John Blackthorne is moving fast in the ranks but not because of his own means so far but because he as become the perfect obstacle for the Council in favor of Toronaga, Yoshii has use him as a pawn on this, so far; silent war he has against the other four most powerful men in Japan.
What intrigue me the most is how far will Yabushige will remain alive playing the double agent game, for the most part he makes everyone believe he is on Toronaga's side but behind close doors he constantly talks to Ishido even advice him how to move against Toronaga and tries to make him use John as a pawn on this side too but the truth is that Yabushige intercept John when Ishido send for him, then Yabushige deliever John to Toronaga, this looks like Yabushige is with Toronaga but trying to hustle Ishido, looking for any land or power he can get from him for his personal use, I doubt Yabushige will be able to betray Toronaga before he finds out or kill him.
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Episode two had a dramatic ending with for almost everyone on Toronaga's clan, after John reveal to them that the Portuguese run a gun warehouse Mariko suspect this was used on their war against the Taiko, same war that Toronaga fought meaning they are not their friend but their enemy making all kind of profits under their own noses without even noticing, Yabushige was probably like wtf just happen?
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Toronaga has decided to move out of Osaka, he was able to delay his impeachment but thats not enough and with what John has reveal to him changes everything, before he goes kinda broke relationship between the church and Japan closing the port for them this also got Ishido suspecting and now if the other Catholic members of the Council remain loyal to their faith are they also Ishido's enemy but in the meantime allies against Toronaga?
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This scene is a very funny one, aside from the mind games there is certain comedy happening specially between Mariko and John, he has no other option since she is his interpreter although he is trying to learn Japanese, he is short on options so they have become some what close and Mariko makes fun of him every time she can regarding how he is a barbarian since he knows nothing about their traditions, in this case the Dr. taking care of his wound suggest they get him a women to calm him down where Mariko translate for him and latter ask if he prefers a male companion.
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I'm following the series episode by episode every week, let me tell you that Chiyo is going to become a very important part of John life, after her husband and baby where killed because her husband insulted Ishido she is now going to serve Toronaga to gain a place on his clan, there is suppose to be a romance relationship between John and a women but I'm not sure yet if its Mariko or Chiyo, both went through the same circumstances, both serving Toronaga to remain on his clan and gain a seat, but I'm still not sure if any of the two will fall in love with John.
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Japanese honor is something very beautiful that in the case of John he knows nothing about, but he does take certain risks specially lie about certain things, in this case he saves Toronaga by making a full of himself trying to stop Ishido's soldier to look into the case where women where transport, saying how disrespectful is to peek at a women's quarters, if he didnt do this Toronaga was going to be discover for sure but NONE of the Toronaga clan was going to make a fool of themself like John did because of honor, they just do not behave that way no matter what, in that case they probably prefer Toronaga getting discovered and fight for their lives.
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Once again Toronaga playing mind tricks at the rest of the council, before Taiko died the orders were simple and explicit, there MUST be five Regents to vote if not they cant but now Toronaga quits the Council leaving only four regents, this moves are starting to make Ishido loose his patience, I think its silly that they cant vote if Toronaga quits, first he can't quit and second if he does then he can be by default declare an enemy of the council.
This series is just getting better and better, we only on episode four as this week, I'm loving all the mind games Toronaga is playing on everyone not only on the council members but also on Yabushige, it seems that been a hostage as little gave him every advantage he needed to develop this mind state, I think we now get into the stage where John starts to go up in the ranks, learn their culture, their language, handle a sword, this is very familiar....last samurai type of thing, but still interesting to me, I'm sure most people are enjoying this tv series a lot.
