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.
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
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