The Borgias (2011–2013): Season 2, Episode 9 - World of Wonders - full transcript

Yes, think of nothing, my Lord.

Nothing but the good.
Yes, my Lord.

Your eyes are still narrow, my Lord.

Eat your pastry.
It is from the King's own kitchen.

And how is your mood?

- No better, no worse.
- And this view does not help?

Like all, so many places to be buried.

Do you want to stop at an inn?
Find a fight?

I've given the King of France
all for which he has asked.

The time has come for him,
in all his majesty, to do the same for me.

If Florence offered a few ducats more,
then do you not think the treaty fair?



My liege.

Painting can be frustrating.

This layer must dry
before I apply the next.

But with patience I can create
a time honored masterpiece.

We had an agreement
which you violated.

An understanding that I would do all
I could in regard to your marriage.

I secured your annulment
on the condition of a reward...

- which I did not receive.
- You are Duke of Valentinois.

Do I have to sit around, playing
jeu de boules and drinking Beaujolais?

You wish instead to be a king.

After my brother's death
the Pope let his authority go lax.

The governors of the Papal States
took the advantage.

The Holy Father is restored in vigor,
but these miscreants still defy him.

- I will rein them in.
- How?



- With the threat of you.
- But threats fade if not backed by action.

I will lead an army across Romagna...

reclaiming all pontifical rights
and obediences.

Your bravi are tough,
but an army they are not.

Mon bon ami,
you will provide me with an army.

- Gascon and Breton mercenaries?
- Swiss and Scot kill with more efficiency.

- Six thousand men.
- Twelve thousand men.

Give me troops, I will march into Milan
and capture the ducal throne for you.

And so you shall, General Borgia.

I like your face clean shaven.

I took to the razor
to avoid paying Farnese's tax on beards.

Such good and bad fortune that I am off
to Spoleto just as you return to Rome.

I will wander the papal archives
with a heavy heart.

And you will be far too occupied
to think of me.

Yes, I will be busy.
As governor I must manage civic affairs.

I must create laws, serve as judge.

How will I handle
all of those responsibilities?

Better than your imbecile husband.

He was angry
when the Pope appointed me.

- Do you know where Di Calabria is?
- If I did I would instantly forget.

Alfonso, a single question
rolls around and around in my head.

Am I ready?

You are a Borgia.
To rule comes naturally.

What if I choose to rule
not like a Borgia?

Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has
been a week since my last confession.

I confess to the sins of lying,
of concealment, of betrayal.

And as punishment I ask, Holy Father,
to be sent back to Spain.

- We cannot permit such a request.
- I came to Rome to serve God.

- And what is it we are doing?
- Learning secrets. I know too many.

About who?

About my fellow cardinals,
my family, you.

The secrets are taking over me.

We need you here. You know how many
enemies we have in the consistory.

Uncle, I'm scared.
With each new secret I learn...

I have to make room in my soul
by banishing a piece of myself.

If my soul is ravaged by whispers...

who is to say that I will not become
your enemy as well?

That was not a threat, it is a plea.

Go to Valencia,
perform your duties as archbishop.

Be a paragon of virtue
for the Borgia name.

Be certain your parishioners
will never learn that two years ago...

you contracted a French disease
by sleeping with a Jewish whore.

Carlotta?

May I show you something?

You, you do this.

Try this instead.

Okay. Here.

Yes, I see.

Thank you, Cesare.

This ledger contains all the inn's
expenses. This one, the income.

I never once thought of how to run
a tavern, let alone an entire city.

I could come with you to Spoleto.

Help you acclimate yourself. With
Cesare in France and you departing...

I feel I have little purpose
here in Rome.

- What of your vineyards, your husband?
- They will manage.

- Please, I can advise you.
- Mama, no.

I need to make my own way,
as you have done.

Buy some art.
That always fills your soul.

Goffredo meanders around Rome
cursing his wretched wife.

He too needs purpose.

- You come to say farewell?
- No.

- I come to offer you a position in Spoleto.
- I know nothing.

You're my brother. This will be the
farthest I have ever been from Rome.

If you're there,
the distance will not seem so far.

The Pope and your sister seem
once again in sublime harmony.

But I heard she was being squired
by Fabrizio Colonna.

Yet he has issued banns
of marriage to Agnese de Montefeltro.

