The Borgias Recap 'The Gunpowder Plot'

Season 3 Episode 9

This second to the last episode of The Borgias is a strong one. I wish I were writing this while less tired. Anyway, here is what happened.

Micheletto and Pascal

The episode opens with Micheletto and Pascal, both shirtless and standing in front of each other. Pascal briefly writes something on the floor. Standing again, Micheletto slashes his lover's wrist. Pascal asks Micheletto to hold him. Micheletto slashes the other wrist. Pascal holds on to Micheletto, getting blood all over him. Pascal straightens up, holds up his bloody arms over Micheletto so that his blood drips over Micheletto's face. Micheletto asks Pascal to forgive him. They embrace as Pascal dies. 

After Cesare is told that Micheletto is gone, Cesare insists that Micheletto does not flee. Do you think Cesare is a tad uncomfortable at how he might not have fully comprehended how Micheletto felt about Pascal? Anyway, two Cardinals stopped and bowed as Cesare passed by them. They know the younger Borgia has substantial power now.

Cesare goes to Micheletto's house and finds Pascal's body on the floor. Written with blood is one word --- Goodbye. Cesare tells his new cohorts (the scions of some of Italy's most powerful families) they will find no trace of Micheletto, unless he wants them to. He says Micheletto's only code is loyalty. No, Cesare. Micheletto's only code is loyalty to you. 

Lucrezia

Lucrezia arranges a Festival of Bacchus, with the help of that old lady in the woods and her friends. Alfonso actually plays his part here well. Everyone is happy at the Festival, including the King. Lucrezia gives the guards who are shadowing her wine.

The whole castle has fallen asleep, which prompts Alfonso to remark that it is as though they are in a fairy tale. Lucrezia gives money and thanks her co-conspirators, who are busy stealing from the sleeping members of court. Lucrezia is pretty good at making friends and winning hearts; back in the first season, she befriended the staff at her cruel husband's castle too. Of course, she then became overly friendly with the groom (I am beginning to regret not recapping the first season). I realise the old lady has her own reasons for helping Lucrezia, among them, profit, but at the same time, when she puts her mind to it, I think Lucrezia has a way with people her siblings do not have. Lucrezia, baby Giovanni and the nanny get in a carriage while Alfonso follows them on horseback as they flee Naples.

Cesare is on his way to Naples with his new friends. They stop on the road, and a carriage passes them. Alone on horseback, Alfonso recognises Cesare, calls him 'Brother.' Lucrezia stops the carriage and yells for Cesare. Cesare runs toward his sister, lifts her into an embrace, kisses her way too passionately. Alfonso and the scions of Rome's powerful families watch.

Back in Rome, Cesare gives Orsini the task of Lucrezia's protection. Orsini is also to choose Lucrezia's staff. Cesare wants to know where Lucrezia and her husband are every hour.

Inside Lucrezia's suite, Cesare says something mean about Alfonso, which makes Lucrezia giggle, then leaves husband, wife and child. Lucrezia tries to charm Alfonso, tells him he is the joy of her life, but Alfonso is not amused. Well, he did just watch you make out with your brother, Lucrezia. Alfonso seems weary, asks Lucrezia how long they can last like this. 

Cesare presents Lucrezia with her new house. Poor Alfonso is not to be allowed to ride back to Naples. Lucrezia says Alfonso could cause public scandal if he implies any impropriety between brother and sister. Cesare says they are family and they love each other and asks where the scandal is. Lucrezia chides her brother, tells him he knows where the scandal is.

In the kitchen of her new house, Lucrezia realises she is surrounded by new staff. At the market, she is followed, not very subtly, by Cesare's guards. Lucrezia purchases a bird in a cage and mutters at how appropriate it is. She later complains to Vanozza about being in prison in Naples, and now in Rome. Lucrezia wants to leave Rome and take with her Vanozza, baby Giovanni, and even Alfonso if he wants to come. Vanozza is unimpressed with her daughter's whining and tells Lucrezia to go home.

The Gunpowder Plot

Rodrigo wants to know what Cesare is up to, but Vanozza says their eldest son does not share his plans with her. Vanozza suggests that Rodrigo talk to Cesare, and forgive him, and wisely deduces that the trouble is, father and son are too alike. Rodrigo says the trouble is, he misses Cesare.

