The Borgias Recap ‘Lucrezia’s Gambit’

Season 3 Episode 7

Micheletto Has A Boyfriend

Micheletto gets shown around Milan by a good looking boy named Pascal (I think we met him in the previous episode). I was spoiled about this development before I even saw this episode so, by the time I watched it, I was filled with nothing but dread. Oh, Micheletto. Be careful with that heart some people think you do not have. Anyway, after some loving in Leonardo da Vinci's quarters, Micheletto finds a nifty weapon with a sight.

Later, back in Rome, Micheletto sees his erstwhile Milanese lover in the market. He threatens Pascal, then takes the boy back to his place, where a fully nekkid Micheletto lays down the law.

Before Micheletto leaves on another trip with Cesare, he totally tells Pascal where he left some money. Micheletto is all gruff and mumbly and whatever, but he admits he would like it if Pascal were around when he returns. Oh Micheletto.

Pascal is Caterina's spy, of course. Rufio visits him, and even asks if Pascal has fallen for Micheletto. Rufio says he is there to smell Micheletto's odour, and that one day they will meet. I hope so. Is it bad of me to look forward to Micheletto killing Rufio? I have no problem with the actor's performance, by the way, Thure Lindhardt is excellent. It is the character that bugs me. I feel that Rufio was created precisely as a counterpart to Micheletto. Cesare has his dark shadow and so his adversary, Caterina, must have one, too. It is too, well, obvious. 

Caterina, naturally, needed assistance in her war against the Borgias. Rather than create a new character, I would have preferred it if Benito Sforza was developed into his mother's competent second. Benito started off as a non-soldierly type, but he was shown to have steel in him during his torture, imprisonment, and subsequent trip to his release with Cesare and Micheletto. I thought he came off as almost frighteningly intelligent. Benito showing himself as an able strategist would surprise even his mother, though not Micheletto, who long scented the danger in the kid.

Anyway, going back to Rufio and Pascal, we find out that they are using a book code to communicate.

The Consequence of Disobeying Cesare

The King of France arrives in Milan and is met by Cesare; he is not pleased that Ludovico Sforza is alive. The King promises to hold Milan in the name of the Pope.

His work in Milan sort of finished, Cesare returns to Rome with Micheletto. He is met by a messenger boy who leads him to the palace of Cardinal Costanzo (I now know the name of Cardinal 1). Inside, Cesare and Micheletto find the disobedient Cardinal by the stairs, weak from the plague, with Caterina’s golden box near him. The Cardinal tells Cesare to burn down the palace; Cesare, in an act of mercy, throws the Cardinal a blade.

Rodrigo arrives on horseback to find Cardinal Costanzo’s palace on fire. He starts to berate his son, who explains about Caterina’s plot to send the Pope a message with plague. Rodrigo, angry about Milan and how Ludovico Sforza escaped, tells his son that Sforza is willing to hand over Caterina’s son Benito in exchange for his own safe passage. It was Cesare’s occasional BFF (yes, I know occasional BFF is contradictory, but then BFF tends to get used a lot improperly anyway, and here I am using it with a mixture of sarcasm and wariness) Machiavelli who delivered this message. What a piece of work Ludovico is. That is his blood, who just gave him a good turn by warning him of Cesare’s advance to Milan. Anyway, Rodrigo wants both Ludovico and Benito hauled in chains to Rome.

Lucrezia’s Gambit

Lucrezia plays nice with Alfonso, and tells him she has always wanted to be loved by a prince who could be king one day. For Lucrezia, this is not about hungering power; this is about ensuring her safety and that of her son’s. Alfonso, however, is third in line to the throne of Naples, and the poor boy has no interest in that kind of power.

Because she cannot rely on her husband, Lucrezia takes matters into her own hands and invites one of the claimants to the throne, Raphael, to play chess. Raphael tells Lucrezia in no uncertain terms that when he is king, there will be no place for little Giovanni in Naples. Lucrezia pulls the ‘I’m the Pope’s daughter’ card before walking away.

Lucrezia then meets with the other claimant to the throne, Raphael's half-brother Federigo. Federigo is friendly, even sympathetic to Lucrezia's troubles regarding Baby Giovanni. He says he has his dog eat off his own plate for fear of poison. Lucrezia says the Pope may withhold investiture to a king whose character is under question.

Federigo's poison fears seem to come true when Lucrezia finds his dog Sebastian dead. Federigo himself is gasping for breath. Lucrezia thinks the poison may be cantarella and sends her husband for a doctor. Lucrezia then tries to save Federigo's life the same way she did her father's in the opening episode of the season. However, when the doctor arrives, he quickly diagnoses the poison as galerina and administers a different treatment. While Federigo still gasps for breath, Lucrezia accuses Raphael of attempting to murder his brother.  