The Feast of Transfiguration has
brought out a larger crowd than usual.

At least the streets are filled with Ro-
mans and pilgrims, and not the French.

How soon until those
fleur-de-lis bastards invade our city?

Ask me about finances, church dogma.
Political strategies are outside my ken.

Do not act a naïve, boy.
We are on the brink of an apocalypse.

Naples, Milan, Florence,
they all fear another invasion.

Pope Alexander
has manipulated France before.

Charles is dead.
Louis is a much more troubling foe.

- And a good friend to Cesare.
- I have seen little evidence of that.

And we will go to our summer estate
in Corsignano.

You love the hot springs
at Palazzo Vescovile.

- And I will bring my mother.
- Your mother?

Holiness, the Princess has come
for your blessing.

Both a princess and a governor,
and our darling girl.

Are you ready to represent us?

I am both excited
as well as challenged and anxious.

To guarantee your success
we have elevated a new bishop.

- Do I not have the Pope's full trust?
- Of course.

But a wise leader surrounds himself,
herself, with good and decent allies.

The papal legate we have chosen
is most worthy.

First as a poet, second as a defender
of Venice from the Muslims.

Pietro Bembo?

Oh papa, thank you.

I will not hurt you.

- You bit me.
- You scared me.

I do not mean to scare you.
I mean to understand you.

For months you treat me
with indifference.

Then you kiss me, then you say
our kiss changes nothing.

Then you smile at me with loving eyes.

You want me.

- No, I...
- You want me.

Oh, Madonna Vannozza,
so good to see you again.

- I disturb you?
- No, no. Come in.

Ah, Michelangelo...

Jacopo Galli has provided you
with a lovely work environment.

Yes, too lovely.
I can barely concentrate.

I miss my dungeon.

I have been out in my vineyard
and I thought you might like some wine.

How perfect.

The sculpture which Riario-Sansoni
has commissioned is of Bacchus...

the god of wine.
Lord knows I need the inspiration.

May I see? I come to discuss
a commission of my own.

He is very rough, I know.
Just the initial outline of the shapes.

Not my best work.

Go ahead.

How does that feel?

Close your eyes.

Smooth.
Cold, but yet also warm.

You feel the cold
because you touched the stone.

But you feel warmth
because there is life inside.

All my life I have been fearless.
I have had to be.

But this morning I awoke and...

I am afraid.
I fear that I am losing myself.

If you lose your way...

then start again.

- My apologies for being late.
- You missed dinner, Sandro.

Come, sit.

Let us get you something to eat.

- You arrive, brother, as I go.
- Because that Catalan summons you.

- Like you're a servant.
- I go because I love him.

Love? If Borgia knew how to love
then he would allow you to marry.

- Because he loves me, he does not.
- He loved Isabella's mother.

Does anyone even remember
the poor woman's name?

Rodrigo is a holy hypocrite.

When my great uncle Bonifacio
was pope...

We may as well go back
to the Seventh Day of Creation.

As a priest, Rodrigo Borgia
enjoys the status of the celibate...

while never being denied
the pleasures of a lover.

As a woman, you have no status
unless you're married.

You must marry.

He refuses to find me a husband.
What can I do?

Then find one yourself.

Come at me, full force.

Attack, you fillette. Attack.

- Ask if I may dine with him tonight, alone.
- He will want to know the purpose.

Tell Louis that I wish to engage
in the discussion of art.

Well, have you looked very closely
at the Bourdichon miniatures?

Yes, he is a master, no question.
But he is no Fouquet.

Fouquet is en route from Paris
as we speak.

A magnificent specimen
which I am eager to show you.

- And what of the Italians?
- My collection lacks the new artists.

I've heard that this Florentine
Buonarroti can also paint.

- Though I've only seen his sculpture.
- When an artist excels in one form...

he rarely equals that in the other.

But if he is any good, perhaps he could
paint Carlotta's wedding portrait.

The portrait for her wedding
to Guy de Laval?

To me. Carlotta kissed my lips.
She initiated the kiss.

- Well, that does not mean...
- It means that my dreams are not lost.

But you must renew your pledge
to bring us to the altar.

She needs only a gentle push from you
and Queen Anne.

As always, Cesare,
I wish you to be happy.

Do not worry, I will not let matters
of the heart affect the strategy of war.

