A Dream of a Dream is the tenth and final episode of the FX limited series, Shōgun. The finale premiered on April 23, 2024.
Synopsis[]
In the wake of a tragic death, Blackthorne finally considers the true nature of Toranaga's plan.
Plot Summary[]
In a dream of a potential future, a young boy, Nigel, whispers to his brother to be quiet because their grandfather, John Blackthorne, is sleeping. The children hear him coughing and ask him about the story behind his samurai swords.
In present, Yabushige wakes up John after the explosion. John rushes to Mariko and finds her dead. He says a prayer. The others cry desperately and Yabushige feels the guilt of his actions.
The Council of Regents meet to discuss the attack. Saeki delivers a letter to Ishido from his brother declaring that because of Mariko’s death, he is preparing for war. Ishido blames Lord Toranaga for the attack, claiming he is the only one sneaky enough to plan this. They agree to bury Mariko in a Christian funeral, despite Ishido’s initial objections.
Ishido speaks to Yabushige about the attack. Yabushige claims he only believed Mariko would be captured. Ishido tells him he will have a seat on the Council of Regents for his help. Ishido tells him to go to Izu to gather his army and wait for his command. Yabushige appears to be losing his mind as he leaps for catfish in an empty pond.
Father Martin Alvito, along with Lord Kiyama’s men, guide the Anjin to the harbor to go back to Lord Toranaga. Alvito tells John the only reason his life was spared was that Lady Maria made this final request before she died and he and the church decided to honor it.
As they sail, Yabushige, out of desperation, asks John to take him to England on his boat. They sail past John’s boat only to find it burned and sunken in the water. They arrive in Izu and Omi immediately detains his uncle and ask him for his swords, on orders from Lord Toranaga. Muraji tells John that enemies, specifically Christians, snuck in at night and sank the boat. John wonders if Mariko might’ve been behind it.
Yabushige is brought to kneel before Lord Toranaga, where Toranaga reveals that he knows the part Yabushige played in Mariko’s death. He sentences Yabushige to commit seppuku by sunset the next day and agrees to be his second.
Lord Toranaga meets with Kiri-no-kata and Shizu-no-kata who present his new son to him. They also deliver a letter, secretly delivered from Ochiba-no-kata.
Fuji tells the Anjin she is leaving the following day to become a nun. She tells him that her service to Lord Toranaga is now complete and she is no longer John's consort.
John goes to meet with Toranaga. Muraji helps translate for Toranaga, revealing that he is a samurai and a spy for Lord Toranaga. John asks for no more blood to be spilled in Ajiro in vengeance for his destroyed ship, explaining that Mariko arranged this in exchange for his life. Toranaga tells him he will still seek out those disloyal to him. John tries to give up his life in exchange for the protection of the village. He admits he came to Japan to use him and the Japanese. He intends to commit seppuku in protest of the callous treatment of the village but Lord Toranaga stops him from plunging the sword into his heart. Lord Toranaga tells him to rebuild his ship and to build him a fleet.
Yabushige sits with Lord Toranaga, who admits that he was the one who burned the ship. Toranaga reveals that Crimson Sky is complete and what his true intentions behind sending Mariko were. Mariko got to Ochiba-no-kata, who grew tired of her relationship with Ishido, and Ochiba-no-kata pledged to Lord Toranaga that she would not send the heir’s army to support Ishido in war. He believes the Council will not support Ishido after that. He implies that he wants to become a shogun after all. They share a smile before Yabushige stabs himself and Lord Toranaga seconds him, cutting his head off.
John takes Fuji onto the water to release the ashes of her late husband and child. John releases Mariko’s rosary into the water as well to say goodbye.
Later, John tries to pull his destroyed boat out of the water. Buntaro goes to help, seemingly as a way of making amends with the Anjin. They manage to pull the boat out and John is elated. Lord Toranaga looks on, in deep thought.
Cast & Characters[]
Starring[]
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga
- Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne
- Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko
- Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige
- Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi
- Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari
- Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji
- Shinnosuke Abe as Toda "Buntaro" Hirokatsu
- Yasunari Takeshima as Muraji
- Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata
- Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito
- Yoriko Dōguchi as Kiri No Kata
Supporting[]
- Hiromoto Ida as Lord Kiyama ukon Sadanaga
- Sen Mars as Nakamura Yaechiyo
- Takeshi Kurokawa as Ohno Harunobu
- Eisuke Sasai as Lord Ito
- Eita Okuno as Saeki Nobutatsu
- Mako Fujimoto as Shizu No Kata
Quotes[]
The hostages are free. No dirty hands, no war - just a woman.
John Blackthorne
Gallery[]
Photos[]
Videos[]
