Medici: Masters of Florence (2016–…): Season 2, Episode 7 - Betrayal - full transcript

What are you doing here?

- I wanted to see you.
- Whatever for?

- Can we still be friends?
- My uncle has forbidden it.

- I know, but I thought... - What?
That I would ignore his wishes?

- My uncle was right, you Medici
are pushy! - Stop it, Francesco!

- I said stop! - Are you going to
send your crippled father after me?

Take it back! Take it back!

You think the Pazzi
are plotting against you?

Why else would Francesco be in Rome,
having meetings with Salviati?

- Could there not be innocent
reasons? - At night? In secret? No.

THE CURIA, ROME



Thank you for coming,
Messer Montesecco.

I couldn't help being curious.

What would an archbishop
and a banker want with a soldier?

You are more prepared
than Galeazzo Sforza.

I can't put up with these armed
guards breathing down my neck.

It makes me look weak.

I have to return to Rome,
speak with the Pope.

No, you're not safe in Rome,
it's too unstable.

When Sforza ruled Milan the alliance
offered some protection.

- You're allied with a 7-year-old.
- His mother acts as his regent.

- He has uncles. - Oh, yes!
Many uncles. Many men, many rivals.

No doubt maneuvering for position,
like men always do.

Venice will be
in the same state of uncertainty.

The alliance will hold, mother,
the cities will honor it.



Cut six inches off a leg.

A stool is still a stool, yes?
But would you sit on it?

BETRAYAL

Lorenzo is in league
with Milan and Venice

and he means to move
against the Papal States.

- And you want me to raise an army?
- No, it's not a military question.

And how do you propose to stop him?

He and his brother
have to die simultaneously.

Because if one of them is left alive
he'll rally his city behind him.

Avenge the other.

Florence will celebrate
the day the Medici are gone

and my uncle
becomes their new ruler.

We're not acting alone,
we have many supporters.

So why do you need me?

What's the plan?

Lorenzo will be invited to Rome
to celebrate Easter with the Pope.

While he's here I'll be in Florence,
taking care of Giuliano.

And you want me to kill Lorenzo?

Snuff him out like a candle?

- What is it?
- A trap, for Lorenzo.

They lure him here,
Count Montesecco will kill him

while the Pazzi
kill Giuliano in Florence.

- Sorry to disturb you, Father.
- It's alright.

- But someone's just tried to Kill
Archbishop Salviati. - Kill?

You haven't seen a man
with a knife in here?

No.

You're sure?

Yes.

Perhaps you were
too engrossed in your studies.

But he hasn't got a knife!
And he wouldn't kill anyone!

- I know him! - So I hear.
- You can't carry weapons in Rome.

Oh, look, a murderer with a knife.

But what are we going to do
about his accomplice?

No!

Please...

No...

Please.

They're very good, Sandro,
very good.

- Why are we here? - I've been
invited by the Pope over Easter.

- It might be a trap or a genuine
olive branch. - What does Carlo say?

I'm waiting to hear.

You two could go off
for a diplomatic overture,

offer the services of the world's
greatest artist to the Holy Father.

I will never paint again.

My muse is dead.

You think it's funny?
It's your fault.

It's all her husband's fault.

- She died of the wasting disease.
- He couldn't resist her.

- Whilst you made love to her with
your paint brush. - You killed her.

- You and her husband killed her!
- You're not moping about your muse!

- Stop it!
- You're just jealous.

Let's console ourselves, at least
she lives on in Sandro's paintings.

These daubs?
These insignificant little daubs?

They're not even close.

- They're no closer...
- Giuliano, no.

- Than this, or this, or this.
- Let go of me. - Or this, or this!

Anyone can daub pigment on a panel

and pretend that it means something,
but it means nothing!

She was just an object to you.

To me she was everything,
she made life mean something.

He's hurting
and he's lashing out, Sandro.

You pay him no heed.

You need to find another way
to make your peace with Rome.

Fetch Montesecco
and Francesco Pazzi.

Tell them
our guest from Florence has arrived.

Cardinal Orsini, I was looking
for Lorenzo de' Medici.

- I saw his carriage outside.
- He's in Florence.

His carriage brought
my niece to Rome, as you can see.

His Holiness will be disappointed.

Lorenzo declined the invitation
due to a prior engagement.

He is hosting eminent visitors
from Venice and Milan.

- His alliance is a provocation.
- It is not. - He should be here.

What's he afraid of?

If he had anything to fear in Rome
he wouldn't let his wife be here.

My niece's presence
is a sign of good faith.

I bring a letter confirming
that Lorenzo supports discussions

aimed at re-establishing friendly
relations between Rome and Florence

and authorizing Father Carlo to
represent him in the negotiations.

Now, do you know
where I might find Father Carlo?