At night, Lucrezia goes to the forest to meet with the old lady witch. After payment, the old lady admits to giving powder whose name I did not catch to Prince Raphael. In a later meeting, Raphael insists the old lady lied. Lucrezia gives him two option: (1) pursue the crown and suffer a reputation as a murderer or (2) relinquish the throne and retire comfortably, with his reputation intact. Raphael points out a third option, killing both Lucrezia and Federigo. He then says he will take the second option, if only to watch Lucrezia realise her folly. Huh. For a hard man in a hard time, Raphael gave up his throne so easily. Sitting on a throne at that time does not only mean power, it means survival, too. Raphael had no guarantee that his brother, once in power, would not have him killed. Also, why is reputation suddenly so important? An old king of Naples had a creative torture chamber and a thoroughly grotesque supper table. It is true the Pope may refuse investiture to the king who irritated his beloved daughter, but for how long? At the very least, Raphael could have fought Lucrezia longer. 

In any case, Federigo is crowned King of Naples. Lucrezia thinks she won.

My compliments to Luke Allen-Gale as Federigo and Jamie Blackley as Raphael; they were both fantastic in their roles.

Rodrigo’s New BFF

Has Rodrigo ever had a BFF? I don’t think so. Cardinal Sforza does not count. Anyway, Rodrigo discusses Constantinople with his new BFF, Mattai. Mattai has an idea on how to destroy the Turkish fleet, in exchange for the Pope’s favour to the Jews in Rome.

Rodrigo also has dinner with Vanozza, who tells him Giulia has a new suitor she wants to introduce to him.

Cesare

Cesare spends some time with his mother, and they discuss Lucrezia, who complains of being watched constantly in Naples. Vanozza says Lucrezia loves Alfonso, and Cesara wonders if he is the only one Alfonso disappoints. Heh. Vanozza says Lucrezia wants power through Daddy's papal investiture.

Cesare then meets with Machiavelli, who tells him where to find Ludovico and Benito Sforza. This is a short scene but, Signor Machiavelli, always a pleasure.

Uncle and nephew arrive at the quarry with no escorts; Ludovico tells Benito they are there to meet forces loyal to the Sforzas who will escort Benito home to his mother. The two of them are quietly surrounded by Cesare's forces.

Micheletto gives Cesare that gun with sight he found in Leornardo da Vinci's chambers earlier. It is Micheletto who hits Benito with an arrow and kills the boy. Ludovico protests that the arrangement he made was to capture, not kill his nephew. He then demands his safe passage. Micheletto tosses him a piece of paper, which fools Ludovico. Cesare shoots him in the head.

Back in Rome, Giulia presents her new boy toy to Rodrigo, who is not impressed with him being a poet. Cesare arrives with news that he executed the Sforzas, which angers Rodrigo. Cesare says it is what the King of France wanted. Rodrigo is furious and wonders who he can trust and rely on. Cesare says, why, him, of course, because the Pope has no alternative. I can only imagine how tired Cesare must be of constantly trying to prove himself to his father while never fully earning his trust.

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)

Season: Three

Title: Lucrezia’s Gambit

Episode Writer: Neil Jordan

Episode Director: David Leland

Original Air Date: May 26, 2013

The Borgias Recap 'Relics'

Season 3 Episode 6

Caterina’s Message

The episode opens with good old Rufio relieving himself by a hanging corpse. There are lots of bodies around, and a sole woman crying. With his sword Rufio carefully pries a piece of a corpse’s clothing and places it in a satchel, careful not to touch it and keep his nose and mouth covered as much as possible. Why did Rufio not just tie a cloth over his face? Anyway, Rufio empties his purse by the weeping woman. Aw, charitable Rufio.

At Forli, Rufio carefully places the plague-infected cloth in an ornate golden box. He tells his mistress Caterina to keep her distance. Caterina places the letter she wrote and what looks like a handkerchief with some embroidery on the floor and leaves. Rufio places these items in the box too, and seals it. The box is to be delivered to the Borgia Pope.

Rodrigo’s Jubilee

Rodrigo wants lavish celebrations for the following year, 1500. He wants a spectacle for the pilgrims who would be flocking to Rome. He wants relics and such. The pilgrim who kneels in awe, he says, will be more likely to contribute to the Church. Rodrigo, intentionally or not, hilariously confuses the Cardinals on whether they could already sit or not. The look on Cardinal Sforza’s face is priceless as always.

While Rodrigo is being painted, a Cardinal whose name I do not know approaches him with a proposal ---that they make sinners pay for forgiveness. 

While Rodrigo is engaging in beekeeping (his days do seem full), Cardinal Sforza approaches him about the Jews in Rome who want trading rights within the city. I am very much enjoying Cardinal Sforza's thinly veiled contempt and impatience. He also held the gate open for another beekeeper, a small touch that I like more than I can explain.

Rodrigo meets with some Jewish merchants and lists his financial demands, which one of them protests they cannot meet. The negotiation is interrupted with news that a contingent of the French army landed in Italy.

Rodrigo sends for his generals and immediately wonders what his son could possibly have done to cause a French invasion. 'Has he insulted the King? Raped some poor princess?' Does Rodrigo think Cesare is Juan? When they are in front of him, Rodrigo berates his generals. His yelling is interrupted with the arrival of Cesare.

