01x06 - Ascendancy

[bunniefuu]

I am here for all to see In my bones there's dignity I will fight them I can say that I can change the world But if you let me I will make my world stand tall Let me show you one last time Let me show you one last sign I can see it all Medici! Medici! Medici! --Cosimo! Cosimo! - Piero! - Lucrezia! A hero's welcome! The Medici name's never been more popular.

We couldn't be in a better position to reclaim what's ours.

There is the small matter of Rinaldo Albizzi.

It seems the Signoria are baying for blood.

Then he will be hanging from a yardarm by the week's out.

In fact, his tailor is just across the square.

- We can inquire about his neck size.

Medici! Medici! Medici! Your luggage is getting more attention than you, brother.

Of course it doesn't hurt that she is Helen of Troy.

What's your point? I'm just wondering how you intend to explain the presence of Maddalena.

She's likely to attract an eye or two.

-Both of them belonging to Contessina.

-I don't intend to explain a thing.

-So she'll be a normal sl*ve then? -She'll have her duties.

I bet she will.

-It's a little early for bells.

-It must mean Cosimo's returned.

-We must speed up our preparations.

-Yes.

- Aw.

- Sorry, Monna.

Not this dress.

Great to see you.

- How's your father? - Very well.

Lovely.

Cosimo.

Contessina.

How was your journey? Long and dusty, with little of importance worth sharing.

Of course.

Donatello's sculpture you've commissioned has arrived.

Cosimo? Come and look at this.

Monna.

-I've missed you.

-You look so well.

You really do.

-Do I? -Yes.

You should have seen the crowds in the square.

There were so many.

There were hundreds of them all chanting our names.

I couldn't believe it.

It was amazing.

-You should go and unpack.

-Yes.

I miss my room so much.

-It'll certainly be a talking point.

-It's beautiful.

And a sign of things to come.

It should be in the courtyard for everyone to see.

Now that I am back, art will once again be the language of Florence.

Here.

Welcome into the Medici home.

I know that look.

Don't worry.

I'll watch out for you.

Signor Guadagni, have a seat.

The Signoria were ecstatic you heeded their call for your return.

Trade is already on the up.

The moment they heard the Medici were back in Florence, shipments of wool and silk began pouring in.

What of Albizzi? He brought the republic to the brink of ruin.

Tried to overthrow democratic rule.

Where is he now? In the same tower where he once had you imprisoned.

You should know the call for his execution is unanimous.

Even his friend Pazzi has changed sides.

The Signoria are greatly looking forward to your return.

Ballot willing, of course.

Thank you, Signor Guadagni.

Your support means a great deal.

Thank you.

And Welcome back.

--Oh.

One more thing.

The mercenaries They've ruined this city.

The few that remain refuse to leave.

Father.

Perhaps the Medici name could convince them to go.

So, if you would allow, I'd like to speak to them myself.

And leave with a sword in your belly? I think not.

There were so many lovely materials in Venice.

You should have seen the silks.

Although, cloth isn't the only beautiful thing we returned with.

-A gift for you, mama.

-Thank you.

It seems you brought many beautiful things back.

With the Signoria calling for Albizzi's head, it seems his death is inevitable.

The man m*rder*d my father.

Now Florence seeks vengeance for what he's done to her.

Our paths entwine in this justice, as they shall in rebuilding our fortunes.

Speak freely, my friend.

It's just might it be possible that another took your father's life? -You know something? -Only that poison is a coward's mistress.

Say what you will of Rinaldo.

The man's no coward.

It is imperative Lorenzo and I know for certain.

-Time is running short.

-Save a confession from the man's lips.

I fear solid evidence will be hard to find.

Find what you can.

And report back.

- I said I'm not hungry.

- Eat.

You should keep your strength up.

I know how cold this cell can get at night.

If you've come to gloat, take your fill and leave.

I take no pleasure in seeing you here.

-Why would you care? -We were friends once.

You sacrificed our friendship many years ago, Cosimo.

I have the scars to prove it.

It's not like you haven't had your revenge.

Have I? What do you want, Medici? You want me to call off the mercenaries? They take no orders from me.

On the contrary, they'll be first in line for my head.

I owe them wages.

Leave.

There can be no peace between us.

Then it is settled.

It appears so.

How am I doing? Fine.

I can't shade.

Can't I draw something more interesting? If an apple doesn't delight you, find something that does.

Just not me.

Emilia, leave us.

--You lied to me.

I'm sorry, mama.

It's not that I didn't want to tell you.

But you must understand it was a difficult situation.

A difficult situation? Oh, well, my apologies.

