Season Two Episode Guide (episodes 1-10)
The spoiler guides (aka episode summaries) for episodes 1-10 have been released. We already have episodes 1-4, but I thought I'd bring over the rest. (Thanks to fytheborgias Bits about Cesare and/or Lucrezia are in bold.
Episode 1- The Borgia Bull
In the Season 2 premiere, Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover and throws a grand, pagan fete for the citizens of Rome when a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; the rivalry between brothers Cesare and Juan spills into the streets; Lucrezia tends to her newborn child; now a pastoral priest once again, Della Rovere narrowly escapes an assassination attempt.
Episode 2- Paolo
The stable boy who fathered Lucrezia’s child travels to Rome to rendezvous with her but suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Juan; the Pope’s lovers Giulia and Vittoria take him in disguise on a revelatory tour of Rome’s indigent.
Episode 3- The Beautiful Deception
Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo, despite his doubts about the stable boy’s suicide, causing Lucrezia to embark on a hunger strike that threatens the life of her infant son; the French army heads back to Rome, allied with Sforza; Della Rovere slips back into the city unnoticed to launch a plot against the Pope’s life.
Episode 4- Stray Dogs
Cesare recruits a band of mercenaries with the help of Micheletto to seek revenge on the retreating French troops for burning the nunnery where his beloved Ursula lived; the Pope forges more strategic alliances and enriches himself in the bargain; Lucrezia joins Giulia’s quest to aid Rome’s poor.
Episode 5- The Choice
Alexander is determined to deal with the twin thorns in his side: the haughty Sforza family and the rebellious Florentine friar Savonarola. He sends Cesare to Catherina Sforza’s castle at Forli to demand that she swear allegiance to Rome while he himself travels to Florence in disguise to hear the increasingly powerful Savonarola preach - not knowing that Della Rovere is there too, getting Savonarola’s blessing on his plot to assassinate the Pope.
Episode 6-The Day Of Ashes
Convinced that the lightning strike was a sign of God’s disapproval, Alexander begins a fastidious regime of Lenten fasting. Alexander’s political problems worsen: Cesare’s intemperate killing of Giovanni has hardened the enmity of the powerful Sforzas, while Piero de Medici flees to Rome with news that Savonarola now rules Florence and that Papal deposits with the Bank may be lost. Desperate for new allies, Alexander recruits Vanozza to persuade a reluctant Lucrezia to marry again.
Episode 7-The Siege At Fofrli
Juan returns from Spain, flanked by a retinue of conquistador generals led by the proud Don Hernando. Alexander is impressed by his son’s newfound confidence and orders him to lead the Papal armies to besiege Catherina Sforza’s castle. Lucrezia meanwhile, stalls attempts to marry her off - her father favors rich Genovese merchant prince Calvino - but Lucrezia, obstinate and deliberately perverse, proceeds to flirt with his younger (and thus inappropriate) brother Raffaello. In Florence, Cesare and Machiavelli witness Savonarola’s puritan zealots strengthen their grip on power, culminating in the fevered destruction of art works and luxuries in the “Bonfire of the Vanities.”
Episode 8- Truth and Lies
Della Rovere’s assassination plan faces one last hurdle: how to replace the Pope’s taster with his own agent? While Della Rovere ponders the moral dilemma of killing a good man for a greater end, his accomplice Antonello takes matters into his own hands.
Episode 9- World of Wonders
It’s Easter, but Alexander continues to fast. A new taster is recruited, and Antonello gets the job - Della Rovere’s assassin is ready to strike. In Florence, Cesare challenges Savonarola to a trial by fire. Raffaello meanwhile, formally asks for Lucrezia’s hand but Alexander sends the brothers packing. Giulia persuades Alexander that his Papacy has been a good thing, so he ends his fast and orders a celebration for the baptism of Lucrezia’s baby.
Episode 10-The Confession
Cesare, determined to destroy his legacy as well as his body, fakes a confession and Savonarola is burned as a heretic. Meanwhile, a new suitor for Lucrezia’s hand - Alfonso of Aragon - arrives in Rome. Playful Lucrezia sets out to play the minx with him as with the others, then surprises herself by falling for him. She announces she will marry him. The Pope’s joy, however, is short-lived when he receives dire news, furthered by a shocking confession from Cesare.
