This Means War! Shogun Episode 4 Breakdown

[@eliduncan-gilmour5028]

A lot of people are acting like Toronaga’s son was dumb… I think that’s an oversimplified read. It’s clear from the episode that the entire gun regiment, the ace up Toranaga’s sleeve, was t risk of switching sides to Ishido. The son forced Yabushige’s hand and to solidly side with Toronaga, all while preventing Ishido from learning about their new weaponry. Seems like a bold but solid move.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Oh I agree, but a bit rushed I think. He was within his right to kill him for insults in that culture. And spys would have portrayed it that way instead of the way he handled it.

[@alesh2275]

Brilliant read!

[@closequarters4575]

💯

[@woollywoolwoolz]

My man Toranaga is way ahead of the game, he’s got schemes for his schemes… Also Yabu is an awesome character, I love his face expressions, Mariko 100% pillowed the Anjin 😂

[@SANESX]

​@@SmokeScreenVidsone thing watcher and John going to learn is...despite manner and culture. In Samurai fight they are dirty.

[@kevindelaney1951]

She is translating the journals for her Lord as directed. She is also writing her observations of Blackthorn conducting training.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Yeah I meant Fuji. She’s not attending the training, perhaps she is still helping.

[@kevinprince9527]

The Japanese were also nortorious for record keeping. They wrote everything down and create illistrations artwork. Even if the Japanese constantly killed each other and burned down their enemies castles, records always remained. Which is why today it remains one of the best well recorded history in the world.

[@projektkobra2247]

Except Blackthorne has had land battle training in the book....Its glossed over in the mini-series

[@keasbeydave]

I think that Toranga’s son just placed him in the crosshairs. There is no side stepping an all out war now.

[@noname-dk7ri]

Yes, it is good to compare natto to cheese. Cheese is good, but some take time to get used to the distinct taste. And they are both fermented foods. Natto has the smell, but I'm sure many people don't like the unique sticky texture of natto. I think it is a matter of getting used to it.

[@mbranche4234]

Nadgakado had to keep the news about the cannons and training from Anjin private. The Council wanted to kill Toranado for marrying women and gaining wealth/power. They would kill his entire family if this weaponry was leaked. He told his Dad that enemies were surrounding him in that town, so the massacre should not be a surprise.

[@loucypherdamorningstar]

Awesome breakdown. I was still stuck on honor. Except the name of this game is in honor not stupidity

[@SmokeScreenVids]

I agree, he had justification for killing him due to just insults in that society.

[@kireus6714]

@@loucypherdamorningstar The only honor these samurais recognize is their loyalty towards their masters.

[@colonelreb1014]

Kiku is obviously Toranaga's spy and instrument. Kiku told toranago about the english ship with guns

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Possible but Muraji was sending the birds.

[@colonelreb1014]

@@SmokeScreenVids just a messenger. Kiku gave them the info from pillowing Omi

[@fukers2stop]

yea Kiku would make the most sense

[@colonelreb1014]

@@fukers2stop also putting words in Omi's ear like "It should be YOU ruling" . Kinda like Janice told Richie in the Sopranos while they were having sex, "It should be you Richie, you should be the Boss". Although Janice did it for her own selfish reasons, Kiku is doing it out of loyalty for Toranaga

[@HopeAndrea_HFG]

Old goat cheese sounds horrific. I was wondering what Fuji was writing too. They zoomed in on it for a reason. A letter? Diary?

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Letter or taking notes as Mariko was?

[@CoreyonYouTube]

Love this show!!!!

[@fredsutton927]

I'm a lover of the book, and I'm really disappointed. At this point in the story, Blackthorne is supposed to be learning Japanese. No mention of that. No mention of the threat to the village over him learning. And they completely ignored the consequences of Blackthorne having swords when he went to visit Yabushige, and his epiphany over embracing the Japanese way of life. This was the central story of the book, for me, and I am so disappointed that it hasn't been included in any way :( :( :(

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Yeah I think they wanted Toranaga to look better without the threat, but they missed an opportunity for the attempted seppuku.

[@dennissorensen167]

Awesome!

[@anthonymontali3551]

is this danny mcbride narrarating?

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Yes!

[@remorselesscuckslayer2318]

Toranaga's son taking care of business.

