The Abyss of Life is the eighth episode of the FX limited series, Shōgun. The episode premiered on April 9, 2024.
Synopsis[]
Toranaga's defeated clan moves to Edo; Blackthorne must decide who he fights for.
Plot Summary[]
Lord Toranaga and his defeated group of men depart Ajiro and head for Edo. There, Lord Toranaga will be allowed 49 days to mourn his son before he gets delivered to Osaka. Mariko hands John is journals back and informs him once they are delivered to Ishido in Osaka, his service will be completed and he is free to leave them. She also tells him the crew from his ship are in this city.
Back in Osaka, Ishido informs Ochiba-no-kata that her plan was a great success. He then suggests they strengthen their partnership with marriage and leaves her to think on it.
Omi, Buntaro, Hiromatsu, Yabushige and others share stories of the late Nagakado and honor his life. The next day, they hold a funeral for him but Lord Toranaga does not attend because he’s sick from the journey. Hiromatsu tells Yabushige that Ishido requested he first go to Osaka alone to return the guns and cannons.
Mariko speaks to Lady Rin about her new baby. Lady Rin expresses her fears about returning to Osaka but tells her she received word by letter from her sister in Osaka that her family will be spared. Buntaro arrives to tell her that Lord Toranaga has requested her presence that evening.
John Blackthorne encounters Father Martin Alvito, who asks him about his plans after his service to Toranaga ends. He tells him his intention to get his men and his ship back and to go find the Black Ship. Father Alvito goes to speak to Lord Toranaga and informs him of Ochiba no-kata’s hatred of him and her alliance with Ishido. He suggests Lord Toranaga ally with Ochiba and the heir and Hiromatsu agrees. Toranaga knows Ochiba would likely not partner with him and he only wishes for a peaceful defeat, especially now that his son is dead. He leaves but informs Father Alvito he can build his church in Edo as promised.
Hiromatsu goes to tell Yabushige and others that he think Lord Toranaga is going to fight. Meanwhile, Buntaro makes Mariko a tea. He tells her he thinks they’re going to die in Osaka and then reminisces about the beginning when they first got to know each other. He suggests they welcome death together that evening, intending to give her what she has always wanted. She tells him he still fails to understand her - that she wanted a life beyond his reach and does not want to die with him in this way. Buntaro looks defeated and starts crying after she leaves.
John goes to find his men, who are drunk off saké and singing loudly and belligerently. One man, Salamon, chases a prostitute out of the room. He sees John and calls out to him. John tells him they’ve received clearance to go home but Salamon says no, doubting that the Pilot will just take them home instead of on another adventure to satisfy his own ambitions. They end up in a fight and John beats Salamon until he is no longer moving.
John goes to Yabushige and offers to sail a ship on his behalf but Yabushige refuses, insisting that Lord Toranaga hasn’t given up.
Gin shows Kiku and the other courtesans where she will build her tea house. Father Martin Alvito also arrives to the area next door, where he will build his church, and is surprised to see that a teahouse will be his neighbor.
In Osaka, a servant calls for a doctor to attend to Daoyoin who had a stroke. Ochiba no Kata arrives at her bedside. Daoyoin tells her to stop playing games and to let the hostages free. Later, she passes away.
Lord Toranaga informs his men that Yabushige will deliver the list of men who surrender with them. He asks them to sign their names. However, many of Tomonaga’s men refuse to sign their names and wish to fight in Edo. Toranaga insists he has made his decision and now they must make theirs. Hiromatsu challenges him, insisting he will have to commit seppuku. Omi calls out to stop this but Lord Toranaga says his decision is made. Hiromatsu tells him then this is farewell and asks Buntaro to bring his sword and second him. Buntaro asks to follow him into death but Hiromatsu tells him he must live. Hiromatsu stabs himself and Buntaro cuts his head off while Lord Toranaga watches. The men watch in horror and shock.
Later, Toranaga reflects with Mariko telling her Osaka has to believe his defeat is real. He asks her if she’s ready to do her part and she tells him she’s ready.
Yabushige decides to partner with the Anjin after all but Omi disapproves, believing the Anjin to be dangerous. Yabushige calls them allies. Mariko arrives, informing Yabushige that Lord Toranaga has requested she join him in Osaka.
Toranaga speaks to his son’s ashes and tells him he bought him time and that he will not waste it.
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
- Shinnosuke Abe as Toda "Buntaro" Hirokatsu
- Tokuma Nishioka as Toda Hiromatsu
- Yuki Kura as Yoshii Nagakado
- Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata
- Ako as Daiyoin
- Yuka Kouri as Kiku
Supporting[]
- Yoshi Amao as Sera
- Yuko Miyamoto as Gin
- Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito
- Hitoshi Masaki as Tomono
- Haruka Igarashi as Lady Rin
- Dakota Daulby as Salamon
Quotes[]
Let us go to death tonight. I wish to finally give it to you.
Buntaro to Mariko
Do not give up on your lord even when it appears he has given up on himself.
Hiromatsu to Buntaro
Gallery[]
Photos[]
Videos[]
