Season 2 Episode 5
Good Works For The Ladies, Part Deux
Giulia, Lucrezia and Vanozza are still trying to better Rome. They go to a brothel that is apparently frequented by members of the clergy. A lady of the evening (Paolo's friend, I think) takes them to the madam, and the ladies make their proposal --- in exchange for information on the brothel's religious clientele, the ladies will pay for the refurbishment of the premises.
Plot To Kill The Pope
Cardinal Della Rovere journeys to Florence and meets with Savonarola, who says he had a vision of the Borgia Pope dead, and approves the assassination plan. Back in Vatican (he overtakes the Pope and his escorts on the road) with the Dominicans, Cardinal Della Rovere proposes to use cantarella, the same poison Cesare and Micheletto used on him. He says someone from the Dominican order must seek employment as the Pope's taster, and be prepared to die along with him. There are no volunteers, but later a boy seeks out the Cardinal and offers his services.
Pope and Sforza
In the aftermath of the destruction of the French forces, the Pope asks Cesare again if he was among those Romans who destroyed the French munitions. I understand that Rodrigo is curious about his son's activities, but why did he ask Cesare about them in front of Cardinal Sforza? In the previous episode, he made a point of telling Cesare how much he mistrusted his Vice Chancellor. Yet, he seems oddly careless about the amount of information Cardinal Sforza manages to glean.
The Pope rides with Cardinal Sforza to Florence, to deal with Savonarola. He sends Cesare to Forli to tell Caterina Sforza that she must come to Rome, kneel at the Pope's feet and kiss the papal ring, or her fortress will be destroyed and she dragged to Rome in chains.
In Florence, Rodrigo and Sforza watch Savonarola preach while wearing 'disguises' --- robes with hoods. This outfit kind of immediately marks them as suspicious personages, no? Cardinal Della Rovere is in that church, too, and in a similar outfit, though the three of them do not look at each other's direction.
Rodrigo and Sforza go to the palace of the Medicis, where they are greeted by Machiavelli. Piero de Medici complains that they live in a fortress because of Savonarola, who preaches against worldly goods. Sforza is concerned about the Church's deposits in the Medici bank. They discuss how to buy off Savonarola.
As Rodrigo and Sforza make their way back to Rome, Rodrigo suggests enticing Savonarola with the offer of a Cardinal's hat, then putting him in the dungeons and charging him with heresy. Sforza asks if the Pope would do the same to his cousin Caterina. Rodrigo replies that he would befriend Caterina and hold her close. Sforza quietly points out that the Pope holds him the same way too.
Cardinal Sforza just may be my favourite character in the series. I cannot read him. I have no idea where his loyalties lie. In any given situation, I cannot predict how he will react. He is a brilliantly rendered character, wonderfully written and acted.
Back at the Vatican, the Pope celebrates mass when lightning hits the church. Part of the church roof collapses, and concrete falls, hitting people inside, including many altar boys. The Pope sees two young altar boys crouching in a corner. He looks up, thinks it is safe, and gestures for them to move. The younger one dashes and gets it by a large brick. Rodrigo desperately tries to help him. When he manages to free the boy, he carries him, but the boy dies in his arms. Outside, Rodrigo tries to get people to help him help others still trapped inside the church.
Later, the Pope asks Cardinal Sforza if the collapse of the church is a sign from God. Sforza says it is a bolt of lightning. Rodrigo is convinced God signalled His displeasure, and decrees that they must atone for their sins with fasting and prayer. Peter Sullivan does excellent subtle work here --- Sforza is clearly shocked and distressed by the death and destruction around him. At the same time, he is wondering how long the Pope's piety will last.
Micheletto and Augustino
Micheletto is born in Forli, and we get to meet his mother and his old lover Augustino, who is getting married. Micheletto's mother thinks he is studying medicine in Rome, and that Cesare is Micheletto's teacher. We also find out Micheletto killed his father.
While Cesare is making time with Caterina Sforza, Micheletto and Augustino meet in a graveyard and almost immediately, begin taking off their clothes. Micheletto asks Augustino to come to Rome, but Augustino knows what Micheletto's life in Rome is like.