Loving that the season finale will be a heavy episode for both Cesare and Lucrezia.
Episode 1- The Borgia Bull
In the Season 2 premiere, Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover and throws a grand, pagan fete for the citizens of Rome when a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; the rivalry between brothers Cesare and Juan spills into the streets; Lucrezia tends to her newborn child; now a pastoral priest once again, Della Rovere narrowly escapes an assassination attempt.
Episode 2- Paolo
The stable boy who fathered Lucrezia’s child travels to Rome to rendezvous with her but suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Juan; the Pope’s lovers Giulia and Vittoria take him in disguise on a revelatory tour of Rome’s indigent.
Episode 3- The Beautiful Deception
Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo, despite his doubts about the stable boy’s suicide, causing Lucrezia to embark on a hunger strike that threatens the life of her infant son; the French army heads back to Rome, allied with Sforza; Della Rovere slips back into the city unnoticed to launch a plot against the Pope’s life.
Episode 4- Stray Dogs
Cesare recruits a band of mercenaries with the help of Micheletto to seek revenge on the retreating French troops for burning the nunnery where his beloved Ursula lived; the Pope forges more strategic alliances and enriches himself in the bargain; Lucrezia joins Giulia’s quest to aid Rome’s poor.
Episode 5- The Choice
Alexander is determined to deal with the twin thorns in his side: the haughty Sforza family and the rebellious Florentine friar Savonarola. He sends Cesare to Catherina Sforza’s castle at Forli to demand that she swear allegiance to Rome while he himself travels to Florence in disguise to hear the increasingly powerful Savonarola preach - not knowing that Della Rovere is there too, getting Savonarola’s blessing on his plot to assassinate the Pope.
Episode 6-The Day Of Ashes
Convinced that the lightning strike was a sign of God’s disapproval, Alexander begins a fastidious regime of Lenten fasting. Alexander’s political problems worsen: Cesare’s intemperate killing of Giovanni has hardened the enmity of the powerful Sforzas, while Piero de Medici flees to Rome with news that Savonarola now rules Florence and that Papal deposits with the Bank may be lost. Desperate for new allies, Alexander recruits Vanozza to persuade a reluctant Lucrezia to marry again.
Episode 7-The Siege At Fofrli
Juan returns from Spain, flanked by a retinue of conquistador generals led by the proud Don Hernando. Alexander is impressed by his son’s newfound confidence and orders him to lead the Papal armies to besiege Catherina Sforza’s castle. Lucrezia meanwhile, stalls attempts to marry her off - her father favors rich Genovese merchant prince Calvino - but Lucrezia, obstinate and deliberately perverse, proceeds to flirt with his younger (and thus inappropriate) brother Raffaello. In Florence, Cesare and Machiavelli witness Savonarola’s puritan zealots strengthen their grip on power, culminating in the fevered destruction of art works and luxuries in the “Bonfire of the Vanities.”
Episode 8- Truth and Lies
Della Rovere’s assassination plan faces one last hurdle: how to replace the Pope’s taster with his own agent? While Della Rovere ponders the moral dilemma of killing a good man for a greater end, his accomplice Antonello takes matters into his own hands.
Episode 9- World of Wonders
It’s Easter, but Alexander continues to fast. A new taster is recruited, and Antonello gets the job - Della Rovere’s assassin is ready to strike. In Florence, Cesare challenges Savonarola to a trial by fire. Raffaello meanwhile, formally asks for Lucrezia’s hand but Alexander sends the brothers packing. Giulia persuades Alexander that his Papacy has been a good thing, so he ends his fast and orders a celebration for the baptism of Lucrezia’s baby.
Episode 10-The Confession
Cesare, determined to destroy his legacy as well as his body, fakes a confession and Savonarola is burned as a heretic. Meanwhile, a new suitor for Lucrezia’s hand - Alfonso of Aragon - arrives in Rome. Playful Lucrezia sets out to play the minx with him as with the others, then surprises herself by falling for him. She announces she will marry him. The Pope’s joy, however, is short-lived when he receives dire news, furthered by a shocking confession from Cesare.
Loving that the season finale will be a heavy episode for both Cesare and Lucrezia.