Leonardo (2021) s01e07 Episode Script

1
[theme music playing]
[Rinaldo]
Leonardo signed something.
What is it? A confession?
- Yes.
- [chuckles]
Well, then, you have everything you need.
[Stefano] It's not worth
the paper it's written on.
He's lying.
You don't want to believe he's guilty.
You admire him too much.
[Stefano] I admire the artist.
I'm frustrated by the man.
And still, I won't hang a man
until I know he's guilty.
Give me that confession.
And stop playing games, Stefano.
[Stefano] There's something I must find.
There's one detail still missing.
You've seen everything.
Talk to me.
Tell me what I'm missing.
[chattering]
[servant] Where shall we put this,
Madonna?
[Caterina] Just leave it there. Thank you.
[servant] Good day.
Thank you.
God takes your child and yet you smile?
I am grateful for the time I had with her.
Four days. Four days it's been up
and still people stop and stare.
Everyone comes to look
at the new sculpture.
[sighs]
[Caterina vocalising]
[Leonardo sighs]
[Giacomo] Who's that?
Another new arrival.
So, what's the arrangement,
you being here?
The Nothing. There is no arrangement.
A man invites a woman into his home.
Naive to think it's for the pleasure
of her conversation.
You're an apprentice.
I'm the lady of the house.
Is it usual to talk to me this way?
I've been with him longer than anyone.
I can say whatever I want to say.
If you say so.
This used to be my room.
So you came in here to complain?
He won't ever get rid of me,
you know that?
Then why do you seem so nervous of me?
This is yours.
[straining]
- Hello.
- [gasps] Oh. Hello.
[sighs]
Do you have everything you need?
Yes, thank you.
Everything's perfect. [chuckles]
How many months
have you been working on this portrait?
[inhales]
[sighs]
- It's important to get it right.
- Mmm.
[Leonardo] And I find her puzzling.
She didn't seem like a puzzle to me.
She seemed
honest and decent.
Is that so hard to paint?
[Leonardo] Mmm.
I remember the last time
you found it impossible to paint someone.
It was only a few streets from here.
She had mystery too.
Not so much any more, I hope.
Why did she have to come and live with us?
Are you jealous?
- I'm not jealous.
- [chuckles]
Jealousy just poisons what's good in us.
Don't give in to it.
You love her.
Yes, but it's a different
I have different love for you both.
[sighs] I just want you
to be happy for me.
I'm finally surrounded
by the people I love.
[Soderini] Leonardo.
[Leonardo] Gonfaloniere.
We have business together.
We do. Come follow me.
Why weren't you at the ceremony?
The unveiling
of Michelangelo's new statue.
You know my opinion.
It doesn't belong here.
Well, all the other artists
were in favour. You were outvoted.
Now everyone is talking about it.
- Yeah, it's 17 feet. It's hard to miss.
- Oh.
Half of Florence
has been living in its shadow
while he's been sculpting it.
We haven't seen the sun in weeks.
Why do you detest Michelangelo so much?
- God gave him a gift.
- [sighs]
All of God's creation to explore
and he creates this idealised nonsense.
[stuttering] It expresses no feeling.
No, no. I think
I think that it bothers you
that he's popular.
No. No, it bothers me
that his art has no truth.
But there's room in Florence
for more than one artist, Leonardo.
Oh, please.
Anyway, I came here today to tell you
that I have a new commission for you, too.
I have to be honest with you.
If you value art like this,
this imitation of the ancients,
then I'm sorry.
I have no desire to work for you.
[sighs]
Very well.
Good day, Leonardo.
What's the matter with you?
What are you smiling at?
- Jealousy has poisoned what's good in us.
- [sighs]
Maybe you should take
your own advice for once.
- I am not jealous.
- [chuckles]
[Giacomo]
Why does it make you so unhappy?
I'm merely saying that art is the key
to understanding the world.
It's the key to understanding
science and nature.
That thing That thing over there,
that isn't art.
- People say he searches for the divine.
- Oh.
- Heaven on earth.
- Please. Thank you.
