Season 3 Episode 2
The third, and apparently last, season of The Borgias opened with the Pope surviving an assassination attempt engineered by Cardinal Della Rovere. The Cardinal is imprisoned but manages to escape. Caterina Sforza fast tracks her plan to kill the Borgias, but Cardinal Ascanio Sforza decides to throw his lot with the Borgias (or perhaps he simply could not stomach actually murdering anyone) and warns Cesare. The Borgias survive and on this episode, they begin their revenge.
Purge Inside the Vatican
Rodrigo, still noticeably weak after surviving the poisoning, is being shaved, first by an unnamed servant who nicks him, then by Cesare, who is much better at this shaving thing. Rodrigo wants to know who helped Cardinal Della Rovere escaped. He is in such a dark place that he even entertains the thought that Cesare is in league with his enemy. He then says he will cleanse the College of the Cardinals.
Rufio assembles a meeting of members of the most important families of Italy. I like both the actor, but every time I see Rufio I cannot help but think he is Micheletto-lite. He describes himself as the 'black heart of the Borgia nightmare.' I do not think you are quite there yet, dude. Anyway, he enjoins the Roman aristocracy to put aside their enmities and join Caterina Sforza in bringing down the Borgias.
Rodrigo is being wheeled around by Cesare and, for a moment, I think of Juan. Rodrigo is telling Cesare how the great Italian families are represented inside the Vatican by their members who are in the College of Cardinals. These threads report to Caterina Sforza. Rodrigo wants Cesare to trace these threads outside the Vatican walls while he deals with the traitors from within. There seems to be an understanding between father and son that Juan's death would be blamed on these conspirators.
In a darkened street nobleman Vitelli walks with his bodyguards, whom Micheletto easily dispatches of. Vitelli is left alone to speak to Cesare. Cesare brings up the attempted assassination of his family. He also says it is rumoured that Caterina had help. Cesare tells Micheletto to alert the night's watch regarding the attack on Vitelli's party, then says he will escort Vitelli home himself.
Inside a pub are the Orsinis, members of another noble family. There is sudden quiet when Cesare announces his presence. They speak of a game --- if the Pope dies, who is to succeed him? An Orisini says the Pope lives so the game is over. The accusation not so subtly thrown is that the Orsinis remain there to more easily confer with their cousin Cardinal Orsini. There is a Cardinal Orsini who died of poison in the first season. Can we assume that there is another Cardinal Orsini? Did I just hear the name wrong?
Anyway, Cesare also brings up their involvement with Caterina Sforza. One of the Orsinis puts a knife to Cesare's throat; Micheletto grabs another Orsini and returns the favour. They eventually let go, and one of the Orsinis warns Cesare to be careful of making accusations. Rome is a city of rumours. It is made clear that there has been talk of Cesare murdering Juan.
In Rodrigo's dream, Juan is a little boy again. They play and run, and the ground gives way. Rodrigo grabs hold of Juan's hand, but Juan eventually falls into a pit of darkness. Rodrigo must have been muttering Juan's name because when Cesare wakes him, he says, 'Cesare, Holy Father. Your loving son.' Rodrigo speaks of an inquisition within the Vatican walls.
Rodrigo begins with Cardinal Sforza, who kneels in front of him and swears his innocence. The Pope tasks him to interrogate all the cardinals and to begin with Cardinal De Luca, who is to be threatened with torture. Cardinal Sforza points out that the Pope cannot torture a prince of the Church. Rodrigo explains that Cardinal De Luca is merely to be threatened with torture; Rodrigo is certain the Cardinal will break and will name names.
Cardinals Sforza and De Luca discuss what Cardinal De Luca may confess to. They walk to Castel Sant'Angelo, where Cardinal De Luca is left screaming in fear, believing he is to be tortured. Micheletto is there, so this belief is not unfounded.
Cardinal De Luca says he is sure Micheletto has used the rack. Micheletto says he has suffered in them. He says the rack does not elicit truth because a man will say anything on the rack to make it stop. Cardinal De Luca asks why he is there, then. Micheletto says to learn to lie, to say what is needed. Cardinal, I hope you appreciate that Micheletto is giving you a road map on how to get out of Castel Sant'Angelo alive and unharmed.
