Ep 2. The Purge

The Purge is the second episode of the third season of The Borgias, a historical drama series that chronicles the rise of the infamous Borgia family in Renaissance Italy. The episode is set in 1495, during the reign of Pope Alexander VI, and explores the aftermath of a failed assassination attempt against the Pope and his family.

The episode begins with the Pope and his son Cesare surveying the damage done to the Vatican by the failed attack. They are both shaken by the close call and worried about the possibility of more attempts on their lives. In an effort to root out any potential conspirators, the Pope decrees a Purge - a sweeping crackdown on anyone suspected of being involved in the plot.

As the Purge begins, the city is thrown into chaos. The Pope's soldiers and spies roam the streets, rounding up suspects and arresting them without trial. Many innocent people are caught up in the dragnet, including priests, merchants, and even children. The Pope's daughter, Lucrezia, is particularly disturbed by the violence and injustice of the Purge, and she begins to question her own family's methods.

Meanwhile, Cesare is charged with overseeing the Purge and he relishes the opportunity to exercise his power. He becomes increasingly ruthless as he interrogates suspects and metes out punishments. His methods draw the attention of a young artist named Michelangelo, who is working on a commission for the Pope. Michelangelo is disgusted by the violence and cruelty he sees around him, and he begins to question whether the Borgia family truly represents the values of the Church.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between the Pope's allies and enemies, and it becomes clear that there are those who will stop at nothing to bring down the Borgia family. Even within the family itself, there are divisions and conflicts. Lucrezia struggles to reconcile her own morality with the actions of her father and brother, while Cesare becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated.

The Purge is a tense and dramatic episode that explores the darkest aspects of power and politics in Renaissance Italy. It raises questions about loyalty, justice, and morality, and it leaves the viewer wondering whether the Borgia family will be able to survive the forces arrayed against them.