Cher ami,
I am not completely convinced...

that our scheme to conquer Milan
is the most sound.

Perhaps you should return to Rome and
pave the way for our entry from there.

I can do nothing from Rome.

You've seen how my techniques
improved the skills of your army.

- You said yourself I'm a military genius.
- I wish to always be honest with you.

But some of my court believe...

that your ambition makes you
unqualified to command my army.

This is Briconnet. Can you not see
that he only serves his own ambitions?

He has France's best interests...

France's best interests and Italy's
are the same.

Cesare, I rely on Briconnet.

- How was the meal?
- He served me peasant food.

- You are insulted.
- I will do it.

His Highness said the sausage
was a delicacy called andouillette...

made from the intestines and chitterlings
of a pig. The meat smelled of merde.

These French, to satisfy their mouths,
will torture their noses.

The strongest stench is Briconnet.

I must persuade his eminence
to support me or eliminate him.

- By poison?
- No.

You were right, murder is too obvious.

What I need to poison
is the cardinal's confidence.

- A letter has arrived.
- From Lucrezia?

From Goffredo.

And all of a sudden the clothes
which Jesus wore turned white.

A white no man had ever seen.

A white so bright
that the three apostles were blinded.

And then overhead a beam of brilliant
light burst through a cloud...

and a voice said:
"This is my beloved son."

In nomine Patris, et Filii,
et Spiritus Sancti.

People of Spoleto...

- my friends...
- Silence.

Thank you.
Thank you for such a welcome.

Thank you on behalf of my brother.

And so as governor...

I am happy to be in Spoleto...

and we'll do good things.

We will do great things together.

And I...

And now the Benediction.

And now the Benediction.

In nomine Patris, et Filii,
et Spiritus Sancti.

No doubt you come to pray for the King
to allow me to lead his troops.

Though my prayers are concerned
with matters more spiritual...

I wish you success in that endeavor.

Is it not an especial sin
to lie in the house of the Lord?

Not as great a sin as murder. The fate
that befell my son at your hands.

You have another son.
Perhaps he too will die before you.

You are not in an alley
in the city of vipers, Rome.

You are in France, a civilized country...

where men do not stab other men
and then stroll off.

You speak true, Briconnet.

I need to be more clever
covering the tracks of my boots.

I suppose your Guillaume could die from
the fall off an agitated horse, or a ravine.

Or perhaps he will not die at all.

Perhaps he will be injured.

Perhaps he's already injured...

crying for his papa.

Is one of these my son's?

Borgia, Cesare, I beg you,
do not harm my Guillaume.

He has a brilliant mind
and will contribute much to the Church.

- He can still serve the Church with a limp.
- What must I do to save my son?

I think you know.

I have not the power to persuade
the King to give you his army.

Then I have not the power
to keep your son's toes intact.

- Wait. I will try.
- You will succeed.

Briconnet has metamorphosed...

and therefore you will command
our legions.

- A miracle.
- A man-made miracle.

Those three thieves you hung yesterday
proved to have a life beyond the gallows.

Come, let us review your stratagem
for attacking Milan.

First love, then war.
I must tell Carlotta.

A marriage to Carlotta can never
take place, even if she's wavering.

Borgia must never rule Naples.

Pity, I actually like to see Cesare happy.

But still,
friendship must not cloud the sky.

Bring Briconnet back.

- But cousin, I do love Anna Maria.
- I know you have affections for Lucrezia.

Do not insult me with denial.

I will tell my cousin, your wife
and Duke Ercole, your father...

- unless you tell me what you know.
- What I know?

What you have overheard
in the Papal Office...

in your role as archivist, regarding Milan.

The Pope called Duke Ludovico scum.

Borgia called my brother scum?

Ludovico has always been
a cherished ally to my father.

The Pope desires to rid Milan
of you Sforza...

with the use of French troops, 13,000.

And I fear my Ferrara will fall next.

The kings of Europe
will have something to say about that.

Rarely do Spain, Portugal and the
Germans seek an audience together.

Usually you come one by one
to complain about each other.

Sometimes, Holiness,
our complaints are congruent.

Holy One, we come to convey
a unified message.

Your alliance with France
cannot continue to be ignored.

The question of your legitimacy
could be brought before a council.

We were elected unanimously
by the College of Cardinals.

