Mariko being Operation Crimson Sky was a masterstroke. Everyone expected a huge army, meanwhile he sends one woman with one request that left Ishido with no possible way out without losing support. And with her death, his treachery is revealed and Toranaga becomes the liberator of Osaka. Also note how she calls herself Mariko Akechi at the end. Renouncing her husband once and for all as she goes beyond his reach forever.
The death poem of the real Hosokawa Gracia, who Mariko is based upon, goes Only by knowing when to fall Do flowers become flowers And people become people 🥹
It's gonna be hilarious when the finale reveals Mariko is the secret boss to Ishidi and Ochiba and this was a long con to draw out Toranaga and defeat him by a lovestruck puppet. All is revealed in the series finale epilogue, one year later, with Black throne finally haven gotten a trained sea crew (puhlease, don't go there) ready to sail him to England when he receives a letter saying in Japanese, "Bon voyage, from your eternal Gganbu, M." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Absolutely love it when reactors let these shocking moments submerge in a sea of silence. Absence of sound and motion. Empty spaces in time... like a leafless branch in Spring, reminds us how beautiful blossoming flowers once were. Beauty worth fighting for. Lead the great houses to paradise!
@@anthtan From what I heard from people I know they love it and enjoy the fact westerners are interested in their culture/history but some worry we may think it's real events and people lol
@@anthtan This drama has been well-received in Japan for its detailed depiction of Japanese culture. I was impressed by the attention to detail, such as Toranaga's traditional Japanese swimming style in the scene where he swims with Anjin, and the hanging scrolls and flowers in the tea ceremony between Mariko and Buntaro.
The Shinobi were sent to "take possession" of Mariko. Alive and unharmed. And that included not allowing her to harm herself. Her death destroys Ishido's honor, integrity, and credibility. Because, as one commenter has been putting it, "She is "totally not a prisoner "." If she dies, or Ishido actively holds her hostage, Toranaga wins. Ishido will lose all his supporters. If the Shinobi "kidnap" her, it is like the previous times "bandits" attacked people. He is blameless. Her guards failed to protect her. He has no reason to have her under guard. She is "totally not a prisoner".....
I have one small doubt. Couldn’t Ishido still say it was all bandits doing and that he had nothing to do with it (Just like he would have said if Mariko would have been kidnapped alive )
@@mananjain1699 He need her into his custody alive, if she died than many daimyo support will fade away from him. So happened in real life even how Gracia died become turning point Tokugawa wins other lord support.
I can't wait to now see "From the producers of Shogun" being the one big badge of honor stamped on any and all content for the next 5 years. And it will be deserved
@@alcor4670I have read Shogun maybe 20 times since I was a kid but I never read Clavell's other novels, because I always liked books in a pre-modern (think cars, phones, and electricity) setting. It always seemed the other novels were post industrial and I wasn't into that st the time. That being said, is Gai-jin, King Rat, and Noble House worth running out to get?
*Hosokawa Gracia (1563 - 25th of August 1600)* Mariko-sama is based on this unparalleled historical woman. And here is her last written words. Her death poem: 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 _Only by knowing when to fall_ _Do flowers become flowers_ _And people become people_ *Hosokawa Gracia walked the short road to perfection - short, but not easy. She died when she was only 37 years old.* _In her life, she endured burdens no one should have to bear - treachery destroyed her family, her husband was mentally and physically abusive, and she spent years in hiding for fear of death. Yet she emerged from these pressures as a diamond. I compare her to a gem, first, because her birth name, Tama, can mean stone, gem, or pearl, but second because of all the different sides or faces that composed her being, sides offering us different perspectives from which to view her life. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but no matter which of Gracia’s faces we choose to analyze, that of a samurai, a proto-feminist, a wife, a mother, or a Christian, they are all beautiful._
I have to stop here and come back AFTER I’ve seen it. That was not soda, that was sizzurp and I have to wait for my other half to get home before I can watch it.
@@ТакэсимаэтоЯпонияThere are various theories about the cause of Hosokawa Gracia's death, but the most prevalent in Japan is that she had her retainer, Ogasawara Hidekiyo, kill her because suicide is prohibited in Christianity. He then set the house on fire to ensure that no bodies remained, before committing suicide himself.
I noticed your curious looks when Mariko tied the belt around her legs before her seppuku attempt. Historically accurate- women who committed seppuku would tie their legs so they wouldn't fall spread eagle and thus give them an undignified death pose
The term 'seppuku' (literally meaning 'cutting the belly') is not used for the methods of suicide employed by women, which involve stabbing the chest or throat. The ritual of cutting the belly was a ceremony permitted only for samurai men. The reason for cutting the belly is based on the belief that the human abdomen houses the soul and affections, and it was done to demonstrate sincerity and innocence by showing one's insides.Members of the samurai class, regardless of gender, were taught the etiquette of deciding their own fate and ending their lives from childhood.
Women didn't perform seppuku and it was never mandated as a punishment for women. Typically, when a woman chose to end her life voluntarily, she would cut her throat with a small blade. Nonetheless, the 8th-century chronicle ‘Harima no kuni Fudoki’ mention that the earliest instances of seppuku were by women. Historicaly, three women have performed seppuku, and two of them have forcefully thrown their intestines in an act of intense anger and disdain. It was a powerful protest and declaration of their convictions.