Rodrigo wants Mattai to help him control the supply of sulphur. According to Rodrigo, gunpowder has two ingredients, one that can be easily be made (sorry, I could not make out the name), and sulphur. I Googled the ingredients and read that there are three, including sulphur. It does not matter. The point is, according to Rodrigo, there is only one source of sulphur; he wants to buy all the sulphur with the coin he saved (remember, with Mattai's help, Rodrigo won his crusade without spending much). Rodrigo wants Mattai to trim his beard and present himself as a Christian. Mattai is not happy with this.

Mattai buys up the sulphur supply for the entire year, then arranges for the sulphur to be brought inside Rome. He bribes a guard at the gates. As the waggons of sulphur roll in, traces of the yellowish powder are left on the ground.

Cesare approaches Rodrigo about the Caterina issue, but Rodrigo acts almost bored. Cesare manages to gain permission to survey the papal troops, who are being re-equipped. Rodrigo says he has reason to believe Caterina will wait.

Caterina rides back to her castle and is met by Rufio. Caterina says Florence will neither help nor hinder them, and that Machiavelli will do nothing. Rufio informs his mistress that someone bought out the supply of sulphur. Caterina's mind immediately jumps to Cesare.

The papal army now has a canon (or perhaps more), but Cesare is informed of the sulphur shortage. Cesare immediately thinks it is Caterina's doing. I love how, in this game of theirs, when there is a clever move, Cesare and Caterina immediately think of each other. Cesare tasks Prospero to sniff out sulphur.

While inspecting the papal army, Cesare finds Alfonso in sword play. Alfonso wants Cesare to spar with him. Cesare refuses initially, but the two of them end up crossing swords. Alfonso is obviously angry and says that, rumour has it, there are three in his marriage. Cesare disarms Alfonso, picks up the blade, hands it to his sister's husband and says, 'You are both so dear to my heart.' Poor Alfonso.

Prospero finds the traces of sulphur, and the guard Mattai bribed. He follows the sulphur trail to a warehouse, and meets Mattai. Mattai insists he only collects gravel.

Prospero tells another whose name I did not get about the sulphur. Prospero wants the two of them to take the sulphur for themselves. Prospero is betrayed, however, and the following night Cesare is there to mete his punishment. With sulphur all over his body, Cesare lights Prospero up. Cesare says let that be a lesson to those who would betray him, then dismisses his cohorts so he can speak to Mattai alone. Aw. If Micheletto were around, he would certainly be allowed to stay with Cesare.

Mattai admits he brought the sulphur into the city at Rodrigo's behest. Cesare is angry at this. Mattai says Rodrigo fears Cesare, then offers to intercede between father and son. Mattai really wants to be rid of Rodrigo, I guess. Cesare is a suitable replacement.

Mattai talks to Rodrigo inside the palace while Cesare listens in the next room. Mattai says he wants to leave, but Rodrigo says he needs him (Mattai). Mattai says he has found a man for Rodrigo who is pained that his talents are underused.

The moment father and son set eyes on each other, they start yelling. Cesare accuses Rodrigo of playing games with him by denying him sulphur; Rodrigo throws the presence of French troops on Italian soil back at his son. Rodrigo tells Cesare he (Cesare) does not share his plans with him (Rodrigo).

Mattai breaks up the verbal fight and reminds them they are family. He tells Rodrigo Cesare is his image. This only upsets Rodrigo more. 'He is me!' he yells. They have the same drive, the same pitiless ambition. 'I look into his eyes, I see myself! Do you expect me to love that?'

Cesare silently gestures Mattai to leave, then calmly talks to his father. He asks Rodrigo to open his heart to him. Rodrigo seems uneasy with the path the family is taking. Cesare says that if they weaken now, their enemies will destroy them. He promises his father he will carve him an empire. Cesare asks for Rodrigo's trust; Rodrigo gives it. Cesare asks for Rodrigo's forgiveness; in Rodrigo's hesitation hangs the ghost of Juan. Finally, he gives his forgiveness, and father and son embrace.

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)

Season: Three

Episode Title: The Gunpowder Plot

Episode Writer: Neil Jordan

Episode Director: Neil Jordan

Original Air Date: June 9, 2013

The Borgias Recap 'The Face of Death'

Season 3 Episode 1

I wish I were able to recap this show in proper order. As it is, I write recaps of the episodes I managed to take notes on as I watched them. This episode, the first of the third season, I watched distractedly some time ago. I was only able to watch it again recently, and so I am writing the recap now.

Dottore Lucrezia

The episode opens with Rodrigo dying of cantarella, administered by that creepy kid who volunteered to carry out Cardinal Della Rovere's plan. The doctor says there is no cure. Lucrezia takes charge and pronounces charcoal pushed down Rodrigo's throat as the remedy. I remember watching this episode for the first time and really, really disliking the explanation of how Lucrezia knew of the remedy --- that she read it in a book.