Heaven does not exist
in the mind of Michelangelo.
Leonardo.
- Michelangelo.
- You came to see it?
Yes. Uh, congratulations.
Your statue is a success.
How kind. Didn't get your vote, though.
- No.
- Please. The master, Leonardo.
[man] Yes!
- [man whoops]
- Let's go. Come on.
It's been a while since you heard
anyone applauding as loud as this.
[chuckles]
Well
- You say you seek the spirit.
- Mm-hmm.
That you seek the divine,
and this is what comes to you?
A bland reproduction of the classics?
I expected more.
How many pieces have you abandoned?
Try to finish something for a change.
You'll find it helps your reputation.
- To the Master!
- [man] To the Master!
[group cheering]
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
[Caterina] I saw the new statue
in the square.
- I love it. It's impressive.
- [scoffs]
[mimics scoffing] What's the matter?
Do we have to talk about it?
Why? What's wrong?
They offered it to me.
- What?
- The materials, the same marble.
They offered it to me,
but I turned it down.
Mmm. I see.
[chuckles] So you didn't want it,
but you can't bear to see
anyone else get their hands on it.
- Don't laugh at me.
- I wasn't laughing.
- You were trying not to laugh.
- You make it rather hard, Leonardo.
You're like a child
who wants another child's toys.
Well, Soderini did try to make amends.
He offered me a different commission.
- Oh, you have to accept it.
- No.
Yes. I'll speak to him
on your behalf, then.
- You will not.
- Fine.
Let's just sit around here
feeling sorry for ourselves, right?
No.
You have a gift, Leonardo.
And you know that.
You can't keep it shut in here.
Please show it to the world again.
- Do you want breakfast?
- Yes, please.
That's a start.
[Caterina sighs]
[chattering]
The city is keen to commission
a major new fresco
to commemorate the Battle of Anghiari.
Ah.
So, we would like to have
something here on this panel,
with a military theme.
You want me to create a battle?
Well, we thought something more like,
you know,
a victorious soldier
raising the city standard, for instance.
A battle contains so many dramas.
Too many to be crammed
into this tiny space.
How about the entire wall?
[gasps] Leonardo, that's a
That's a huge undertaking.
- Well, I'm not interested in more money.
- No.
You can pay me whatever you would
for a smaller painting.
I'm not talking about
the money, Leonardo. Uh
The problem is that I need it finished
for the Battle's anniversary.
Well, if you would like me
to devote my time to a new major work,
I will need the space to dream.
For the glory of Florence.
Here is what we need.
Can you come tomorrow?
Uh, let me check.
I have some deliveries in the area.
Thank you.
Tomorrow's fine.
Good. Thank you.
- Is it the whole wall you're painting?
- Yes.
Look at the size of it. [sighs]
You haven't bought enough wood
to make a scaffold that big.
I know. I don't need
a traditional scaffold.
I just need you to build
what's on that page there.
Keep it going.
Keep going.
Hold it there. Stop.
[grunts]
It's too unstable. It's like powder.
We'll need new plaster.
Strip this off and reapply it.
That will take days. Weeks.
We'll have to find another way, then.
[sighs]
So we begin our journey together.
[Lapo] I've got some news!
[men] Lapo!
You look like you need a drink.
Leonardo da Vinci. Have you heard?
- [man] What?
- A fresco.
The Hall of the Five Hundred.
- [Metello] That's huge!
- What?
[Lapo] He's been commissioned
to paint the entire wall.
900 square arms. [chuckles] It's vast!
[Leonardo]
The surface of the wall is powder.
It needs to be sealed.
[Giacomo] Are you mixing
the paint with wax?
Has anyone ever done that before?
Not that I know of.
Are you really going to paint
the whole wall in it?
No.
- You are.
- [laughs] Oh, right.
[Metello] He'll never finish it.
Still, you have to admire his ambition.
Everyone is talking about it.
[man] He'll die of old age
before he finishes it.
[Metello] Which is a shame.
'Cause I'd like to see what he'd do.
[man sighs] The old man
might still have something left in him.
