heart. Upon their arrival, the atmosphere is tense as Yabushige is apprehended. It transpires that one of the maidservants, present during Mariko's passing, overheard Yabushige muttering guilt-ridden whispers to himself.
Murijo fills John in on the Christian raiders who struck in the dead of night, their mission to destroy his ship. In an effort to uncover the perpetrators, Toranaga has cast the entire village under suspicion. He commands Yabushige to perform seppuku the following day, and in a twist of fate, Yabushige selects Toranaga as his "second." Toranaga's joy knows no bounds as he finds his son in Shizu's care, offering her his heartfelt gratitude for safeguarding him.
Lady Kiri hands over a secret letter she received from Lady Ochiba, a missive that holds the potential to alter the course of their destinies. As the evening draws to a close, Fuji宣布s to John that her service to Toranaga has reached its conclusion. She plans to depart Ajiro the next day, embarking on a journey to become a nun.
In a thrilling and tense encounter with Toranaga, John demonstrates his worthiness to helm the naval fleet. Despite the ordeals he has endured, the beleaguered Englishman remains a person of unwavering strength and character. John wastes no time in voicing his opinions on Toranaga's recent actions, pleading for leniency towards the villagers. However, Toranaga stands firm in his resolve.
Earlier, Mujiro, who had disclosed his true identity to John, served as a bridge between them, yet John primarily steered the conversation. The paramount revelation came from John, who accused Mariko of destroying his ship. This action was part of her arrangement with the Christian regents in Osaka to spare the life of a heretic. John further stated that his initial plans against the Portuguese paled in comparison to the grander scheme at play.
In an unexpected turn, John offered to perform seppuku to persuade Toranaga to pardon the villagers. However, the lord remained unmoved and began to walk away from the kneeling Englishman. Undeterred, John lashed out with a venomous monologue, accusing Toranaga of being merely a pawn in his own schemes. He branded himself as the enemy and declared his death as a protest against the villagers' treatment.
Toranaga halted him at the last moment and agreed to hear his demands. Meanwhile, Yabushige prepared to meet his end on a riverside rock, accompanied by Omi. The latter expressed his gratitude for all that Yabushige had done for him and vowed to uphold the clan's honor. As the sun set in the background, only Yabushige and Toranaga remained.
When Yabushige mentioned Mariko, Toranaga revealed a startling truth. It was he who had destroyed John's ship. If he hadn't, the Portuguese would have killed him. Only after the ship's destruction could Mariko negotiate with the church. The lord explained that it was a calculated ruse to test the foreigner's character. He believed that John was destined to remain in Japan and contribute to restoring peace in the country. When Yabushige inquired about Crimson Sky, Toranaga unveiled yet another strategic move.
To Yabushige's utter amazement, Toranaga exclaimed triumphantly that the Crimson Sky was already completed. With the regents firmly united, sending an army to Osaka would have been akin to walking into a lion's den. Instead, Toranaga hatched a brilliant alternative plan. In the looming war, he envisioned a grand spectacle where five armies would clash on the battlefield, each vying for supremacy.
If the odds were indeed stacked against them in a four-to-one scenario, defeat seemed inevitable. But Lady Ochiba, ever the cunning strategist, secretly dispatched a message to Toranaga through the trusted intermediary, Lady Kiri. She pledged to restrain the Heir's army in Osaka, effectively tipping the scales in Toranaga's favor. Only then could he fulfill his lifelong ambition - and perhaps his destiny - of ascending to the prestigious position of Shogun.
In a poignant moment, John embarked on a emotional journey with Fuji, sailing on a boat to scatter Mariko's ashes into the vast expanse of water. He clung tightly to her rosary, a talisman that held a special place in his heart, as revealed in the haunting flashback at the beginning.
The final scene of Season 1 unfolded with a triumphant note, showing John and the villagers united in a common goal. They hauled his sunken ship out of the water with a collective effort, their breaths synchronized in a show of solidarity. Even Buntaro, paying his respects to John, joined in the endeavor. Together, they managed to drag the ship ashore, all while Toranaga looked on with a gleam in his eye, eagerly anticipating the prospects of victory in the looming war.