Later, Cardinal Sforza brings Cardinal De Luca some water. Cardinal De Luca says he had a waking dream, and begins to detail exactly what Rodrigo wanted him to say.
Cardinal De Luca recounts this same invented tale in front of the College of Cardinals, who loudly protest. He speaks of conspiracy to murder the Pope and his entire family, including Juan (effectively clearing Cesare of this crime). He names names of cardinals from important families. Rodrigo decrees that these cardinals are stripped of their titles, their properties returned to the Church, and are forbidden entry into Rome.
A defrocking ceremony commences. A cardinal whose name I did not get requests a private confession with the Pope. Cardinal Sforza and Cesare remain to continue with the ceremony.
Inside private chambers, the cardinal kneels in front of the Pope and speaks of his greatest sin --- murder. He attacks Rodrigo with a dagger, a fight ensues, and Rodrigo wins, killing the cardinal. Outside, another cardinal angrily stomps at his Cardinal's hat. Cesare says the confession is taking too long. He enters the room to find his father with a dagger in hand, drenched in blood.
The scene of this latest attempt on the Pope's life was well done; I am just not sure what the purpose was. Why was that scene included? To show Rodrigo with actual blood on his hands rather than metaphorical ones? I do not know.
Lucrezia's Desires
Alfonso carries baby Giovanni, who is not a Sforza. He is realising, or perhaps he has suspected before but is simply confirming, that his betrothed is sexually experienced, and not just through her first husband. He confesses he made a vow to St. Agnes to remain a virgin until his marriage.
Later, while Lucrezia watches baby Giovanni (who still has not grown despite the time that has passed since his birth and the many events that happened) sleep, Alfonso walks in and says he has received word from his uncle the King of Naples. Apparently the King is not exactly thrilled at the prospect of having Lucrezia's baby in his court. If the creative people behind The Borgias had not forgotten to age this kid, he might even be old enough to be sent to boarding school by this time.
Cesare, the one who is tasked to negotiate Lucrezia's dowry, is being fitted with armour. Lucrezia asks if she must trade one love for another. Cesare asks if she means himself for Alfonso. I think that revving engine I just heard is the incest story line. Lucrezia tells her brother her baby is not welcome in the court of Naples. Cesare promises his beloved sister that whoever gets in the way of her happiness will meet his wrath.
Later, Cesare knocks on Lucrezia's door and Lucrezia says something about her wedding dress I did not catch. Cesare enters the room and finds Lucrezia nekkid and posed seductively on the bed. This sibling seduction scene is sold by the acting chops of and chemistry between Francois Arnaud and Holliday Grainger. Lucrezia complains Alfonso would not bed her. So you decided to bed your brother instead? Their kiss is interrupted with the arrival of the dressmaker.
Giulia's Exit
Lucrezia is not the only one in the Borgia household with a frustrating lover. Giulia tries to make love to Rodrigo but he cannot, uh, perform. They blame the poison and say it will pass.
Rodrigo discusses his impotence with Vanozza. They talk of life without the papacy. Rodrigo weaves a fantasy of the two of them in a garden with flowers and a beehive, watching their grandchildren, being at peace.
Later, it is Giulia who comes to Vanozza to discuss Rodrigo's lack of interest. Giulia says something has changed; she knows Rodrigo's affections for her have cooled. Vanozza, because she is the coolest person ever, advises Giulia to negotiate her exit. Giulia says she wants a palace like Vanozza's, and a Cardinal's hat for her brother.
In the steps of an empty palace previously owned by one of the cardinals Rodrigo dismissed, he and Vanozza discuss Giulia. Joanne Whalley is so beautiful, and she and Jeremy Irons have great chemistry. They walk into a bedroom in the palace, which has a pretty nice bed, and there is this charming, shy smile on Rodrigo's face. Vanozza figures out his impotence was not caused by poison; he simply did not want Giulia, but he wants her, the mistress he discarded when he became pope. They kiss, and Rodrigo says he feels safe with Vanozza. Of all the pairings in this show, Rodrigo and Vanozza are the ones who interest me the most.
Show: The Borgias (Showtime)
Season: Three
Episode Title: The Purge
Episode Writer: Neil Jordan
Episode Director: Kari Skogland
Original Air Date: April 21, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment