Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance Season 1 Episode 4 The Medici Pope

In episode 4 of Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance season 1 titled "The Medici Pope", the focus shifts to Giovanni de' Medici's son, Giulio. Following the death of Pope Julius II, Giulio must navigate the complex world of Papal politics as he seeks to secure the papacy for himself.

As the episode opens, we see Giulio receiving the news of Julius' death. He immediately begins to make plans to seize power, noting that he cannot afford to waste any time if he hopes to become the next Pope. Meanwhile, Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici (Giulio's cousin) is summoned to Rome to attend the papal conclave - the meeting where the cardinals will select the next Pope.

Giulio sets to work lobbying the other cardinals to vote for him. He promises promotions and other favors to those who support his bid, and resorts to bribes and intimidation tactics when necessary. The campaign is not without its setbacks, however, as he faces opposition from other powerful Roman families who have their own candidates in mind.

As the conclave progresses, the tension between the different factions grows. Giulio's tireless efforts to secure the papacy are met with resistance from his rivals, who use underhanded tactics to try to discredit him. Despite this, however, Giulio continues to gain support, and by the end of the episode, he is on the verge of clinching the election.

Alongside the political maneuvering, we also see glimpses of the personal lives of the characters. Giulio's brother, Lorenzo, becomes embroiled in a scandal involving a young woman he has been seeing, which threatens to derail the family's hopes for power. And we see more of the relationship between Cardinal Giovanni and his lover, a young artist named Michelangelo.

Overall, "The Medici Pope" is a thrilling episode that showcases the ruthless politics of 16th century Rome. The show continues to balance historical accuracy with compelling storytelling, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs faced by the Medici family. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Giulio's quest for power - and eagerly anticipate the season's finale, where the fate of the Medici Papacy will finally be decided.