As the fourth episode of Leonardo begins, Stefano Giraldi (Freddie Highmore) looks through some of Leonardo’s sketches. Leonardo (Aidan Turner) has glimpsed God’s beauty in fleeting moments and he is convinced it lives in all, but he still hasn’t found it in himself. Stefano is reminded that he knew the antidote to the poison and still didn’t save Caterina. Rinaldo wonders if he is just afraid to be the man who executes the great Leonardo da Vinci. Stefano fears executing an innocent man and he lacks one of the two witnesses who saw the victim die. Rinaldo says not anymore. Stefano approaches Salai to question him. Salai (Carlos Cuevas) worked for Leonardo and was allegedly there the day Caterina died. When asked if he killed her, Salai admits he wouldn’t be surprised since she burned Leonardo’s paintings.

One thing Salai learned about Leonardo is that art always comes before people. In Milan, Ludovico Sforza (James D’Arcy) asks Leonardo about his father. He is a notary in Florida, but Ludovico thinks a man should leave a legacy. His father is long dead and he’d like to make him immortal. Ludovico would like to raise a heroic statue of his father on horseback. He thinks Leonardo would be a good choice since he is an artist and engineer. Ludovico believes Leonardo is unsure of him after experiencing court politics firsthand. He asks him to start at once. He will find a studio and apartments. Leonardo is given seven days to show Ludovico his designs. Leonardo checks out the studio. Caterina (Matilda De Angelis) meets him to say he hasn’t seen her in weeks because Bernardo expects her to behave a certain way. Tommaso (Alessandro Sperduti) is thrilled that Leonardo has a studio now.

Marco (Gabriel Lo Giudice) and Giulio (Josafat Vagni) join them later. When Tommaso checks on Leonardo, he learns he is having trouble because there are so many great equestrian statues in other towns. He is adamant that this has to be better than the other status. Tommaso knows this is difficult for him after everything that has happened. Leonardo wants to return to the stables. Bernardo (Flavio Parenti) tells Caterina that he is leaving Milan and returning to Venice because he saw her with Leonardo. He has given her everything and turned her into a different person. Bernardo doesn’t think she’ll ever look at him the way she looks at Leonardo. He tells her that they both deserve better before saying goodbye. When Leonardo visits the horses, it begins storming. The thunder scares the horse and knocks him to the ground. The image of the horse above him seems to give him an idea.

He remembers Ludovico telling him to bring glory to the house of Sforza to bring glory to himself. Leonardo rushes back to his studio to sketch the horse. When Tommaso enters asking if he should order marble, Leonardo says he doesn’t want to be confined by the material so he is going to create it from nothing. He says they’ll build it from wood and clay before casting it in bronze. That’ll make it harder and they’ll need a forge, but Leonardo isn’t worried. After working on the statue for a while, Leonardo complains that something is wrong. He thinks he picked the wrong image since the horse should be rearing up. He is told that nobody has ever done it before. Tommaso worries the back legs will never be able to support the weight of the bronze. Leonardo wants to put an enemy under the horse’s foot so it can help support it. Tommaso warns him they’ll have to work on it for hours.

Leonardo says they need to finish it this week and sleep when they’re done. In the morning, Giangaleazzo (Edan Hayhurst) visits to see what they’re doing while leaving his book nearby. Leonardo tells him more about the process before saying all creation is very complicated. God can rely on miracles while they have to rely on Hessian, clay, and wood. Gian leaves moments later. Caterina tells Beatrice (Miriam Dalmazio) about Bernardo returning to Venice. She would like to remain at court because she has become attracted to Milan. Beatrice admits she has grown to like her since she is clever and entertaining. She yells at her husband and tells Caterina that it is necessary for her to get her husband’s approval.

