Medici: The Magnificent (2018–…): Season 2, Episode 4 - Episode #2.4 - full transcript

Maybe your uncle will let you
live with us, Francesco.

Of course he won't.

Francesco!

Francesco!
You too, Guglielmo!

Here now! Come!...

You are my wards now.

Jacopo, their parents
are just buried.

Let them spend a while
with their friends.

I am calling off
the engagement between...

...Guglielmoand your
granddaughter, Madonna.

They are pledged to one another!



Not by me.
And not anymore.

Guglielmo's late father wished peace
between our families.

This union would ensure it.

Peace? Peace!?

There will never be peace between
our families, Madonna!

Come, Francesco!

Stay where you are!

Don't touch him!

Get out of my way.

Or you'll feel the
force of my hand too.

Not in this house, Messer Pazzi.

Lorenzo...

Come!

Come! Come!!



You are loyal to a friend.

The sign of a good heart, Lorenzo.

But never pick a
fight you can't win.

It only strengthens your enemies.

You look more anxious about
Bianca's wedding than your own...

A marriage to the Pazzi.
A new treaty ratified with Milan.

You are ascendant, Lorenzo.

What do you have to be
worried about?

Our bank's finances are precarious.

And this wedding...

...will only deepen Jacopo
Pazzl's desire to destroy us.

But he's old.

And you are more than his equal.

I'm burdened by conscience.

Which puts me in a disadvantage.

How is conscience a disadvantage?

There are moral lines...

...that I won't cross.

And he has none of those.

There is strength in goodness.

And I believe in you.

Clarice will be waiting.

I should go.

Well, perhaps she can
wait a little bit longer?

Perhaps...

How can you not acknowledge
the wisdom of the ancients?

Because they are not
the answer to everything...

...Poliziano and certainly
do not glorify God.

That's your answer
to everything, isn't it?

You're as stubborn as a mule Sandro.

I'm not being stubborn,
its simply the truth.

And you and your philosophers
should realise this.

I'm sure Lorenzo will be
here soon. All I'm saying is...

...the art of the
ancients remains unsurpassed.

I've studied the art of the
ancients and their philosophy!

And here he is, you see?

Sorry for being late.

You said you'd be back hours ago...

Business, I'm afraid.
It couldn't be helped.

Can you forgive me?

Pardon me, Messer Medici.

Messer Maffei is here.

Unannounced? All
the way from Volterra?

Stefano...
Lorenzo!

Giuliano,...

...Madonna Medici
another wedding in the family!

My deepest congratulations.

Thank you, Messer Maffei.

Surely you haven't travelled
all this way to congratulate us...

Some crystals...

Not just ordinary crystals...

Processed alum.

Well, to the textile industry,
this is more precious than gold...

It makes color adhere to cloth.

And there are lots more...

...where they came from.

A shepherd found a mine on his land.

Well, then the
people of Volterra...

...are about to become
very rich indeed.

Except that the textile
makers from across Europe...

...buy from the Pope's supplies.

He cannot afford to be undercut.

We are a small city.

We could offer little defense
should the Pope decide to invade.

Volterra is under Florentine
protection. He wouldn't dare.

No...

The Holy Father needs that
revenue to sustain his good works.

He might have no choice.

Then there would be war
between us... and the Pope.

What shall we do?

You must be very tired
after your journey, Stefano.

Come. Let's have a drink.

Clarice will be very
happy to see you again.

Thank you, thank you.

Well, brother?

What are you going to do?

I will ride with Messer
Maffei back to Volterra.

First thing tomorrow morning.

Do you remember my son, Antonio?

Have the Priori gathered?

They have, as your
messenger instructed.

But I'm afraid their
mood is not welcoming.

Is that so?

Gentlemen!

Well, you can send him
right back to Florence.

The Priori of Volterra
will make its own decisions.

You are Messer...

...Vaccari.

Messer Vaccari is quite right.