The life of Hosokawa Gracia, the model for Mariko, were conveyed to Europe by the Jesuits and became widely known through printed materials (although quite embellished for missionary purposes). In 1698, the Jesuit opera about her life was performed in Vienna. It seems that even Marie Antoinette, as a child, was impressed by the life of Gracia after seeing this opera. Both born into nobility yet tossed by the times, Gracia married Hosokawa Tadaoki at the age of 15, while Marie married Louis XVI at the age of 14. Both were subsequently swept up in major political upheavals, yet in adversity, they bravely protected their children, maintained their dignity, and, curiously, both also ended their lives at the age of 37.
Excellent point about the pacing! It happened so fast and boom, right to a black screen. It was masterful. So I'll add a few things that may have escaped you in the ninja scene. Yabu betrayed them, but not to kill Mariko. Ichido couldn't do that. The plan seems to have been let the shinobi kill her retinue and then capture and confine her. The look on Yabu's face when she says no, I can't go to the gate, I can't risk being captured says it all. Also, in the dojo, Mariko knew. It was either her being killed or her escaping. They couldn't blow the door and capture her. She saw the chance for her to be killed and for it to be on Ishido. I love how she figures it out and does it faster than we can even put it together. This is easily the best show of the year, but for me, possibly my favorite of all time. I can't look at anything else and find something this intense and well done. It's up there among the best anyway. All the Emmys!
All I could think of was SpongeBob and Patrick when they were laughing and chanting crimson sky. 😂😂😂😂😂 Their reaction when it clicked what was really going on was priceless. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Great reaction, guys. Mariko did outplay Ishido in her final act yet again, though. He was trying to kidnap and hold her through force. Wether he claims she left or decided to stay and confine herself, by sacrificing herself it will be known she was attacked and killed. Which is even worse than the other two original outcomes.
I was like "Why are they rooting for the Shinobi?" And then I realized you guys thought it was Toranaga's plan. Great reaction fellas, you never disappoint!
Read somewhere that the poem she recited in front of Ishido was actually bad, but Ishido thought it was good because he doesn't know any better. He's lowborn and didn't have a higher education, which Mariko basically pointed out in front of everyone.
Mariko did whats called a 'big brain' move. They were only trying to abduct her. If she's abducted, she can't kill herself or leave. She knew if she died in this attack, she not only saves her own soul from damnation from suicide but also frees all the hostages and discredits Ishido as she is a noblewoman who was 'totally not a hostage' And Father dome-head drops his soundcloud rap and historically is the one who buries her christianly Also Mariko's death was so poetic cos she tried to die by ice but died by fire but not by her own hand. John Wick also did the 'shoot where the head should be' move Poetry also cos she died by fire when she tried by ice in flashback
I loved that you guys noted that Father Alvito does care about Mariko. The Church may have its designs, but I believe he does wish to be able to say a proper Mass for her. I think he's an overall good person. By the way, the actor did not have to cut his hair. Almost everyone in the cast are wearing wigs.
Alvito and Mariko are the two true believers among the Catholic characters in this story. Giving Alvito these moments in this episode was an unexpected nice touch.
R.I.P to my favorite character Mariko. It's very important to the Japanese in this story 'how they die'- taking one's fate into one's own hand. She created an epic story and powerful catalyst for change in Japan with her death. Flowers are only flowers because they fall.
When I watched this episode. I took a break just after Blackthorn and Mariko have the fade to black moment. Then I had the horrible "Wait, what was the favor? WHAT WAS THE FAVOR!" This show deserves all the awards. Even the ones it does not qualify for, like best musical.
this show is the show of the year, if not the past few years. The acting from Sakai is amazing. and her sacrifice was not wanting to die per see, they were there to take her away and give Ishido pausable deniability. but by dying she has dealt Ishido a crippling blow,, he can be accused of being unable to protect his "guests" or maintain the safety of the heir himself, and the lords, seeing that their families might just die anyway are emboldened to rebel. not to mention this might have just killed any chance for the marriage to occur. Ishido is finished, the only thing that remains is for him to be crushed in battle by Toranaga for the defeat to be absolute, and, without the other lords, Ishido can't win. Superb.
Trivia Mariko's descendants married into the imperial family and gave birth to the emperor. Therefore, the current Emperor of Japan is a descendant of Mariko. （mariko＝Hosokawa Gracia）
My favirite scean "I,Mariko Akechi, A daughter of Jinsai. I'm a descendant of the Akechi family, highest-ranking Samurai family has been in existence for over 1000 years. " Standing up in that place means the highest ranking person and the act of turning her back signifies Mariko is the highest atatus. Eventually, Mariko's death causes 90,000 soldiers all over Japan to rally to Toranaga. It'a true story. Mariko’s story continues・・・
And because she said that in front of everyone, they all knew and respected her. It wasn’t just about her father’s “betrayal;” her family had centuries of nobility in Japan. That was an assassination, and Ishido is gonna pay for that. Should have let her go when she asked nicely. lol 🤷🏾♂️
13:36, if you watch this scene in slo-mo you can see Mariko’s guard cut off the sword hand fingers of the first Ishido guard before going to the second guard. I didn’t even think to check this out until a commenter in another video pointed this out. To include a detail so fine that you can only practically see it while watching that one scene in slow motion shows a peerless devotion to the craft and storytelling. Wow.