Ludovico agrees that Beatrice should have someone beautiful to attend to her. Sanseverino (Antonio De Matteo) calls for him. In private, he tells Ludovico that there could be 100 or more in open defiance of him. Ludovico knows that the attempt on his life has put mischief in men’s minds. Sanseverino believes his own courtiers will soon have the power to move against him. He knows what they say. He is a caretaker who has no real claim for the title. Ludovico is reminded that Gian will soon take over, but he worries Milan will fall into his hands. Although he calls him a sickly child, Sanseverino reminds him that the boy has the love and support of the people. Ludovico insists if anything happened to him it wouldn’t be with his blessing. Leonardo and the others find Gian’s book. The book contains sketches of various birds. A flashback shows a young boy drawing on the wall.

Leonardo promises to return the book to the boy. They begin working on the statue of the rider. Leonardo and Salai briefly argue as Salai tries to get into the right position. Salai admits he is always stripping off for money. He says his mother died when she gave birth to him and his father was handy with his fists. He got away from him as soon as he was old enough to feed himself. When he is asked his name, he calls himself Giacomo. He lives in different places across the city. Leonardo believes he has been sleeping in the streets. He accuses Giacomo of joking about everything, but Salai says he is too serious about everything. After Leonardo tells him where to sleep, Salai asks where his friends are. Even though he is a famous court artist, this place is empty. In the morning, Leonardo yells at Giacomo to get up and start working. When Tommaso enters, Leonardo tells him that the model has taken everything.

Leonardo goes outside and chases him through the streets. He finds himself surrounded by guys with weapons before Giacomo arrives and yells that Leonardo is his client. He gives Leonardo back the notebook, but he sold the parchment to buy bread. Giacomo says Leonardo can afford more paper, but he can’t afford to go another day without a meal. Leonardo believes the parchment was enough payment while Giacomo asks for a job. When Leonardo takes the idea to Tommaso, he is told he is out of his mind. Leonardo says he is keen to learn and everyone deserves a second chance. Tommaso argues that they don’t have more time for distractions, but Leonardo is adamant he will teach Giacomo everything he needs to know. Tommaso forces Giacomo to give his tools back unless he wants his hands broken. Giangaleazzo finds Caterina and decides to ask who she is. They begin talking about Leonardo. Gian likes learning things and Leonardo knows everything about everything.

He doesn’t get a lot of company. No one has built an amazing spectacle to entertain him like Leonardo did. He says the Duke can’t have friends and only have subjects. Caterina says he has a friend now. Beatrice interrupts and asks Gian to leave them. Caterina thanks her for the beautiful gifts before she is told she’ll dine with his Excellency tonight alone. Beatrice says a man of power has certain demands that he makes of the world. She is offering her a chance to keep the life that she has become accustomed to. Beatrice’s life is easier when her husband is content. She reminds Caterina that she alone has his heart. Before Beatrice leaves, she tells Caterina to wear the black one because he will prefer it. Caterina visits Leonardo at his studio because she wants to talk to him about something. She tells him about Bernardo leaving and being invited to stay.

Leonardo says this is his first major commission so he can’t drop everything when she comes with gossip. She apologizes for barging in before telling him that the young Duke told her how much he admires him. She is telling him because nobody should be alone. Leonardo visits him to return the book and says they share the same passion. He suggests they can take lessons here at his apartment. Gian seems to like the idea. Caterina prepares for diner with Ludovico. While having dinner, Caterina thanks him for her new wardrobe.

He knows she is very sad. Ludovico doesn’t understand why he didn’t keep her safe after she gave his heart to him. He says love is sacrifice. Caterina believes that is something a man might tell his wife or his mistress, but never himself. Ludovico tells her it is her choice, but she doesn’t think there is a choice at all. Leonardo shows Ludovico his statue later. Ludovico tells Leonardo that he wanted him to show him the power of his dreams. He yells that he doesn’t want reality. Instead, he wants myths and legends. Ludovico argues nobody on earth has power. He expected Leonardo to reach up and grasp the heavens for him. Leonardo explains that this is simply the model and the finished version will be eight times bigger than this. He believes it is possible. Leonardo asks Ludovico to lie down and look up at the statue. Leonardo says a horse turns a man into a giant and they will require a giant furnace.

