Kazuo Mori had also directed four of the original Zatoichi films, (including the first sequel, released 12 years prior). As such, this episode feels especially at home among the more morose, less campy entries in the series. The deaths and suffering are framed heavily here (much more so than they would have been on Western broadcast television at the time), and it's a pretty strong start in terms of stakes and tone.

Most Zatoichi stories can be broken down into two categories based on whether he's highly underestimated or if word of the  deadly blind masseur had preceded his arrival. I usually prefer the former, but this is definitely on the latter end of that spectrum.  (The next episode lands on the former though, so it looks like we'll have a variety to look forward to.)

It's less of a road-trip story than it sounds, spending most of the time establishing this week's characters and motives. The actual journey is relegated to a montage in the third act. 

There's an attempt at the iconic gambling den scene from the first movie (this time with cards instead of dice). The decision to make the couple hounding Ichi so unlikeable pays off as his generosity toward them doubles down on the character's gambler with a heart of gold visage.

This director also worked on the Lone Wolf and Cub series and the very rad-looking Yokai Monsters trilogy that's now on my list of things to hunt down.