Shogun Episode 2 Ending Explained: Who Tried To Kill John Blackthorne?

"Shogun episode 2 reveals Lord Kiyama hired an assassin to kill John Blackthorne, raising tension and revealing the show's complex game of interests."

Shōgun episode 2 ends with an intense fight between Lord Toranaga and an assassin, raising questions about who wants the Anjin dead and why. John Blackthorne, the English navigator whose ship washed ashore on an unconfirmed island, has elevated tensions among the main Shōgun characters. The Portuguese and Christian lords see Blackthorne as a threat, while Ishido sees him as an opportunity for power.

After being kept in prison and narrowly escaping execution, John was brought back to Toranaga's castle with the help of Mariko, who provided a fair translation to establish communication between the Anjin and Toranaga. John informed his host about the existence of a Portuguese base in Macau and a war involving a different Christian religion. Shōgun's first two episodes introduced audiences to an extensive set of characters, families, and locations, all entangled in a complex game of interests connected to Yoshii Toranaga and his vision for Japan's future.

Lord Kiyama hired an assassin to kill Blackthorne, revealing that there is a spy among Toranaga's court. The assassin's mistake in targeting Toranaga instead of Blackthorne indicated the leak of information about the foreigner's whereabouts. The Christian lords and Portuguese priests want Blackthorne dead because his presence threatens their plans for the region. The arrival of an English Protestant puts the religious and commercial aspects of Portugal's mission in Japan and their alliance with lords like Kiyama in danger, prompting them to go after Blackthorne.

Ishido sees an opportunity in Blackthorne, as he is the key to accessing weapons and trade with regions other than Portugal. Ishido made sure John wouldn't be executed, as he believes the Anjin will make a great ally once a more direct fight for power between Ishido and the Christian lords begins. Toranaga is interested in Blackthorne because of his access to weapons and knowledge of the world unknown to the Japanese. The discovery of Portugal's base in Macau and their influence over the region shocked Toranaga, leading him to refuse to sign a document authorizing a commercial ship to leave Japan.

At least three main forces are competing for power by the end of Shōgun episode 2 - Toranaga, Ishido, and the Christian lords - and the Anjin is in the middle of it. Both Ishido and Toranaga see the value of having John Blackthorne close to them for similar reasons, hence the "Servants of Two Lords" title. Shōgun releases new episodes Tuesdays on FX and Hulu.