Episode 9 - Crimson Sky | FX's Shōgun: The Official Podcast

A torn heart in a torn land. Host Emily Yoshida and guests break down episode 9 of FX’s Shōgun. Featuring executive producer and co-creator Rachel Kondo, actor Anna Sawai "Mariko," associate producer & writer Caillin Puente, and director Fred Toye. Join them as they examine Mariko's relationship with the church, the Shinobi assassins, and Anna Sawai's feelings about that passionate scene at the gate.

#Shogun #FX

Join host and staff writer Emily Yoshida as she sits down with the creators, cast, and crew that brought Sengoku Period Japan to life. In this exclusive companion podcast, each episode will break down the twists and turns of the plot, the top-of-the-line craft behind the scenes, and the real-life history that informed it all.

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Episode 9 - Crimson Sky | FX's Shōgun: The Official Podcast

[mpg]

One of the best episodes of TV ever. And Anna Sawai's performance in this is easily Emmy worthy. She better get that nomination.

[carlart]

I think.. Blackthorne, in compromise and affection to mariko as a protestant, would rather willingly add the sin of murder on his soul by becoming Lady Mariko's 2nd. in the hopes that at least, her eternal Christian soul can ascend to heaven upon her death. This is why he says ... I quote : " I will do it. Hell is no place I haven't already known. " This episode was great !

[Blisterdude]

I can't believe they took Mariko's tragic end and somehow managed to make it even more tragic than before. Playing the relationship between she and Blackthorne much more subtly, and with that nuance just made it that much harder to swallow, when at the moment they come together, it's all taken away.

[mintdragon]

As a Japanese, this was the first episode leaving me emotionally disturbed by outcome, even 30+ minutes after watching. Still pacing my house a bit... Amazing TV. Amazing show. Awaiting the finale next week.

[WTFrt]

Ochiba means Fallen Leaf.
Now you can understand the mentioning of a leafless branch in Mariko's poem.
Also why she says flowers are only flowers because they fall.

[TamMag-ghug]

Anna Sawai definitely deserves an Emmy Award for Best Actress.

[ricoco]

I loved the line "flowers are only flowers because they fall" that I assume was inspired by Hosokawa Gracia's, who Mariko is based on, death poem, a dying person's final words.

"Only by knowing when to fall, do flowers become flowers, people become people" which is roughly interpreted, "Flowers are beautiful as flowers because they know when to fall. Humans must be the same way. Now is the time to fall."

This episode was so raw. And as a Japanese woman, this was the first episode for me also that left me "emotionally disturbed." Superb show! Can't wait for the next and last episode.

[davidllewellyn]

This series deserves every award. Insightful, gripping, beautifully filmed, wonderful costumes, amazing sets, adult dialogue and superb acting. It is a masterpiece. I am enthralled to see what happens next and so sad to see it end, though end it must. A flower is not a flower unless it falls.

[jimmygreer]

Anna Sawai had better win an emmy for this!! And I applaud the writers as well for having written such a beautifully tragic character. One of the greatest tragic characters I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Mariko very rarely got to experience true happiness. Seeing her family put to death, being forced to marry such a brute, couldn't even enjoy the happiness of being a mother without her husband ruining it. And when she does feel like she can finally take some agency over her life and experience the beauty of life...happiness, love, joy...her husband returns and ruins it all. I appreciate that they didn't continue with the romance like the previous series & book. It just added to the tragedy even more.

I had wanted to see Blackthorne beg Mariko and he literally did. And for her to comfort him while also explaining that she must serve a cause greater than her desires. It wasn't exactly what I had imagined, but I suppose in honor of making everything true as possible to 1600's history it was enough. And I'm glad that Mariko did have a moment of taking agency and allowing herself to experience more true love before her inevitable fate.

And Anna did such a beautiful & powerful job with it. Mariko is NOT an easy character to portray. Having to be a strong 1600's Japanese woman is almost an impossible task to act. She's not given the benefit of Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga of sitting in a "power stance" and emoting like he did while watching his friend commit seppuku. Anna has to be EXTREMELY subtle with it. And when they finally gave her scenes to be emotional in, she broke my heart. Tearing up after her talk with her son. The little emotional lip quiver after the talk with Lady Ochiba. The look she gave Blackthorne as he got ready to be her second.

