03x04 - Innocents

[bunniefuu]

Maddalena?

Papa?

You should be asleep.

What are these?

Well, they're fabric.

Fabric is English.

The weavers are Flemish, but...

...the pattern, the pattern
was made by a Florentine.

Beautiful, isn't it?

It's all of Christendom.

Spain...

...all the way to the edge
of the Turkish Caliphate.

They took years and years...

...to prepare.

And all that time,
a piece as delicate...

...as this needlework...

...has held.

Florence is the center?

And who is at the center of Florence?

You are.

It's true.

You are the center of
your father's world.

But what are these for?

They're gifts.

For the rulers of all of these lands.

See...

...in a month's time, their envoys
are going to arrive in Florence...

...and I'm going to convince them...

...to sign a treaty...

...that will guarantee the
peace that we've had for years.

Yes, and what if the...

...envoys of these states
do not come, because...

...you have not invited the Pope?

Well, they've already agreed.

Because they know it's papa's peace.

Yes they do.

The Duke will be back in
Ferrara within a week.

I've asked he meet you
as soon as he returns.

But he will agree to
attend a peace conference?

Yes. I'm sure of it.

And when you've seen the Duke,
will you go back home...

...Messer Tommaso?

Don't worry, my lady.

My heart is always yours.

I should think so, my lord.

Stay here.

What's going on?

The city walls are breached.

By whose men?

They bear the arms of Girolamo Riario.

The city is yours, my lord.

Don't let the other prize escape:

Bring me Tommaso Peruzzi.

We know Peruzzi's waiting
for the Duke. So where is he?

Tommaso returned to Florence last night.

He was-he was in quite a hurry.

An urgent family matter.

Your father is in a lot of danger.

And I want to help him.

Can you help me do that?

Is he hiding a man in this house?

You wouldn't lie to me, would you?

Alright, let's move on.

Messer Tommaso?

Thank you, Vittoria.

You should have let them take me,
rather than put your family at risk.

You are our friend, Tommaso.

I owe you my life, my lady.

And how's Tommaso?

Are you sure he is safe?

Riario's men haven't found
him as far as we know.

Piero?

What are you doing in here?

Nothing. I was... I was just...

You should have gone with
your father to the Council.

What help would I be?

By the time he was my age, he'd met...

...with the Pope on the family's behalf.

Look, Lorenzo was an exception, Piero.

He trusts Giulio more than me.

He sees his brother in Giulio.

But you're is son.

Don't forget that.

We have no choice but to declare w*r.

We are pledged to march
to the defense of Ferrara.

As well as the Florentine merchants...

...Tommaso Peruzzi is
trapped in the city.

Riario has seized
Ferrara for one reason.

To provoke a w*r that will end this
peace conference, and with it...

Florence's chance to become the
political center of the peninsula.

You could invite the
Pope to the conference.

How could he refuse to sign a treaty
that would secure permanent peace?

And once he has...

...he'll have to call off his nephew...

...Riario or else look like a hypocrite.

I don't know how many times...

...I have to say this: I will
not be seen to invite the man...

...who allowed my brother's m*rder.

Perhaps the French King could be
persuaded to invite him instead.

See if it's possible.

Holy Father, you're early.

I could not stay away, Sandro.

What have you for me today?

I have started on the devil.

Don't listen to his whispers.

No, Holiness.

It's not easy to be a good man.

My duty is to tend to the Lord's flock.

And yet I seem to have spent my life...

...fighting one w*r after another.

And now...

...my nephew tries to start a new one.

While Lorenzo de' Medici...

...uses this conference in Florence...

...to steal away my
role as a peace-maker.

I'm sure that is not his
intention, Holiness.

You will not go to the conference?

If I go to Florence...

...I would appear
to condone Lorenzo's...

...undermining of my authority.

When you finish this,
you will start the fresco...

...in the Cappella Magna immediately.

Yes, Holiness, yes.

It will be amongst your greatest works.

We will both be remembered by it.

It is for his glory, Holy Father.
Not ours.

Giulio...

Come here.

Take off that cloak. Let me see.

What happened?

Duelling?

If someone insults you,
you have to challenge them.

What are all these medicines?

Well, I have many grandchildren.

Endlessly getting ill,
hurting themselves.

Who insulted you?

Tucci's son.

That boy's as stupid as his father.

What did he say?

That uncle Lorenzo's a
coward, without honor...

...who's betrayed Ferrara.

Lorenzo knows what's best...

And do you know how I know that?

Because I taught him.

Go.

Thank you.

No, don't thank me.
I want something in return.

- Father Girolamo...
- How are you, Quintino?

Better for seeing you.

You have returned for the election?

I had heard the Prior d*ed.

God rest his soul.

But no.

I'm only visiting at the request
of Lorenzo de' Medici.

