Juan's strategy for defeating the French army is this --- meet them in open field, where they cannot use their cannon. Cannon, according to Juan's understanding, is only used to batter fortifications. Also, the papal army is to feint to the left. Cesare, sternly instructed by Rodrigo to stop denigrating his brother, manages to hold his tongue whilst Juan presents this plan, but his lack of faith in the plan is written all over his face. Still, Cesare puts forth no suggestion to counter the French offensive.
When the men have no plan for battle, the women take over. Giulia and Lucrezia flee Pesaro and run into members of the French Army. The two ladies resolve to use their beauty and wit to help Rodrigo's cause. At supper, King Charles seems particularly charmed by Lucrezia, much to the irritation of Cardinal Della Rovere. In the morning of the battle, the King demonstrates why his cannon is also effective against an army not cowering behind a wall --- his chained cannonballs slice through the front line of the papal army, horrifically shredding bodies. Lucrezia asks the King to hold the cannon fire, then gallops toward Juan.
This was before Juan murdered Paolo and dangled Lucrezia's baby off a balcony; here, Juan and Lucrezia remain very much brother and sister. Juan, his voice thick with emotion, tells Lucrezia he will not leave, the French will depose their father. He tells his sister to ride on. Lucrezia couches the terms of the papal army retreat into words Juan could accept: that Juan offered the King safe passage to Naples in exchange for bloodless entry to Rome. Lucrezia then gallops back to King Charles, who refuses to order cannon fire with Lucrezia between the two armies. I am typing the exchange on how Lucrezia gets the French King to cease shredding members of the papal army.
Lucrezia: 'It was my brother, your Highness!'
King Charles: 'You brother?'
Lucrezia: 'The Gonfaloniere of the Papal Armies. He thought you meant to sack Rome, like the Goths and Vandal hordes. I told him you were a gentleman. You had no such idea. You had no such idea, had you?'
King Charles: 'No such idea.'
Lucrezia: 'Your goal is Naples.'
King Charles: 'Naples. Of course.'
Lucrezia: 'So, my brother, the Duke of Gandia, the Gonfaloniere of the Papal Armies, bids you welcome to Rome.'
Within Rome, half the populace decides to flee. Rodrigo's impassioned speech to the cardinals does not sway them; the College of Cardinals flee the city as well. When Juan returns with the papal army, Rodrigo tells his favourite son to take Vanozza, along with a complement of guards, to the safety of Ostia. The look on Juan's face in this scene is why I miss having David Oakes around in The Borgias; Juan looks angry, disappointed at himself for disappointing his father, frightened at losing Rodrigo's affection, in over his head, yet still trying to act the man.
Rodrigo seeks out his old confessor Brother Raphael; as they talk, Rodrigo gets an idea, and he asks for the friar's clothing. The episode closes with Rodrigo taking off his papal vestments and donning the humble brown robes of a friar.
Strays
■ Paolo is whipped by Giovanni Sforza for helping Giulia and Lucrezia leave Pesaro. Paolo initially denies involvement, then confesses his, and Lucrezia's, disgust of Giovanni.
■ Rodrigo asks for help from Spain, but the Spanish ambassador says the involvement of Spanish army in the protection of the pope is tantamount to Spain declaring war against France.
■ 'Well, then, seek out the Gonfaloniere of the papal forces from whatever wh0rehouse he's seen fit to rest his head!' I enjoy Rodrigo when he is mad at his sons.
■ Cesare finds Juan in a wh0rehouse, pulls him by his feet, stands him up, pushes his head into a bucket of water, then throws more water at him. 'You know me, brother. I disapprove of lechery, debauchery, and drunkenness.'
■ Rodrigo finally admits to being blinded by affection to Juan. Rodrigo knows he gave his favourite son more responsibility that he can handle.
■ Cesare tries to get Ursula to leave because the convent is defenceless against the French army, but she refuses. Cesare relents and says he will then just leave guards at the convent.
Quotes
Giulia: 'If you speak of your affections, Paolo, I will see you hanged after you are whipped.'
King Charles: 'Never risk a man until you've used your artillery.'
Cesare: 'You will put your trust in me!'
Show: The Borgias (Showtime)
Season: One
Episode Number in Season: Eight
Episode Number in Series: Eight
Episode Title: The Art of War
Episode Writer: Neil Jordan
Episode Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Original Air Date: May 15, 2011
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