[man 2 scoffs] Yeah,
the fading remains of his reputation.
[laughter]
There, you see?
It doesn't bleed.
We'll use the wax paint
for the whole wall.
We're done.
Ah. [sighs]
Leave it overnight.
It'll be dry in the morning.
Are you coming?
No, I'm going to keep working here.
- Good night.
- Good night.
[Giacomo] Let's go.
[door closes]
[exhales]
[horse neighing]
[man screaming]
[swords clanking]
[man screaming]
[clattering]
Hello?
Is anyone there?
[clattering]
Once a thief,
always a thief.
At least I've never lied about who I am.
- What are you talking about?
- You're deceiving him.
- What?
- I saw you in the street.
Who was that man you were visiting?
You followed me?
- Who do you think you are?
- I'm someone who cares about him.
I'm someone who's looked after him
year after year.
I am the one who shields him
when someone tries to cut out his heart.
- What are you talking about?
- What is this?
- Why were you hiding it?
- Give it to me.
- Which secret are you keeping?
- Give it to me! I said give it to me!
I won't let you deceive him.
It's not what you think.
You're living here at his expense
while you're climbing in and out
of another man's bed!
You know nothing about me!
I promise I won't ever hurt him.
And the person who gave me this,
he's not my lover. All right?
Please. You'll only hurt Leonardo
if you tell him.
Give it to me.
[sighs]
[banging, hammering]
[Leonardo] So, what sections
do we have ready to go up now?
[Giacomo] These ones. That one.
- [Leonardo] That one there?
- Yeah.
[Leonardo] What about
these three sections?
Can we lay them out on the floor?
Okay. Tell me what you need.
I want to see them before they go up.
- Yes?
- [Giacomo] So we have this one
Leonardo!
Forgive the intrusion.
I'm sorry, this is not a good moment.
You must excuse me.
I have to show someone around.
- Come here.
- No spectators. Not right now.
Please.
[Leonardo scoffs]
What's he doing here?
I'm sorry, Michelangelo needs
to look at the other wall.
There's a new commission
for the hall, just here.
But, uh No, no, no.
Please, no. You have to ask them to leave.
Leonardo, how could I resist this offer?
The two finest artists in the city,
each painting a fresco.
Believe me, it will be a great duel
between two giants.
- [sighs]
- Because you are both giants.
And Florence will be the winner.
You'll hardly even notice me.
Oh. Not bad, Leonardo. Not bad.
[Soderini] Leonardo.
[Michelangelo] Yes. Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
Yes.
Hey, go up.
- Help him. Help him, please.
- Yeah.
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Oh. I can't work like this.
Why do they have to make so much noise?
- We can't stop now. We have to finish it.
- I'm not stopping, but I just can't focus.
Do you know what he's planning?
[Giacomo] Yes.
The Battle of Cascina, apparently.
I heard them discussing it.
I tried to get a glimpse,
but he's very secretive.
I can think of one or two other words
to describe him.
[Michelangelo] Now.
[chattering, laughing]
[applause]
Everybody go home. We are done.
[man 1] Did you hear the Master?
We go home, boys!
[man 2] Go home. You heard the Maestro.
I think that's enough for today.
[man] Uh, Metello?
Oh.
Well, that definitely says "battle."
[Leonardo scoffs]
[wind howling]
[dog barking]
Everyone is talking,
so I thought I'd come and see.
So, this is it?
The famous fresco.
You've been here before. I saw you.
I didn't know if you'd want to see me.
It's been so long.
Do you remember our last conversation?
You admonished me for failing in business.
I didn't come here
to have a row with you, my son.
[scoffs]
They said you were in peril
for a time in Imola.
[chuckling] Oh, you heard!
[sniffles] I suppose you were
very concerned for me.
You don't know me.
You don't know what I feel.
No, I don't. But I've never been given
an opportunity, have I?
- Well
- What What were you expecting?
Why are you here?
- I
- You what?
I just wanted to say
[sighs]
You have an astonishing gift.
[sniffles]
Yes.
