Episode 5 of the second season of Westworld, "Akane No Mai," introduces us to Shogun World: the Japanese section of the park set in the Edo era (also called the "Tokugawa period," 17th-19th centuries). From the beginning, we are shown certain parallels between the world of Westworld that we already know and this one; both in its plots and in its characters.
These are some of the common elements between the two that we see in this episode:
1. Paint It, Black
The composer Ramin Djawadi did a memorable version of "Paint It, Black" by the Rolling Stones in the western style in the first season, for the introductory scene of Hector (Rodrigo Santoro) and his band of bandits.
In Shogun World we can see almost the same sequence, but in Edo-era Japan. Traditional Japanese instruments accompany the confrontation between the bandits and the local authorities; the former are led by the ronin Musashi, who would be Hector's counterpart. They look for hidden money in a geisha establishment (instead of the brothel in Westworld), and Musashi starts a conversation with Akane (Rinko Kikuchi) in a similar way to Hector and Maeve (Thandie Newton).
The writer of the narratives for the park, Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman), admits that the stories are parallel, as well as the characteristics of each character. For example, Armistice (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal) shows an instant connection with her Japanese counterpart, a temerary woman who, instead of having a snake tattoo on her face like Armistice, has a dragon tattoo.
2. Hector/Musashi
One, a Wild West bandit; the other, a Tokugawa-era ronin.
Both characters have similar physical features (a scar on their faces) and a stoic attitude. As well as great fighting skills and a natural dowry for leadership, they enjoy the respect of those who follow them. Ironically, in the face of obvious similarities, they reject each other and keep their guard up in the presence of the other; they know that they are dangerous individuals and cannot turn their backs on each other.
3. Maeve/Akane
One, a madame in a Westworld brothel; the other, Okaa-san (mother or madame) in Shogun World.
Their reactions are completely the opposite of those of Hector and Musashi. By noticing the similarities between the two, a connection is created between them and they immediately feel identified by the love they have for their daughters. In Akane's case, Sakura (Kiki Sukezane) is not her biological daughter, but her protégé, whom she has raised and trained as a geisha.
Akane and Maeve are strong and intelligent women, whose determination is absolute when it comes to protecting their daughters, which brings us to the next point.
4. Mother's love
From the first season, we discovered that Maeve's motivation is her daughter. It is this element that makes her "wake up" and that, despite her constant reprogramming, she never forgets. Her story and the purpose of her character were changed; however, Maeve still remembers her little daughter running by her, holding her hand, and being brutally murdered at the hands of the Man in Black.
This murder "awakens" Maeve and achieves in her the genuine human reaction that inspires William (Ed Harris) to search for that authentic element, that "reality" within the park.
Maeve observes with tenderness how Akane protects Sakura, feeling empathy for her Asian counterpart. At the moment Sakura is killed by the shogun, we can see in Maeve's afflicted expression that at that instant she relives her daughter's murder. At the request of the shogun, Akane is forced to perform a dance, but beyond the pain on her face, there is determination: as she approaches the shogun close enough, she holds the headdress of her hair and cuts his face as bloodily as possible. Maeve acknowledges her courage: "You're definitely a true mother," she says.
Maeve's quest continues. Her daughter's still somewhere in the park, waiting for her. The fierce mother makes her way between hosts and guests, now with a new "voice" that will allow her to achieve her goal: to return to her daughter's side and never be separated from her.