- He isn't in his apartments.
- And he isn't in the library.

I was told he's on a retreat,
for lent.

He made no mention of that
in his last letter.

Perhaps it was a spur
of the moment decision.

He must return to start the peace
talks, I can't leave until he does.

- Did he suspect a trap?
- Would he send his wife if he did?

- He's no coward.
- It's a calculated risk.

She's a Medici and an Orsini,
whoever harms her

loses Florence and Rome's support.
- Who trusts his wife so much?

We can't shut her up.

We can't let her tell Lorenzo
his priest half-uncle has vanished.

And she won't leave
until she's spoken to him.

- Easter's only days away.
- We need a change of plan.

- They both have to die in Florence.
- It'll be much riskier.

It's not just a double murder,
it's a coup.

You'll need an army,
in case the people rebel

big enough to make Venice and Milan
think twice about coming to help.

It'll have to be paid for.

I'll need to get my men inside
the walls without raising suspicion.

- Can you do that?
- With the Pope's backing.

But I'll want proof
that he supports us.

You'll get it.

FLORENCE, 31ST MARCH, 1478

I don't like the idea
of a foreign army in the city.

It's a precaution in case Lorenzo's
alliance is too much of a threat.

Make Salviati come with them.

People need to know how our uprising
is led by men of Florence.

Gentlemen, our honored guest.

- Gian Galeazzo Sforza, the Duke
of Milan. - Your Excellency.

His mother and regent,
the Duchess Bona di Savoia.

Honored guests indeed.

Messer Medici snubbed an invitation
from the Pope to be with you today.

- No snub was intended. - I hope
you don't live to regret it.

Has anyone explained the origins
of our Easter ceremony to you?

During the first crusade
to the Holy Land

our noble ancestor,
Pazzino de' Pazzi

claimed Palestine for Christianity.

He was the very first man
to scale the walls of Jerusalem.

As a reward he was given three small
stones from the tomb of Christ.

And every year since

those three flints have created the
spark that lights our Easter candle.

One might say we are the oldest,
most noble family in Florence.

- One might, if you didn't always
beat one to it. - Your Excellency.

There you are, a crust of bread
for your Easter supper.

Men of faith don't fear death.

You would sacrifice your life
to save Lorenzo and Giuliano, right?

Right.

What would you do to save Lorenzo's
wife, your good friend Clarice?

You wouldn't dare...

I would rather not, but she's here
in Rome demanding to see you.

If I was to let you speak to her and
you were to tell her what you know

she would have to die.

But I have strict personal rules.

I don't kill women.
I would have to leave her to my men.

A fate considerably worse
than death.

And if I don't tell her?

- We'd have no reason to kill her.
- Do I have your word on that?

Put her mind at rest
and she will live.

It's the only choice you have.

A beautiful ceremony, Your Holiness.

Your young nephew
will make an excellent cardinal.

Get to your point,
you have five minutes.

It's about Lorenzo de' Medici.
We'd like to propose a solution.

- You know Count Montesecco.
-I do.

He can help us solve
the Lorenzo problem.

- I will not condone a murder.
- Of course not.

You might say
he's here as my bodyguard.

Some nights ago,
a man tried to kill me.

The Count was one of witnesses
to see the assassin flee the scene.

- He pursued him to a library.
- He was reporting to Father Carlo.

Why would he?

You ordained me
as Archbishop of Pisa.

Lorenzo wanted his own man.

The Medici are cut-throat merchants

who use violence to remove
those they can't manipulate.

The new Duke of Milan
is a 7-year-old boy.

Lorenzo wants complete control
of Florence, Milan and Venice.

Then his sights will be on the
Holy See. He's going to poison you.

We need to act first.

- I will not condone murder.
- Of course not.

We invited him to Rome
to discuss reconciliation.

But we won't take that as an insult.

If he won't come to us

we swallow our pride,
and we go to him.

Send a Papal emissary.

- Who do you suggest?
- Your newest cardinal, Raffaele.

He's your nephew, it'll prove your
commitment for a peaceful solution.

- Are you out of your mind? He's 17.
- He'll need a bodyguard.

And a large retinue

befitting his status and the
importance of his peace mission

and prepared for any eventuality.

The Medici will not go
without a fight.

They will draw their allies
from Venice and Milan into it.

We need at least
600 fully armed men, Your Holiness.

Are you willing to approve the
funding for such a large retinue?

Did your diplomatic overture with
the young Duke and his mother work?

Our treaty with Venice and Milan
will compel the Pope to negotiate.

Violence only ever begets violence,
but words...

Words beget dialogue.

Ninety-nine good apples
turn a bad one sweet.

You know, all this cynicism
is going to destroy you, brother.

You think?

It's all meaningless.

And the only way to thrive

in the real world, a world of sin

is to do what Cosimo did.