[sniffles]
When I went to work in Milan,
I met this young boy
[sniffles]
who also had an astonishing gift.
He was a talented young artist.
But he was also forced to live alone.
[sniffles] Of course, his situation
was different to mine.
His prison wasn't a hay barn.
- It was a palace.
- Leonardo
How old was I
when you sent me away, Father?
I don't recall.
I remember.
I was five.
[sniffles]
They didn't care for me, Father.
Every night, I slept on filth, for years.
Oh, you had power over my life.
But there was no love to temper it.
Well
at least you had this chance
to admonish me for it.
[sniffles, sobs]
[sobbing]
[sighs]
[footsteps approaching]
My father came to see me tonight.
What did he say?
[chuckles]
He's like me.
Some words just aren't in his vocabulary.
I'm sorry, but
you keep expecting him
to be something that he never will.
There's something I should have told you.
When you were in Imola, I saw him.
He was visiting Soderini.
And I don't know for certain,
but I think it may have been him
who got you released from Imola.
[sighs]
Yes. I believe he loves you, Leonardo.
Even if he can't say the words.
Maestro Leonardo.
Sir.
I didn't know you were in Florence.
I came to find you.
- It's been some years.
- Indeed.
Salaì, you go ahead. I'll join you.
Why are you here?
The King of France still governs Milan.
My friends, they would like to see
Ludovico back on the throne.
Ludovico is still in prison, surely.
Yes, which is why we need Florence
to support his claim.
You know him to be a man
of some character.
Perhaps
you could speak on his behalf.
Persuade Soderini to petition the French
for Ludovico's reinstatement.
You must forgive me, sir.
I must get back to work.
Oh, damn it.
Oh. It needed more time.
It wasn't properly set.
- The wax in the paint has melted.
- Yes.
[sighs]
Oh. Oh, interesting.
Is this another one
of your bold experiments?
Leonardo.
No.
What?
[men laughing]
[man 1] Leonardo is a has-been.
[man 2] To think we have thought
he was an artist.
[man 3] I know.
He hasn't finished anything in years.
[man 4] Leonardo can't even
complete a yawn.
[laughter]
[man] Let me tell you
something else about Leonardo.
[men continue laughing]
Something funny? Something amusing?
Oh, look who it is.
Leonardo's little friend.
I hear your master's reputation
has taken a bit of a battering.
[Lapo] Perhaps we could find you a job
with Michelangelo.
Yeah. If you get down
on your knees and beg him.
And being on your knees
is something you're used to.
Isn't it?
[grunting]
[groans]
- [door opens]
- [Giacomo wheezes]
[coughs]
- What happened to you?
- Bit of a disagreement.
- Nothing to worry about.
- [gasps] Look at your face!
Oh, I need you to work!
I need you to paint, not get into brawls!
What were you thinking?
[scoffs] There must be
something wrong with me.
Oh, Salaì.
I hang around here like a lapdog
waiting to be kicked.
[scoffs] What are you talking about?
Everyone else sees exactly what you are.
Doesn't take them long
before they walk out,
but me, I just wait around.
- Maybe I should have quit a while back.
- [sighs]
Oh, come here.
They were making fun of you.
- Michelangelo's admirers.
- [sighs]
And I couldn't bear to listen.
I couldn't bear what they were saying
about you!
- Come here.
- No, you look, but you don't see!
I am the only one who's truly loyal!
You don't know what I've done for you.
You don't know what I've sacrificed,
whoring myself in Milan
just so you can create your masterpiece!
You think you are the great teacher!
The great mentor!
You're nothing.
- [sighs]
- You'd be lost without me beside you.
- I'm so sorry.
- Don't touch me.
[sighs]
[Leonardo exhales]
[exhales]
[sighs]
Leonardo.
You need to come.
- What's the matter?
- Just come.
[knocking on door]
Can I help you?
I heard the news.
You are Leonardo.
I'm Guglielmo.
I'm your brother.
Please.
[Leonardo breathes deeply]
I know he came to visit you.
[breathes deeply]
Yes.
