Medici: Masters of Florence (2016–…): Season 3, Episode 6 - Episode #3.6 - full transcript

After discovering a past mistake made by a family member, the Medici family faces yet another crisis for which Lorenzo must take maverick measures resulting in losing his virtues and ardent believers.

Thank you. It's beautiful, papa.

Well, it was the finest
that I could find in Rome.

Now, they say that these...

...were carved for a Spanish king.

I prefer to work than
play these games, father.

Maybe in the bank...

Now you're still young.

Well, I wouldn't wish for
responsibility too soon, Piero.

Can you teach me how to play?

Of course I can.

It wasn't easy, but I've moved money...



...between accounts.
If Carlo can persuade...

...the Pope to repay his debts
before the end of the month, then...

...we'll survive this.

With hope.

There is a new Pope in Rome.

What are you whispering, Pietro?

What time does the tavern open?

Are you bored? Already?

Yes. Yes...

...Rome is far from here.

So why does it matter to Pietro and I

that the new Pope bought his office
with gold coins, instead of prayer?

Because it matters to Christ.

"My house shall be called
a house of prayer...



...but you are making
it a den of thieves."

Christ's words:

"Don't worry, Pietro,
I'm getting to the point...

...then you can have your drink!"

But Jesus Jesus saw something else.

That even the powerless
can fight corruption.

Not with gold coins,
but with another currency.

Love.

This is the currency of our Lord.

Christ gave everything for us.

So we might learn to give
everything for each other.

Let the brave help the scared.

The healthy the sick.

The wealthy the poor.

For the poor.

God bless you, Madonna.

Spend your love on one another...

...and your purity
will spread upwards...

...and cleanse the Church.

Go in peace...

...brothers and sisters.

Bless you, Father.

Prior, may I speak to you?

The people love you, Prior.

- God be with you.
- I speak to bring them closer to God.

Not to serve any man's interest.

You wanted the Pope
to be chosen by God...

...but Lorenzo de' Medici
paid for him with gold.

- I know what happened in Rome.
- You speak of equality.

Help us get it by demanding
the Priori be restored.

I'm a man of faith.

Not of politics, Messer Ardinghelli.

The Medici bank is weak.
I hear it everywhere.

If the Prior will not help us
apply pressure on Lorenzo...

...there is a way we
can do it ourselves.

Demand a catasto.

Messers of the Council...

...our people suffer
under heavy taxes...

...levied in time of war.

There has been discontent, it's true.

Well, we'll consider your warning.

There's been much consideration.

Now it's time to act.

The people demand a catasto.

It is our right to assess the city
treasury and each man's wealth.

And it has been too long
since the last catasto.

Very well, Messer Ardinghelli.

The catasto will be held at the
end of the year after the harvest.

Why not now?

I'm sure I speak for all of us...

...when I say my accounts are in order.

I have nothing to hide.

None of us do.

Madonna?

I hear you played your part in Rome.

I do not seek your approval, Bernardi.

Where's my husband?

It's a disaster.

Ardinghelli has called upon
the Ten to carry out a catasto.

His intention can only be to be
to prove that we're bankrupt.

I'm sorry, I should have been there.

Well, you had other things to attend to.

We couldn't have seen this coming.

If the clerks discover
the money missing...

...from the city,
you'll be tried for treason.

It-it must be delayed.

What, and prove that
the bank is failing?

No No, the money has to be replaced...

...before the city clerks
examine the ledgers.

And Carlo has to press
the Pope to repay his debt.

Nobody, and I mean nobody,
can see the city ledgers.

What is it?

You can speak freely.

Your mother established
a second set of ledgers.

She stole from the dowry
fund then forged entries...

...hiding proof of the money
that was taken from the city.

Clever move.

Your mother was a fox amongst hares.

If the theft from the dowry fund
is discovered, we are ruined.

Tommaso What is it?

After what happened this morning,
I thought you should know...

...that Ardinghelli and Spinelli
were at Savonarola's sermon today.

I believe that they seek
to use his popularity...

- ...against you.
- Yes...

Yes, his preaching of equality...

...fostering distrust of the
Council amongst the people.

Look...

To reassure them,
I think this catasto...

...should be run openly and honestly.

I'd like you to take charge of it.

I'd be glad to.

You're a very good friend, Tommaso.

I appreciate your council...

...He's not the man I would
have chosen for this job.

You think I'd rather chosen you?

Tommaso is honest.

And perception matters.

I must speak with Savonarola.

We cannot afford to have him
used against us by our enemies.

What we did in Rome
must have angered him.

