Medici: The Magnificent

What's the hour?

Late, early, I don't know...

You should be sleeping.

I can't.

I'm beset by obstacles and opportunities.

What sort of obstacles?

No sooner had Pope Paul...

...extended credit to our bank than he dies...

...of heart failure,...

...forcing the Curia to elect a new Pope as his successor.

The new Pope is an ally. Is he not?

When he was Cardinal Della Rovere, he helped arrange my marriage.

But now that he's Pope Sixtus, he has relatives...

...seeking favors.

While Salviati waits.

Looking for his moment to strike against us.

But I'm sure Father Carlo will defend your interests.

Well, he'll forestall them for as long as he can, but...

...this is my moment, Lucrezia. I must...

...I must seize it.

I see.

And what do you want to do with your moment'?

Make Florence into a true Republic.

I don't think my husband will support that.

Nor Jacopo Pazzi. -No.

No, I don't suppose they will.

Where are you going?

Giuliano and I must ride to Milan.

Whatever for?

To make sure our alliance is secure.

Be careful.

I will. -No, I mean it.

You barely escaped assassination once.

It's a wasted life that I fear.

Not death.

Then I will fear it for you.

I don't know why we're courting Galeazzo Sforza...

...when we should be demanding justice at home.

'Cause the future lies in peace with our neighbors.

Not the quarrels of the past.

Lorenzo de' Medici.

Here with my brother to see the Duke.

This way, Signori.

Lorenzo?

You coming?

Enough!

Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici.

Welcome.

Odd to find such beauty behind these tall, dark walls...

A wise ruler not only shows his greatness...

...by dispensing beauty.

But must spill blood to protect it.

It's me you want!

Come on. -Move it.

Please! Let her go!

A case in point...

Come, son.

Stay.

He's too young.

To learn survival?

You see, young Medici?

As the sister of two kings,...

...my wife doesn't understand that some of us...

...must earn the admiration and fear of those they rule.

This noble plotted to kill me.

Spare her! She's with child.

Please,...

...I beg you.

My lord, my lord...

The painting in the hallway of the Last Judgement...

Who's the artist?

I forget.

It's a reminder, is it not, of Christ's teaching?

There will be no mercy for those who do not show it.

I am touched by your concern for my soul, Lorenzo de' Medici.

Go.

I forgive you.

Thank you, thank you,...

...thank you.

Thank you...

Thank you...

Thank you.

I command that you all love me for my...

...humility and kindness.

We're here to discuss repayment of your outstanding debt.

Under the terms, it is due.

I was sorry to hear of your father's passing.

But surely he told you I don't have the funds.

I offered to repay my debt with the soldiers you turned away.

Your wool mills in Segrate...

...are still spinning profits.

And then there's the tariffs that you impose on trade with the North.

You've done your research, young Medici.

You can have your money.

But I must break the treaty between our two states.

You would harm the interests of your people and ours...

Your brother leaves me no choice.

Very well.

I will extend your loan repayment. -Lorenzo...

If you divert the trade that you now send through Bologna...

...to Florence.

Generating new revenue that would flow through your bank...

Oh, you are clever indeed, young Medici.

Very well.

Well played, brother.

Thank you.

Except you can't change the treaty with Milan.

Only the Priori can.

Well, then we'll have to get the Priori on our side.

He said he wouldn't kill him.

To save face.

Some men see mercy as weakness.

Come on. Mother will be waiting for us.

Race you home!

Mother, has Clarice arrived?

She's expected. Is it true,...

...you've extended the Duke's credit?

In exchange for more trade routes, yes.

We need that debt repaid, son.

The Pope won't wait forever.

We will repay the Pope, mother,...

...as soon as the Priori has agree to the new treaty.

As you know, many in the Priori didn't...

...want the treaty in the first place,...

...and Jacopo Pazzi will be looking for ways to oppose you.

Yes, mother. I know.

Sandro... I was thinking...

You should have your own workshop.

No, I couldn't possibly afford it.

Well, you don't have to.

You're not serious...?

Find somewhere. I'll pay.

With what?

Lorenzo...

If there's anything I can ever do to repay you---

Actually, you can.

I need you to undertake a commission for Marco Vespucci.

I have to be sure of his support in the Priori.

I'll do it.

Why was that so easy?

Oh, he detests Vespucci, but he loves his wife!

All my life,...

...I have tried to capture a small piece of God's beauty,...

...and I have failed. Time and time and time again I have failed.

Almost so much that I almost gave up.

Until I saw Simonetta Vespucci.

The single...

...most beautiful creature I have ever seen,...

...and it was then that I realized in my heart, it is possible,...

...if I can capture that.

You truly understand the weight of a dream, Sandro.

Never, ever, give that up.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Lorenzo.

Thank you.

Gentlemen, I see we have a quorum,...

...so I will now call this session to order.

First, let us welcome...

...a new member to replace the ailing Messer Martino:

Francesco Pazzi.

Now to business.

Messer Medici, you have just returned from Milan.

Yes.

I met with Duke Galeazzo Sforza,...

...and I renegotiated our treaty with far better terms for Florence.

Under the proposed changes,...

...trade routes will be diverted from Bologna...

...to Florence,...

...generating more revenue for our people.

And for the Medici bank.

If increased trade is the aim,...

...we would be better off seeking to ally ourselves with Venice again.

A few weeks ago, was not Messer Pazzi...

...clamoring for war with Venice?

Now he seeks increased trade, gentlemen.

My uncle is weary of Medici trickery.

Using this Republic to serve their bank's interests!

It's in the interest of the Medici bank...

...that Florence flourish.

I encourage you all to inspect the treaty.

And to vote it down if you don't like what you see.

Don't take it personally!

Why must you be against anything that helps the common man?

You weaken this Republic!

You empower the rabble.

I'll have none of it.

Francesco.

The world doesn't have to be this way.

We could change it.

The world is the way it is for good reason.

As long as Florentine families are at each other's throats,...

...it will never be as good as it could be.

Send word to Salviati in Rome.

What should I tell him?

That Medici's scheming threatens Holy Mother Church.

The new Pope helped arrange Lorenzo's marriage.

He calls him a friend.

Have I taught you nothing, nephew?

There are no friends in politics.

They're lovely, aren't they?