Shōgun episode 5’s ending is explained by stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis, as Lord Toranaga and John Blackthorne’s fates become more connected.

Shōgun episode 5’s dramatic ending is explained by stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis. John Blackthorne (Jarvis) experienced his first “baby earthquake” in episode 4 of FX’s acclaimed period drama series, and that foreshadowing paid off in a big way in episode 5, with a major quake that left Lord Toranaga (Sanada) trapped. It was Blackthorne himself to the rescue, as he dug Toranaga out of the earth, saving his life and perhaps deepening their connection.

After that dramatic Shōgun episode 5 ending, Sanada and Jarvis both spoke about the significance of the moment, reflecting on what it meant for both their characters. Check out their remarks below (via Digital Spy):

Sanada: “Blackthorne helped me to escape from Osaka and now also saved my life again. He was almost dead. Then, when he opened his eyes, this guy maybe looked like God. And then this guy helped me again, so that’s more believable for Toranaga. This is a guy who is going to be important in my life.”

Jarvis: “That moment occurs just after a very serious exchange where Blackthorne is very frustrated with the place he finds himself and the customs. … Suddenly, this huge interruption happens in the form of the earthquake. It’s after that in that moment you’re describing where Blackthorne, despite what he thought before, finds himself hopelessly connected to this man.

It just sort of unravels in that way. From that moment on, I think it fundamentally changes Blackthorne’s opinions on many, many things.”

Sanada: “That was an easy way to show our relationship to the audience.”

Where Do Blackthorne and Toranaga Go From Here?

Blackthorne’s usefulness to Toranaga showed itself not only as the latter made his desperate escape from Osaka. It also manifested in the strangely touching moment when Blackthorne taught Toranaga how to dive, demonstrating his technique over-and-over until Toranaga finally plunged into the water himself and raced the Englishman.

It wasn’t necessarily friendship that seemed to be budding between the English sailor and the Japanese lord through their swimming race, but a genuine bond did seem to be growing up between them. Now with Shōgun episode 5’s big developments, the way may be paved for genuine friendship to emerge between the two characters.

It’s yet to be seen if Blackthorne will take on a significance for Toranaga that goes beyond mere usefulness, but Toranaga actor Sanada does seem to indicate that this is where their relationship is heading, as Blackthorne becomes “important” in his life. Blackthorne’s perspective also seems to have shifted after his rescue of Toranaga, as the Englishman comes to more-and-more embrace the strange new culture to which he’s been introduced throughout Shōgun season 1, growing closer to both Mariko and perhaps Toranaga.