Season 1 Episode 7
In the previous episode, King Charles of France warned Cardinal Della Rovere several times about the harsh realities of war. The good cardinal persisted in this design to have the French army march into Italy to depose Rodrigo Borgia. Here, Cardinal Della Rovere sees first hand what King Charles described.
The French army is outside the walled city of Lucca. A messenger gallops to the French King and tells him Lucca will surrender, but first the city would like to discuss terms. King Charles orders his cannons to fire, damaging the wall and breaking apart the wooden gate. As the French troops rush into Lucca, a French general asks the king if he would like to order restraint. King Charles says no and orders a pillage. Cardinal Della Rovere watches horrified as soldiers and civilians both are killed and brutalised.
At supper, King Charles angrily schools Cardinal Della Rovere some more on the realities of war. His soldiers march not for what the king pays them, but for the spoils of war. The king ordered a pillage of Lucca, because the other Italian cities are unlikely to resist; this is the one chance the French soldiers have to get their spoils. Cardinal Della Rovere asks the king for leave to negotiate with Florence ahead of the French army to avoid carnage. The king and his general name a high price: (1) free passage through Florence; (2) 25 000 troops billeted on the Florentine population; (3) 400 000 ducats; and (4) one hostage from each of the major Florentine families.
Cardinal Della Rovere rides to Florence and presents the French terms to Machiavelli and Piero de Medici. Machiavelli is aghast at the terms, but Piero de Medici resignedly accedes to the French King's every demand. As the French army approach the gates of Florence, Cardinal Della Rovere and Machiavelli discuss the order of excommunication Rodrigo tried to impose against the cardinal and the whole of Florence. Machiavelli shrewdly finds a way around the terms of the excommunication; rather than allowing the Florentine response to be cast as a surrender, Machiavelli tells King Charles that Florence welcomes the French army.
The news of the sack of Lucca spreads throughout Italy. Rodrigo resolves to muster what army they have and meet the French. Cesare argues against having Juan lead the papal army, and pleads with his father to allow him to lead instead. Rodrigo refuses his eldest son and reasons out that the inexperienced Juan will have an adviser. He then sends Giulia to Pesaro to find out what Lucrezia knows of the intentions of the Sforzas.
Giulia arrives at Pesaro unescorted and there finds Giovanni Sforza and his cousin Caterina. The cousins make it clear that the Sforza armies will not line with the Borgias. Giulia goes to see the ill Lucrezia, and deduces that Lucrezia's illness is in fact pregnancy. Giulia tells Lucrezia they must leave at first light, before Giovanni wakes.
At supper, King Charles angrily schools Cardinal Della Rovere some more on the realities of war. His soldiers march not for what the king pays them, but for the spoils of war. The king ordered a pillage of Lucca, because the other Italian cities are unlikely to resist; this is the one chance the French soldiers have to get their spoils. Cardinal Della Rovere asks the king for leave to negotiate with Florence ahead of the French army to avoid carnage. The king and his general name a high price: (1) free passage through Florence; (2) 25 000 troops billeted on the Florentine population; (3) 400 000 ducats; and (4) one hostage from each of the major Florentine families.
Cardinal Della Rovere rides to Florence and presents the French terms to Machiavelli and Piero de Medici. Machiavelli is aghast at the terms, but Piero de Medici resignedly accedes to the French King's every demand. As the French army approach the gates of Florence, Cardinal Della Rovere and Machiavelli discuss the order of excommunication Rodrigo tried to impose against the cardinal and the whole of Florence. Machiavelli shrewdly finds a way around the terms of the excommunication; rather than allowing the Florentine response to be cast as a surrender, Machiavelli tells King Charles that Florence welcomes the French army.
The news of the sack of Lucca spreads throughout Italy. Rodrigo resolves to muster what army they have and meet the French. Cesare argues against having Juan lead the papal army, and pleads with his father to allow him to lead instead. Rodrigo refuses his eldest son and reasons out that the inexperienced Juan will have an adviser. He then sends Giulia to Pesaro to find out what Lucrezia knows of the intentions of the Sforzas.
Giulia arrives at Pesaro unescorted and there finds Giovanni Sforza and his cousin Caterina. The cousins make it clear that the Sforza armies will not line with the Borgias. Giulia goes to see the ill Lucrezia, and deduces that Lucrezia's illness is in fact pregnancy. Giulia tells Lucrezia they must leave at first light, before Giovanni wakes.
Strays
■ Before Lucrezia returns to Pesaro, Cesare deduces his sister is being ill treated by her husband.
■ Compliments by Giovanni Sforza: 'You are a vision.' 'Your beauty was never in question. Merely your breeding.'
■ Giovanni is well enough to rejoin Lucrezia in the marital bed, so Lucrezia pours water on the floor of their bedroom, distracts her husband with a bare shoulder, and consoles him when he slips and hurts himself once more.
■ The benefactor of the convent Ursula joined turns out to be Cesare.
■ Juan is still sh@gging young Gioffre's wife.
■ Prince Alfonso tries to feed his dying father, and informs him of the French advance. He asks his father for a sign. Later, Rodrigo and Cesare discuss the death of King Ferrante.
■ Rodrigo summons his former confessor Brother Raphael to Rome.
■ Compliments by Giovanni Sforza: 'You are a vision.' 'Your beauty was never in question. Merely your breeding.'
■ Giovanni is well enough to rejoin Lucrezia in the marital bed, so Lucrezia pours water on the floor of their bedroom, distracts her husband with a bare shoulder, and consoles him when he slips and hurts himself once more.
■ The benefactor of the convent Ursula joined turns out to be Cesare.
■ Juan is still sh@gging young Gioffre's wife.
■ Prince Alfonso tries to feed his dying father, and informs him of the French advance. He asks his father for a sign. Later, Rodrigo and Cesare discuss the death of King Ferrante.
■ Rodrigo summons his former confessor Brother Raphael to Rome.
Quotes
Cesare: 'I should keep you here in chains. I suspect you would be happier.'
Cesare: 'If he does ill of you, I shall do ill by him.'
Cesare: 'I would manage my own destiny.'
Lucrezia: 'Young lovers are always doomed.'
Lucrezia: 'Young lovers are always doomed.'
King Charles: 'An army is like a beast, Cardinal. And that beast will be fed.'
Show: The Borgias (Showtime)
Season: One
Episode Number in Season: Seven
Episode Number in Series: Seven
Episode Title: Death, on a Pale Horse
Episode Writer: Neil Jordan
Episode Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Original Air Date: May 8, 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment