Shōgun came to a conclusion with the 10th and final episode “A Dream of a Dream”, and it continued the show’s greatness. Everyone involved should be proud of what they accomplished in this series.

I was dreading watching this final episode. Not because I thought I wasn’t going to like it, because it meant that the show was ending. I love a lot of television, but I truly believe this is one of the best shows of all time.

The performances that we received from the main three in this episode of Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and Yabushige (Tadanobu Satō) were tremendous.

The lynchpin for this episode was Toranaga. We finally got his plans laid bare, and he fully revealed himself as the master planner. Sanada plays the character in the finale with an air of confidence and finality in knowing that everything has worked out exactly as he planned. He had the title that he’s been hunting forever directly in front of him: Shōgun.

Finally, we also have revealed Toranaga’s master plan with Blackthorne. “He makes me laugh.” HE MAKES HIM LAUGH! What an outstanding line after everything that Toranaga has put Blackthorne through in the show. Again, as I’ve said repeatedly throughout, Cosmo Jarvis is definitely an acquired taste, but I think he nailed this episode. His pain over losing Mariko was well acted, and I don’t think I could’ve asked for more from him.

“Why tell a dead man the future?”

Tornaga to Yabushige

However, the relationship to focus on in this episode was clearly Toranaga and Yabushige. We learn pretty quickly that Toranaga has learned about Yabushige’s betrayal, and he orders him to come seppuku. The conversation on the hillside between the two old friends was one of my favorites of the entire series. Satō was fantastic throughout the show as Yabushige, and he shined again here.

Shōgun is an utterly brilliant show. I can’t speak highly enough of what they’ve created here. They should win all of the awards.