During the intro when talking about Crimson Sky, Adam said, “The plan is in motion”…I thought he said, “The plan’s emotion”…and I thought ….you have no idea…
To be fair to you guys, the level of confusion at the end I think was largely the point. Yabushige's character has been on the fence the whole time, and we finally saw the uncertainty that betrayal brings. HOWEVER...... Toronaga is a master chess player. He's got his opponent in 'check' sending Mariko like this, and I'm sure he recognized the limited number of options Ishido would have to get himself out... so I'm wondering if he can't have foreseen what would happen.... And whether it even matters in the overall scheme of things that it was Yabushige who unlocked the gate. It was an inevitability. (yes- I know she was supposed to be kidnapped, but Toronaga recognizes Mariko's integrity and it's foreseeable that she would not allow herself to be taken alive) Toronaga has the 'Check-Mate' now. Everyone played their part to get him there. Even the 'betrayal' was just another predictable move from the goshawk 🤔 Can't wait to find out how this all plays out next week
Non book reader theory: What if they were Toronaga AND Ishidos men lol Yabushige kills the guards and you see the grappling hooks Then he walks a ways away to completely separate side gate and let's people in But on re-watch, yabushige attempts to get the group of John and Mariko to go to the Gate NOT the store house they say they're going to Someone says "we should go to the store house, it has thick doors and we'll be safe" And yabushige says "No! We have to get to the gate!"
I also was confused and thought the assassins were sent by Torunaga, and then remembered the conversation where the guy had to do one favor for Ishido first.
As a longtime fan of the book and having seen the 1980 miniseries, can I say I am loving the reactions from people new to the story. This was the big moment we knew was coming, and seeing how it affects people takes me back to how it hit me all those years ago. This show got it right and then some.
It’s not that she wanted to die. She was performing her duty because the last card to be played was her dying by the hands of her enemies. They will now be blamed and there will be an uprising or the city high families will join Toranaga. I think that’s what Crimson Sky is all about. To directly assault the city would never work. But to turn the city into an ally and embrace the victim who can actually bring peace means a sure victory. In the previous episode they linked Hirumatsu’s act with Toranaga’s reveal to Mariko. And when she realized what really happened, he asked her if now SHE was ready to do her duty. Her mission was to put them in a corner but the last option was her actual death. They stopped her from killing herself, then wanted to kidnap her. But instead she out maneuvered them and made sure her blood was on their hands. This was brilliant. This show is one of the best things I’ve watched in years. And Anna Sawai better get an Emmy.
i watched this when it came out at like 1 am tuesday morning… not a good idea. i was HEARTBROKEN and it lingered in my dreams; bummed me out the entire day. oh mariko 🥺💔
I'm old and watched the original on TV back when so I knew who would die but man did they do a great switcheroo here. Lure everybody into feeling safe and then five minutes later literally bang.
Well, when she said "Let's go to the storeroom with the sturdy door", I immediately said out loud "No! Don't go anywhere with a heavy door!" I rememoried.
This episode was the crescendo of the series. Mariko played her part and single handedly undermined Ishibo's authority. She, by example, reminded the leaders to behave like Free Samurais. I do not expect much in the next episode. I expect forces of the five leader gather, and most will switch alliance and side with Toronaga. So he becomes the Shogun.
The strength that Japanese people most admire is not strength against external pressure, but strength towards oneself. If you don't understand the deep psychology of the Japanese people, this story will seem like a mere outrage.
As much as we all wanted Crimson Sky to be a final battle, Crimson Sky is the name of a red rose, symbolizing deep love, and grief. Mariko is the Crimson Sky.
As a huge fan of the book (though I haven't seen the show except through reactors), the emotional roller coaster of watching you guys watch it was wild. 😅 Your excitement at her confronting Ishido and planning to leave was ironic, cause I knew she wouldn't succeed. Your anxiety at her seppuku was amusing cause I knew they would stop her at the last minute. But your elation and relief at her living felt tragic, cause I knew she wasn't making it out of this episode alive.😅 The Crimson Sky confusion and realization of Yabu's betrayal was just icing on the cake.😁 Anyway, Mariko was a G. Raise a glass.🍺 Great reaction, guys!
Bruh 😂, the depth of how much I was laughing when you guys were rooting for and cheering on the bad guys cannot be expressed in text. It was hilarious 🤣
Having read the book, I felt so bad for you guys when you were celebrating Mariko's reprieve & not understanding the attack. :( It made your rollercoaster ride have all the more abrupt a fall/ending. ((HUGS))
For most of her life she bore a stain of dishonor because of her father. But now she'll be a hero and will be remembered with respect. Mariko as Crimson Sky was brilliant.
The boys: Yeah! Marijo has gamed the system. No win situation for Ishido. Strut that arrow filled runway, mama. She's got HIM boxed in! Yeah! 🤣🤣🤣 15 minutes later ... The boys: NNNOOOOOO!!! 😱😱😱😱😱
Literally every reactor thought that the scene at the end was crimson sky. I think the actor did such a good job of making Yabushige likable that when he CLEARLY betrays them all, people trick themselves into thinking it is them killing Ishido. Such a gut punch when you realize that instead he helped kill Mariko.
Some reactors thought so. However it you paid attention it was clear from the start that letting in the shinobi was the favor Yabushige owed to Ishido for sparing his live. It was planted in Ishido's mind when Ochiba pointed out the dilemma.
I've not seen many people point out that Mariko was wearing a red kimono in (almost) every scene up until the seppuku scene. (Except for when she was speaking with Lady Ochiba, and even then, her kimono had red flowers on it.) Mariko IS Crimson Sky. She IS Toranaga's assault from the inside. He knew that the plan would cause things to crumble from inside. And when Ishido sent the Shinobi after her, her sacrifice made it so that it was ISHIDO's orders that killed her. Not her by own hands (which even still would have set things into motion, but this made an even larger impact.) She died from the hands of ISHIDOS men by his order. Which will have extreme consequences from all of the other clans. All just a part of Toranaga's game of chess.