The people of Volterra
must make their own decisions.

I had hoped that I might be able...

...to first suggest
the way thaffne...

...people of Volterra might
protect themselves.

Well, we are about
to become wealthy.

And wealth... buys protection.

Yes, it does.

What happens when the price drops?

Drops?

Why should it drop?

The supply of alum is limited.

If Volterra floods
the market, then...

...well, the prices will drop.

And if your prices drop,. ..

...well, then so will the Pope's.

And then the
Church will be forced...

...to seize your supplies,
and Volterra...

Volterra will be left unprotected.

Tell them your offer, Messere.

My bank will sell your
alum at three ducats per load.

Well, we could get five!

Neither more, nor less
than the Pope receives.

The market remains stable,...

...Volterra is protected.

It's a fair offer.

With peace and stability for all.

Control of the alum in Volterra...

The advantages for the
Medici will be enormous.

You must implore the
Pope to stop this outrage.

Volterra has its own Bishop
who has spoken to the Holy Father.

As long as the price of alum...

...does not fall, the
Pope will not act.

Would you excuse us a moment?

Jacopo, I hate the
Medici just as much as you,...

...but my hands are tied.
-Tied?

Why then did I
pay to educate you,...

...place you in the Curia
and obtain this exalted position?

Not for the love of an orphan
child or loyalty to your kin.

Obviously.

I'm sorry,...

...cousin.

But the facts are not on our side.

Facts? What are facts?

If the truth does not point in our
direction, then bend it so it does!

There, just like that perfect.

It feels so wrong
to be so happy, Mama...

I'm scared it will be snatched away.

Every bride has nerves.
-I certainly did.

You and my son, are you happy?

Of course.

He has great respect for you.

Lucrezia Ardinahelli
is very beautiful.

Lorenzo is young
and privileged.

He's not accustomed to being
denied the things he enjoys.

When we met, he said that...

...if I gave him...
my heart, he would...

...promise before God
to take care of it.

You are very lovely.

And more than
worthy of his affections.

Give my son
time, and he'll learn...

...to deny himself his
youthful pleasures.

Not out of obligation,
but love.

Madonna?
There are visitors.

Signor Foscari.

Welcome to Florence.

You remember my daughter, Novella?

Bianca is delighted that
you could attend ner wedding.

She's heard a lot about you.

My son is expecting you.

I appreciate you
coming, Messer Foscari.

You know that hawks
must be kept apart,...

...but close enough
that they might fly together?

And if they chose a
mate, then it's for life.

Like humans.

You didn't invite me here to
talk about hawks, Messer Medici.

I wish to propose an alliance.

But you have already
chosen your mate.

Florence has just negotiated
a new treaty with Milan.

And now I propose
one with Venice.

Well, surely you can
see what shared benefits...

...peace and stability
would bring us all.

You are young, Lorenzo.

And idealistic.

Take my proposal to the Doge.

And I would be prepared
to offer something in return.

Such as?

A husband for my daughter?

I might.

Let's talk again
after my sister's wedding.

Here, let me help you.

I'm sorry.

I'm so clumsy.

No apology necessary.

Who are you?

A friend of Bianca's.

And you?

Brother of the groom.

Then you should be
celebrating with him.

Not here.

Taking a bride
is a dangerous game.

Either you further your family
interests by marrying a stranger,...

...or marry a girl you love...

...and risk your family's honor.

Myself, I'd rather stay
out of the game altogether.

As a woman, I have
no choice but to play.

But what kind of bride will I be?

That... Be careful with that.

A danger to myself?

Or to some as yet
unknown man?

Very amusing.

Novella?

Novella?

Novella...

Come along.

Shot from Cupid's bow?

Just missed me.

I think.

Well, I hope this marriage...

...doesn't just end the feud
between our families.

But begins a partnership,...

...business, politics.

You are aware that
Volterrra has found alum...