I am humiliated in my own home and you stand by and say nothing? -It wasn't my place to tell you.

-And whose place was it? My husband's? Please How is it that my whole family has returned, yet I feel more alone than ever? She's just a distraction, nothing more.

My husband takes no interest in distractions.

I heard that you visited our old friend.

How is he enjoying his time in the tower? I'm sure the lamps burning in the Medici palazzo have spoiled the view.

Being jailed for treason and facing execution hasn't lessened the man's stubborn sense of pride.

So put him out of your head.

The Signoria will take his soon enough.

He is a reminder of the constant battle we Medici need to fight.

Lorenzo! You must find a wife of noble blood soon.

I know your heart still aches for Rosa, but our enemies continue to circle us even with Albizzi gone.

Fortifying our family is a necessity you can no longer ignore.

This is a little bit sudden.

Perhaps you'd like to wait another decade or two? I have taken the liberty of scouting a suitable bride.

Her name is Ginevra Cavalcanti, a known beauty.

Her family is not a wealthy one, but their noble lineage is impeccable.

Hmm.

Well, it sounds like I have little say in the matter, just as you did in yours, Cosimo.

Contessina has invited the Cavalcanti family to the banquet tonight.

You will have your say.

Has it been lost on you how much you sound like our late father with each passing day? Bless me, Father.

When was your last confession? -I'm here for advice, not for confession.

-But you have sinned.

Many times.

But this is not for what I have done.

Rather what I have not.

I have uncovered a great sin.

Yet, if I speak openly, it will set two brothers against each other.

Are you certain of this sin? I have searched for another answer and have nothing but blistered feet to show for it.

You must be cautious.

To take on one man's sin against another is no small thing.

In the end, it's God who rights every wrong.

-Ormanno! -You must come with me.

Your Holiness.

Arise, please.

So it is true? Duke Visconti has marched upon Rome? I had to flee the city.

Thank the Lord, word came to us, and we could save you in time.

And I shall be eternally grateful to your family.

Yet now I must impose upon another.

May I presume upon your hospitality? Would you accept me as a guest in your home? -I can think of no greater honor.

-Your Holiness Ormanno, I cannot stay in the house of a man on trial for treason.

At least not until he is acquitted.

My father's reverence for you knows no bounds, Your Holiness.

He will be most upset when I tell him.

Then he shall hear it from me personally.

As if I don't have enough to deal with, with tonight's dinner.

I wish you would give me some warning when God's representative on Earth comes to stay.

I wish God would give me some warning, but it seems this was unexpected for us both.

Surprises seem to be your forte at the moment.

You haven't spoken to me at all about the year we've spent apart.

Is your next grand reveal letting your wife into the specifics, or do you intend to hold your peace forever? - Contessina, I have been busy.

- So have I! Running this household.

Our affairs for an entire year.

Oh, I took the liberty of removing the more ostentatious artwork from His Holiness' rooms.

You know his reputation for austerity.

And his condemnation of sl*very.

Which wouldn't have been a problem until recently, would it? What would possess you to bring a sl*ve girl back from Venice? What would possess you to send me into exile? I risked everything in saving you.

And this is how you repay me.

You thought you were a martyr.

But you were nothing but a child with a paper sword.

Have I not done enough now to prove that I put this family first? Had I the choice again, perhaps I would let you die.

Excellent.

I'll send for some more hens.

Lay out some clean robes for the Pope to change into.

-Of course.

-Actually, Emilia, wait a moment.

You there.

What's your name? -It's Maddalena, Madonna.

-I have a job for you.

Emilia, on second thoughts, you can go to the market and procure the items on this list.

Maddalena.

Go to my husband's room.

Gather some plain robes, and then lay them out for His Holiness.

I assume you already know the way.

Staying with the Medici would send the wrong message, Your Grace.

He corrupts God's order with money, raising the unworthy to power, all to the aid of his own fame and wealth.

And you are accused of attempting to overthrow the city of Florence.

Tell me how that is different to what is happening in Rome? The fate of the city hangs in the balance.

As we speak, all that stands between the Colonna family and the Curia is Bishop Vitelleschi.

I thank you for Ormanno rescuing me, and I value our friendship.

But surely you can appreciate one cannot be particular in gathering one's allies at a time like this.

Cosimo de' Medici and Florence stand against my enemies.

And so I stand with them.

I do understand your position, Your Holiness.

But heed my words: Cosimo will act as a friend, until you find his Kn*fe in your back.

Thank you, Maddalena.

I'd like to thank Cosimo for this wonderful meal, and for recognizing these present families for their support of the Medici during their time in exile.