Father.

Tommaso wants me to
help with the catasto.

If you agree to it.

When I was sixteen I was
eager to learn about the city.

It's Piero's decision.

I would like to.

Very well.

Matthew, Chapter three.

"The voice of one calling
in the wilderness."

You remember the word of God, but
chose to act in his place in Rome.

If Riario's candidate would have won...

...Florence would
never have found peace.

Is it true?

Ardinghelli is courting you?

So that's why you're here?

To see I'll not act against you?

I told him...

...I have no interest in politics.

Savonarola?

He won't side with Ardinghelli.

And he's got very strong
feelings, but...

...he's a priest.
He won't be drawn into politics.

But the catasto...

We aren't out of danger.

Yes, but we will be.

We will be.

And we'll find a way to repay the city.

Fixing this...

...it will be the last thing, I promise.

We can live now.

I asked Sandro to come dine with us.

Just like the old days.

The catasto was established

when your great-grandfather
was in the Priori.

Here, each citizen
makes a declaration...

...of their property and income.

It's our job to make sure that
their ledgers are in order...

...and that they are paying
the taxes that are due.

By law,
they must make a full accounting...

...of all income or face penalties.

You know so much about the city.

My father taught me.

Lorenzo's a very busy man, Piero.

Maybe he doesn't yet
see what I see in you.

You don't have to be him.

Make your own choices...

Find your own way.

Tommaso...

Messer Ardinghelli...

I see the Medici have a
hand everywhere in Florence.

Piero wishes to learn about his city.

The Medici are citizens,
just like your family and mine.

Aren't they?

He has every right to be here.

I've searched the accounts.

Not the Pope's money,
none of these debts...

...are large enough to repay the city.

There is one debt.

Sarzana.

No, it can't be recalled.

Our new Pope is from the region.

The city's under his protection.

Being from there,
I thought you'd be aware of that.

You see, I did manage to find
something out about you, Bruno.

Of course, the trail stops...

...at the Sarzana gates. No one
seems to recall a Bruno Bernardi.

It's not a part of my life
I wish to recall either.

Let alone revisit.

I see no other choice.

I must call on my brother.

Does he have influence there?

He's Gonfaloniere.

Guido Battista?

Bruno Battista.

Yes.

Do you think you can persuade
him to pay the money back?

I can ask.

Chances are he will say no.

Well, we've got to find a way
to turn that no into a yes.

We're done with the Roselli accounts.

Let's start on these next.
Come on, there's no time to lose.

Madonna Medici...

There. The Medici accounts.

Since he was a child...

...Piero has always struggled
to find his place in the world.

...these too...

He seems at home here.

The more successful the father,
the harder it is for the son.

I felt it, too.

Well, it's good to see him happy.

Thank you, Tommaso.

The way back to God is simple!

But that does not mean it is easy!

Our sins are like a comforting blanket.

Perhaps for you...

...drinking and gambling
dulls your pain.

Perhaps you cheat your customers...

...for the benefit of your family.

Perhaps you tell yourself it doesn't
matter because they won't realize.

It's hard to turn our backs...

...on the things that make
our own lives bearable.

But it's harder still to
live without God's love.

May his peace be with you.

In the name of the Father...

...and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Father?

- Excuse me.
- Madonna.

I'm so glad to see you here.

My words struck a nerve?

No, you speak well.

I hear you also preach
against the new Pope.

You know what Lorenzo
did in Rome was wrong.

What he did, he did not do alone.

Was that your choice?

He's my husband.

But your soul is your own.

Together we might bring him back to God.

We each must find our own way.

It's the same this time every year.

A man could lose himself in it.

Last year we were
visited by the plague...

...this year...

...we are visited by...

...Lorenzo de' Medici's messenger boy?

You hold yourself differently.

Florence must have put
some iron in your soul.

I didn't think you'd
have the guts to return.

I forgot how much you
take after our father.

What he did, he did to us both...

The difference between...

...you and I

is that I learned from him.

You betrayed him.

Exile was a mercy.

He was a fool to leave.

You were a fool to follow,
worse than a fool. You...

...brother, are always soft-hearted.

I should have let him choke
to death here on the damp air.

You have no regrets at all?

Before he died, he said nothing of me?

I have no recollection.

I'm here to offer you a deal.

Repay the hundred thousand
florins you owe the Medici...

...you will have Florence's protection.

That's it?

The reason you travelled so far?

Really?

Surely Lorenzo de'
Medici's lackey has...

...something more to offer than that.

Trade with Florence will enrich Sarzana.

Will it?