This is probably yall’s best reaction ever! I was watching the actual episode in my my bedroom this morning. My GF walked in and laid down with me at the final 2 minutes of the episode and tried talking to me. I’m pretty sure i didn’t hear a word she said. For the record….I thought the Ninja’s were the beginning of Crimson Sky too. It took me a while to figure out his betrayal…..
I'm watching reactions as my recap / pre-game before the finale, and I'm 2-for-2 with people not realizing the ninjas were bad guys. It doesn't make me want to razz you guys; it just makes me feel like a very special boy for catching things when I saw it myself! B-)
To be fair in the Shogun Ep 9 reactions I’ve watch most people were totally duped by Yabushige & the shinobi. Everyone thought it was Toranag’s doing to get to Ishido & not a betrayal meant for Mariko, Blackthorne, et al. That’s one of the many brilliant facets of this incredible show. There’s so much intrigue, subterfuge & stratagems happening that it takes a very sharp eye to figure out all the machinations & intricate moves that are being done.
Okay then, you should do a compilation of your most intense reactions, like when Mariko dies in Shogun, and when Luke Skywalker showed up in Mandelorian, etc. And commentary by the both of you about your reactions then and how you feel now. Just a thought.
I know that the folk of The Japans may look the same to a couple of white boys, but each lord has his own sigil which have been on full display throughout the season. The first man Yabushige murdered had Torunaga's sigil sewn on his clothes.
A part of me still wonders if Toranaga himself sent the shinobi. He granted Mariko's wish for death by having her pin the sacrifice on Ishido's "treachery". She wasn't Crimson Sky, but was the catalyst. At least that's a theory floatin around in my head. Guess Ill see on Tuesday.
Jay said the same thing about episode 3 of season 1 of The Last of Us being the best episode of television they've seen in quite some time. I'm curious which one they think is better.
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.15 (3/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IVwR87OH0_A/mqdefault.jpg)
Anna Sawai deserves all of the awards for her role as Mariko! So subtle and powerful!
Yeah!
Mariko being Operation Crimson Sky was a masterstroke. Everyone expected a huge army, meanwhile he sends one woman with one request that left Ishido with no possible way out without losing support. And with her death, his treachery is revealed and Toranaga becomes the liberator of Osaka.
Also note how she calls herself Mariko Akechi at the end. Renouncing her husband once and for all as she goes beyond his reach forever.
The death poem of the real Hosokawa Gracia, who Mariko is based upon, goes
Only by knowing when to fall
Do flowers become flowers
And people become people
🥹
“You fool! As if it matters how a man falls down.' 'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.'"
@@ohnhai You too. Cool your head. ( joj)
So beautiful, thanks for sharing
@ohnhai the lion in winter. One of my favorites
Jay's soul leaving his body for a good 50 seconds is just so sweet and wonderful. Yeah, we're there too. You are not alone. It's ok.
It's gonna be hilarious when the finale reveals Mariko is the secret boss to Ishidi and Ochiba and this was a long con to draw out Toranaga and defeat him by a lovestruck puppet.
All is revealed in the series finale epilogue, one year later, with Black throne finally haven gotten a trained sea crew (puhlease, don't go there) ready to sail him to England when he receives a letter saying in Japanese, "Bon voyage, from your eternal Gganbu, M." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Absolutely love it when reactors let these shocking moments submerge in a sea of silence. Absence of sound and motion. Empty spaces in time... like a leafless branch in Spring, reminds us how beautiful blossoming flowers once were. Beauty worth fighting for. Lead the great houses to paradise!
Great timing with that subscribe button during that round of silence as well 🤣
Anna Sawai deserves an Emmy for this episode alone.... Full Stop
Certainly!
And she did! (earn her rightfully deserved Emmy!)
彼女が名誉ある死を遂げる事で、父親や息子も立派であると褒め称えられる
さすが明智の娘であった、素晴らしいと
マリコは皆んなは人質なんだと示す為にも名誉の為にも絶対に捕まえられる訳にはいかなかった
そして最後に爆発から皆んなを守る為に盾になった
この感覚は日本人でないと分からないのかもしれない
名誉は自分の為ではなく、愛する家族や仲間の為に得ようとする
Thank you for your well written comment, I hope to see more series in Japanese historical settings. Best TV series in years! Love from Sweden.
What is the reception of the show in Japan itself?
@@anthtan From what I heard from people I know they love it and enjoy the fact westerners are interested in their culture/history but some worry we may think it's real events and people lol
@@anthtan This drama has been well-received in Japan for its detailed depiction of Japanese culture. I was impressed by the attention to detail, such as Toranaga's traditional Japanese swimming style in the scene where he swims with Anjin, and the hanging scrolls and flowers in the tea ceremony between Mariko and Buntaro.
The Shinobi were sent to "take possession" of Mariko. Alive and unharmed. And that included not allowing her to harm herself. Her death destroys Ishido's honor, integrity, and credibility.
Because, as one commenter has been putting it, "She is "totally not a prisoner "."
If she dies, or Ishido actively holds her hostage, Toranaga wins. Ishido will lose all his supporters.
If the Shinobi "kidnap" her, it is like the previous times "bandits" attacked people. He is blameless. Her guards failed to protect her. He has no reason to have her under guard. She is "totally not a prisoner".....
I have one small doubt. Couldn’t Ishido still say it was all bandits doing and that he had nothing to do with it (Just like he would have said if Mariko would have been kidnapped alive )
@@mananjain1699 No because it happened in his castle. The other guy who was killed was killed off premises so he had plausible deniability.
