For Blackthorne to choose to take this action, it would have to be meaningful.
This placement would have been far too soon for Blackthorne to truly understand the context of this undertaking.
When it came together, it was like, ‘Of course.
Image via FX
Now it’s inevitable that he would have to sort of do that.’
And hes bad at it.
The writers were highly aware of how this scene could go wrong.
From the start, it seems the Englishman is heading straight into white saviorism.
The lord kills these villagers for the direct purpose of testing Blackthorne.
With his attempted seppuku, Toranaga can finally trust that the English navigator is resigned to his side.
His fate is to stay in Japan and he ultimately accepts his destiny.
Making these small changes can benefit any story.
It doesnt besmirch the source material but elevates it.
The series has become a television phenomenon for good reason.
Viewers can catchthe end ofShogunby streaming it on Hulu.