I know very little of the Borgias of history, but among those little things I know is that Lucrezia has a reputation, deserved or not, as a poisoner. It is an aspect of her character I have been looking forward to seeing developed in the show. It was jarring that her knowledge of poison was so casually explained by her having read it in a book. The show had two seasons to set up this aspect of her character. Poison was used in the first season (an early assassination attempt on Rodrigo that killed one of the cardinals, Juan's botched attempt to have Prince Cem killed) and the second season (Cesare and Micheletto's plot to kill Cardinal Della Rovere with poison, Cardinal Della Rovere's season-long plan to have Rodrigo killed); there were plenty of opportunities to show how interested Lucrezia was in herbs and their healing, and deadly powers. The seeds of Lucrezia's interest in poison should have been planted in the earlier seasons; it is rather frustrating that they were not.

Okay, rant over. Moving on. Cardinal Sforza says he has had the city closed. Micheletto found something on the boy's room that pointed to the Dominicans. Cesare and Micheletto attack a house presumably where the Dominicans have been hiding Cardinal Della Rovere. Cardinal Della Rovere is not there, because he is already at the Pope's bedside.

The Next Pope

As Rodrigo hovers between life and death, the Cardinals discuss who the next Pope will be. There seem to be a consensus that the next Pope should be Roman. Cardinal Della Rovere announces his presence to the other Cardinals; they all hover by Rodrigo's bedside. Cesare arrives and draws blade upon seeing Cardinal Della Rovere. Vanozza stops her son, pushes him out of the room, and tells him to think of what happens next if Rodrigo dies. Cesare tells his mother to look to him for safety.

Cesare asks Cardinal Sforza about the lines of allegiance within the Vatican. Cardinal Sforza says he has a list in his apartments. I would have thought the Cardinal would have this kind of thing memorised; after all, the number of important personages within Rome capable of doing the Borgias harm cannot number in the thousands. Anyway, this is Cardinal Sforza's excuse to go back to his apartments, where Rufio is waiting for him.

Cardinal Sforza asks Rufio is he is behind the poisoning of Rodrigo; Rufio denies this, but says certain matters have been arranged. All the Borgias will die, and Rufio requires Cardinal Sforza's help, the Cardinal being blood kin to Rufio's mistress Caterina. The choice for Cardinal Sforza is clear --- either help Caterina and Rufio kill Rodrigo, or confront him after he lost his entire family to Sforza hands.

Back by the sick bed, Cardinal Della Rovere is busy campaigning for Pope. He tells a handful of Cardinals none of them can beat Cardinal Sforza. Ascanio will pit them against each other, then beat them. Cardinal Della Rovere, on the other hand, can beat Cardianl Sforza. This campaigning becomes moot when Rodrigo wakes up and heaves ash on a Cardinal unfortunate enough to be standing nearest to him.

Cardinal Rovere tries to leave but is confronted outside the Palace by Cesare and some guards, who take him prisoner.

The Borgias

Members of Rodrigo's family are under heavy guard as they walk the streets from the Pope's Palace to Vanozza's villa. Earlier in the episode, there is a scene of Micheletto carrying little Giovanni in his arms while surrounded by guards, and with the nanny by his side. As much as I appreciate seeing Micheletto holding a baby, would it not have made more sense for the nanny to carry Giovanni, and for Micheletto to, you know, protect them?

Anyway, it seems that the Sforza men are holding the nanny's family hostage, and are threatening their lives if the nanny does not cooperate in the plot to kill the Borgias. At the market, the nanny meets with a guy who instructs her to leave a window unlatched when the Borgias have returned to Vanozza's villa. The nanny begs the guy to spare little Giovanni's life.

With Rodrigo alive, his family gather around him. Rodrigo asks where Juan is, and Cesare leaves. Later, with Rodrigo's faculties seemingly clearer, he tells Cesare that every crime must be seen to be punished. Basically, Rodrigo is telling Cesare to find someone to blame for Juan's murder. He also tells his eldest son he (Cesare) will have to find his own peace.

Cardinal Sforza tells Rufio to call off the assassination plot against Rodrigo's family, because Rodrigo has survived the poisoning. Rufio tells the Cardinal to kill the Pope with a dagger concealed in a crucifix inside Rodrigo's chambers.