The answer is no.

You see, unlike you, I don't have
to bow and scrape to the Medici.

I have the support of the new Pope...

...and I know the Medici
have no desire to...

...fight an ally they paid so much...

...to secure.

Isn't that right? So, run along.

Tell your master that.

I think I might stay a while.

It's been a long time since
I've been home, Guido.

Do as you wish.

You can have our father's room...

...Bruno.

Guido is right.

You must go to the country.

We'll return when you're well again.

Sandro!

Poliziano...

It's like the good old
days in Careggi, huh?

It's so good to see you.

Only this time I'm the
dusty old poet and you're...

...the famous artist returned from Rome.

- I like that.
- Thank you both for coming.

Poliziano.

Good to see you.

You look your old self...

...despite the years.

Your work at the Cappella Magna
has been praised far and wide.

I noticed that you've had
somebody else add Riario...

...to the hanging men in the Loggia.

Yes Riario's death has
closed the chapter.

We shall start a fresh one.

Lorenzo, look who's here!

Leonardo.

Returned to Florence!

We should talk of art
and life as we used to.

Now, art should speak of
beauty, truth and God.

But what of science?

Or of nature?

We must let our hands be guided by
true inspiration, from the divine.

It is the gift of artists
to show men God's grace.

These machines...

...the ones that you have
been working on in Milan...

Yes, well...

...I am more an engineer
than an artist...

...but I do find that...

...visual language helps us
understand the theories...

...of mechanics. The striking...

...the impetus, the rebound...

- ...inertia...
- And you've built them?

Milan is littered with my experiments.

We digress.

Sandro, I've asked you here
tonight, because...

...I want to offer you a space
in the gardens.

Your own academy.

Well, that's wonderful news.

You're a hero to your
students, so please...

...teach them the beauty of your vision.

It's certainly a generous offer.

But at least,
promise us you'll consider it.

Of course.

Good.

Good. Poliziano.

What about you?
Did you write anything new?

Well, we're all friends now.

You haven't had a night
like this in a while.

I wish Giuliano were there to see it.

I sent Bernardi to Sarzana, to
recover the money the city owes us.

I have word that the Gonfaloniere
there refuses to pay it.

- Lorenzo, if...
- No, don't worry.

It's what we expected.

Not content with putting
pressure on the Pope...

...now Lorenzo does the same
to the Gonfaloniere of Sarzana.

Holy Father, all Lorenzo asks is
for what is owed to be repaid.

This is no longer about
money, father Carlo.

Lorenzo meddles in the affairs
of a region I come from.

It's a direct challenge to my authority.

Tell him it must stop.

Where have you been?

- To San Marco.
- Again?

I didn't know you were so pious.

Well, perhaps I changed
and you didn't notice.

You should listen to what
Prior Girolamo says...

...instead of thinking how you can
use him to further your ambition.

Tommaso...

The clerks are finished
with your declaration.

Madonna.

This catasto takes forever.

No doubt because it is overseen...

...by a member of Lorenzo's council...

...assisted by Lorenzo's son.

Tommaso advises my father
on progress as he does you.

As a courtesy.

I serve Florence, not Lorenzo.

My loyalty is to the people.

It takes time to listen
to their concerns.

In the name of Florence...

...perhaps you could also...

...remind Lorenzo that this
used to be a republic...

...and you you were once
its strongest advocate.

I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn.

No.

Ardinghelli just
reminded me of something...

...that I'd allowed myself to forget.

Your father would be proud of you.

Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow.

Messer Medici?

Forgive my intrusion.

Will you help me?

The Pope is angry about
your move on Sarzana.

He warns that if you spill even
a single drop of blood there...

...you will face the
wrath of the Papal army.

After everything he's
done to prevent war...

I must go to Milan.

Sorry, Milan?

Lorenzo, what have you
planned with Bernardi?

Let there be no bloodshed, alright?

- Not for this, for money...
- Trust me. Trust me.

The future is within our grasp.

It's been a long ride.

I'm not as young as I once was.

Lorenzo de' Medici.

Duke Sforza.

Lord Regent.

I greatly valued my
friendship with your father.

Florence still considers
Milan her closest ally.

Milan values your friendship, too.

In the spirit of friendship...

...I came to help you.

I know that France threatens Milan.

Bolstering our alliance
will secure your position.

I see.

How would you bolster our alliance?

By bringing Sarzana into it.

- Interesting...
- And to persuade Sarzana?

I'll need to borrow your army.

The Duke would be seen as a very
powerful man in the north of Italy.

France would dare not attack him.

