Shogun Episode 9 Ending Explained & Recap: Does Mariko Die?

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Here’s the and recap featuring spoilers about what happened in the episode. Did Lady Mariko die? Here’s everything you need to know.

The episode saw Lady Mariko attempting to leave Ishido’s castle upon Toranaga’s orders, alongside Lady Kiri no kata and Lady Shizu no kata. When they were denied an exit without Ishido’s permit, Mariko announced that she couldn’t live any further with the guilt of not being able to fulfill her Lord’s command.

But as she was about to commit Seppuku, Ishido personally delivered a permit allowing her to leave, stating that his castle wasn’t a prison and everyone was free to leave with a permit.

He couldn’t have allowed her to kill herself because that would have resulted in a revolt from every high family in Osaka. However, despite giving her a permit, he wasn’t going to let her leave to prevent other hostages from demanding permission. So, he had Yabushige kill the guards to allow his Shinobi into the castle.

The Shinobi were sent to kill Lady Mariko and other followers of Toranaga, to make an example out of them. While fighting their way through them, Blackthorne, Mariko, Kiri, Shizu, and even Yabushige were all boxed in a room. As the Shinobi were about to blow up the room with everyone in it, Mariko decided to sacrifice herself to save others.

The episode ended with a massive cliffhanger, leaving Mariko’s fate to hang in the balance. However, when the Shinobi were trying to break in with explosives, she prevented their entrance by standing right in front of the bomb. The final shot was her getting burnt and tossed away with its impact.

So, it’s likely that the explosion killed her. But the others in the room would all survive because of her. Now, the finale will reveal Toranaga’s move to avenge Mariko, Nagakado, and Hiromatsu, and turn the tide of war against Ishido and Ochiba.

For more Shogun updates, learn whether it is based on a true story. Also, find out what is Natto in episode 4.