The classic narrative arc is pretty well-known: exposition, rising action, twist, climax and resolution.
It could be said that Samurai Jack — after setting up its exposition in the three-episode movie that aired all the way back on Aug. 10, 2001 — has been stuck in its rising action for about 16 years.
Sure, most episodes throughout the first four seasons followed a similar plot line: Jack encounters either someone who needs his help or one of Aku’s lackeys and either saves or defeats them, respectively.
These short plots were overarched, though, by Jack’s quest to defeat Aku and return to the past, a premise that was repeated in the show’s original theme song.
In this, the show’s fifth and final season, though, Samurai Jack has taken up a more true narrative arc. The first episode served as exposition, as viewers were re-introduced to an exhausted and rugged Jack, sporting a scraggly beard and beaten down by haunting flashbacks.
The rest of the season has been rising action. Viewers were introduced to secondary enemies like the Daughters of Aku and Scaramouche the Merciless, saw the return of Aku and the Scotsman and, most recently, watched Jack and Ashi transform from mortal enemies to tongue tennis partners.
There’s some rising action in Saturday night’s penultimate episode, too.
Jack and Ashi eat some rather chewy campfire-roasted slug and chat about Jack’s childhood prior to Aku. Meanwhile, Scaramouche makes his way back to Aku, revealing to his master that Jack doesn’t have his sword — which, of course, he does now — and dances around in his freshly reformed body, babe. Yes, it’s already a gif.
lost his sword babe
Provided via Imgur
Jack leaves Ashi and finds the remnants of the portal that was once protected by the Guardian, but a pair of smashed red glasses seem to indicate that he, too, has fallen victim to Aku.
Aku appears. He and Scaramouche have a laugh about Jack’s not-actually-missing sword; Jack draws the sword and, before he can start to protest, Scaramouche — who unfortunately “bet (his) life” on a swordless Jack — is blasted into oblivion by his furious master.
It’s a shame to see Scaramouche go. He was fantastic comic relief, and he will be eternally remembered by fans for his now-infamous “talking penis” quote.
Time for the twist.
Aku realizes Ashi is his daughter and, somehow, he is able to control her actions. He forces her to duel Jack as he utters perhaps the series’ best quote: “I mean, you try and raise them right, then they run off with your mortal enemy. What’s a dad to do?”
In a final act of evil, Aku transforms his daughter into a female version of himself, complete with flaming eyebrows.
Screenshot via Adult Swim
Jack overcomes her but can’t bring himself to kill her, even though she begs him to. He gives up — Aku has struck the final blow, ruining Jack. He lifts Jack’s sword in victory.
This is not the climax. Jack is not done quite yet, but it sure doesn’t look good for the Samurai. Now would be a splendid time for the Scotsman to show up.
It just doesn’t seem right that, after all this time, Jack would be struck down and defeated. Is the final shot really going to be Aku laughing maniacally over his defeated enemy’s corpse? I don’t think so.
The resolution is coming next week — but will it feel right if Jack doesn’t get back to the past?
Rating: 4.5/5
Samurai Jack airs every Saturday at 11 p.m. on Adult Swim.