Please, come in.

Thank you.

That's what happens
when you sneak around!

I'm sorry! I'm sorry, child!

What's the matter, Maddalena?

Nothing, mama.

Maria...

Oh, you've raised fine
children, Clarice.

Thank you.

I've noticed a distance
between you and Lorenzo.

It is more on his part than mine.

A man must be obsessed to
make his dreams reality.

I wish there was something I
could do to be close to him again.

I always find it's easier...

...to share their dreams,
rather than compete with them.

That's why I took on
the running of the bank.

You've been a great help to him.

The time's approaching...

...where I must hand
over that responsibility.

To me?

- I wouldn't be able...
- Oh, you are able.

What you don't know, I can teach you.

Something's wrong?

My lungs.

Mastro Leoni says it's
only a matter of time.

I'm so sorry.

No sympathy, please, please...
It undoes me.

You'll say nothing to Lorenzo.

If I don't,
it will only worsen the blow.

Please, Clarice.

My only regret...

...is leaving my son...

...and my grandchildren.

But I will see Giuliano again.

I'll help you, however I may.

Thank you.

What do you think you're doing?

Can a wife not tend to
her husband's needs?

What news from Rome, wife?

Good news.

Your uncle has rejected
the French King's...

...invitation to Lorenzo's conference.

This is not good news.

Florence still refuses to
march to Ferrara's defense.

And Milan?

The Duke has been bough off.
With a painter.

Ferrara was to be the fire
that b*rned Lorenzo down.

Then find more kindling.

Salt.

Please.

It looks like she was the
cause that made you suffer...

...and you all have it within
your power to end that suffering.

Excommunication is just an act of...

Father.

Been too long.

It's good to see you, Lorenzo.

You must be busy with peace
treaty preparations...

...and the unfortunate
events in Ferrara.

Your home town...

It is many years since I have returned.

You heard about your old
friend, the Prior, leaving us?

I'm sure my brothers will
elect a suitable successor.

I want you to stand.

I know we don't see eye
to eye on everything...

...but we do agree that the
current Pope is bad for everyone.

And if I was Prior,
I could remind the people of that?

Indeed.

But that's not the reason.

Let me show you something.

I bought the gardens from the old Prior.

I would not have sold them to you.

Well, that's only because
you don't understand.

That's better, but a remedy
is that reference point.

Tell me, young man...

...what have you learned
from your master today?

We use Brunelleschi's technique of...

...lines connected to a vanishing point.

As described in Alberti's "On Painting,"

...to achieve accurate perspective.

Father...

Thank you.

Your son?

Giovanni.

So, the treaty is just the beginning.

These artists...

...they're ambassadors for Florence.

They fill Europe with
beauty and knowledge...

...and they bind it together.

It is not your place to
save the world, Lorenzo.

If it is the wish of my brethren...

...I will stand for
the position of Prior.

Thank you.

But I hope I am not successful.

- For the sake of our friendship.
- Lorenzo?

Bruno?

Riario has closed the
roads through Ferrara.

Summon the Ten immediately.

Excuse me, Father.

The seizing of Ferrara
fails to provoke...

...a w*r, so now Riario tries this.

It could work.
Ardinghelli and Spinelli...

...are already agitating the merchants.

With the roads to the sea blocked...

...there can be no trade in salt.

Lorenzo, we have no
choice but to declare w*r.

It cannot be allowed to happen!

Summer is almost over.

Without salt how will we preserve
food to last until next spring?

- We must take back Ferrara.
- Absolutely!

You really think that
m*llitary action is the answer?

You trade your sons' lives for salt?

Without salt they will starve.

Is it our sons or your precious...

...peace conference you
wish to save, Lorenzo?

Florence needs to look to its own needs.

There are other sources of salt.

The mines in Volterra.

Which are far more costly.

The Medici will pay the difference...

...for as long as it takes
to find a peaceful solution.

You have my word.

Let this be a test...

...of the Medici and the Ten.

You never took the
paintings I offered you.

Some find pleasure in a fine
painting or a piece of poetry.

I find mine in a sharp quill
and a well-ordered desk.

I suppose I was born a clerk.

You know,
you never talk about your past.

Where you're from...

You want Bernardi's story?

You must have asked others.

A few.

Over the years.

Seems the story is a mystery.

Not all of us have a story.

I am a man of little consequence...

...from somewhere of
even less consequence.

No.

I don't think so.

I've seen the ease with which
you flirt with my mother.

She's a fine woman.

Even men of no consequence may dream.

We have more pressing matters.

The salt embargo is causing unrest.

I could make a personal
appeal to Sixtus.

Even if you were...

...willing to write, he wouldn't listen.

Not until you go down
on your knees and beg...

...his forgiveness for the
hanging of Bishop Salviati.

