Summary
The episode begins with talks of shutting out foreigners from the country. It is discussed that no one holds as much political power as Lady Kasuga. Those that serve her had been chosen and nurtured by her. The men still left with power are obligated to Lady Kasuga.
We are introduced to Sutezo, a man that obviously has charm and the favor of ladies in town. His father is disappointed in him because he is lazy and refuses to watch the family business. However, Sutezo points out that the world has changed and that men no longer go into the family business and are treated as shogun. Sutezo is unfazed by his father’s tongue-lashing. Instead, Sutezo reiterates that he is glad he was born in a better time and making money from women makes more money than the family business.
On an outing, Lady Kusuga briefly sees Sutezo and recognizes the uncanny similarity between Sutezo and Arikoto. As Sutezo passes a dark alley, he is summoned by a samurai to meet with Lady Kasuga.
In a flashback, or dream, we are taken through the childhood of Lady Kasuga. Her face was covered with pockmarks from contracting smallpox as a child. Her father was hung as a traitor and her family had to flee from province to province. She was in a loveless marriage and killed her husband’s concubine who was beating their child. Kasuga tells her son that she is going to go to Edo to become the shogun’s wet nurse. Her son says he will follow her and be of use. Kasuga has one request of her son. To never call her mother.
Kasuga wakes up from her dream. Her son, now known as Masakatsu, tries to convince his mother to rest. She admonishes him claiming it is an important day. There is an announcement that a new groom will be added to the Ooku. Kasuga summons Arikoto and lets him know his time is up. Satuzo will now take his place. Arikoto fights back and tries to buy more time but is not successful.
He goes to Lady Chie/Iemitsu and tells her she should sleep with a man she does not love to bear a child. She is obviously heartbroken and goes into a rage beating Arikoto.
Lady Chie/Iemitsu tells Arikoto that it isn’t his fault she hasn’t gotten pregnant. She explains the birth of her daughter was difficult and that no man could impregnate her.
Thoughts
I am a bit put off by how much this anime time jumps. It isn’t necessarily hard to follow, but it makes the show feel choppy. So far, there are three storylines that I can decipher. The first is from the first episode which is the current times. There is the story leading up to current times told by the love story of Arikoto and Chie. Then, there is the story of transitioning from a patriarchy to a matriarchy. They all intertwine, but I am not sure I like it. This episode was repetitive to me. Yes, we know Lady Kasuga is a wench who stops at nothing. I feel like we’re beating a dead horse here.
Filthy Casual for Life 
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