re: Shogun - Official Series Discussion Thread **Spoilers**

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why is Blackthorne so important?


3. He serves as a potential counter to Portuguese monopoly on trade.

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This is the initial reason, the thing that gains Toranaga's attention.

Remember, Toranaga is the Minister of Trade, so he's intimately aware of how much money and influence is involved with the Portuguese and their Black Ship.

And just at the moment the Council of Regents is preparing to make their move on him, when he's seemingly hemmed in on all sides, a NEW 'Black Ship' appears, in HIS territory. And they didn't just make anchor, he has the ship and remaining crew. That sparks his curiosity, because he's looking for any edge he can get.

Then, once he sees how angry the Portuguese are and how desperately they want to kill Blackthorne, he realizes how big the dynamics are. This guy isn't just a random outsider, it's suddenly clear he represents a rival with equal power, completely separate from the Europeans Japan had been dealing with.
That gives him leverage against both the Portuguese (and those who get rich trading with them), and the Catholics (and those in Japan devoted to them).

It's the opportunity he had been waiting for, he can sow dissension among the Council and make his own play. And the more intel Blackthorne gives him, the greater his chance to undermine the previously secure bases of his enemies.

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I feel stupid that I'm asking this after three episodes of a show I'm enjoying because I feel like it's a basic point, but why is Blackthorne so important? I don't really see why right from the start he was viewed as someone so integral to everyone's plans.

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It was also shown at the end of this last episode that Toranaga wants him to train some of his men to use European weapons and tactics. Of course, Blackthorne is just a pilot and not trained in cannons or war and starts to say as much, but realizing he would be less useful he instead agreed and asked for the return of his crew, presumably with some of them knowledgeable with cannons and such. Or at least that was my interpretation of that scene, never read the book or anything.

Another strong episode.

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I enjoyed the first episode, but was the actual lense they used filming a tad wonky to anyone else? It feels a tad fish eyed.

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this is akin to people bitching about sound editing in Nolan films. I keep hearing people complain, but have never had the issue. TexAgs board said the same thing.

Watched the original in 1980. Good show

Excellent episode, again.

The carnage from those cannons was impressive. Found it interesting the samurai called them savages as a result. It’s interesting to me to see what they consider the “rightful” or “honorable” warfare.

awesome episode!

No complaints.

Lady Mariko looking fine

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To the point where he’s given a smoking hot woman who will do whatever he wants but he knows she’s only doing as commanded and won’t touch her.

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i would not consider his consort "smoking hot" but i do agree with the post. otherwise.

i enjoyed a lot of series last year, but this is the best series i've seen in a long time.

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i would not consider his consort "smoking hot" but i do agree with the post. otherwise.

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Kind of a low blow to her but point taken