Be a more ruthless sinner
than your enemy.

Carlo!

I thought you were dead.
Where have you been?

I just... At a monastery, fasting.

- Why didn't you tell us?
We've been so worried. - I'm sorry.

Lorenzo has been waiting
to hear from you.

He needs to know, are the Pope's
desires of reconciliation genuine?

He says yes, it is.

He's sending Cardinal Riario
to Florence on a diplomatic mission.

Lorenzo should make him
and his retinue welcome.

- Are you sure?
- I'm sure.

I need to go,
I have some work to do.

- Is something wrong?
- No.

You need to go.

I'll come
with Cardinal Riario to Florence

and we'll speak
at greater length, right?

- You promise?
- Promise. Now go, please.

- Bye, Clarice.
- Right, good bye.

Don't cry, you just saved her life.

She'll be expecting me to travel
with the Cardinal now, may I?

The Pope has authorized
our bank to fund an army

to be led from Imola
by Count Riario.

You try to enter Florence
and there'll be a bloodbath.

Montesecco will lead
a vanguard of 50 men.

Lorenzo thinks
they're coming for peace talks.

They'll be disguised
as the retinue of the Pope's nephew

Cardinal Raffaele Riario.

There will be a banquet
to welcome the Cardinal.

But the Medici brothers will not
make it past the first course.

When they are dead

the government palace will be seized
on behalf of the people.

And my uncle will be proclaimed
the new leader of Florence.

My men will enter the city to defend
the uprising against any opposition.

- The Pope has agreed to this?
- He wants rid of the Medici tyrants

just as much as we do.

You look worried, uncle.

- Are you having second thoughts?
- Don't call His Holiness "uncle".

Sorry.

Please, don't worry, Your Holiness.

I will make the Medici abide
by your will and peace will prevail.

Time to go, God's work to do.

I can't believe you're entrusting me
with such an important mission.

Count.

By the time I return with my men you
will be the ruler of the Republic.

Should we warn Guglielmo?

Or find an excuse to keep him
and his wife away from the banquet?

We cannot trust him.

Come on!

The Pope loves Raffaele Riario
like a son, but he's very young.

He won't come alone,
he'll have advisors.

The Holy Father wants to give him
the chance to prove himself.

Like you, sending me off to Rome.

I didn't send you off to Rome,
you sent yourself.

But I knew that I could trust you.

- Something was troubling him.
- About the visit?

I don't know.
We can ask him when they get here.

Oh, rather more than I expected.

You're most welcome, Your Eminence.

Some of your retinue
may have to sleep in the stables.

Well, if it was good enough
for our Lord...

Your Eminence, welcome.

This is a surprise, we were
only expecting Cardinal Riario.

I'm afraid I flattered myself
that I may have a role to play

in bringing the two sides together.

- Where is Father Carlo? - The Pope
had another assignment for him.

Father Carlo sends his apologies.

My wife will show you to your
quarters. We'll dine in your honor.

I look forward to it, thank you.

You come this way.

Here is your ruffian, Madonna.

Lorenzo.

In future, make sure he keeps away
from this family and this house.

- What were you thinking? - I just
wanted to be friends, grandmother.

He strikes my nephew
and calls it friendship?

You were not wrong to try.

We must always try
to extend a hand of friendship.

Even if it is not returned.

Come.

Grandmother!

Madonna.

You asked to see me?

Yes, I want you
to come to the banquet.

- If you think that you can exploit
my art... - Don't worry.

I'm offering the Curia commission

to a young fellow from Verrocchio's
workshop, Leonardo.

Everyone's talking about him.

He is good, he may do a decent job,
but he doesn't finish anything.

Oh, no,
I don't think you understand.

I have complete confidence in him,
I think he's an exceptional talent.

I know exactly what you're doing.

Take your time before picking up
a brush, but come to the banquet.

Do you really think so little of me?
No, really...

That I can be swayed

by such a transparent appeal
to my vanity?

Sandro, you love someone,
you lose them.

You don't think you can carry on,
but then you go to work and you do.

It gets you through the day,
from one day to the next.

- But without work...
- Would you listen to yourself?

Help me to help Giuliano.

He needs us, the people
who love him, now more than ever.

- Your brother needs your help
tonight. - What does he want now?

Conjuring tricks for a Cardinal or
marrying one of the Pope's nieces?

You've always known
that Lorenzo was the chosen one.

You think you were never given
any responsibility.

That's no excuse for not taking any.

I wish you'd stop drinking.

- I wish I were dead. I'd do it just
to see her again. - Don't say that.

- Suicide is a mortal sin.
- So is adultery.

I could put up with damnation.

Together in hell, for eternity.

- Would be better than one day
on Earth without her. - Giuliano.

Son, please, don't think like that.

