Season 2 Episode 8
The episode opens with news of the death of the King of France, brought to the Pope by the giggling cardinals Sforza and Versucci. Rodrigo is not amused. He commands the cardinals to kneel and pray the rosary three dozen times. I wish there had been a better set-up in earlier episodes regarding Rodrigo's respect for the King of France.
Juan Comes Home
How the wounded Juan made it back to Rome without being chased and captured by the combined forces of Ludovico and Caterina Sforza, we do not know. He just made it. He invents a battle fairy tale for his father that paints him as a hero, but which I doubt Rodrigo believes. Yes, I do not believe Rodrigo is that blind to his favourite son's failings (Which begs the question, why keep him as leader of the Papal Army? More on this later.). Juan also points out Cesare's failure to warn him of the approach of Ludovico Sforza's army. Again, I ask, did it not occur to anyone that Ludovico may help out his cousin in her hour of need? Rodrigo actually defends Cesare. Juan insists that it is impossible for Cesare not to know an army was on the move. Cesare was also with Machiavelli, and Machiavelli has spies and, according to Juan, knows everything. Did it not occur to you, Juan, that, as leader of the Papal Army, it might be useful for you to have spies somewhere too? Do you not have people in your employ to watch your army's back?
Meanwhile, Don Caballos takes Cesare and Micheletto to Benito Sforza, confined to a cell in a house that belongs to Cardinal Sforza. Cardinal Sforza is a fascinating character. Rodrigo does not trust him. The Borgias are enemies of the Sforzas. Yet, Cardinal Sforza is repository of many Borgia secrets. I wonder how this will play out in the next season (Yes, I still have not seen Season Three).
Cesare immediately recognises Caterina Sforza's son. This has no bearing on this episode whatsoever, but I wonder if young Benito knows his mother boned Cesare. In the scenes within Forli Castle, Benito was presented as an innocent. I have no doubt this to be true, yet the lad also appears almost frighteningly intelligent. The stare down between Benito and Micheletto in this scene is both hilarious and creepy. Micheletto looked like he was scenting a threat to his master. He says the poison on Benito's wound (where Juan cut off the boy's finger) runs deep; the young one would lose an arm or a hand at least. Micheletto says it is better to kill the boy now. Whilst I believe Micheletto's diagnosis of infection, I also think he just wants to kill Benito before the boys grows into a man and becomes a real threat to Cesare.
Don Caballos objects. The boy is witness to the siege of Forli, where Juan ran like a coward. 'It is a matter of honour. I fight the men, not the boys.'
As Juan limps his way to his rolling chair, he runs into Cesare and Don Caballos. 'My brother, the hero,' says mocking, hot Cesare. As Juan is rolled away, Cesare and Don Caballos exchange a look.
Cesare goes to Rodrigo, who is seated and praying. Rodrigo declares that Juan fought within an inch of his life, but he says this in a way as though he is tasting the words, wondering if they are right. Rodrigo tells Cesare of Juan's suspicion that Cesare knew of Ludovico Sforza's attack and failed to warn Juan. Cesare says that if Rodrigo wants to know what happened in Forli, he should ask those who were there. Rodrigo says out loud what must have been in his mind since he heard the news of the defeat of the Papal Army --- if it were Cesare rather than Juan who was at Forli, would he have triumphed? Cesare says he would have been there to the end. I totally believe this.
Rodrigo changes the subject to Savonarola, who still preaches in Florence. He gives Cesare the authority to lay charges of heresy against the friar, and dispatches his one competent son to Florence. He then turns to his books, looking for 'God-given power to condemn to hell.' How disturbing is it that Rodrigo looks like a total book nerd whilst looking through dusty old books for this particularly awful power?
Cesare and Juan again meet by the stairs. Juan asks Cesare what Don Caballos told him. Cesare sasses Juan about fighting bravely and upholding the name Borgia. Juan then asks what Cesare told Rodrigo. There is more sass from Cesare about the truth.
Juan, on a visit to his doctor, is told that he can look forward to blindness, madness and death. This is just a guess, but could his unnamed disease be syphilis? Also, his injured leg may have to be removed. Life truly sucks for Juan right now. The doctor prescribes opium.
Cesare did not leave for Florence right away, because he has time to fight with Juan in the presence of Rodrigo. Rodrigo complains that they are being ridiculed. Caterina's 'Ten more sons!' declaration has spread. Heh. The writers knew those words were epic, and would resonate with fans. They were also delivered brilliantly by Gina McKee, who has been perfect as Caterina. Juan denies Caterina ever said those words, and says her son died in battle. Rodrigo obviously does not believe him. Juan, heartbroken, shows his father his wound, and tearfully asks what more is there for him to give. He again accuses Cesare of not warning him of Ludovico's march. Cesare denies knowing. Juan brings up Cesare's sexcapade with Caterina. Cesare taunts him with, 'Ten more sons.' Juan attacks Cesare, then cries in Rodrigo's arms. This family is f'ed up.