Yes. And that the
Medici bank will sell it.

But there are countries where
the Pazzi bank is more established.

So, you want us to sell for you?

With us.

As a joint venture.
Mutual benefit.

I cannot do this,...

...unless Jacopo agrees.

And he won't do that.

Which is why I'm
relying on your support.

For the good of the Medici bank.

For the good of Florence.

I didn't think you were celebrating.

A change of heart...

Everything is going smoothly.

You're worried for nothing.

Medici and Pazzi united.

If only my grandfather
could have seen it.

Well, now all you have to do...

...is to bring peace
with the other states.

I'm surprised Bianca
invited Lucrezia Donati.

She didn't. I did.

Her husband's an important ally.

By all accounts,
it is your alliance with...

...her, not her husband, that
his important to you.

It's idle gossip, Clarice.

A family meeting?

Ominous...

The girl, Novella.

What do you think of her?

She's pretty enough.
Why?

I need Foscari to lobby the Doge.

He wants a husband
for his daughter.

Me?

You must be joking.

Lorenzo wouldn't ask this of you
if it wasn't important to Florence.

How can you ask?

Have you seen how
miserable your own wife is?

Not a chance.

I'll love who I wish.

I thought you said you
didn't believe in love...

There you are.

Since when do you discuss
our affairs with Lorenzo?

The offer benefits our bank!

This is my bank.

My brother and I

hold my father's shares.

And if your father were here now,...

...he would tell you the same thing.

But he's not!

And we are.

And together we hold
the controlling interest.

Young Medici
throws scraps off his table,...

...you lap them up and
pronounce yourself satisfied...

This is not about the bank!

This is about power!

We will not compromise!

We will not negotiate!
We will wipe them out!

And we will take
our rightful place...

...as masters of Florence
once and for all!

Madonna Ardinghelli?

Madonna Medici...

Ardinghelli... That is
your husband's name, is it not?

Yes, indeed.

I've not yet had the
pleasure of meeting him.

Well, unfortunately he's
obliged to travel a lot to the East.

For business reasons.

Is that why you maintain a
relationship with my husband?

You should discuss your
husband's relationships with him.

What I discuss with Lorenzo
is none of your business.

You are very beautiful.

Far more
sophisticated than I am.

I understand why he's
so captivated by you.

Do you love him?

My feelings are
none of your business.

If you love him, let him go.

Lorenzo does not have
a crown, but he is king.

A childless king, however,
is weak. His enemies...

...need only kill him
to destroy his kingdom.

Only I can give him a legitimate
heir, only I can protect nim,...

...so I implore you:
if you love him, let him go.

There is another thing
that makes a king weak:

loneliness.

I have loved Lorenzo
since he was sixteen.

He was only a boy,
but I could already...

...see in him the man
that he WAS becoming.

Only I know him.

Only I am close to him.

And pushing him out of my bed,...

...it will not be enough
to bring him close to yours.

Madonna Medici.

You alright?

It's nothing.
A cold, that's all.

If it's any consolation,...

...it seems that my brother...

...wishes unhappy marriages
on both of us.

Novella Foscari...

...must marry the son of
a Florentine banking family.

You?

Things were much simpler back when
my family were still wool merchants.

Speak to him.

I dare not.

My brother is many things.

But he's not heartless.

So, as you can see
the shaping is very flattering.

And the Capitoline Venus.

The Venus...

...of Apollodorus.

They're naked.

My husband wouldn't... I could not.

Of course, of course.

These were merely ideas...
You can be clothed, anything...

You're attempting
to challenge yourself.

Yes.

Where have you been?

Better late than ever.

A matter of opinion.

Giuliano.

You will be Mars.

In the scene Ovid
describes, he rests.

Beauty...

...has led him to love.

Which, in time,
has brought him peace.

Now he is free to contemplate God.

What do you think you're doing?

Gods don't wear clothes, do they?

You made a promise before God.