You were my father's ally.

And I want to help you.

But you must be careful.

Sarzana is protected by the new Pope.

Duke, you should not
risk Milanese lives...

...unless you are absolutely sure.

It must be frustrating...

...pretending to defer to a boy.

No more than it must be for you to...

...pretend to defer to
Florence's citizens.

When Gian Galeazzo comes of age,
you'll lose your position as Regent.

And the army guarantees
your future in Milan.

That's why you won't risk it.

We both signed a treaty at Bagnolo.

Yet now you want to
declare war on the Pope?

No, no, no, no. There'll be no war.

Don't count on my army.

Then just a few men.

And something else.

Impressive, isn't it?

A catapult.

The most lethal ever designed.

It uses a rotating drum to launch
cannons at devastating speed.

Leonardo is a clever engineer.

But it doesn't work.

The drum jams.

It's useless.

You summoned me?

Touched as I am by this pretence...

...at a family reunion...

...it's been days.

You're up to something.

Me?

The weak one?

You sweat like a pig that's
caught the butcher's eye.

I still scare you, don't I, Bruno?

Oh yes.

You should know I've
written to the Pope.

That you'll never outsmart me.

Because you're the clever one.

Well, I'm the one that escaped
that old bastard's shadow. So, yes.

You know, you should be grateful to me.

And I'm the one who
chose to let you live.

I'm the one who chose to let you go.

You should be grateful.

You tell me, brother, was that strength?

Or weakness?

I could have done it with these hands.

That's why I lead.

And you follow.

Here he is the weak one.

The idiot...

...who let his brother trick him.

Useless, pathetic worm.

Guido will never let us...

...return to Sarzana.

This is your fault!

Bring your canvas over there.

Messer Botticelli.

We are honored.

Let me show you the
space Messer Lorenzo...

...has set aside for your new studio.

I'll see it later.

Tell me what you see.

I'd like to be able to
see the Virgin Mary alone.

But every time I try...

...I cannot help looking for
the hand of the sculptor.

An artist cannot escape the self.

Whether he loves or hates it.

You know, I strive very hard to
capture the beauty of God...

...and every time I fail...

...I think only of my talent
and my own reputation.

So...

...therefore I paint for
myself, not for Him.

Lorenzo has offered
me my own workshop...

...in the gardens.

And if you accept...

...who will you be painting for?

You are a genius, Leonardo.

I thought you asked about my
machines out of curiosity.

I should have known better.

You made mistakes in your calculations.

You've never intended these to work...

I may not believe in heaven or hell.

But that doesn't mean
that I have no morality.

Ludovico can't be trusted
to use such machines wisely.

And I have no wish to
see men die by my design.

Forget Ludovico.

Do you trust me?

This is your chance to see
if these machines can work.

You really think I can be
manipulated that easily?

No man will die.

You have my word.

Tommaso,
I need to speak with you urgently.

Can't this wait, Piero?

What do you know of the dowry fund?

The Monte delle Doti was established
by the city to provide...

...dowries for the poor.

Why?

A man asked for my help.

His sister was due to marry...

...but he was told payments from
the fund had been suspended.

He must be mistaken.

You said the catasto
was an opportunity...

...for those without
a voice to be heard...

His is one of these voices.

Tommaso Peruzzi. Let me in.

I've orders not to let anyone in.

I'm one of the Ten.

I'm supervising the catasto on
the orders of Lorenzo de' Medici.

I need to see the city's accounts.

Let me in.

Who told you to bar this chamber?

Thank God you've returned.

To fetch Leonardo.

I ride to Sarzana within the hour.

Tommaso's here to see you.

It's urgent.

Lorenzo...

What is it, Tommaso?

Bernardi's been stealing from the city.

What evidence do you have?

The books of the Dowry
Fund have been altered.

They show payments to men
who have never received them.

The fund is almost empty.

Bernardi ordered the guard not
to let anyone enter the vault.

I mean, surely there
must be some mistake.

- I'll investigate further.
- No.

I'll deal with it
personally on my return.

If this gets out people will just panic.

They'll jump to conclusions.

It can wait until I return.

Very well.

Thank you, Tommaso.

And I've been thinking.

It's a long time since we talked
about restoring the Priori.

Yes, indeed.

When I return.

What will we do?

When I return from Sarzana
I'll have the money.

We'll put it in the vault.

Tommaso has no proof.

If the money's there,
nothing else matters.

Lorenzo leaves Florence tonight.

The attack is imminent.

Nico.

I want you to spread a rumor for me.

- You! What do you want?
- Come with us!

