The Medici TV Series: Season Three Showcases Lorenzo at His Best
Lorenzo the Magnificent: The Medici and Their Riveting TV Series!
I just finished watching the third season of The Medici: Masters of Florence, now available on Netflix. Spoiler alert: Lorenzo de’ Medici, known as “the Magnificent,” dies at the age of forty-three, and his wife Clarice at thirty-eight!
A Dive into the Renaissance Era
All joking aside, I found this series to be incredibly enjoyable, if not entirely historically accurate. It brilliantly brings the period, costumes, and people to life. While Lorenzo dies in 1492 (yes, the year Columbus set sail), he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. His sharp mind for strategy and political power plays, coupled with his patronage of artists like Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo, fostered the flourishing of humanist ideas in Florence.
For the Artistic Eye:
The scenes, sets, and costumes are stunning. They are eye-candy for those who are history buffs or just lovers of art and all things Italian
Intrigues, Schemes, and the Loss of Innocence
The third season picks up right where the second left off: Giuliano, Lorenzo’s brother, is brutally murdered in the Duomo on Easter Sunday, stabbed eleven times by the Pazzi brothers. This event transforms Lorenzo from a dreamer into a realist, driven to reshape Florence according to his vision. He turns away from God — a scandalous move in the late 1400s — to seize control of the city and crown himself “Prince of Europe.” Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with the Pope.
Between Friars and Fanaticism
This season also introduces Girolamo Savonarola, the fanatical Dominican friar who takes control of Florence. He condemns clerical corruption, despotic rule (aka Lorenzo), and calls for the destruction of secular art and culture. However, the series gives us only a taste of his story, which tragically ends with his hanging.
Caterina Sforza: A Woman of Power
An intriguing character is Caterina Sforza, wife of Riario. Behind her Renaissance beauty lies a strong, determined woman. Married at ten, she survived numerous foes, fought the Borgias, and held many of Rome’s secrets, playing a pivotal role for Lorenzo and Florence.
Final Thoughts and Critiques
As a writer, I understand the need to tweak timelines for storytelling. However, I would have appreciated a greater focus on Lorenzo’s contributions to Florence’s art scene, particularly his relationship with Michelangelo. Overall, a satisfying series that I recommend, especially in Italian on Netflix.