[Guglielmo] He knew he was dying, you see.
He was determined to see you
one last time.
To tell you how proud he was
of your achievements.
I met you in this house, years ago,
when you were a baby.
He knew he treated you badly, Leonardo.
I think he regretted it.
[sobbing]
[Leonardo] Is your father proud of you?
What?
I bet he is.
I bet he bores the neighbours rigid.
"My son, the artist!
My son has masterpieces
coming out of his arse!"
[chuckles]
What's the matter with you?
- Are you drunk, Leonardo?
- [chuckles] No.
No, I'm not drunk.
It's all meaningless, isn't it?
It's It's nothing.
Are you talking about the art?
Nothing we ever do, nothing
Nothing we can ever paint
can make us feel whole again.
[snickers]
Mm-hmm.
My father died today.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
[breathes deeply]
He never understood any of this.
He didn't understand what I wanted.
He never understood me, really. [chuckles]
My mother died when I was a child.
Never knew her.
A child grows up not knowing love,
they spend their lives trying to find it.
[sighs]
I never wanted to paint this fresco.
I began it all for the wrong reasons,
I think.
I wanted Florence to know
that I was a better artist than you.
Oh. [chuckles]
I saw you once, when I was a boy.
I saw you riding past me.
Everyone knew your name.
Everyone knew the genius
from Verrocchio's studio.
Mm-mmm. That was a long time ago.
You know, more than anything in the world,
I wanted to be you.
I grew up in this city idolising you.
Of course, I knew I could never be
I could never hope to compete.
I had to create my own style of work.
I had to dream my own dreams.
It was painful for me, meeting you.
Hearing that someone I admired
hated my work.
That's why I began this thing.
[scoffs]
To spite you.
What are you doing, Leonardo?
I told you.
It's meaningless.
If you stop now,
people will say you ran away from a fight.
Well
they can say what they want.
What is it? You should be at work.
No.
Not this evening.
This evening I'm taking care of you.
I came to say I'm sorry.
There's a sentence
I never thought I'd hear.
Mmm. [sighs]
I know the sacrifices you've made
to help me, Giacomo.
You're calling me Giacomo.
Now I'm really worried.
[both chuckle]
[coughing]
I will find a way to repay you
for what you've done for me.
Your Excellency.
Leonardo.
Have you come to gloat?
I'm sorry?
About the news.
Michelangelo's gone, left the city.
He wrote to me,
resigning from the commission.
Thank God you are still here.
Thank God I have an artist I can rely on.
Your Excellency, I'm finished here.
I'm resigning also.
- What?
- Contract is over.
- What do you want?
- I already explained.
I want you to petition the governor.
Lord Ludovico needs powerful allies.
Look, you can't deny him.
He gave you everything.
He raised you up when you were no one.
Remember what happened in Milan?
Yes, I remember what happened in Milan.
I remember the face of that poor boy.
I remember him dying in my arms.
Ludovico gets nothing from me
except my anger and condemnation.
Leonardo.
Caterina?
Caterina?
She's not here. She's gone out.
Oh.
[inhales] Hmm.
- You seem very content today.
- [both chuckle]
I am.
And what's brought
that smile to your face?
I don't need them to love me.
Everything I need is right here.
Where did she go?
She didn't say, but
[clears throat]
What?
What is it?
She's keeping a secret from you.
[rattles]
[Stefano] Fragment of a letter
from a priest.
[Leonardo] Father Pacioli.
[Stefano] The boy of Niccolini.
Who is that?
The painting I made for him.
- I'm looking for Father Luca Pacioli.
- He's at the altar.
The boy of Niccolini. Where is he?
"He"? You mean the painting?
Leonardo was lying to me
and now you are too, Father.
If you want to save the life
of your friend,
you better start with the truth.
I've told you
I can be the confessor
and you can beg God's forgiveness.
Keepsakes from a child.
A boy to his mother.
Francesco,
I told you to stay in the vestry.
Who are you, boy?
Please.
I'm trying to save Leonardo's life.
Who are you?
I'm his son.