Where are you taking me?

Bring me the ledgers
for the Medici bank.

I need to see them in person.

This boy of yours has been spreading
a rumor of plague, causing panic.

To what end?

To-what-end?

Hang them both.

Wait.

At the very moment he faces
the butcher's knife...

...the pig doesn't sweat anymore.

Tell me.

Why is that, brother?

Messer?

Lorenzo de' Medici is
outside the city walls.

You'll want to hear
what he has to say...

...brother.

You came alone?

I came for the hundred
thousand florins...

...that Sarzana owes the Medici bank.

Ah, yes, of course.

I'm sorry, but I think
you've had a wasted journey.

You'll do nothing.

Why? Because you are
Lorenzo the peace-maker.

And you leave me no choice.

Halt!

Turn!

Turn!

Turn!

You spill blood here,
and it will mean war with the Pope.

Right!

Light!

Ready, fire!

I told you you should listen!

The city's walls are breached!

My army just has to
walk in and it's ours!

If you don't pay,
Sarzana will be destroyed!

You...

You...

You betray your brother and
your city! For what? For what!?

It was you who betrayed your
father and your brother!

I am the right hand of this man...

...Lorenzo the Magnificent.
Ruler of Florence.

Prince among men.

Now give him your answer!

You'll get nothing.

Freedom!

The money is yours...

...peace-maker!

You should know that the
Pope will not intervene.

Because no blood was spilt here.

The tower and its
surrounds were all empty.

Rumors of plague...

...spread by your boy.

I misjudged you, brother.

You are certainly not the same
man that left Sarzana, are you?

You asked if our father said
anything before he died.

I recall it now.

And?

He said nothing.

The money's all there.

Together...

...we turned the no into a yes.

This is the ledger for the Medici bank?

Yes, Messer Tommaso.

And the Dowry Fund?

Tommaso, the line outside is growing.

You know what to do.

Tommaso, if there is more I
can do to help you, tell me.

No.

No, you cannot help me in this.

Go.

There's work to be done.

Everybody have your papers ready.

Rest assured we are
moving as fast as we can.

Lorenzo...

Messer! Let me help you!

I'm fine, I'm fine.

I fell, that's all.

Papa!

- Are you alright?
- We did it.

We did it.

Bernardi's returning
the money to the city.

So we're safe?

We're safe.

You see this, it goes where it
must, and balance the accounts.

Yes.

You?

Who asked to see those?

- You can close the door.
- Of course.

Make sure I am not disturbed.

I said...

We need to talk.

I looked up to him.

As a friend.

The Medici are corrupt.

And not only in Rome.

They have been stealing from this city.

His own people.

Now what should I do?

"So whoever knows the
right thing to do...

...and fails to do it,
for him it is sin."

You're a good man, Tommaso.

However hard it is,
you know what you must do.

Thank you, Prior.

He tore out the incriminating pages.

Tommaso has proof that we
took money from the city...

and that we covered it up.

I'll go to him.

I'll explain that we took
the money for good reason...

You cannot. It would admit your guilt.

Now I'll go to him instead
and I will explain.

But my fear is Tommaso
will not listen to reason.

He must.

And if he doesn't?

- Messer, Messer...
- Good evening, Anna.

Bless you. Stay safe.

God bless you, Messer. Bless you.

You disappoint me, Tommaso.

Bernardi, what are you doing here?

I came for what belongs to the Medici.

Lorenzo has betrayed everything
that he once stood for.

I've summoned Ardinghelli.

And then I will tell the
city what Lorenzo has done.

You haven't done it yet.

Ask yourself why.

Could it be that you are
wiser than your anger?

Your father, isn't it?

He was an honest man.

Who's that you're looking at?

You're piss weak.

You hear me?

At least Guido had the courage to act...

...and he earned all
my respect for that.

I love him for that!
And I hate you! I...

You know, a son...

...can choose not to make the same
mistakes as his father, Tommaso.

Honesty is a weakness of character.

Who's your opponent?

I'm playing myself to practice strategy.

One day,
I will have a place in the city.

Whether you want me to or not.

Yes, of course you will.

And I'll teach you.

There's no need.
I'll study with Tommaso.

I have word from Carlo.

Innocent has agreed to pay
the money owed to us...

...on the condition that...

...Florence forswears any
further intervention of Sarzana.

Lorenzo.

What is it?

The bank is stable again.
It's exactly as you said.

We can look to the future.

The darkness is behind us now.

Lorenzo?

What is it?

There has been an accident.

Father Girolamo.

Tommaso Peruzzi is dead.