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gave the episode an "A–" and wrote, "The violence in Shōgun is staggered, but when it shows up, it's staggering. Men with katanas slice heads clean off, characters go on throat slashing sprees, arrows pierce through people in the woods, a guy gets boiled alive. Close your eyes sometimes if you must,
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is brought before
Toranaga and Mariko. They bring Portuguese Father Martin Alvito to translate their conversation, where Blackthorne reveals that England is at war with Portugal over their respective religions. This prompts Ishido to order Blackthorne's arrest, which Toranaga does not prevent to
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Ishido learns from the
Catholic regents Kiyama and Ohno that they will support Toranaga's impeachment if Blackthorne is killed, but he believes that the sailor can be useful for their plans. Yabushige, eager to play both sides, arranges for Blackthorne's prison escort to be ambushed by
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is dying, surrounded by his family and members of his court. After sending them away, he privately talks with
Toranaga, suggesting he could become the sole regent until his young heir Yaechiyo comes of age. Toranaga refuses, knowing that this will only make him a target for the
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According to
Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.764 million household viewers and gained a 0.14 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances, cinematography and pacing.
316:, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance. In the episode, Blackthorne explains his beliefs to Toranaga, while conflicts arise in Osaka.
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For the first meeting scene between
Blackthorne and Toranaga, Jonathan van Tulleken said he wanted the scene to feel "very first person" to "get inside both their heads", hoping to build tension in the scene over whether Blackthorne would commit a misstep.
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Realizing his potential, Toranaga decides to let
Blackthorne stay with him as a guest. The Jesuits inform Kiyama that Blackthorne's private notes have been retrieved, proving that he was sent to disrupt the silk trade. That night, Toranaga kills a
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wrote, "This is a good thing. A story about an actually noble nobleman, beset by rival houses, in a world where adherence to rigid rules of duty and honor can make the difference between life and death: People kind of like that stuff."
510:, we learn a great deal more about the dangerous game Lord Toranaga has been forced to play, a game that really began with specific instructions the Taikō left with one of the supreme ruler's few remaining breaths." Tyler Johnson of
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disguised as one of his servants when she tries to stab
Blackthorne in his room. Toranaga explains to his shocked advisors that he had deliberately changed rooms with Blackthorne, proving that the assassin was sent to kill him.
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s strength is how subtly it sets up its plot machinations through casual dialogue, as it does in the premiere, then "Servants of Two
Masters" is one of the miniseries' weaker episodes." Sean T. Collins of
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gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "These opening episodes were thrilling beyond measure, and better yet, they concluded with the promise of even higher stakes to come."
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443:
In its original FX broadcast, "Servants of Two
Masters" was seen by an estimated 0.764 million household viewers and gained a 0.14 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to
421:, and directed by co-executive producer Jonathan van Tulleken. It was Kondo's second writing credit, Marks' second writing credit, and van Tulleken's second directing credit.
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In
January 2024, Hulu confirmed that the second episode of the series would be titled "Servants of Two Masters", and was to be written by series developers
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and "rescue" Blackthorne for Toranaga. With Mariko translating his words, Blackthorne explains that
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avoid antagonizing the two Catholic regents. In his cell, Blackthorne meets Father Domingo, a
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premiere: FX's historical drama kicks off with two brutal, skillfully woven episodes"
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615:"Tuesday Ratings: 'The Floor' Season Finale Positions Fox As Among Key Demo Leaders"
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793:"Shogun Series Premiere Review: A Violent Clash of Cultures In Feudal Japan"
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are using profits from the silk trade to support a secret military base in
588:"Episode 2 - Servants of Two Masters | FX's Shōgun: The Official Podcast"
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and intend to replace all non-Catholic governments, shocking Toranaga.
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reported a 100% approval rating for the episode, based on 4 reviews.
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Portugal and Spain have divided the world among themselves
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gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "If
455:"Servants of Two Masters" received critical acclaim. The
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The series is set in 1600, and follows three characters.