The following night, Micheletto and Augustino meet once again at the graveyard (by the grave of Micheletto's father). Augustino says they cannot meet again. He seems resigned to live a life that is expected of him in Forli with his future wife. Micheletto grabs Augustino and holds him from behind as though to kill, then lets him go. Theirs is not a happy parting.
Caterina and Cesare
As Micheletto and Cesare enter Forli castle, Cesare takes note of the French canons. Micheletto assures Cesare he will always be safe whenever he (Micheletto) is near. This is really touching Micheletto, if not for the fact that you left Cesare alone for at least two nights. Not that I blame you for doing that; you had to make time for the one you love, too, and it is not like you can stand in the room and watch while Caterina expertly seduces your master. Anyway, Cesare orders Micheletto to stay close and keep the horses saddled.
Caterina casually chats with Cesare inside her castle, telling him her son Benito longs for a soldier's career. Caterina asks Benito whom his mother bows to, and Benito answers, 'Nobody.' Caterina then goes on to say that there are other forms of obeisance, and that there is a 'form of surrender which implies no submission.' Can you be more obvious that you have been thinking of nothing but sh@gging Cesare since you saw him at your door, Caterina? Not that I blame you, of course. Cesare tries to deliver the Pope's full threat, but Caterina tells him to relay his full message the following day, for that night, he is her guest. Aw, you just do not want the two of you to have words until you have had him.
After dinner, Benito sings while Caterina and Cesare watch. They agree that Benito is not a soldier, and Cesare tells her never to send Benito to war. This is a short scene, yet there actually was sweet chemistry between Cesare and Caterina, equals, enemies briefly at repose, watching an innocent.
Later, Caterina tells Cesare the Sforzas of Forli never surrender. They kneel, but only willingly. Caterina then kneels in front of Cesare.
A manservant leads Cesare to a suite of rooms, which turn out to be Caterina's. They kiss and sh@g, and there is a knife thrown at some point. In the morning, Caterina tells Cesare she heard rumours that the canons in the Vatican were fake. She says the trouble with the Borgias is that nothing is as it seems. Oh, and the Sforzas are paragons of truthfulness?
At dinner, Cesare again tries to tell Caterina the Pope's full message, but Caterina still tries to deflect. When Cesare lays out Caterina's choice --- come to Rome willingly or in chains --- Caterina promises him an answer at breakfast. It is obvious to Cesare that Caterina already knows her answer and is simply delaying him, but the two of them sh@g, again, and after watching Cesare with Ursula, it is a relief to see him with a woman (a) with whom he sizzles and (b) who is his equal. Caterina suggests that Cesare throw away his cardinal's robe and wear armour instead. You might regret making that suggestion in the future, Caterina.
Early in the morning, Giovanni Sforza, Lucrezia's ex, arrives and he and Caterina discuss the Pope's terms.
Giovanni walks in while Cesare has breakfast and refers to Lucrezia as the 'slattern I was tricked into marrying.' Big mistake, Giovanni. Caterina briefly comes into the room and tells Cesare her answer is no. Giovanni does not know when to shut up, and he calls the Pope 'swine.' Cesare shoves his knife at Giovanni's hand on the table. The two of them struggle; Cesare prevails and stabs Giovanni repeatedly, repeating his pledge to Lucrezia to cut out his heart. It is interesting that, at this time, Cesare knows it is Giovanni who pointed the French scouts to the convent of St. Cecilia. Giovanni bears at least some responsibility to Ursula's death, if the French scout is to be believed. Ursula is supposed to be Cesare's great love. I would have thought Cesare would have wanted to skin Giovanni for his part in Ursula's death. Yet, as Cesare kills Giovanni, all he remembers is his pledge to his sister.
A maid walks into the killing, her screams bring Caterina. Cesare fights the guards and escapes with Micheletto's perfect timing with the horses. Cesare gives Micheletto the knife coated with Giovanni Sforza's blood for safekeeping, and the two of them separate. Cesare pauses from his flight to stare at his hands.
Show: The Borgias
Season: Two
Episode Number in Series: 14
Episode Number in Season: Five
Episode Title: The Choice
Episode Writer: Neil Jordan
Episode Director: Kari Skogland
Original Air Date: May 6, 2012
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