Which is more than your monarchs can
say, two of whom usurped their thrones.

Christ gave our predecessor Peter
absolute authority over the world.

Do Maximilian, Ferdinand and Joao
believe they are exempt?

Guards, arrest this serpent.

Bind his wrist and hang him by the feet
from the Ponte Adriano.

Let the harrow's head
rest just below the water.

Leave him there for fish to feed upon.

Imprison the other two for one week...

then send them home
to deliver this message.

We are the Rock of Christ,
the Father of Kings.

God speaks with our voice.

Lock them in the Papal Suite
at Castel Sant'Angelo.

Do nothing else
until you hear from me.

You must calm yourself, Holy Father.

That? An outburst staged to show
strength when outnumbered.

They do not want Italy unified, we do.

But with France on our side the fruit
of that tree comes closer into reach.

Louis will supply Cesare with men,
cannons...

but we must do our part
to confound the other kings.

You three will act as our emissary.

Go to each ambassador and claim
that you begged us for his release.

Then say to Spain
that our momentary anger...

does not diminish our love
for Ferdinand and Isabella.

To demonstrate that love...

the Pope grants all of Cesare's
former Spanish beneficium...

to King Ferdinand
to dole out to whomever he chooses.

- All?
- All, except Valencia.

Tell the envoy of Portugal...

He is willing to bestow upon your king...

exclusive rights to any new lands
discovered around the coast of Africa.

Joao is sending an explorer named
Da Gama to circumnavigate Africa.

As for the Imperial ambassador,
inform him...

Pope Alexander will fully support
Maximilian's policies against England.

Kings are like children.

To stop their sobbing
you must wave a shiny new toy.

Go with God's speed.

And who will deal with the Italians?

I will.

Come.
We must not be found out.

I think that we should be found out.

You cannot marry Guy. He is less
than the man you imagine him to be.

Yes. And you are better
than the man I assumed you to be.

Marry me.

Marry me.
Carlotta, trust your heart.

I want to.

I do. Yes.

Then we wed today.

We wed today. Meet me at the chapel,
at the hour of None.

I will. Yes, I will.

I go to make all of the arrangements.

- Highness?
- Eminence. Did you hear?

Your soul is in turmoil.
I offer spiritual council.

When in doubt
listen to those who love you.

Queen Anne, Louis, your own father...

God.
None wish you to wed Cesare Borgia.

This room is so dark.
These drapes, so ugly.

And this is your office.

If I am to spend my days here
I must make changes.

A woman will always discuss drapes
instead of war.

I was not aware that Spoleto is at war.

- We are not, Highness.
- Then why?

Councilor Cortese refers
to the neighboring town of Terni.

- Some minor tensions.
- Or not so minor.

- General, is war a possibility?
- War is possible anywhere at any time.

Yes, but is war a probability?

Spoleto and Terni are separated
by these mountains...

in which a vein of iron ore runs.

We Spoletans have mined that vein
for over a century.

Terni wishes to claim our spoils.

Their finances dwindle,
result of three poor harvests.

Their situation
grows increasingly urgent.

Therefore they regard the idle mine
with a more aggressive eye.

The ore is a precious resource,
and a lucrative one.

- So we may go to war over profit?
- Not officially.

There will be an insignificant incident
which will set the war into motion.

Ascanio, our past differences
must not divide us in our common goal...

to keep France in France.

Our ability to do so
depends not on reality...

but on what Louis believes
our allegiances to be.

Whilst you fiddle like Nero
my brother Ludovico readies his army.

All the armies from Milan to Naples
are no match for French might.

We cannot fight force with force,
but we can with cunning.

This begins by turning our enemy
into an ally.

Ludovico attempted such a gamble
and was betrayed by King Charles.

Cesare says Louis possesses
none of the Anjou pride.

Still, should he invade Milan,
we will impose an interdict upon France.

Cutting them off from
the Holy Sacraments, from salvation.

You must issue the interdict
before Louis invades.

Good idea. Meanwhile,
go to Milan, reassure your brother...

the Sforza have our absolute,
unshakable loyalty.

- Lucrezia.
- Good Lord, Goffy.

I see that the forests of Spoleto
are plentiful.

- I will enjoy living here.
- And I will grow fat living here.