The Plot

Cesare threatens Cardinal Della Rovere with torture, but another Cardinal frees him. The Cardinal I do not recognise, pragmatic soul, says others may succeed in killing Rodrigo and then, Rome will need Cardinal Della Rovere. Cesare is, of course, furious when he finds Cardinal Della Rovere gone.

Cardinal Sforza is frisked before entering Rodrigo's room, where he finds the dagger where Rufio said he would. The Cardinal looks ready to murder when Cesare arrives and tells him Cardinal Della Rovere escaped. Cardinal Sforza quickly tells Cesare about the plot to kill his family engineered by Caterina Sforza to happen this very night.

Would Cardinal Sforza have killed the Pope had Cesare not interrupted him? I truly do not know. After all, it is one thing to look the other way as a person is killed, quite another to wield the blade himself. I do find it interesting that Cardinal Sforza told Cesare the plot to kill his family after being told that Cardinal Della Rovere escaped. With Rodrigo dead and Cardinal Della Rovere in prison, Cardinal Sforza probably saw a clear path to the papacy. However, with Cardinal Della Rovere free, there was one man who could challenge Cardinal Sforza for the papacy, and win. Under Rodrigo, Cardinal Sforza enjoys a favoured position; a Sforza though he may be, but he is trusted by the Pope, and through that trust comes a lot of power. If Cardinal Della Rovere becomes Pope, Cardinal Sforza faces uncertainty. In the earlier scene by Rodrigo's bed side, it was established that Cardinal Della Rovere views Cardinal Sforza as a rival. As Pope, Della Rovere could clip Cardinal Sforza's powers considerably. In this instance, Cardinal Sforza decided to throw his lot with the Borgias.

Back at Vanozza's villa, the maid gives the signal, and the assassins enter. The maid tries to leave the villa, but Micheletto, standing by the stairs, blocks her way and asks her why she is not rushing to her charge Giovanni, who is crying. The maid confesses the plot.

Micheletto quickly kills one assassin. Another assassin enters a bedroom, presumably belonging to one of the Borgia ladies, and repeatedly stabs the woman lying there. He turns the face around and realises the lady is the nanny, already dead. Cesare arrives and kills the remaining assassin. The ladies and Giovanni, who have been hiding in Lucrezia's room, rush to embrace Cesare. Lucrezia actually gives Giovanni to Micheletto so she can hug her brother properly. Uncomfortable with the bloody assassin holding her grand child, Vanozza takes Giovanni from Micheletto.

Cesare meets up with Cardinal Sforza, who tells him about Rufio. Later, Rodrigo berates Cesare about the escape of Cardinal Della Rovere. Rodrigo pronounces they are at war.

Cardinal Della Rovere escapes Rome by hiding under dead bodies --- the bodies of the men and one woman killed in Vanozza's villa.

'Student of death' Rufio goes back to Caterina and tells her Ascanio betrayed them. Caterina decrees that there be no more assassinations. Instead, they are to form an alliance with the second sons of the most important Roman families.

The episode closes with Caterina on the streets of Rome.

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)
Season: Three
Episode Title: The Face of Death
Episode Writer: Guy Burt
Episode Director: Kari Skogland
Original Air Date: April 14, 2013

The Borgias Recap 'Tears of Blood'

Season 3 Episode 8

Duelling Relics

It is the Year of the Jubilee, 1500, and the Sphere of Longinus has been unveiled to the public in an elaborate ceremony. Outside the confessional booths are lists of sins and their corresponding fines. As the pilgrims confess their sins, the priests instruct them on how to repent and how much money to donate to the Church.

With Cardinal Farnese supervising the counting of the donations, Rodrigo picks up a large ring of diamonds and black pearl and says, 'Adultery, no doubt.' Heh. The Pope wants the donations to the confessional fund be placed in a separate account to be called 'Constantinople Endeavour.'

Meanwhile, Caterina Sforza mourns for her son and plots her revenge at the same time. With her is Rufio and the former Cardinal de Luca. The pilgrims flocking to Rome must pass through Sforza land; Caterina wants them diverted to a relic of her own, thus depriving the Pope of more sources of funds. Cardinal de Luca suggests the Shroud of Constantinople, believed to have wrapped Christ's body, and which bears the imprint of His face. Cardinal de Luca wants to add a miracle to the Shroud, tears of blood.

Pilgrims on their way to Rome are herded into Sforza-controlled catacombs, where Caterina is kneeling in front of the Shroud. An elaborate contraption behind it makes it weep blood, which the pilgrims totally believe.