- Long, long to the life Medici! - Thank you.

I see you are getting acquainted with the lovely Ginevra.

Am I to assume she is a good conversationalist after all? -Her bust is particularly articulate.

-Well, her father is keen to see it in a safe pair of hands.

For the Medici, brother.

My daughter seems quite taken with Lorenzo.

- And Lorenzo with her.

But what of this special guest I've been hearing about? I see none worthy of such-- Stand.

Please.

Your Holiness, my apologies.

Fresh robes were meant to be laid out for you.

No apologies necessary, my dear.

Robes were laid out, and most fine they were.

But I prefer simpler garb.

Your Holiness.

Your Holiness.

I came to inquire as to how you are settling in.

Very well.

And I must thank you for your hospitality.

I can see that banking has been kind.

Your home is palatial.

We try to steward our wealth in a godly manner.

-Forgive me, you were in prayer.

-Yes.

For the life of a friend.

Rinaldo Albizzi.

I thought you might be praying for your swift return to Rome.

I've known Rinaldo for years.

He may be hot-headed, but he is a good man.

With respect, it wasn't long ago he was calling for my head.

Now the Signoria demands his.

The mandate for us to rule among ourselves is a gift from God.

Yet man has a tendency to mistake God's justice for revenge.

You believe he should be shown mercy? You must implore the Signoria to grant him exile.

It is impossible.

They will fear he will only bide his time, simply to rise up and take the city.

Not if you draw up a contract for Albizzi to sign, swearing to remain in peaceful exile.

The Signoria will never trust Albizzi to hold to such a contract.

Least of all Andrea Pazzi.

-He seeks Rinaldo's seat on the council? -He's a natural politician.

Pazzi was once Rinaldo's closest ally.

Now he demands his execution to send a strong message.

Then a contract will do little good.

-At least feign dismay.

-It is not I baying for Albizzi's blood.

-Nor do you intercede on his behalf.

-You ask too much.

This church has made your family's wealth possible! I expect you to behave in the same godly manner in which you decorate your homes.

You could put your name to the contract.

-Mine? -If you were to countersign, then I believe the Signoria would trust Albizzi to hold to the agreement.

It is a noble thought.

But I cannot sign such a letter whilst blood is spilt in Rome by the same sort of tyranny of which Rinaldo is accused.

There must be another way to save his life.

Signor Cavalcanti.

-Good to see you.

-Thanks.

Gentlemen! Gentlemen, we're here today to set the date of Rinaldo Albizzi's sentencing.

- If I may speak If anyone has a right to demand Rinaldo's death, it is me.

And yet I say otherwise.

Our great republic was on the verge of tyranny.

So why not make our next act one of mercy? A statement of intent? I say we grant exile, not death.

Coward! Albizzi was a tyrant.

A tyrant that brought the sword to this city.

And now Medici, Medici asks for mercy.

I say we show no mercy.

I say we bring the sword to his neck.

Yeah! Messer Cosimo will tire of you soon enough, you know? Give it a few weeks.

Then you'll just be a sl*ve.

Your knees will be covered in hard skin.

Your hands will lose their softness.

And your beauty will fade within weeks.

-Trust me.

-Just like you? Maddalena.

What are you doing? -You've been sitting out there for hours.

-My art studies.

No, you can't see them.

They're not finished yet.

-Is it of me? -No.

Drawing the elderly is next week's assignment.

Isn't the cathedral beautiful? Even in its unfinished state.

Is art ever finished or is it merely abandoned? I feel it is not time to abandon this one just yet.

And I'm planning to resume construction.

I would be in your debt if you were to anoint the works.

With your blessing, someone like Albizzi would not be able to stop it again.

Tomorrow a man will lose his life.

And yet foremost in your mind is the completion of a building.

What can I do? The Signoria spat in my face, Rinaldo slapped my hand away.

All I can do is let nature take its course.

A man determined to die should be allowed to run headlong into his own sword.

Standing aside and washing your hands does not remove culpability.

Then with respect, Your Holiness, we have our hands in the same basin.

For the speck in your eye, I miss the plank in my own.

You're right.

It is a risk.

And there are those that would use it against me.

But I will put my name to the contract.

Your Holiness.

You carried this here with your own hand? Under no thr*at of harm? It is a fair offer.

Cosimo assures me that this could sway the Signoria in favor of exile.

An assurance from the great Cosimo de' Medici.

-Find me a quill.

-I want to help.

Your Grace.

The leash you think is in your hand is around your neck.

Can't you see his game? I'll wager this contract was his idea from the start, poured into your ear.

I think anger is clouding your judgment.