@@mananjain1699 He need her into his custody alive, if she died than many daimyo support will fade away from him. So happened in real life even how Gracia died become turning point Tokugawa wins other lord support.
I can't wait to now see "From the producers of Shogun" being the one big badge of honor stamped on any and all content for the next 5 years.
And it will be deserved
Hopefully Hiroyuki Sanada would still be part of that production team. And hopefully that next project would be Gai-jin.
Really deserved!
@@alcor4670I have read Shogun maybe 20 times since I was a kid but I never read Clavell's other novels, because I always liked books in a pre-modern (think cars, phones, and electricity) setting. It always seemed the other novels were post industrial and I wasn't into that st the time. That being said, is Gai-jin, King Rat, and Noble House worth running out to get?
@@alcor4670i hope he keeps making Japanese historical dramas after this! There's a huge market clearly.
*Hosokawa Gracia (1563 - 25th of August 1600)*
Mariko-sama is based on this unparalleled historical woman.
And here is her last written words.
Her death poem:
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
_Only by knowing when to fall_
_Do flowers become flowers_
_And people become people_
*Hosokawa Gracia walked the short road to perfection - short, but not easy. She died when she was only 37 years old.*
_In her life, she endured burdens no one should have to bear - treachery destroyed her family, her husband was mentally and physically abusive, and she spent years in hiding for fear of death. Yet she emerged from these pressures as a diamond. I compare her to a gem, first, because her birth name, Tama, can mean stone, gem, or pearl, but second because of all the different sides or faces that composed her being, sides offering us different perspectives from which to view her life. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but no matter which of Gracia’s faces we choose to analyze, that of a samurai, a proto-feminist, a wife, a mother, or a Christian, they are all beautiful._
cool thank you so much for the true history.
Garasha Hosokawa, who was the model for Mariko, actually committed suicide due to a bomb explosion😢
@@ТакэсимаэтоЯпония History is crazy sometimes.
I have to stop here and come back AFTER I’ve seen it.
That was not soda, that was sizzurp and I have to wait for my other half to get home before I can watch it.
@@ТакэсимаэтоЯпонияThere are various theories about the cause of Hosokawa Gracia's death, but the most prevalent in Japan is that she had her retainer, Ogasawara Hidekiyo, kill her because suicide is prohibited in Christianity. He then set the house on fire to ensure that no bodies remained, before committing suicide himself.
I noticed your curious looks when Mariko tied the belt around her legs before her seppuku attempt. Historically accurate- women who committed seppuku would tie their legs so they wouldn't fall spread eagle and thus give them an undignified death pose
Oh thank you. I was wondering about that.
The term 'seppuku' (literally meaning 'cutting the belly') is not used for the methods of suicide employed by women, which involve stabbing the chest or throat. The ritual of cutting the belly was a ceremony permitted only for samurai men. The reason for cutting the belly is based on the belief that the human abdomen houses the soul and affections, and it was done to demonstrate sincerity and innocence by showing one's insides.Members of the samurai class, regardless of gender, were taught the etiquette of deciding their own fate and ending their lives from childhood.
Women didn't perform seppuku and it was never mandated as a punishment for women. Typically, when a woman chose to end her life voluntarily, she would cut her throat with a small blade.
Nonetheless, the 8th-century chronicle ‘Harima no kuni Fudoki’ mention that the earliest instances of seppuku were by women. Historicaly, three women have performed seppuku, and two of them have forcefully thrown their intestines in an act of intense anger and disdain. It was a powerful protest and declaration of their convictions.
@@shirankedo-ib8uv whoa, brutally badass.
I had the exact same reaction. I verbally yelled "noooo!"...man
I give you credit for not editing out such a large misunderstanding of what was going on.
The life of Hosokawa Gracia, the model for Mariko, were conveyed to Europe by the Jesuits and became widely known through printed materials (although quite embellished for missionary purposes). In 1698, the Jesuit opera about her life was performed in Vienna. It seems that even Marie Antoinette, as a child, was impressed by the life of Gracia after seeing this opera. Both born into nobility yet tossed by the times, Gracia married Hosokawa Tadaoki at the age of 15, while Marie married Louis XVI at the age of 14. Both were subsequently swept up in major political upheavals, yet in adversity, they bravely protected their children, maintained their dignity, and, curiously, both also ended their lives at the age of 37.
Excellent point about the pacing! It happened so fast and boom, right to a black screen. It was masterful. So I'll add a few things that may have escaped you in the ninja scene. Yabu betrayed them, but not to kill Mariko. Ichido couldn't do that. The plan seems to have been let the shinobi kill her retinue and then capture and confine her. The look on Yabu's face when she says no, I can't go to the gate, I can't risk being captured says it all. Also, in the dojo, Mariko knew. It was either her being killed or her escaping. They couldn't blow the door and capture her. She saw the chance for her to be killed and for it to be on Ishido. I love how she figures it out and does it faster than we can even put it together. This is easily the best show of the year, but for me, possibly my favorite of all time. I can't look at anything else and find something this intense and well done. It's up there among the best anyway. All the Emmys!
For the last two days I wander around TH-cam watching reactions to this episode. And yours is one of the greatest.
the little celebration after the sepukku interruption was painful 🤣
All I could think of was SpongeBob and Patrick when they were laughing and chanting crimson sky. 😂😂😂😂😂 Their reaction when it clicked what was really going on was priceless. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
The quality of this show is on another level .... absolute beauty.
Great reaction, guys.
Mariko did outplay Ishido in her final act yet again, though.