[@Betrayed_King]

Smoke and a pancake... 🍻

[@raynerstuelgalid]

The show runners mistreated the Mariko character. Making her jump into bed without expressing, or at least have or show feelings of mutual romantic interest. The love was a slow burn in Clavell's book, certainly it was a coy verbal interlude first.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

It seemed a little quick. I mean we’ve had a few smiles I guess 😂

[@raynerstuelgalid]

@@SmokeScreenVids Yeah. The screenplay could have done a scene or two of furtive loving glances or stolen light touches. you know, show the romantic mutual interest. Don't make her steal into the bedroom in the night like a horny one aka apropos of nothing,

[@johnsullivan6843]

I like the series, and this episode in particular. I thought Blackthorn’s gift would be almost impossible to top, but damn Fuji’s kicked it up big time. I noticed that Mariko does tend to smooth things over with ‘her’ translations - a very diplomatic move that lets cooler heads prevail. One of life’s lessons should always be “don’t kill the messenger” and dog gone it things are even more complicated now! 😅

[@clydewmorgan]

totahaga left his son there specifically to start a war. He knew his son was a hothead, and was looking for glory

[@loucypherdamorningstar]

How could his son justify the attack? It doesn’t besmirch honor to attack messengers? Be dope if you can provide some insight

[@lucasbelmonte2832]

@@loucypherdamorningstarThey insulted his father, so him killing them is acceptable even if they are messengers/

[@loucypherdamorningstar]

@@lucasbelmonte2832 Thanks

[@THEMikeAguirre]

This is a great review! Concise, to the point, and offers little tidbits we might have missed during the episode. Thanks for this!

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alesh2275]

It’s a medium scale failure in the series that it didn’t make clear Toranaga’s dynamics in Ajiro. 1. First, Toranaga escapes Osaka with Ishido obviously pissed off at him. 2. Toranaga pulled the wool off Yabushige’s eyes by not telling Yabushige of his plan, and using Yabushige as excuse for the escape. 3. If Toranaga told Yabushige of his planned escape then Yabushige could have betrayed Toranaga and gotten into Ishido’s favor. 4. By going through this subterfuge then Toranaga made Ishido suspect that Yabushige is actually playing Ishido for a fool, eviscerating all trust from Ishido to Yabushige. 5. Toranaga has always known that Yabushige is a player and has to be manipulated, otherwise he’s a real danger to Toranaga, hence his instructions to Nagakado that there are no friends or enemies, only rely on yourself. 6. Imagine then, how Toranaga would have felt when he saw Yabushige and Omi’s massive army in Anjiro. He would have been terrified that Yabushige might change his mind, capture Toranaga, and offer Toranaga to Ishido. 7. This is where you see Toranaga’s genius. He made lemonade out of lemons: He went into front of the troops and made a rousing speech, so rousing that the troops started chanting his name. This is brilliant because the public loyalty of the troops to Toranaga would have made it more difficult for Yabushige to organize a capture of Toranaga on the spot. 8. And the better to ensure his options, Toranaga suddenly left to go back to his boat and then to Edo where he would be surrounded by his own troops whose loyalty he would not doubt. This move was so secretly planned that only his son knew of it, taking Yabushige by surprise. Toranaga would only ever be near Yabushige is he is surrounded by a multitude of his own loyal troops.

[@basslightyeah]

Wouldn't call it a failure of the show, I think its quite easy to grasp if you watch it and engage your brain a bit. Also this could still be spelled out in upcoming episodes.

[@user-lf2kk2rj8k]

It’s obvious to anyone watching the show. Anjin remarked the same as much when saw Yabu’s troops

[@alesh2275]

@@user-lf2kk2rj8k I’ve asked more than 10 people already and all they got was that Toranaga was good at making speeches to the troops. They totally lost it that Toranaga was playing a game.

[@loucypherdamorningstar]

Damn, I thought you were gonna break down the son and why he feels he can justify that action. I know he shouted some declaration of offense, but I’m gonna have to watch it again. It was obvious Toranaga would pull the okie doke. He told him to his face the type of person he was.

[@penegakkeadilanpembasmikej5022]

Young one always so easy to manipulate

[@crashhhhhhh3068]

His son's actions secured the flipfloper on Toranaga's side and didnt reveal the strenght of the weapons. 2 wins with 1 play.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

It does for sure.

[@Stress-Free-K]

At first, I thought Mariko was writing Toranago about the progress of the training. But she could also be letting Toranago know about what she's translated so far from Blackthrone's ship's logs.

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

I thought it clear that the translation taking time was just to help. And so he could get help from the anjin. Like he knew what it basically said but needs the anjin. I don't think they really care. Mariko may because she is a Catholic. But the other Lords really don't care. They just use what they can to get what they want. In this case the anjin is a pirate so he can be killed. But he had orders from his queen so he is no criminal! He is serving his master/queen's wishes. As a good samurai does 😂. They would respect him and him being the inferior power yet still winning is what is making the impact I believe.

[@Stress-Free-K]

@@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE Agreed. Toranaga wanted to give the impression that he didn't really care what kind of pirate/emissary Blackthore was. But Mr. T also knows his anjin has secret knowledge that can help him against Ishido and friends. Also, it's a combination of Mariko's talks with anjin and her reading of his daring exploits that's got her motor running HOT. So she prolly thinks that some of what she's reading is so shocking she must relay them to Toranaga.

