Shōgun’s series finale ending scene is explained by co-creator Justin Marks, who teases that it’s the “beginning of a new friendship.”

Shōgun co-creator Justin Marks and staff writer Emily Yoshida explain the final scene featuring John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and his interaction with Toda “Buntaro” Hirokatsu (Shinnosuke Abe). Despite their hostility towards each other throughout the series, much of which was rooted in their feelings for Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), the rivals appear to end the series on a positive note. In the finale, Blackthorne and Buntaro bow to each other, with the Shōgun character then joining Blackthorne and the villagers in pulling his damaged ship from the waters.

As explained by Marks and Yoshida in FX Network‘s Shōgun: The Official Podcast breakdown of the finale, the closing moments see Blackthorne with a new purpose and a fresh start, part of which is his newfound relationship with Buntaro. Not only does Buntaro help Blackthorne and show that they now respect each other, but Blackthorne gives his water to Buntaro as they rest from their arduous labor, with these once bitter enemies now potentially becoming close friends. Read Marks and Yoshida’s comments below:

Marks : As Blackthorne stood on the beach in the kind of reborn purpose he’s been given, without realizing that this purpose is all for nothing. But it doesn’t matter that it’s all for nothing, because that’s the point. He’s happy. He’s found something again. And he’s found a community, too, of these peasants who are helping him pull the ship out. This is his new crew. In a certain respect, his new buddies.

Yoshida : Him and Buntaro are the new buddy comedy, the most unexpected buddy comedy going forward.

Marks : This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Why It’s Difficult To Feel Good About Blackthorne & Buntaro’s New Friendship

There Was A Love Triangle Between Buntaro, Mariko, & Blackthorne.

As Mariko’s husband, Buntaro was emotionally and physically abusive, and his jealousy of Blackthorne escalated his dangerous behavior.

Shōgun‘s final scene is already a far cry from a happy ending, as Blackthorne’s new purpose that brings him joy and meaning, rebuilding his ship and building a fleet for Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), is rooted in Toranaga’s deception. Blackthorne tragically doesn’t realize that it was Toranaga who destroyed his ship as a test and is keeping Blackthorne around for his amusement. These tragic undertones are arguably made even worse by the budding friendship between Blackthorne and Buntaro.

As Mariko’s husband, Buntaro was emotionally and physically abusive, and his jealousy of Blackthorne escalated his dangerous behavior. Blackthorne and Mariko grew to love and understand each other, which was most clearly cemented when Blackthorne volunteered to be Mariko’s second, showing that he prioritized his respect for her over his own religion and desires. This makes it all the more insulting that Blackthorne is now forming a friendship with the man he knows abused the woman he loved.

Mariko was a fiercely insightful, loyal, courageous, and composed individual. Even if she wasn’t any of these things, Blackthorne would be doing a disservice to her memory by befriending her abuser. Blackthorne was certainly a better partner for her than Buntaro, but his relationship with Buntaro proves that Mariko also deserved better than him. Moving forward, Blackthorne and Buntaro may have a beautiful friendship and be a buddy comedy, although their history makes that hard to accept and adds another dark layer to Shōgun‘s ending.