He was trying to kidnap and hold her through force. Wether he claims she left or decided to stay and confine herself, by sacrificing herself it will be known she was attacked and killed.
Which is even worse than the other two original outcomes.
Don't kick yourselves too hard Jake and Adam. For those last moments, we thought it was Crimson Sky too.😂
This ep was so brutal, but so beautiful
I was like "Why are they rooting for the Shinobi?" And then I realized you guys thought it was Toranaga's plan. Great reaction fellas, you never disappoint!
😂😂😂😂
Not gonna lie... I thought the same thing at first. I was confused for a moment when they went after her.
yabushige did his job too well. tricked many reacters that the ninja attack was crimson sky. 😅
Oh man Jay, you were right with what you said on stream last night. This is definitely one of y’all’s finest reactions ever
This episode was the most intense emotional thing I’ve watched or read in a long time. What a fantastic character she was.
The way you guys were rooting for those Ninjas had me rolling lmao
This episode ends with a BANG!
Nani?
TOO SOON
dynamite!
Somebody on another channel commented "we all have a little bit of Mariko on us now" and I have not been able to get past that.😂 Dark humor is dark
Read somewhere that the poem she recited in front of Ishido was actually bad, but Ishido thought it was good because he doesn't know any better. He's lowborn and didn't have a higher education, which Mariko basically pointed out in front of everyone.
Ochiba means "Fallen Leaf". It was a dig at Ochiba, right in front of the whole room.
Mariko did whats called a 'big brain' move. They were only trying to abduct her. If she's abducted, she can't kill herself or leave. She knew if she died in this attack, she not only saves her own soul from damnation from suicide but also frees all the hostages and discredits Ishido as she is a noblewoman who was 'totally not a hostage'
And Father dome-head drops his soundcloud rap and historically is the one who buries her christianly
Also Mariko's death was so poetic cos she tried to die by ice but died by fire but not by her own hand. John Wick also did the 'shoot where the head should be' move
Poetry also cos she died by fire when she tried by ice in flashback
There you are! I've literally started saying "totally not a hostage"!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
@@scotthewitt258 *sits on smol cat butt and smiles* ☺️
I had the same reaction at the end, just sat there teary eyed in shock through the credits
I loved that you guys noted that Father Alvito does care about Mariko. The Church may have its designs, but I believe he does wish to be able to say a proper Mass for her. I think he's an overall good person.
By the way, the actor did not have to cut his hair. Almost everyone in the cast are wearing wigs.
Alvito and Mariko are the two true believers among the Catholic characters in this story. Giving Alvito these moments in this episode was an unexpected nice touch.
He’s much more sympathetic in this version than the original miniseries.
R.I.P to my favorite character Mariko. It's very important to the Japanese in this story 'how they die'- taking one's fate into one's own hand. She created an epic story and powerful catalyst for change in Japan with her death. Flowers are only flowers because they fall.
When I watched this episode. I took a break just after Blackthorn and Mariko have the fade to black moment. Then I had the horrible "Wait, what was the favor? WHAT WAS THE FAVOR!"
This show deserves all the awards. Even the ones it does not qualify for, like best musical.
Yeh. When I saw the unadulterated relief you guys showed when Mariko was spared seppuku, I'm like...oh jeeze, they are about to be crushed.
this show is the show of the year, if not the past few years. The acting from Sakai is amazing.
and her sacrifice was not wanting to die per see, they were there to take her away and give Ishido pausable deniability. but by dying she has dealt Ishido a crippling blow,, he can be accused of being unable to protect his "guests" or maintain the safety of the heir himself, and the lords, seeing that their families might just die anyway are emboldened to rebel. not to mention this might have just killed any chance for the marriage to occur. Ishido is finished, the only thing that remains is for him to be crushed in battle by Toranaga for the defeat to be absolute, and, without the other lords, Ishido can't win.
Superb.
Trivia
Mariko's descendants married into the imperial family and gave birth to the emperor. Therefore, the current Emperor of Japan is a descendant of Mariko.
（mariko＝Hosokawa Gracia）
They fucking Glenn’d us. They made us feel safe, and then they ripped her away from all of us 😢RIP Mariko, your death won’t be for nothing!
My favirite scean "I,Mariko Akechi, A daughter of Jinsai. I'm a descendant of the Akechi family, highest-ranking Samurai family has been in existence for over 1000 years. "
Standing up in that place means the highest ranking person and the act of turning her back signifies Mariko is the highest atatus. Eventually, Mariko's death causes 90,000 soldiers all over Japan to rally to Toranaga. It'a true story. Mariko’s story continues・・・
And because she said that in front of everyone, they all knew and respected her. It wasn’t just about her father’s “betrayal;” her family had centuries of nobility in Japan. That was an assassination, and Ishido is gonna pay for that.
Should have let her go when she asked nicely. lol 🤷🏾♂️
Note: Shinobi didn’t come to kill her, they wanted to capture Marilko… that’s why with her final act she sacrificed herself to mess up Ishidos
13:36, if you watch this scene in slo-mo you can see Mariko’s guard cut off the sword hand fingers of the first Ishido guard before going to the second guard. I didn’t even think to check this out until a commenter in another video pointed this out.
To include a detail so fine that you can only practically see it while watching that one scene in slow motion shows a peerless devotion to the craft and storytelling. Wow.
During the intro when talking about Crimson Sky, Adam said, “The plan is in motion”…I thought he said, “The plan’s emotion”…and I thought ….you have no idea…
I thought the same damn thing! The plan's emotion! And then I thought, oohh, poor guys.