To kill a wild boar with a crossbow
takes nearly impossible marksmanship.

He may not be good at politics...

but he can shoot an arrow
better than Guglielmo Tell.

Guglielmo Tell, yes.

I wish this year to institute
an archery competition.

We already have one.

In which we will invite the archers
of Terni to participate.

- Invite Terni to our carnival?
- A peaceful competition...

where men can spend their aggressions
without causing harm.

An invitation must be sent
to the governor of Terni.

- Who is he?
- Bishop Giovanni di Fonsalida.

Excellent. He once worked
in the Cancelleria for my father.

He will accept our invitation.

What if we lose this competition
to those Terni dogs?

We cannot lose. My brother excels
at both crossbow and hand-shot.

- The Eroli family would not...
- The Eroli family is no longer in power.

I am.

She is not here. Carlotta d'Aragona
is now married to Duke Guy de Laval.

I performed the ceremony
a half hour ago.

You lie. I will search this castle.
Carlotta loves me.

She has gone to Bretagne.

You rather outwit me
than see your son live another year.

My son is also gone.

In two months or twenty years,
when you are senile...

and have forgotten this moment,
your son will suffer.

La Bella, what is that in your hand?
A letter?

From whom?

Will you now insist on reading
my private correspondence?

We came to tell you we must
postpone our trip to Corsignano.

- Of course.
- We will see you tonight at dinner.

No, I will spend the time with
my family. My mother is still grieving.

Cesare?

Cesare, there is someone
I would like you to meet.

Cesare Borgia, Duke of Valentinois,
Georges d'Amboise, Bishop of Rouen.

- An honor, your Grace.
- A pleasure, your Excellency.

Georges joins the King's council.

Louis and I are childhood friends.
He needs wise men.

The French court is a warren
where the rabbits are eaten by snakes.

- Cesare always speaks his mind.
- And you do not, Giuliano?

I longed to meet the man who willingly
surrendered his cardinal's biretta.

Whereas I wish fervently to wear one.

And with a Borgia on the papal throne
your wish may soon be fulfilled.

And we ask you, Terni brethren,
to join with us...

so that we may inspire
great accomplishments in one another.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord
and Alexander our Pope...

let the games begin.

The Terni captain is quite fine.
What is his name?

Sidonius Grimani, from a very noble
ancient Ternian family.

Is he married?

- Who is that?
- The mother of Sidonius.

She performs an ancient incantation.

The Terni are, in spite of my preaching,
steadfast and foolishly superstitious.

Goffredo has won.

Just to the right. So it's straight.
Perfect.

Cesare?
Cesare, the Fouquet has arrived.

- C'est magnifique, n'est-ce pas?
- Beautiful. I bring good news.

Pope Alexander has granted Georges
d'Amboise the title Cardinal of Rouen.

- Bravo.
- I cannot wait to see Georges' face.

And so your decline begins, Eminence.

You are no longer the only
high-ranking French cleric at court.

D'Amboise will ask to see
the accounts of royal expenditure.

I pray for your sake
the tallies are in order.

- How did you know Briconnet had stolen?
- Everyone steals.

With Briconnet I did not know
how much, until now.

The arrival of Bishop d'Amboise
is most fortunate.

Fate is my mistress.

But how is it possible you have received
the news from Rome so quickly?

Oh, I have not received it yet.
But my father loves me.

- Virginio Orsini?
- He invited me to his birthday.

You promised you would never marry.

You leap a mile, Rodrigo,
from birthday to wedding.

- Still, I made no such promise.
- In this very room.

That night, when you made me out
a whore? And now am I a liar?

You asked that I promise.

I did not agree,
I simply said that I love you.

But your arrogance assumes that every
request should go unquestioned.

Have I no agency in my own future?

Would you have me dry up alone?

Despised by your enemies?

La Bella...

I promise
you will be taken care of.

My love...

- play a game with me.
- What game would that be?

I will show you.

The game becomes almost unfair.

- Giulia, what?
- The game is as fair as you are.

We'll finish playing
when I marry Virginio Orsini.

Giulia, come back.
Untie me.

Lucrezia...

Lucrezia...

Lucrezia...

- My feisty wife.
- Alfonso, what are you doing here?

I could be away from you no longer.
I love you, queen of my heart.

Governor, come at once.
Your brother has been hurt.