Tamako (Empress Dowager Taiken), wife of the retired Emperor Toba, gets upset and clutches at Nariko for bringing up unfavorable rumors surrounding Prince Masahito's birth. On that night, Norikiyo, who has a secret crush on Tamako, visits Tamako to comfort her, but becomes beside himself learning of her continued feelings toward the retired Emperor Toba, and unintentionally wrings her neck. The retired Emperor Toba, however, was indifferent and does not blame Norikiyo for this incident.
うたげ以来、傷ついた待賢門院（檀れい）に接近した義清（藤木直人）であったが、義清と男女関係にある堀河局（りょう）は、あまりにも身分違いの恋は身の破滅を招くと義清に警告する。そんな折、待賢門院は息子・雅仁親王（松田翔太）をめぐって得子（松雪泰子）とつかみ合いのケンカをしてしまう。待賢門院の身を案じた義清は、その夜忍んでいくが、待賢門院の心が実は鳥羽（三上博史）にあることを知り…。
