This week’s episode of Shōgun was a sensational bit of television. From start to finish, this episode was all about Anna Sawai.

In a series full of sensational performances, Sawai has continuously stolen the show. “Crimson Sky” was a series-stealing performance for Sawai’s Mariko, and she deserves an award.

Mariko featured throughout this episode as she navigated the court in Osaka as she continued to do the bidding of her lord Toranaga. In the last episode, we saw Toranaga offer her the death that she’s been craving for long, and we see the plan take shape.

Using her intellect and Toranaga’s plan, Mariko leaves Ishido with two terrible options: he either lets her leave Osaka and return to Toranaga or he forces her to stay confirming they are holding people hostage and let’s her commit seppuku disgracing all of them.

Once the plan goes to hell and he tries to have her killed by shinobi (speaking of, did anyone else play The G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury on the Game Gear or was it just me?), Mariko ends up sacrificing herself to a bomb from Ishido’s men. Her legend will surely grow.

The other featured storyline in this episode was Yabushige betraying Toranaga and joining Ishido. He’s the one who allowed the shinobi into the compound to murder everyone. He will most certainly get what’s coming to him.

I wasn’t totally sure what John Blackthorne was doing on this episode? Like, I couldn’t figure out what exactly his plan was here? Doesn’t matter. He was good in this episode.

The finale is next week, and I can’t wait. I think they’re going to close out the show with a phenomenal episode.