Episode 7 of FX's Shogun opens with a nostalgic flashback, painting a vivid picture of almost 46 years ago. A youthful Toranaga emerges victorious, having overcome his significantly older opponent in a display of remarkable prowess. Despite the mutual respect between the two, the humiliation of being defeated by a mere child is a bitter pill to swallow for the defeated warrior. Toda Hiromatsu, Toranaga's trusted advisor, stands by his side, offering sage counsel even in those early days.
In the present, the scene shifts to a tense encounter between Toranaga and Saeki's formidable army. The half-brothers meet as if the past grudges between them have been wiped clean, and Saeki appears willing to forge an alliance with Toranaga.
Meanwhile, the steamy encounter from the previous episode between John and Mariko continues to occupy Gin's thoughts. She attempts to confide in Omi, but he remains oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around them.
As the evening progresses, subtext abounds in the scenes leading up to the grand dinner. The clans of Saeki and Toranaga gather for a celebratory feast to commemorate their union. Initially, it seems like a harmonious affair, with the Lord of the Kanto basking in the glow of apparent success.
However, the mood suddenly shifts when Saeki drops a bombshell of truth. He stuns everyone by demanding Izu as a condition for his army's support. But the revelation doesn't end there; he unveils that a secret deal has already been brokered behind closed doors. The atmosphere turns tense as the weight of this revelation hangs heavily over the proceedings, leaving everyone present to ponder the true intentions and consequences of this unexpected turn of events.
Saeki, the final piece in the Council of Regents' puzzle, had joined Ishido's ranks, leaving no room for doubt. His order, delivered with a steely gaze, was clear and unequivocal: Toranaga must return to Osaka and surrender. The room erupted into a flurry of surprise, leaving everyone scrambling for a reaction. Tornaga, however, hesitated, postponing his decision until the next evening.
The stakes were unimaginably high. If Toranaga capitulated, it would mean his demise and the tragic suicide of over half his loyal clan. But to refuse would unleash a cataclysmic war that would shake Japan to its core.
Buntaro, his blade drawn, almost ended John's life, but Toranaga's intervention halted the assassin's strike. Buntaro's inquiry hinted at a forbidden liaison between John and Mariko, but Toranaga's retort was swift and cunning. If such an affair existed, Mariko would be implicated, and her fate would be tied to John's. The idea was quickly abandoned, but Mariko's guilt remained.
Toranaga confronted her in private, his gaze probing her loyalty. It was evident that her feelings for John existed, but they were not strong enough to override her devotion to her master. She still had a pivotal role to play in this intricate drama, and Toranaga refused to condemn her.
Then, Toranaga made a decision that stunned everyone. He announced his intention to surrender to Ishido. The silence that followed was deafening, with even Nagakado and Hiromatsu rendered speechless. Murmurings of dissent began to ripple through Toranaga's ranks; no one was prepared to yield without a fight. John, too, refused to go down with Toranaga and was released from his service. He was even offered the chance to reclaim his crew and ship, to sail back to his homeland.
As it seemed that Toranaga's camp had settled into acceptance, Nagakado sprung a surprise attack. While Saeki was engaged in a private moment with Kiku, Nagakado and a handful of loyal men stormed their room. Saeki, barely clothed and unarmed, faced Nagakado with only his experience and the grim conditions to rely on. But Nagakado's inexperience betrayed him as he slipped in the rain, fatally striking his head on a jagged rock.