He goes on to say they’re going to need eight times the amount of bronze. Ludovico quickly likes the idea. Caterina tells Leonardo it was a huge success just like she always knew it would be. The show jumps ahead one month. Caterina gets out of bed and leaves Ludovico sleeping. She finds Gian eating alone because they claim he is not old enough to receive company. She offers to be his guest since they’re friends. Caterina looks through his sketches and tells him he is very talented. He tells her about the bird he saw hatch and fly away from his window. She apologizes for him being so unhappy. Gian doesn’t want to sound spoiled since he has everything he needs. He’ll rule the city when he gets older. Sanseverino walks in to see what is going on. He makes a mess and tells Caterina it is probably best for her to leave.

She insists she’ll come back soon. Meanwhile, Leonardo and the others continue working on the statue. Leonardo isn’t sure how he can make a beast when he can’t see inside of it. Giacomo believes he can if he allows him to introduce him to some people. He takes him to a butcher’s shop of sorts so he can see the animal’s bone structure. Leonardo admits Giacomo has been very helpful. Caterina tries to get some of the Duke’s wine only to be told the servant will bring her some of her own. Leonardo works with Gian while telling him about some of the birds above them. He recommends reading about the architect named Vitruvius. While sketching, Gian’s hand begins shaking so Leonardo worries that something is wrong with him. Leonardo calls for the guard as the boy begins shaking and saying he can’t see. Leonardo and Caterina watch as the boy is rushed to his room and examined by a doctor.

Leonardo tells Caterina they claim he has a fever although he doesn’t believe them. He admits he thinks the boy has been poisoned. Caterina complains that he is kept prisoner in his chamber while all his foods and drinks are brought to him. When she tried to drink some of the boy’s wine, Sanseverino knocked it away from her hand. She is adamant that they have to do something and Leonardo agrees. When Leonardo tries to visit Gian for a lesson, he is told Sanseverino has ordered that no one be allowed to see him. Leonardo sneaks around and uses a key to open a door before creeping inside. He enters and sees them giving Gian something in a cup. Once the boy is alone, Leonardo rushes in and tries to wake him. He wants to take Gian away to someplace where he can help him. When he notices that the boy has stopped breathing, he begins calling for help. Sanseverino calls for help before asking Leonardo how he got in here.

Ludovico enters to ask what is going on. The physician checks on the boy and immediately says he is dead. Leonardo goes to Caterina to tell her she was right for saying no one should be alone. She believes they should go because they cannot stay here. They should’ve left after they killed the actor. Leonardo doesn’t think he can leave because he has the commission. He cannot begin again from nothing. Leonardo believes he’ll be no one if he walks out now. She argues that ambition has destroyed the man she loved. She tells him it is over so he shouldn’t follow her.

Salai tells Stefano that Caterina might still be alive if they had stayed apart. He believes some relationships are destined to end in tragedy. Stefano asks about him since he is a thief and street rat. He suggests he could’ve been an accomplice. Salai says he knows nothing about poison and had no reason to kill her. He thinks Leonardo has beguiled him. He suspects Leonardo asked him about the color of the sky. Salai asks him to stop wasting his time because Leonardo is going to hang for murder before he is freed. Stefano tells Rinaldo that he wants him to think Leonardo is guilty, but he believes he is lying.

 

Leonardo Review

The fourth episode of Leonardo continued pushing the envelope with the assassination of a future Duke. Caterina remains the standout character of the series. Some aspects of the show are better than others. The costumes are nice and it is fun to watch Leonardo’s creations come together. Some of the side characters are very intriguing, but Thierry was a bit more dynamic than Salai.

Although the statues, paintings, and theatrics have been cool, it doesn’t feel like there is any real magic here. It is just going through the motions while introducing new characters with different stories in each episode. The character development is lacking so there wasn’t a lot of emotion surrounding Gian’s death when there should’ve been.

The mysterious murder and Stefano’s investigation feel like moot points in the big scheme of things. The highlight of the series has been Matilda De Angelis so it’d be nice to focus on the character a little more. Tommaso and some of the other side characters are interesting as well. The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Leonardo can be found on Reel Mockery here. Learn how to support our work at this link.