Tokyo Vice – Season 2 Episode 7 “The War at Home” Recap & Review

The War at Home

Episode 7 of Tokyo Vice Season 2 begins with Jake reuniting with his sister. She is excited to see him after a long time but perhaps there is a sense that their father might not be. However, that’s not the case. Jake is welcomed with open arms by his parents, although they don’t forget to remind him of his ignoring them.

At the party, many people are curious to listen to him about his experience in Japan. Jake isn’t short of stories either, so it is a good match. 

Jake’s good form continues as he gives a remarkable speech full of memories, warmth, and meaning on the occasion of Eddie’s birthday. The father is brought to tears listening to the speech. While talking to him after the party, Jake discovers that Jess, his sister, had to be hospitalized with her condition for a few weeks. Jake grows concerned and promises to be by her side until he is at home. 

In another developing subplot, Eimi asks Tin Tin to research Baku’s archives from the files. She and Shingo both suspect him to be acting against the paper’s interests with possible links to Tozawa. Samantha approaches Luna to absorb the girls at Onyx while she rebuilds. The insurance company won’t pay anytime soon and she is in desperate need of funds with no clear outlet. However, Luna rejects the request. She cites her earlier warning to Samantha about being involved with the yakuza. Before they can talk more, Samantha is haggled by photographers who chase her through the streets.

In what could be an important subplot for Samantha’s character, we see her fuming when she sees Akira on the TV. He has become a big reality star now, all started by stealing money from Samantha that she had saved up for her club. 

Sato and Samantha begin afresh with a new relationship. She encourages him to be stern with Kaito, even if it means drawing a wedge between them. As for her plans, Samantha intends to raise funds, rebuild the club, and take care of the girls.

During Ishida’s funeral, Tozawa unexpectedly shows up and mocks Hayama about the incident. The hot-headed boss is now in charge and wants to retaliate, making his intentions clear at a meeting later. Sato opposes the move, saying that an unsubstantiated attack will alienate them from the other gumis. 

However, Hayama isn’t ready to back down and forces the other men to agree with him, including Kaito. Kataigiri continues to keep the other shooter from the club a secret. He confesses that Tozawa offered him money to kill Ishida. Katagiri offers him a choice – the death penalty for killing four people or cooperating with the police with a reduced sentence of 20 years. He chooses the latter. In a double whammy, Katagiri is able to retrieve the murder weapon from the shooter’s hiding place.

Nagata is able to convince the DA for a reduced sentence, signalling heavy police action on Tozawa. As they are about to take him to the courthouse, Tozawa’s shooters on a bike kill him through the window. Although the disappointment is huge, the duo do not give up. They work overtime to go through all the recording tapes from Tozawa’s communication lines. Katagiri excitedly brings her a part of the recording where Tozawa received a phone call from a hospital in Southern Minneapolis. He was on the no-fly list to the US but this is credible evidence that he did and received treatment for his liver disease.

Sato and Kaito make up as the younger brother agrees to stay away from Hayama. Sato tells him the truth about the failed attempt at Tozawa’s life, which is convincing enough. But things go awfully wrong for Sato as Hayama learns about his remarks. He brutally punches and kicks Sato in front of everyone and banishes him from the organization.

While working on the school project with Jess, Jake receives a call from Katagiri about the Tozawa update. The detective requests Jake to fly to the place – an hour and a half away – before Tozawa gets to them. Jake is reluctant to leave but understands the urgency of the situation. He meets Dr Walker at the hospital, a friend of his father, Eddie. Jake becomes interested in him when he sees an expensive watch on his wrist.

Katagiri supposed that Tozawa must have bribed someone to get a liver transplant, and this strongly suggests it was Walker. Katagiri earnestly implores Jake to leave the States without any delay and return to Tokyo. The story will die down and Tozawa will be untouchable if he is successful in consolidating power. He calls Eddie and informs him about taking a flight from Dallas. Eddie is furious and honestly, disappointed. It is a great addition to Jake’s character and how he is torn between family and work. There isn’t much he can say to turn Jake back so Eddie lets it go.

The episode ends on a terrible note as we learn Kaito, who is now a part of the Chihara-kai, was sent on a hit job with another foot soldier. They barely escaped as Kaito froze when occasioned to take a life.

The Episode Review

Overall, it felt that not a lot happened in the latest Episode of Tokyo Vice. However, without stirring up too much controversy, the show makes decent progress in terms of character development. A few potentially explosive subplots are also triggered to further increase the unpredictability of certain outcomes.

Jake’s hard decision is a defining moment for the character. Despite knowing the stakes and what has been going on with Jess recently, he still decided to choose work. It gives complexity to his character and his worldview. Many would have jumped at the opportunity to remain at home and pursue their passion. But for Jake, home was never enough. This subplot hasn’t necessarily received appropriate attention yet. With such little time left and the story reaching critical mass, it is unlikely we will see more.

However, the yakuza war in Japan is getting ready to peak and then silently fall to a halt. That will be the main focus going forward. Given how the makers have managed to upend expectations, the bar is set very high.