Rodrigo is not happy about the Sforza relic, and instructs Cesare to bring the Shroud to Rome to test its authenticity. Cesare wants the papal army for this task and others; Rodrigo tells his son to use his own army, and that he (Rodrigo) will pay him (Cesare). Rodrigo, you can be a real jerk to your son.

Caterina is warned of Cesare's advance by Pascal, and so she has her troops set up explosives inside the catacombs. Rufio warns Caterina that if the pilgrims are still around when Cesare arrives, many of them will die. I found myself warming to Rufio in this episode, and not because he showed token concern for civilians. Eight episodes in, and I have finally stopped thinking of Rufio as Micheletto-lite. I still do not like how it seems the character was created as a counterpoint for Micheletto, but I also cannot continuously dislike the character when Thure Lindhardt's performance has been consistently excellent. 

Cesare's army shoo the civilians away while Cesare and Micheletto check the Shroud. Cesare notes the tears of blood and Micheletto says he sheds them often. Oh Micheletto, you will be shedding them later in the episode. Micheletto tastes the blood and pronounces it fake, because, of course Micheletto knows how blood, human or otherwise, tastes like. Micheletto notices the explosive trail and he and Cesare run. The catacombs explode but Cesare and Micheletto survive because the show still has a couple of episodes to go, and it would not do to upset fangirls like myself at this stage. It is weird that, Micheletto aside, not one of Cesare's troops stayed behind to watch their master's back.

Cesare tells his father about the Shroud and the explosion, and says he doubts it is Caterina's invention. Father and son seem disposed to giving Rufio credit for this latest volley from Caterina.

The Wrong Brother

Rodrigo grants papal investiture to King Federigo, who later asks the Pope that Lucrezia be named Special Ambassador between the Holy See and Naples. Lucrezia looks very pleased while Cesare is suspicious.

Later, Lucrezia caresses a sleeping Cesare; he wakes and nearly throttles her, then nuzzles her neck. Lucrezia has so been lulled by Federigo into a false sense of security. Also, it is rather difficult to focus on the dialogue with all that Cesare finger biting action happening. Lucrezia asks her brother to visit soon, and leaves.

People cheer as the carriage containing Federigo, Alfonso and Lucrezia head to the gates of Naples. Lucrezia asks Federigo what her duties as ambassador are. Federigo says it is to keep him informed of Rodrigo and Cesare's designs. Lucrezia notes the King's change in tone.

Even inside the castle, Lucrezia is constantly shadowed. Her husband does nothing because, of course. Lucrezia confronts Federigo, who informs her bluntly she is a prisoner. Federigo poisoned his dog and faked his own poisoning. Federigo mentions that poison is Lucrezia's hobby, and I am reminded of how this aspect of Lucrezia is so not set up well. There was plenty of time to develop Lucrezia's interest in poison in a natural manner; instead we got an 'I read it in a book' explanation at the beginning of the third season (I have not recapped that episode, by the way. I intend to, at some point). Anyway, Lucrezia faints and has to be carried back to her room.

The doctor asks Alfonso if Lucrezia may be pregnant; poor Alfonso is certain she is not. Lucrezia asks for the old woman in the forest to be sent to her.

The old woman examines Lucrezia's palm and sees Cesare. She also gives Lucrezia a sleeping potion.

Pascal

Micheletto can neither read nor write, but he has excellent memory and can remember shapes. After sending Pascal off to the market, Micheletto finds a coded letter underneath the loose floor board in his house. He remembers it and writes it down for Cesare, who decodes it. The letter is about someone who is locked in a cage, which is somehow related to the attack on Forli. Micheletto asks Cesare to kill him, but Cesare tells Micheletto to keep loving Pascal.

Micheletto finds another letter, and he and Cesare learn that Federigo is in league with Caterina, and that Lucrezia and her child are being held hostage. Cesare orders Micheletto to kill Pascal.

Micheletto confronts Pascal, who admits he took the job because he enjoyed the thrill and the danger. Micheletto asks him how he wants to die. Pascal wants to die in Micheletto's arms.

Rodrigo's BFF

Rodrigo and Mattai are still BFFs, and discussing how to destroy the Turkish fleet. Mattai wants Rodrigo to buy oil, a lot of it. Jews will burn the Turkish fleet in exchange for a papal bull allowing the Jews in Rome to live and trade freely.

Rodrigo signs the bull, and the episode closes with the Turkish fleet burning.

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)

Season: Three

Episode Title: Tears of Blood

Episode Writer: Neil Jordan

Episode Director: David Leland

Original Air Date: June 2, 2013