765:"'Shōgun' Episode 2 Recap: "Servants of Two Masters""
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473:but let's all keep watching. This is good stuff."
737:"'Shogun' Series Premiere Recap: House of Lords"
172:Paulino Nunes as Father Visitor Carlo Dell'Acqua
281:. The episode was written by series developers
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532:"(#101/102) "Anjin / Servants of Two Masters""
139:Tokuma Nishioka as Toda "Iron Fist" Hiromatsu
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359:friar, who informs him that the Portuguese
339:s enemies. Anticipating this response, the
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16:2nd episode of the 1st season of Shōgun
671:Hobbs Coons, Meredith (May 24, 2024).
625:from the original on February 29, 2024
263:is the second episode of the American
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791:Johnson, Tyler (February 28, 2024).
613:Pucci, Douglas (February 28, 2024).
175:Hiromoto Ida as Kiyama ukon Sadanaga
735:Collins, Sean (February 27, 2024).
645:"Shōgun: Limited Series, Episode 2"
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343:informs him that he is forming a "
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840:2024 American television episodes
763:Loftus, Johnny (March 19, 2024).
703:Raub, Jesse (February 27, 2024).
181:Takeshi Kurokawa as Ohno Harunobu
845:Shōgun (2024 TV series) episodes
293:on February 27, 2024 alongside
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1:
566:Writers Guild of America West
328:One year prior, the reigning
190:Yuki Takao as Usami Tadayoshi
709:Recap: Silk, Gold, and Guns"
258:Futari no Shukun ni Tsukaete
178:Toshi Toda as Sugiyama Josui
163:Yuki Kura as Yoshii Nagakado
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104:February 27, 2024
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821:"Servants of Two Masters"
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466:Meredith Hobbs Coons of
561:(2023) - WGA Directory"
239:Servants of Two Masters
24:Servants of Two Masters
445:Nielsen Media Research
160:as Daiyoin / Lady Iyo
151:as Nakamura Hidetoshi
101:Original release date
57:Jonathan van Tulleken
225:Tomorrow Is Tomorrow
619:Programming Insider
594:. February 26, 2024
742:The New York Times
493:The New York Times
345:Council of Regents
267:television series
197:Episode chronology
143:Joaquim de Almeida
136:as Vasco Rodrigues
500:Johnny Loftus of
457:review aggregator
301:on the same day.
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283:Rachel Kondo
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74:Justin Marks
69:Rachel Kondo
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409:Development
361:Black Ships
352:Blackthorne
273:, based on
169:as Ferreira
96:Aika Miyake
54:Directed by
834:Categories
797:TV Fanatic
518:References
512:TV Fanatic
404:Production
357:Franciscan
119:58 minutes
108:2024-02-27
93:Editing by
62:Written by
434:Reception
350:In 1600,
275:the novel
249:二人の主君に仕えて
49:Episode 2
623:Archived
459:website
245:Japanese
208:Previous
41:Episode
802:May 24,
776:May 24,
770:Decider
748:May 24,
720:May 24,
714:Vulture
656:May 24,
629:May 24,
598:May 24,
572:May 24,
541:May 24,
503:Decider
479:Vulture
439:Viewers
425:Filming
396:shinobi
379:samurai
253:Hepburn
221: →
206:←
106: (
36:episode
707:Shōgun
675:Shōgun
559:Shogun
508:Shōgun
484:Shōgun
337:Taikō'
314:daimyo
270:Shōgun
33:Shōgun
487:'
383:rōnin
374:rōnin
365:Macau
341:Taikō
331:Taikō
310:Japan
213:Anjin
825:IMDb
804:2024
778:2024
750:2024
722:2024
690:2024
658:2024
631:2024
600:2024
574:2024
543:2024
417:and
324:Plot
291:Hulu
285:and
219:Next
823:at
277:by
158:Ayo
43:no.
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