Remember to whom you speak.

Forgive me, Your Holiness.

I will say no more.

Save that the Medici lie.

It's in their blood.

Like his father before him, Cosimo will destroy as many lives as necessary to climb into power.

I will never sign this contract.

Rinaldo Albizzi has shown his true colors.

His refusal to sign this generous offer proves that he's a thr*at to our liberty.

Yes! Exile would be nothing more than a gift of time to raise an army and lay siege to Florence.

Death to Albizzi! Death to Albizzi! Death to Albizzi! Death to Albizzi! Death to Albizzi! Death to Albizzi! How did that contract get into your hands? -The Signoria have a right to know.

-How? Son Ormanno.

Our home will still be here when I'm gone.

Keep your mother safe.

Hm? All I wish is to see you grow old, Father.

To see you hold your first grandchild.

To see me make you proud.

That day passed long ago.

Get off me! -- Unhand her! Now! - In the name of the Medici! - Medici? --Well, why didn't you say? Your name carries no weight here.

-Medici.

-And that of Albizzi does? Your paymaster is ruined and powerless.

We are staying here until we get what we deserve.

Which is a hell of a lot more than Albizzi was offering.

Why don't you take that back to your father? And we won't gut you yet.

You went behind my back and confronted them alone? Yes.

Good.

Now let's face them together.

It seems simple to me.

My paymaster is locked up in jail, soon to be ex*cuted.

And so you see, as de facto leader of this city, you shoulder the burden of his debt to us.

Plus a little extra for our trouble.

Otherwise, who can say what my men might do? Get us 1000 florins.

And we'll be gone by eve tomorrow.

That's a lot of money.

Leave us.

And you.

Swapping charcoal for a needle? It doesn't seem a good trade.

I do what's necessary.

-You're very good with that.

-Have you come to make fun of me? Not at all.

That's not bad.

Although I think I look better than that.

Where is this going, Marco? You and me, we are the same.

I just want you to know that you are not alone.

Thank you.

You have a friend here.

Even if the Medici tire of you.

I'm paying the mercenaries a thousand florins.

To leave.

I hear you are attempting to pardon our enemy.

If it's blood you're after, you'll be pleased to know that despite my very best efforts, it is likely Rinaldo will die.

And you will let the Signoria rule over you? Why are you shutting me out? Was it such an unforgivable treason to have saved your life? I was alone here, at the mercy of Albizzi's thugs.

And yet I still did everything I could to secure your return.

My God, I even spied for you.

While you were away delighting in all that Venice has to offer.

You're in no position to judge me, woman.

Considering your flirtation with Ezio Contarini.

Yes, I flirted with him.

He even asked me to go away, but I didn't.

I stayed for our family.

I stayed for you! You want me to thank you? That was your duty as my wife! What of your duty as my husband? Order! Order! Silence! I said order! The hour is here.

We must weigh Rinaldo Albizzi with the scales of justice and decide his punishment.

Signor Guadagni.

May I address the chamber? I have had the honor of spending the last few days with the first true holy man I have ever met.

Pope Eugenius.

Driven from Rome, seeking protection here in Florence, knowing that we are a city that prides itself on mercy and grace.

And yet since his arrival here, I has been forced to ask myself whether that reputation is deserved.

Or whether we have lost something.

Despite fleeing for his life, dressed in rags, his first concern upon arriving in this city was not himself, but of his friend, Rinaldo Albizzi.

That we show this man mercy.

The very same mercy that Christ showed us.

As Jesus said: "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.

" So I ask Who are you to cast that stone? Who are we to take this man's life? - Exile! This doesn't erase the past, Medici.

You think that by saving me, you've saved your soul? If you were wise, you will not return.

Do not force my hand.

Cosimo.

There's something else I need to tell you.

We are gathered here today to bless the continued work on this holy place.

A fragrant offering to our Lord by his humble servant, Cosimo de' Medici.

Its glory will stand through the ages.

An eternal monument to the majesty of our creator, Almighty God.

Let us lift our thoughts to the Lord above, he who breathed upon dust, giving us the precious gift of life, trusting us to rule -his creation with fairness and mercy.

-Cosimo There's something else I need to tell you.

Ormanno! This way! Follow me! Follow me, follow me! I hear your father d*ed a painful death.

Poison's like that Tends to stick in the throat.

-You know.

-Of course I know.

And now I'm freed by your hand, it will worm its way into your mind.

A maggot crawling its way through your flesh.

Maybe I k*lled your father.

Oh, God Almighty, bless our generous benefactor, Cosimo de' Medici.

A man who chose the hard and narrow path.