Well, I know I will not write.

Here.

Take this.

Lorenzo...

Thank you for this.

I owe you much.

Well...

That was a long time ago.

Now I am the one that needs your help.

Imagine the world that we could build...

...if all men truly
followed Christ's example.

What are you doing here?

I came to ask you in person
to come to Florence...

...attend the peace conference.

How dare you speak to me about
following Christ's example.

You only have hatred in your heart.

And there's none in yours?

What are you doing?

I ask for forgiveness.

From you and from Almighty God.

For the death of your brother...

...and for all the evil that
I have caused your family.

Will you do the same?

Ask for God's forgiveness?

How can you think to bring harmony...

...to the world when you do
not carry it in your own heart?

Repent, Lorenzo.

Only God and I will know.

Do it...

and I will stop Riario.

There's only one way he can be stopped.

You'd have me m*rder my own nephew?

He will not rest until
my family are dead.

So your words are meaningless.

I will never...

...never show any remorse...

...for avenging my brother's
m*rder, never.

And I will never go to Florence.

To do so would be to
surrender the authority...

...of the Papacy to the Medici.

Then it doesn't matter.

It's not how many
frescoes you commission.

You'll only ever be remembered for...

...the bloodshed and death
Riario leaves in his wake.

How could Lorenzo enter Rome and
meet Sixtus without our knowledge?

Botticelli.

But Lorenzo failed to persuade him.

This time.

You've taken Ferrara...

...cut off the salt and
still there is no w*r.

What else can be done?

Not all my spies have failed me.

Tommaso Peruzzi is hiding
at the Palazzo Soriano.

You'll send men to seize him?

No.

Madonna, how may we help you?

It's very urgent.

I must speak with Tommaso Peruzzi.

Your husband's men
searched the house for him.

I have no time for
games, Messer Soriano.

I'm here to warn you.

My husband is about to order you...

...and all Florentine families
expelled from the city.

It's a trap.

Once you're out of the
city, he'll have you k*lled.

Why would Riario's wife warn us?

Because before I was Riario's
wife, I was a Sforza.

I swear on my family's honor I'm here...

...to prevent innocent lives being lost.

No...

Messer Peruzzi...

Madonna Sforza...

It's done.

Now the loyal Tommaso
will send word to Lorenzo.

Messer Bernardi?

What do you want?

The word is you collect news, Messer.

I've some that might
be of interest to you.

I very much doubt that.

Speak.

Father Girolamo Savonarola
has been elected...

...the new Prior of
the San Marco convent.

Now that is of interest.

I have heard you don't share
Lorenzo's opinion of him...

There is nothing more
dangerous than a true believer.

- You have a name?
- Nico.

I'm a choir boy at San Marco.

For your trouble, Nico.

And for any other intelligence
you think might interest me.

The most important branches
are in Pisa, Milan, Venice...

...Lyon, Bruges, Rome.

You should be aware that we've had
trouble with the manager in Lyon,

but Sassetti has that in hand.

Would you leave us, please? Thank you.

Close the doors behind you, will you?

And where we have no branch?

We contract with another
bank that can be trusted...

...to honor drafts and accept...

...bills of exchange.

- Sorry... Sorry...
- Are you alright?

- And these are all of the ledgers?
- Yes.

Yes. The official ones, yes.

And this one?

A powerful man must appear powerful.

Go.

You think the bank
alone could sustain...

...Lorenzo's spending these last years?

The works of art commissioned...

...lavish tapestries...

...prepared as gifts and buying
in of salt from Volterra?

Well, how then?

By borrowing from the city coffers.

Borrowing?

I would never have done this
if it weren't necessary.

If for one moment...

...I thought that we couldn't repay it.

We are...

We are stealing from the city?

The bank supports Florence and
Florence supports the bank!

I cannot play a part in it.

You will do what you will, Clarice.

But if you won't, then who will?

Lorenzo doesn't know?

No, he would be compromised.

First he cannot know...

...that you are dying, and now this?

You think I've trapped you.

Well, that was never my intention.

But if the bank fails...

...everything that Lorenzo has
worked so hard to achieve...

...since his brother's death...

...it will...

...it will be for nothing.

Father Girolamo has been elected Prior.

Good to have a friend at San Marco.

He may not be as malleable
as his predecessor.

I've been thinking about...

...our influence in
the church as a whole.

It seems to me that the
only way to guarantee...

...that the Papacy is in tune
with Florence's interests...

...in the long term is a Medici Pope.

- And who do you propose? Carlo?
- No.

Giovanni.

But you're serious?

Why would I not be?

He wants to be an artist, not a priest.

How many of us choose the
path that our lives take?

We'll send him to the seminary in Rome

and once he's ordained,
I'll purchase benefices for him.