@@MsJoniGibson I’m embarrassed to admit that I read the book 20yrs ago and forgot what happened to Mariko…so it hit me between the eyes as well.
To be fair to you guys, the level of confusion at the end I think was largely the point. Yabushige's character has been on the fence the whole time, and we finally saw the uncertainty that betrayal brings.
HOWEVER...... Toronaga is a master chess player. He's got his opponent in 'check' sending Mariko like this, and I'm sure he recognized the limited number of options Ishido would have to get himself out... so I'm wondering if he can't have foreseen what would happen.... And whether it even matters in the overall scheme of things that it was Yabushige who unlocked the gate.
It was an inevitability. (yes- I know she was supposed to be kidnapped, but Toronaga recognizes Mariko's integrity and it's foreseeable that she would not allow herself to be taken alive)
Toronaga has the 'Check-Mate' now. Everyone played their part to get him there. Even the 'betrayal' was just another predictable move from the goshawk 🤔
Can't wait to find out how this all plays out next week
Thanks so much, Jay and Adam! 🗾
28:58 "Watch this, Lis. You can actually pinpoint the second when their hearts rip in half."
13:37 (hehe leet) the reason one of the guards couldn’t draw his sword is Mariko’s samurai cut his fingers off before he could grab it.
As soon as John asked Mariko to consider living for him, I was in shambles until the end of the episode. Anna Sawai deserves every award 😭
Non book reader theory:
What if they were Toronaga AND Ishidos men lol
Yabushige kills the guards and you see the grappling hooks
Then he walks a ways away to completely separate side gate and let's people in
But on re-watch, yabushige attempts to get the group of John and Mariko to go to the Gate NOT the store house they say they're going to
Someone says "we should go to the store house, it has thick doors and we'll be safe"
And yabushige says "No! We have to get to the gate!"
I thought Jay really was on his way to the undertaker. The emotions will kill him. LOL
Every episode of this show has become the best episode of TV each week. The absolute best!! The finale better be 2 hours long.
I also was confused and thought the assassins were sent by Torunaga, and then remembered the conversation where the guy had to do one favor for Ishido first.
As a longtime fan of the book and having seen the 1980 miniseries, can I say I am loving the reactions from people new to the story. This was the big moment we knew was coming, and seeing how it affects people takes me back to how it hit me all those years ago. This show got it right and then some.
It’s not that she wanted to die. She was performing her duty because the last card to be played was her dying by the hands of her enemies. They will now be blamed and there will be an uprising or the city high families will join Toranaga. I think that’s what Crimson Sky is all about. To directly assault the city would never work. But to turn the city into an ally and embrace the victim who can actually bring peace means a sure victory. In the previous episode they linked Hirumatsu’s act with Toranaga’s reveal to Mariko. And when she realized what really happened, he asked her if now SHE was ready to do her duty. Her mission was to put them in a corner but the last option was her actual death. They stopped her from killing herself, then wanted to kidnap her. But instead she out maneuvered them and made sure her blood was on their hands.
This was brilliant. This show is one of the best things I’ve watched in years. And Anna Sawai better get an Emmy.
Seeing the relieve on your faces when Mariko did not comitt sepuko, knowing what comes next, heartbreaking... and priceless 😂
This was the episode that got submitted for Emmy consideration, Best Directing 🏆
i watched this when it came out at like 1 am tuesday morning… not a good idea. i was HEARTBROKEN and it lingered in my dreams; bummed me out the entire day. oh mariko 🥺💔
29:06...the entirety of planet Earth had the same looks on their face. This show wreked - everyone.
I'm old and watched the original on TV back when so I knew who would die but man did they do a great switcheroo here. Lure everybody into feeling safe and then five minutes later literally bang.
Well, when she said "Let's go to the storeroom with the sturdy door", I immediately said out loud "No! Don't go anywhere with a heavy door!"
I rememoried.
This episode had me so stressed out and hit me in the feels.. god damn.. This show is too good..
Oh my boys, my sweet sweet boys, I was waiting for that final reaction and you did Not disapoint. Thank you
This episode was the crescendo of the series. Mariko played her part and single handedly undermined Ishibo's authority. She, by example, reminded the leaders to behave like Free Samurais.
I do not expect much in the next episode. I expect forces of the five leader gather, and most will switch alliance and side with Toronaga. So he becomes the Shogun.
The strength that Japanese people most admire is not strength against external pressure, but strength towards oneself.
If you don't understand the deep psychology of the Japanese people, this story will seem like a mere outrage.
As much as we all wanted Crimson Sky to be a final battle, Crimson Sky is the name of a red rose, symbolizing deep love, and grief. Mariko is the Crimson Sky.
Y’all’s reaction to all the reversals in this episode were just 👌
As a huge fan of the book (though I haven't seen the show except through reactors), the emotional roller coaster of watching you guys watch it was wild. 😅 Your excitement at her confronting Ishido and planning to leave was ironic, cause I knew she wouldn't succeed. Your anxiety at her seppuku was amusing cause I knew they would stop her at the last minute. But your elation and relief at her living felt tragic, cause I knew she wasn't making it out of this episode alive.😅 The Crimson Sky confusion and realization of Yabu's betrayal was just icing on the cake.😁 Anyway, Mariko was a G. Raise a glass.🍺 Great reaction, guys!
Bruh 😂, the depth of how much I was laughing when you guys were rooting for and cheering on the bad guys cannot be expressed in text. It was hilarious 🤣
Shows have to have stakes in order for people to care, this is what the last Star wars movies didn't understand. People have to die.
