The Shogun series finale opens in surprising fashion.

An elderly John Blackthorne is at home in England, his grandchildren nervously asking about his adventures in Japan.

It's the last news we'll receive about what becomes of the Anjin following his time abroad -- but it's not the last surprise that this episode will deliver.

As the previous episode hinted, Mariko's death was a strategic one, taken on with the goal of strengthening Toranaga's position in his conflict with the Council of Regents.

It turns out that before her death, Mariko worked to undermine the alliance between Ochiba and Ishido.

Furthermore, she and Toranaga made a deal to save Blackthorne's life by sacrificing his beloved ship, the Erasmus.

Toranaga reveals all of this to his disloyal vassal Yabushige, before assisting the latter in committing seppuku.

The episode -- and the series -- concludes on an unexpected scene, as Buntaro joins Blackthorne in an effort to resurred the Erasmus.

We know that Blackthorne makes it safely home someday, but we don't know if Toranaga will become Shogun -- although, given his brilliance and ambition, it's a safe bet that he'll realize this goal.

What's not in doubt as the closing credits roll is that Shogun is one of the most memorable limited series in recent memory.