You can be together in heaven.

Repent your sins, do
the right thing, live a good life.

- You could find peace.
- Peace?

I don't believe in peace,
I don't believe in resurrection.

These sunny, carefree days of youth

they're an illusion.

The road to Christ

is a dead end.

- Carlo says why he hasn't come?
- The letter's here.

Why is Salviati staying here
when he has family in the city?

He's chaperoning the young Cardinal.

I don't like having him
under my roof.

- This is addressed to me. - Sorry,
I didn't realize until I opened it.

- It's in Latin. - Yes, Carlo
apologizes, says that he's busy.

- But he's praying for us.
- He knows I don't speak Latin.

Why would he write to me in Latin?

I thought we were using poison.
Wouldn't that be cleaner?

How do we get it into their drinks?
And their drinks only?

How do we guarantee
they sup them simultaneously?

I will come at Lorenzo from behind

then go for his throat
in case of concealed armor.

You take Giuliano. The rest of you,
weapons drawn, ready for guards.

You'd better get the Cardinal out
of the way when the moment arrives.

I'll do the same
for my brother and his wife.

Is it to your liking?

It is a great wine.

- You don't have to be here.
- I want to see Giuliano die.

You were great.

Keep your voice down
and try to look more relaxed.

- Messer Pazzi.
- Gentlemen. - Messere.

- Thank you for coming, it means
a lot. - Our pleasure, I'm sure.

I see Lorenzo

but where's Giuliano?

- On special occasions...
- There's no doubt about it.

I'd like to introduce you
to Botticelli.

- He's a wonderful artist.
- Your Eminence. - It's a pleasure.

- It's a great pleasure.
- He is a dear friend of mine.

And he is a great painter.

Why so shy, Brother?

- Have some food. - You'll get
no conversation with him.

He's taken a vow of silence.

Madonna, please.

I was just telling Messer Medici
that Florence has no reason

to feel threatened by the Pope's
purchase of Imola or...

Let's not talk politics.
Will your brother be joining us?

He will.

There's wine, he'll be here.

Giuliano sends his apologies,
he's been detained on business.

That's a pity.

- A great pity.
- You'll see him on Sunday, at mass.

We should have killed Lorenzo
when we had the chance.

They have to die together,
we all agreed to that.

They're suspicious.
All those guards...

What if they avoid being together
in public from now on?

They'll be together on Sunday.

- You can't be serious?
- Why not? - At mass?

They won't be expecting it.
This may be our last chance.

- No, we just need to be patient.
- Riario's men are on the march.

It has to be Sunday, at mass.

- I will not kill on consecrated
ground. - You need more money?

I have rules, a code of honor.

- How much would it take?
- I will not do it, nor will my men.

I will take the government palace,
but a killing in a cathedral

you do yourselves.

When a professional shipwright
refuses to come aboard

think twice before setting sail.
- He's on board.

He and his men
will seize the palace.

We'll declare a new government

just as the tyrants are meeting
their fate in the cathedral.

In accordance with the will of God
and with the blessing of the Pope.

Where have you been?
You insulted our guests.

Eating with the Pazzi and talking
to Vespucci is insulting the guests.

- You should have been there.
- I told him to stay away.

- He wouldn't help your efforts.
- You're obsessed with peace.

Your enemies are preparing for war.
The Pope has an army at Imola.

He buys a town,
he wants to defend it.

The rumor is
he's marching on Florence.

- Where did you hear that?
= On the street.

Giuliano.

We missed you at the banquet.

Well, I'm here now.

- A letter? Who is it from?
- Francesco.

- It was delivered last night.
- Is it important?

Bank business.

Hurry up, we're going to be late.

Where have you been?

Trying to warm myself
on an old flame.

- And did it work?
- No.

I need to take responsibility,
starting with Simonetta.

If there is a heaven, she's there.

That's the only hope there is.

Where I have done wrong, I will make
it right. Don't worry about me.

Thank God.

We're here.

When Cardinal Riario raises
the host, you cut their throats.

In case they're wearing armor.

- Madonna. - Here.
- Come. - Yes.

Bastiano.

- I need you to do something for me.
- They'll have no bodyguards.

Their friends, the Cavalcanti
cousins, are away hunting.

- Yes.
- Good.

If there is an army ready for war
how will you deal with it?

More talk, with palette and brush,
or with sword?

Well, I still believe that we must
strive for a peaceful resolution.

Come.

I know our families
have had their disagreements

but I hope we can bury that
and start anew, for all our sakes.

Come here, Lorenzo.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fight.

I need to tell you something.

Something no one else knows.

I always meant us to be friends,
Francesco.

We shall be again.

And you, Giuliano,
if I've done you wrong, I'm sorry.

Please, forgive me.

I'm sorry too.

They're not wearing armor.

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