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

@Stress-Free-K u actually think she is just documenting what is happening with the training etc. Think about it, she is writing in it in the field where they are training. She doesn't even have the book there. She would surely record what the book says while she is reading it. I honestly believe that her writing in the book is simply documenting the training. We will see though.

[@Stress-Free-K]

@@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE Indeed we shall. Cuz Mr. T is gonna have a lot to say about what's been going on lately.

[@richiec808]

Brilliant tv show so far!

[@johnnielurker]

love Yabushige's costume tbh

[@kevinprince9527]

I like Omi

[@bennygerow]

This show keeps getting better and better!

[@justinvanheerde4338]

Love your breakdowns! Still watching your “dragon raised by wolves” series sometimes. Its so good!!!

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Appreciate it, miss those days.

[@kevinprince9527]

I believe what Fuji was writing was the daily beaurcracy of the houses affairs. She is the head of B. Thorns house and is responsible for running the finances and delegating household chores. She was probably handing in that scene handling hatamoto's secretary work.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Makes sense

[@SilverScale.]

Fantastic episode. I'm starting to feel that halfway sadness of "it's almost over, oh no!" It's for sure one of my all time favorite shows and I'm savoring this time as much as I can. :)

[@SmokeScreenVids]

I agree

[@djordan4648]

The scene where Mariko is reading Blackthorne's rutters is all wrong. They would most likely have been written in Dutch or English. She only spoke Latin and Portugese other than Japanese.

[@DecaDose]

So bummed I have to wait till monday for the next episode lol damn it

[@michaelmcdonagh3218]

Mariko😍😍😍, amma rite! 😂😂😂

[@SHARKVADERS]

S...S!!!!!

[@dezeeweezy]

Thanks for all the breakdowns 😊. They are always so helpful with my understanding of the episodes.

[@haymaker710]

I liked the twist ending.

[@scottmcley5111]

Ok, I'm a little confused Chris. Maybe one of yall can clarify. Who did Blackthorn bang? I couldn't tell who was who. T.V. must need brightness adjusted.....

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Mariko, she just hid it from Fuji.

[@scottmcley5111]

@SmokeScreenVids Thanks man. Ok that makes sense now why she rolled up on him in the bath... I thought he was working on both of the ladies! I was like, what kind of show is this again? 😆

[@seanm8734]

@@SmokeScreenVids Thanks! Dark scene. I wasn't sure it was her.

[@lydiaquinn2892]

This is a riveting series and this episode was great. I’m on the edge of my seat.

[@bencera6067]

Really digging this series!

[@Testacabeza]

The lover was a courtesan, not Mariko.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

It was Mariko, she only hid it from Fuji.

[@Testacabeza]

@@SmokeScreenVids I stand corrected, sir!

[@raynerstuelgalid]

The show runners mistreated the Mariko character. Making her jump into bed without expressing, or at least have or show feelings of mutual romantic interest. The love was a slow burn in Clavell's book, certainly it was a coy verbal interlude first.

[@Testacabeza]

@@raynerstuelgalid Yes, I think they are rushing it quite a bit.

[@hughgeek5592]

Fuji is becoming a fan favorite with her badassery in this episode. Great, great show, and a good breakdown.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

I agree! Appreciate it.

[@newkey1106]

It must be hell living on borrowed time you don’t know what you’re next day will bring thanks for the break down

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Exactly

[@andrewquejano746]

Daddy is going to be pissed when he gets home. Toranaga’s son gon get a huge ass whooping 😂😂

[@Stress-Free-K]

Nah. Toranaga's gonna be proud. Cuz otherwise, Ishido would find out about the canons.

[@kaydens6964]

Nah, the army was about to switching sides with the dude playing both sides, Tthe son literally give him no choice but be on Toranaga's side while not giving anything away tactics wise.

[@Imtheshotcaller]

Those samurai were talking mad shit disrespecting Toranaga and his son, Yoshii may have fired the first shot but war was inevitable, he protected his fathers secret and secured Yabushige to his side. Pretty chad move.

[@SK-qt1rm]

You missed Omisan’s plotting. He covertly egged Nagakado into acting on Ishito’s men. Probably hoping swords would getting involved. This is a divergence from the 70s Shugun. Omi was basically a vassal of Yabu and respected Toranaga. In this version, Omi is a good schemer. Wonder where else Omi’s character will differ in the future? So many differences. I like certain parts of both, better.

[@토론배틀tv]

Torunaga's son looks like V in BTS.

[@Schrogs]

This episode was pretty weak. Actually the only episode where I was bored. A little blemish on the series but I’m sure next episode will be action packed after all the talking that was done on this episode

[@gurjodhdhaliwal8434]

This was a recap more than a breakdown

[@SmokeScreenVids]

Yes, a recap with some explanation of culture.

[@AverageBrownDude]

I don’t think it was Mariko who went into his room. She said it was another consort.

[@SmokeScreenVids]

She was hiding it from Fuji