My god, I wish I could just have 5 minutes of Anna's time to express how amazing I found her to be in this series....

[pierremigneault]

Mariko sama.... I cried so much at the sepuku scene. I was breathless.

[AizuddinDanian]

SHOGUN will need a wheelbarrow to carry home all the Emmys it is going to win.

The best mini series of ALL-TIME.

[Marvelousgamer]

I just finished the episode. That was incredible and insane!!! That ending!?!?!?!? I am NOT ready for this show to end next week! 😭 This show is what TVs were made for because this show is just so good! 🙌🏽 👏🏽

[qiaonasen]

This episode was bitter sweet.
I was very happy that Mariko and John got to express their love for each other.
Her death was very impactfull and the entire episode was done to perfection.

This entire series is a true masterwork.

[Qrt]

Yabushige is just character done perfect 😮

[Mack_au]

With just her voice, Mariko can tear strips off you.
Awesome.

[krisztianmayer]

You know, I'm not the type to comment much. I can count on one hand how many comments I've made on social media so far. I watched this series, and since then, I feel compelled to share my thoughts, and I've lost count of how many places I've commented on the topic, so I'm sure I'll repeat myself. The 9th episode was the peak of the show in my opinion. The whole episode was fantastic, and of course, the entire series has been a masterpiece from the first episode. Sets, acting performances, every detail meticulously crafted. However, the 9th episode takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, shaking your soul, and at the end, you feel like you need therapy. I knew Mariko would die, I know the book and the series made in the 80s, and I knew the story of the historical figure that inspired the character of Mariko, and yet it still hit me hard when I saw it happen. Mariko's death was inevitable. That was her fate. It had to happen for a greater purpose. Mariko is one of the most beautifully written characters I've seen so far. Portraying her is no small feat. I didn't know Anna Sawai before. I've never seen any of her work before. What she accomplished as Mariko is one of the greatest performances I've seen. Playing such a complex character with such detailed acting, with such meticulously crafted nonverbal communication, can only be done with very serious skills. Obviously, I don't know the actress, but I'm sure her real personality is far from Mariko's personality, even considering historical contexts, and this further enhances the value of her performance. The fact that a 21st-century modern young woman embodies a 16th-century Japanese noblewoman with such authenticity, intelligence, and astonishing detail that you forget you're not watching a real character is more than noteworthy. Thanks to Anna's performance, you completely believe that you're seeing Mariko. You feel her pain, her struggle, and when you face her death, you literally start mourning. These feelings can only be elicited by outstanding actors with outstanding performances. Let's quickly add that she does all of this in English and the appropriate Japanese language for the era. Her portrayal was utterly authentic.
Anna and Mariko is an excellent example of when a heartbreaking story meets a strong and beautiful character and an actress worthy of it. It rarely happens this perfect way in movie history. Let's add that the performances of the other actors were excellent as well. Cosmo Jarvis, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Tadanobu Asano all delivered their characters brilliantly, but Anna stood out even among these excellent performances. Hats off and Emmy on to her.

[newportkillers]

Remember when I read this part of the book two decades ago, heading to university by bus... crying like a baby... it happened again, a beautiful episode as it should be... the highlight of the series. Thank you for the care you've given to this series and to everyone involved

[Hellsgator]

What an episode. Was completely stunned at the end of it. So much deep stuff on how Mariko came to be who she is. The interactions between the cast were so beautifully done, so deeply emotional to watch. All the kimonos the women wear, so lovely to see that amount of detail in the clothing. Really enjoyed it.

[sora]

I am Japanese.
It is a series of scenes of samurai society that I, as a Japanese, have never seen before.
Something about the Catholic Church being portrayed as trying to invade Japan,
The scene of the confession between Mariko and the priest Martin was also very beautiful.
May Mariko's soul be saved.

by DeepL

[guidoferrari]

This series is fantastic. Every character is incredibly well written and performed and the visuals, sound design and costumes are perfect.