You're asking me
to stop seeing Lucrezia?

I have asked nothing of you.

But I do not deserve to be
humiliated before your servants,...

...your family and all of Florence.

Clarice, that was
not my intention---

Well, that is the result.

I can forgo love, but not respect.

Until I have that, I will
behave as the model wife,...

...but my heart
will remain closed so...

...long as I have to share
you with that woman.

Cl-

Clarice?

From the moment we met,...

...you had my respect.

Lorenzo?

Mother's with Luca Soderini
at the Priori. There's a problem.

What is it? What's happened?

Show him.

Receipts,...

...showing Volterran alum selling
in Venice Tor two ducats per load.

They're deliberately undercutting
the price the Pope sells his alum.

Well, these don't show the name
of the merchant who's selling them.

If the Pope finds out about
this, he'll be forced to invade.

Well, Jacopo will make
sure that he finds out.

Where did you get these?

Jacopo's showing them
to members of the Priori.

He's insisting that the Medici
be no longer allowed to sell alum...

...for Volterra.
-Right, right.

Someone in Volterra is striking
deals over more than one table.

I'll ask Maffei to root him out.

No, there is not time for that.

We must scare the Volterrans
into respecting their agreement.

With whose army?

Sforza will provide us with his.

I promised the people of
Volterra I'd protect them...

Not threaten them, Giuliano.

Look how far that got you.

I will ask Maffei
to root the traitor out.

What if he can't find him?

He must.

Well, if you say.

I have an appointment.

Have you thought more about
the marriage to Novella Foscari?

You have my answer, brother.

Mother...

I can still taste your kiss.

It was a mistake.

You can't look at me, can you?

Go on.

I dare you.

See?

I've seen quite enough.

Thank you.

Giuliano,...

...lie back.

Contemplate God.

Giuliano, eyes.

Close them.

Really?

Search within yourself.

No looking.

I'd rather watch my
husband count his coins.

Not looking at his chest.

Above him.

Your sister's wedding
is over, Messer Medici.

I apologize, Messer Foscari.

I had hoped to persuade my
brother to accept the match, but...

...he refuses.

Then you have wasted my time.

Ah, but perhaps there is...

...something else that
I can do Tor you.

I regret that I must
strongly discourage the Doge...

...from entering into any
alliance with Florence ana—

I'm sorry to interrupt.

But Messer Maffei is in
the study with your mother.

She said it's very important.

You have more pressing
matters to attend to.

Good day.

Messer Foscari!

Stefano...
You bring news?

The Priori of Volterra have
ousted me and elected Vaccari.

They rescinded the
agreement with your bank.

And made a deal with another
merchant on more favorable terms.

The Pazzi are behind this.

We must prove that that merchant
is being manipulated by Jacopo.

There is no time.

You must send in Sforza's
army and take the alum.

No, no, no.
I will not shed blood.

There has to be another way.
If you do notact now,...

...far more blood will be
shed when the Pope is forced...

...to send in his soldiers
to take Volterra by force.

Volterra remains
under our protection.

No alum is to leave
that city until Jacopo's...

...treachery has been proven.
You understand?

Antonio and I shall ride back
to Volterra and inform them at once.

The Medici assume
direct rule of our city...

What now, Vaccari?

What are you doing here?

Do you remember
the day that your...

...uncle came to fetch
you and Guglielmo?

I could never forget it.

It felt like the sun
would never shine again.

In all these years later, it has.

Your brother,
my sister married.

Just as your parents
would have wished.

I need your help, Francesco.

To find proof that your
uncle is paying someone...

...to undercut me in Volterra.

He raised me.

He's my family.

Now I'm your family, too.

It feels like a betrayal, I know.

I know.

But together, we can
we can prevent a war...

...and save untold lives, Francesco.

She has talked to you also?

You know my feelings for you.

But she's my wife.

Would you really deny me?

Messer Foscari?