Don Caballos entrusts Benito to Cesare, because he is leaving. Cesare asks him to stay. Don Caballos says he does not 'wish to play this game I see you all play.' He also alludes to the possibility of him getting killed if he stays in Rome. Cesare and Don Caballos are both probably thinking of Juan. However, I would not put it past Cesare to murder someone, even someone like Don Caballos whom he obviously likes and respects, if he perceives him to be a serious threat to the family.
Micheletto, who still looks like he is itching to kill Benito, leads the boy out of his cell.
Remember the church whose roof collapsed after being hit with lightning? Rodrigo is there, and so is Benito. Rodrigo looks surprised, which means he is not in the church to meet Benito. Perchance the Pope is still meditating on God's message via the lightning-caused death and destruction in the church? Anyway, taking Benito to the church is Cesare's move against his brother.
Juan, who has been introduced to an opium den, comes home late and runs into his father. Rodrigo looks tired and defeated in this scene. He informs his favourite son that he will find someone else to lead the papal armies. He says Juan is in no fit state to defend anything, not even himself. Juan threatens suicide, and Rodrigo relents, and says Juan's estate remains in his hands. Juan leaves, and Rodrigo kneels and prays. Juan is a pretty bad egg, but I love David Oakes's portrayal of him.
Cardinal Sforza takes Benito, who is holding a branch of olive, to Cesare and Micheletto, to be returned to his mother. While resting by a river, Micheletto tells Cesare, 'They say drowning is like dreaming.' Cesare irately asks who could possibly know that. Micheletto reiterates his desire to kill Benito. He says the Sforza boy has the smell of revenge about him. I love the promise of an interesting story line here; I hope we get to see more of Benito Sforza in the next season.
Before they leave the river, Micheletto tells Benito he offered to drown him, but his Master said no. Benito eerily parrots Micheletto's words: 'They say drowning is like dreaming.' Micheletto asks him how he knows. Benito says he heard Micheletto tell his master. Love it. Sean Harris is never not awesome as Micheletto. He is a great actor. It says a lot about young Noah Silver that he is more than able to keep pace with Sean Harris.
At the edge of the forest near Castle Forli, Cesare lets Benito go, but not before telling him to remember this as an act of mercy. I very much doubt Benito sees it that way, Cesare. Micheletto agrees with me, and warns his master this dog will come back and bite. Cesare, remembering Don Caballos, says he fights men, not boys.
Lucrezia and Her Boys
Rodrigo rants at the baby-carrying Vanozza that there is still no betrothal between Lucrezia and Calvino Palaviccini. Vanozza is irate at being handed this task. I do not know if it is intentional for Rodrigo to be hilarious in this scene, but he is. They are fighting, but there is nice chemistry between Jeremy Irons and Joanne Whalley. Also, has anyone noticed how Lucrezia's baby does not seem to grow? I am not clear on the timeline of this show, but certainly a lot has happened since Lucrezia gave birth. Surely the baby should have already celebrated a birthday or two.
The baby's mother is busy hovering over Rafaello, who is drawing. She leans over his ear and whispers, 'Beautiful.' Gah. I so do not like this part of the story.
Lucrezia later goes to the Palaviccini chambers. She is obviously looking for Rafaello, but finds Calvino instead. Calvino looks and seems perfectly nice. That Lucrezia cannot seem to see this, that it was not written for her character to see this, that there are two men, brothers, who appear to both be good and are now ensnared in a tangled web of Lucrezia's sense of duty and lust, that there appears to be a single-minded pursuit of the other brother just because, irritates me so. I can accept that Lucrezia is simply attracted to Rafaello and not to Calvino; there is much dramatic potential here. I think what bothers me about this story line is that Lucrezia almost seems giddy in her pursuit of Rafaello. I wish Lucrezia's transition from victim to vixen had taken a different route.
Later, Vanozza uses food to teach her daughter that it is possible for her to have both men --- marry one brother and take the other one as lover. A good student, Lucrezia wastes no time in finding a practical application for her mother's lesson. She sleeps with Rafaello, then publicly accepts Calvino's proposal of marriage. Rodrigo looks delighted, Rafaello guilty, Calvino earnest, Lucrezia lusty and b@tchy. Ah, Lucrezia. You will be much better on Season Three, right? Right?
The Poison Plot
Cardinal Della Rovere is still trying to kill the Pope. The roadblock to his plan now is the Pope's taster, Brother Bernardino, who he says is a charitable soul. The Cardinal walks through the market with Antonello, and tells him of the duties of the taster. Later, Antonello asks the Dominicans about the taster. Antonello is really creepy.
Creepy Antonello watches Brother Bernardino through the marketplace. The taster drowns while fishing in the river. Creepy Antonello confesses to Cardinal Della Rovere that he pushed the taster to the water, then asks if he is fulfilling his mission. 'More than one could have hoped for,' the Cardinal replies.
I have largely been indifferent to this particular storyline, but this final scene between Cardinal Della Rovere and creepy Antonello is chilling. I love the expression on Colm Feore's face; I hope they give him more to do because he is a fantastic actor.
Show: The Borgias (Showtime)
Season: Two
Episode Number in Series: 17
Episode Number in Season: Eight
Episode Title: Truth and Lies
Episode Writer: John Maybury
Episode Director: David Leland
Original Air Date: June 3, 2012
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