With what?

The bank will pay.

Mother will see to it.

- Of course.
- You see?

It's not a problem.

What is it you want, Messer Bernardi?

We have word from Tommaso.

We must send a force immediately...

...to prevent Riario's men from
harming Tommaso and the others.

If Riario wanted them
butchered, why didn't he have...

...his men do it in the city
or the moment they left?

I believe he's waiting for you
to send men to protect them.

And then he has his w*r.

There must be a way to avoid the trap.

There is...

But you won't like it.

It's a long walk to Florence, isn't it?

Don't worry. Lorenzo won't
let us come to any harm.

The dragon emerged...

...from its cave breathing fire.

And thus, the king had no choice.

He sent his strongest men to ride
out to meet the terrible dragon.

But the dragon was fierce.

The king knew that if he
sent his men into battle...

...even more lives would be lost.

For the welfare of his kingdom...

...he had to sacrifice
his dearest possession.

His honor.

At last.

The Florentines are here.

Let's draw them into battle.

Come on, run!

Hold the line!

Aren't you going to help them?

Do not engage!

You said Lorenzo would help us!

They are not protecting them.

k*ll them anyway!

The king had sworn to fight
the dragon and defend...

...the innocent at all costs.

But now he ordered his men to
stand down while the dragon...

...roared at the people.

And terror filled the land.

They're coming back!

Go, go!

The people cowered at the dragon...

...which opened its
jaws wide to devour...

Messer Peruzzi...

- You come with me.
- I can't!

I'm not leaving without them.

All seemed lost...
But then, out of the woods...

there come a knight.

His name was...

...Lorenzo!

What's wrong, papa?

I received them this
morning from Lorenzo.

Men...

women...

...children...

All...

...mercilessly m*rder*d on
the orders of your nephew.

You told me they would not be k*lled.

It upsets you?

You lied to me.

I swore on my family's honor
they would not be harmed!

I can do whatever I want to you!

Why did Lorenzo let them die?

He's not the man I thought he was.

He's changed.

I don't know if I can defeat him.

You could have stopped it.

You knew, and did nothing!

- I saved you.
- And let others die!

Children among them.

It was the only solution.

Did he tell you that?

I would rather that you let me
die than be any part of this.

I had to do this or more would die.

It's a message from Carlo.

The m*ssacre deeply grieves the Pope.

He has condemned Riario, he accepts...

...your invitation to
a peace conference.

Excuse me.

There is one proviso:

it's not to be held in Florence,
but in neutral territory.

In Bagnolo. He has made this public.

Then we cannot deny him.

And the peace will be seen to be his.

You did what you had to do.

Where do I go from here?

To Bagnolo, it seems.

No, no...

The sword! The sword! Giulio!

Giulio! Giulio!

- Grandmother!
- No!

Where is Giulio?!

I cannot let it happen again.

No!

No!

Madonna Lucrezia! Madonna!

- No, no!
- Madonna, go back inside!

No! Leave me! I must find my son!

No, leave me! I must find my son.

Giulio!

Giulio!

Giulio!

Wait for me, wait, wait...

Lucrezia!

Where were you?

How did it happen?

We found her on the street.

She was delirious.

Looking for you.

Holy Father...

You have the arrogance...

...to put yourself before
the Vicar of Christ?

Holy Father...

...I wish to start this meeting
with a gesture of reconciliation.

A personal one.

For nothing is as important
to me as this peace.

I would ask you...

...and Almighty God to forgive me...

...for the hanging of Bishop Salviati.

You accept this gesture...

...and the treaty will be seen as mine.

You are not truly repentant.

Think of your immortal soul.

You refuse... and it'll also be mine.

The Pope forgives you, Lorenzo.

May God forgive you also.

He who looks into everyone's heart.

Giovanni, what's wrong?

Father says I have to go away.

To the Curia, in Rome.

- Why?
- To be a priest.

I want to paint!

I won't know anyone.

I'm scared, Giulio.

I'm disturbing you?

We need to talk.

About the way Lucrezia
kept the accounts.

My mother's...

...Latin poets...

...philosophy...

...lives of the saints.

She recommended them to
me, on after another.

They're all still here and she's gone.

And I wasn't even here.

All your mother wanted...

...more than anything in the world
was for you to achieve your dream.

I can't do this anymore.

Yes you can.

But you don't have to.

Not alone anyway. I promise.

Giovanni?

Carlo is going to accompany you to Rome.

I'll see you're settled in.

We will come and visit you very soon.

Now, listen, Giovanni.

If after a year at the Curia, you...

you still want to study painting...

...you have my blessing.

Uncle?

I would like permission to go
with Giovanni. To the Curia.

To do what, be a priest?

And to be with my cousin.

Lorenzo!

The Pope is dead.