Thank you for coming.

I wish to speak to
you about your daughter.

Tell your husband the politics
of Florence are not my concern.

We leave for Venice in the morning.

I do not speak for Lorenzo.

Or for politics.

I know a little
of unhappiness, and...

...I would spare your
daughter tne same.

There is another son
of a Florentine banking...

...family who would have
your daughter's hand.

Lorenzo?

Do you have it?

The last name.

Has been selling the
alum on my uncle's orders.

Thank you, Francesco.

Tell me it will do some good.

Yes.

If we can get him to
testify against Jacopo.

Go on inside and wash up, son.
I'll be right there.

Tell Lorenzo de' Medici...

...Volterra does not
take orders from him.

Father, no, no, no!

Maffei is murdered.

What?
-After posting your declaration.

What should we do?

War!

Yes! War!

Killing Maffei!

If we do not react,...

...every city will feel free...

...to butcher Florence's friends!

Volterra must be punished!

Gentlemen!

Please!

Please!

Please!

No one...

...feels more than I Maffei's death.

But more death...

...is not the answer.

Will you listen to the
man who brought us to this?

Why is he so desperate
to avoid war?

Are you scared, Lorenzo, is it that?
-Volterra was cheated, gentlemen!

Strong words, young Medici.
Wnere is your proof?

You give me time and I'll have it.

And what of Maffei?

His blood is on your hands!
Will you now deny him justice?

Who's for war?!
-War! War! War!

Let us call upon the services of
the great condottiero Montefeltro...

...and wash blood away with blood!

A vote!

Gentlemen...

The only way we
can stop tnis war is...

...if you two find the
merchant that Jacopo paid.

We need him to testify.

And where are you going?

I'll travel with the army...

...to make sure they stay
their weapons.

You'll do no such thing.

The only way to save our bank is...

...if you get that evidence
against Jacopo.

I'll ride with the army.

Giuliano?

God bless and protect you.

Messer Pazzi, someone has been
through our books.

How do you know?

This volume was not in the same
place where I left it last night.

Let me see that.

Thank you.

I need you to do
something for me.

I understand.

Time to begin the attack.
-Why the haste?

With your army and reputation,
a few days siege, they'll surrender.

These men came here to fight.

I keep them waiting and
they'll either desert...

...or start murdering each other.

Come on then, information.

Move it, quickly.

Unprocessed alum.
-From Volterra, no doubt.

Messer Tefari?

Messer Tefari?

We are too late.

Your uncle must have known
he couldn't risk exposure.

Then we have failed.

We have to ride to Volterra now!

Oh, God, no...

Giuliano!

We are victorious.

It was a slaughter.

I haven't the stomach for this.

Giuliano!

Giuliano!

Thank God.

Francesco!

Forgive me, Guglielmo.
I'm weary.

Humor me.

Andrea Foscari.

Your brother and I
have been discussing...

...the union between our families.

Welcome back, messer.

You should be with
the others celebrating.

I wish to be with you.

I saw a messenger leaving.

Yes.

It was a letter
from Francesco Pazzi.

Thanking me.

For what?

He is to marry Novella Foscari.

I suggested it to her father.

You?

I could see how taken
they were with each other.

And how important
Foscari's support was to you.

I've failed, Clarice.
I've failed.

By trying to seek peace,
I brought war.

By trying to save lives,
I lost them.

There's blood...

...on my hands.

You sought peace.

It doesn't matter what I sought.

You surprise me, Lorenzo.

With all your education,...

...your fine books and philosophy.

God does not judge us by...

...the outcome of our actions.

He judges us by
what is in our hearts.

Your heart was and
and remains pure.

it doesn't change what happened.

Nothing can ever
change what happened.

We must mourn...

...and honor those
whose lives were lost.

If God forgives you, Lorenzo,
then you must forgive yourself.

I've been a fool.

I'm privileged
to call you my wife.