This is the 4th speechless reaction I've seen to this ending lol
They done good
fun to watch u guys. just like a roller coaster, buddy!
Having read the book, I felt so bad for you guys when you were celebrating Mariko's reprieve & not understanding the attack. :( It made your rollercoaster ride have all the more abrupt a fall/ending. ((HUGS))
Fuji took my heart, Mariko stole my soul!
"Enjoy the lobby!" lol
That made me laugh so hard.
For most of her life she bore a stain of dishonor because of her father. But now she'll be a hero and will be remembered with respect. Mariko as Crimson Sky was brilliant.
I was eating combos while watching this. I feel a bit attacked. Rooting for the bad guys was hilarious.
The boys: Yeah! Marijo has gamed the system. No win situation for Ishido. Strut that arrow filled runway, mama. She's got HIM boxed in! Yeah! 🤣🤣🤣
15 minutes later ...
The boys: NNNOOOOOO!!! 😱😱😱😱😱
We are witnessing perfect tv entertainment. This show should clear up at the award ceremonies.
In the last episode Lord T would not yield but in this episode the other Lord did. Love the comparison.
The peace of Osaka Castle broke. So Mariko and the samurai who died fighting to leave successfully broke the castle. It is a form of Crimson Sky...
Haha, Adam with the Fallout butt jerky reference, and Jay completely missed it. 😂
Thank you catching that, we’ve taped up to eps 5 when we taped this Shogun react.
You've earned all the slack and more, friends. Your authenticity is appreciated.
"WE'VE BEEN BOOZLED!" Happens to the best of us!
Oh boy....here we go..
These two have always been kings of false assumptions
And proud of it…..? 🤔
Jay's stomach tried to warn them what was coming.
(1) Your reactions are FANTASTIC; and
(2) This show should be nominated for (and win) in just about every Emmy/SAG category, please and thank you!
自動翻訳でいつも見てます。2人のリアクションとやりとりは最高に楽しい！日本人でも解ります！👍
Literally every reactor thought that the scene at the end was crimson sky. I think the actor did such a good job of making Yabushige likable that when he CLEARLY betrays them all, people trick themselves into thinking it is them killing Ishido. Such a gut punch when you realize that instead he helped kill Mariko.
Some reactors thought so. However it you paid attention it was clear from the start that letting in the shinobi was the favor Yabushige owed to Ishido for sparing his live. It was planted in Ishido's mind when Ochiba pointed out the dilemma.
I've not seen many people point out that Mariko was wearing a red kimono in (almost) every scene up until the seppuku scene. (Except for when she was speaking with Lady Ochiba, and even then, her kimono had red flowers on it.)
Mariko IS Crimson Sky. She IS Toranaga's assault from the inside. He knew that the plan would cause things to crumble from inside. And when Ishido sent the Shinobi after her, her sacrifice made it so that it was ISHIDO's orders that killed her. Not her by own hands (which even still would have set things into motion, but this made an even larger impact.)
She died from the hands of ISHIDOS men by his order. Which will have extreme consequences from all of the other clans. All just a part of Toranaga's game of chess.
This is probably yall’s best reaction ever! I was watching the actual episode in my my bedroom this morning. My GF walked in and laid down with me at the final 2 minutes of the episode and tried talking to me. I’m pretty sure i didn’t hear a word she said.
For the record….I thought the Ninja’s were the beginning of Crimson Sky too. It took me a while to figure out his betrayal…..
*whispers* crimson sky
This is now going to be permanently stuck in my head when ep10 comes out.
3:40 What a coincidence because Anna Sawai also starred in that franchise
I'm watching reactions as my recap / pre-game before the finale, and I'm 2-for-2 with people not realizing the ninjas were bad guys. It doesn't make me want to razz you guys; it just makes me feel like a very special boy for catching things when I saw it myself! B-)
To be fair in the Shogun Ep 9 reactions I’ve watch most people were totally duped by Yabushige & the shinobi. Everyone thought it was Toranag’s doing to get to Ishido & not a betrayal meant for Mariko, Blackthorne, et al. That’s one of the many brilliant facets of this incredible show. There’s so much intrigue, subterfuge & stratagems happening that it takes a very sharp eye to figure out all the machinations & intricate moves that are being done.
You guys are hilarious, near the end when the shinobi attacks, your reactions are like sponge bob and patrick, until they realized they're f'ed up.
Adam slapping his face like he is during the seppuku scene lead to an uncomfortable second-screen/audio experience
Clearly that wasn't the crimson sky, they didn't do the thing of wispering it into their ears!
Okay then, you should do a compilation of your most intense reactions, like when Mariko dies in Shogun, and when Luke Skywalker showed up in Mandelorian, etc. And commentary by the both of you about your reactions then and how you feel now. Just a thought.
I know that the folk of The Japans may look the same to a couple of white boys, but each lord has his own sigil which have been on full display throughout the season. The first man Yabushige murdered had Torunaga's sigil sewn on his clothes.
A part of me still wonders if Toranaga himself sent the shinobi. He granted Mariko's wish for death by having her pin the sacrifice on Ishido's "treachery". She wasn't Crimson Sky, but was the catalyst. At least that's a theory floatin around in my head. Guess Ill see on Tuesday.
lol i even looked at Adam when she said "vengeance." The moment wasn't wasted LOL
Jay said the same thing about episode 3 of season 1 of The Last of Us being the best episode of television they've seen in quite some time. I'm curious which one they think is better.
It was sad seeing how happy they were she didn't get to go through with it. Just knowing the heartbreak, they were about to feel in a few minutes