Cesare’s Army

Cesare meets with Vitelli and proposes and allegiance, not just with Vitelli but with the other Italian families as well. To convince Vitelli, Cesare shows him the French army that has just landed in Italy.

Cesare then continues to Rome to inform his father of his plans. It is interesting that Cesare did not see fit to warn his father that he is bringing a foreign army into the shores of Italy. Cesare introduces the French Archbishop who is to become a Cardinal. Rodrigo looks livid at the gall of his son and orders everyone to leave. Cardinal Sforza is the last one to leave the room after herding everyone out.

Cesare finally fills his father in on part his plan --- take out Ludovico Sforza. Rodrigo saves face by commanding Cesare north when the doors of the room were open, and the others could hear him.

Cesare makes time to stop by Naples, either to see his sister or to pick up Micheletto, I do not know. The streets of Naples seem to be celebrating, which is weird because their king just died and a new king has not yet been named (Lucrezia's husband is third in line). There is a beautiful shot of Cesare and Lucrezia in front of spinning fireworks. There is another shot of the Borgia siblings framed with a heart that is part of an ongoing street puppetry. They both look great, particularly the one with the spinning fireworks, but the fireworks and heart allusions are not exactly subtle, and as such I found I did not enjoy them that much.

We next see Cesare back in Rome. So, Cesare went to Rome to see his father, then to Naples, then back to Rome? Huh. Would it not have made more sense for this scene to happen before Cesare went to Naples? Anyway, the box with the plague has arrived, and a Cardinal whose name I do not know (I am going to refer to him as Cardinal 1) is carrying it to the Pope. Cesare intercepts him and asks him what it is. When informed that it is a message of peace from Caterina, Cesare instructs Cardinal 1 to burn it. Cesare is comfortable making decisions for his father now.

At an inn, the representatives of the Italian families are discussing Cesare's proposal. Cesare arrives with Micheletto and a good number of French soldiers. Cesare shrewdly plays these second sons, enjoining them to 'carve out your own fate.' The tactic is effective; the soldiers of these second sons and bastard sons join Cesare's French army.

Caterina's son Benito spies on Cesare's camp. Micheletto's warning from last season proved prescient.

Cesare, after being cheered on by French soldiers, plays on the second sons' Daddy issues as he revs them up for tomorrow's fight. Micheletto gallops in with disturbing news; the gates of Milan are open. When Cesare and his army arrive in Milan, they find that Ludovico Sforza and his army have left the city. The French king has his Italian city, but Cesare still has yet to defeat his enemy. 

Relics

The Jews in Rome discuss the demands of the Pope; they all agree they do not have the money. One of them, Mattai, has an idea.

Mattai courses his proposal through Cardinal Farnese. He says they, the Jews, have the Spear of Longinus, which is known to have pierced the flesh of Christ. They will give it to the Pope in lieu of the money he is demanding.

Cardinal Farnese comes with Mattai to the Pope with the proposal. Cardinal Sforza, because he is awesome, casually leans against the wall and smirks. Cardinal Sforza later approaches another Cardinal to discuss Mattai's proposal. I need to watch this episode another time to see if this is the same Cardinal who received Caterina's box. Anyway, this Cardinal is suspicious of Mattai's offer.

Mattai brings the Pope the famous sphere. The suspicious Cardinal brings in another sphere, which Mattai breaks and proves false. In a private audience, Rodrigo makes it clear to Mattai that he is very well aware the sphere Mattai brought with him may be fake too. Rodrigo says he will choose to believe it is the real Sphere of Longinus. He then asks what other gifts Mattai brought him.

Plague

In his office, Cardinal 1 first instructs his servant to burn the box, then changes his mind and says the box is pretty and should be saved. He opens the box and takes out the letter, without looking at the rest of the contents. His servant lightly touches the handkerchief with embroidery before being told to leave. Cardinal 1 reads the letter. 

Cardinal 1 tells another Cardinal about Caterina's letter, which he says is an honest supplication of peace. He thinks it may be of use to him. So, did Cardinal 1 not check the box's other contents?

Later, Cardinal 1 calls for his servant, who touched the embroidered cloth inside the box. He finds this servant ill. The episode ends with the Cardinal yelling, 'Plague!'

Baby Giovanni

A king had to die horribly for this kid to be brought to Naples, so I have to include him in this recap; this scene happened early in this episode. However, even the sight of Micheletto cradling a baby is not enough to make me like this scene. Sure, Giovanni no longer looks like a newborn, but this kid should, at the very least, be walking and talking by now. Methinks forgetting to age this child is a big blunder.

Micheletto kneels in front of Lucrezia as he hands her her child. That may be a little curtsy Lucrezia gives him after sweetly touching his hair, or it may be just Lucrezia adjusting herself after taking hold of her baby. In any case, I am again left wondering what the Borgias told the Naples nobility about Micheletto.

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)
Season: Three
Episode Title: Relics
Episode Writer: Guy Burt

Episode Director: Kari Skogland

Original Air Date: May 19, 2013