Shogun episode 8 saw the return of Father Martin Alvito who still tries to advance his own interests as Toranaga prepares for his next big move.

Shōgun episode 8 “The Abyss of Life” saw the return of the Portuguese priest, Father Martin Alvito. With only two episodes left in the acclimated Fx/Hulu series, the stage is set for Lord Toranaga’s secret plan to start unfolding. With Shōgun episode 9 being titled “Crimson Sky”, it’s likely that his hidden agenda to attack Osaka when they least expected it is now well underway following the shocking sacrifice of his longtime ally, Toda Hiromatsu at the end of Shōgun episode 8.

The last two episodes of Shōgun have seen Toranaga take major losses in the form of his mentor Hiromatsu and his son Nagakado. Known for being ruthlessly cunning, even when it involves the death of his loved one, Toranaga appears to be stopping at nothing to ensure the legacy of his future shogunate. His greatest foes, Lord Ishido and Ochiba-no-kata, the Mother of the Heir, believe they have Toranaga right where they want him. As Toranaga resettles in Edo, Father Martin also tries to make a move on him that ends up backfiring hilariously.

Shogun Episode 8 Proved The Portuguese Priest Is Not As Powerful As He Thinks

Father Martin greatly underestimates the depths of Toranaga’s tactics

Toranaga reaffirmed his power dynamic over Father Martin by making him truly appear like a pawn in his elaborate chess game.

Among the many new developments in Shōgun episode 8 “The Abyss of Life”, Toranaga reaffirmed his power dynamic over Father Martin by making him truly appear like a pawn in his elaborate chess game. Blackthorne, who has recently been stripped of his Hatamoto title, also leverages his power over Father Martin, who is suspicious as to why he does not have his own private quarters anymore. It appears that Blackthorne is also a part of Toranaga’s long-term strategy, whether he is completely aware of it or not.

Before meeting with Toranaga, Father Martin thought he was coming to John’s rescue to help communicate in Japanese, only for John to prove he knew the language. What’s more is that the priest’s request for more firewood wasn’t even what Blackthorne wanted, which was charcoal, demonstrating that Father Martin isn’t as on top of things as he once thought. Later, he was happy about the plot of land in Edo that Toranaga agreed to give him to build a church, only to find that Toranaga gave Gin and her courtesans a plot right next to him.

Why Father Martin Can’t Be Trusted In Shogun

His motivations in Japan aren’t entirely transparent

Blackthorne exposed the Portuguese’s trade interest in being the liaison between China and Japan, wishing to take a large part of those profits and resources.

Father Martin played the role of the trusted ally quite well in Shōgun until Blackthorne exposed the Portuguese’s trade interest in being the liaison between China and Japan, wishing to take a large part of those profits and resources. Father Martin reveals to Toranaga that the Catholic Church won’t ally with Toranaga and that he came to Edo on his own as a solitary missionary. More than likely, Father Martin just wants personal gains and will try to use Toranaga to spread his religion across Japan. Toranaga sees through the priest quite easily in Shōgun and grants him his church appropriately.