In the gripping ninth episode of the historical drama series “Shogun,” viewers witnessed a profound shift in the complex relationship between the samurai noblewoman Toda Mariko, played by Anna Sawai, and the English sailor John Blackthorne, portrayed by Cosmo Jarvis. The intense, unexpected scenes between the two characters have left a lasting impression, and now Sawai herself is offering insight into the emotional significance behind these pivotal moments.
“I think that she feels devastation and shock when Kiyama is not there to second her, because that means that she will die an unloyal Catholic,” Sawai explains. “But by having Blackthorne step up, she is able to still be faithful to her religion, and also be a loyal samurai dying for her Lord.”
This sequence, in which Blackthorne volunteers to serve as Mariko’s second and carry out her ritual suicide, represents a powerful gesture of respect and understanding. Sawai notes that it is “a very special moment, because she knows the suffering that he’s going to have to go through because of this act.”
The actress further unpacks the deeper meaning behind this bittersweet encounter, stating that it marks a significant transformation in Blackthorne’s character arc. “I think that maybe, how she’s always telling him, ‘We live and we die, we control nothing beyond that.’ For most of the show, Blackthorne is trying to control his fate. He’s going and he’s rebelling and all that, but maybe in that scene, that particular scene, she sees him finally accepting what is. It’s not what he wants, but he’s accepting of it, so I think that that is the moment where she realizes how he’s changed.”
While undeniably a dark and tragic moment, Sawai argues that this scene between Mariko and Blackthorne represents the most romantic moment in the series thus far. “Blackthorne volunteering to kill Mariko, so she doesn’t have to take her own life and thereby commit a mortal sin against her Christian faith, is undeniably dark. Nevertheless, it is romantic because it proves how much Blackthorne respects Mariko, and he prioritizes this respect over his own faith and desire for her to live.”
This profound shift in their relationship, built upon mutual understanding and a newfound respect for each other’s beliefs and values, lays the groundwork for the tragic yet poignant final moments between Mariko and Blackthorne in the episode. As “Shogun” races towards its conclusion, fans can anticipate an even deeper exploration of these characters’ complex and evolving dynamic.
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