Holiday State Of Mind – The episode opens with Filomena (Jessica Plummer) recalling an argument that led to Licisca (Tanya Reynolds) shoving her over a bridge into the water below. She floated down the river until she is rescued by the twine scavenger (Nicoletta Cefaly) and the two hats scavenger (Adele Dezi). She comes to as the scavengers are taking her shoes. The two hats scavenger tries to strangle her. A short time later, she wakes up alone and barefooted. Bodies are lying along the river bank. She walks a short distance before tearing her jacket and utilizing the pieces to cover her feet. During her journey, she finds a lemon which she eats peel and all. Dark and rainy, Filomena makes a bed near a block wall. Later, she arrives at Viscount Lorenzo’s (Giacomo Valenti) villa. Pampinea (Zosia Mamet) believes she is looking for work. While Licisca hides behind Dioneo (Amar Chadha-Patel), Tindaro (Douggie McMeekin) pokes fun at Filomena’s disheveled, worldly appearance. Filomena tells them that Leonardo is her cousin and her father is Eduardo (John Hannah). Seeing Licisca, Filomena attacks her. Dioneo pulls her off of Licisca and slaps her across the face. Tinardo scolds her for attacking Filomena who is actually Licisca. Filomena tells them that she is Filomena. Knowing the truth, Panfilo (Karan Gill) asks Licisca if she is her jealous handmaiden. Licisca demands Filomena apologizes for embarrassing her. When Filomena refuses, they throw her out of the villa. Licisca insists on giving her bread. Outside, Filomena and Licisca make a pact to ensure they are not thrown out of the villa.

Filomena and Licisca watch as Sirisco (Tony Hale) and Stratilia (Leila Farzad) toss Cardinal Agnolo’s (Roman Talevi) body over the terrace to the ground below. He asks Licisca if the extra stabs were necessary. She says absolutely. They enter the villa as Dioneo is explaining how black plague enters the body. Licisca informs them that she has forgiven Filomena and orders her to curtsy. She pretends to be impressed with how well Tindaro dealt with the mangy bandit (Ricky Champ) and the eyeless bandit (Oleksandr Rudynskyy). After the infection is neutralized, Pampinea attributes the bandit attack to the unguarded gate. Panfilo assures them that Sirisco will take the appropriate measures to keep them safe. Sirisco asks if he has any suggestions. Neifile (Lous Gala) suggests they say a prayer for Agnolo. Pampinea insists they pray for her because the bandits breached her fiancé’s villa. Neifile drops to her knees and begins to pray. Angry, Panfilo demands they pull themselves together.

Pampinea is upset with her small quarters. Misia (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) tries to appease her. Sirisco arrives with pastries. Pampinea orders him to take them to the town where Leonardo is buying wine. Misia blurts out, “Prato.” Getting in his face, Pampinea vows to kill him and herself if Leonardo is already married. Sirisco assures her that Leonardo is single before complimenting her beauty. Misia convinces her to wait until morning to travel to Prato. Once alone, Misia tells Sirisco that she has a plan. Elsewhere, Tinardo informs Dioneo of his decision to court Licisca. Dioneo reminds him of his misunderstanding of women. Feeling fortified, Tinardo dives off the bed into the floor.

Depressed, Niefile has Cardinal Agnolo’s toe. Panfilo tosses it into the fire. As it sizzles, they laugh. After he falls asleep, she goes to retrieve some pastries when she spots the suckling pig. Scooping up the pig, she races outside and across the yard until she falls into the well. She thinks God is with her. Elsewhere, Stratilia orders Filomena to empty the chamber pots. While washing Filomena’s hands, Stratilia notices they are soft and realizes she may have been telling the truth. A short time later, she gives her a shovel to dig a grave for the dead bandit. When Panfilo wakes, he goes to look for her. Sirisco assures him that the villa is very safe and Calandrino (Alfredo Pea) is on guard. They turn to see him sleeping. Panfilo suggests an armed guard. Later, Misia and Pampinea are en route to locate Leonardo. Sirisco brings the horse and carriage to a stop. Pampinea asks Misia to sacrifice herself to save her. Giving her a duckling, Sirisco tells her about Leonardo. Pampinea goes into shock. Misia sings to her.

While out for a walk, Tindaro boasts of his knowledge of Roman wars. When Licisca reaches for his arm, he jerks away. She immediately apologizes. Dioneo plays a lute while Tindaro tells her about the Aetolian War. Panfilo finds Neifile inside the well. Holding the suckling pig, she insists on God saving her. Filomena is digging a grave. She places her comb on the ground and lays down in the grave. Panfilo reads while Neifile talks to God. Elsewhere, Sirisco tells Pampinea that Leonardo taught him to read and he liked redheads. Licisca watches bare-chested, Tindaro and Dioneo duel with sticks. He feeds her a grape which she nearly chokes on. When she admires his “wavy hair,” he argues that it is curly. He accuses her of mocking him. After calming him down, Dioneo says she is in love with him. She says it is true before leaving to wet her face. Filomena assures her that she is keeping her side of the bargain.

Pampinea, Misia, and Sirisco speak of love and heartbreak. Inside the well, Neifile believes Dioneo is God and grabs his hand. He carries her back to the villa. She asks if God sent him to rescue her. He claims God spoke to him before removing his shirt, warming his hands, and placing them on her. Feeling overheated, she races to her room. Panfilo pays him and goes to retrieve Neifile for dinner. Pampinea claims she and Leonardo married in Prato but he has business in Venezia before he can join her there. A short time later, Licisca and Dioneo have sex. The episode ends.

 

The Decameron Review

Believing Filomena is dead, Licisca claims her identity. She leads nobleman Tindaro on while sleeping with Dioneo behind his back. When a disheveled Filomena arrives at the villa, Licisca keeps up the façade with the help of Panfilo. Filomena reluctantly agrees to play chambermaid to stay on at the villa.

Pampinea accepts Leonardo’s death. She, Misia, and Sirisco fabricate a story to conceal his death.

Neifile falls into a well and refuses to get out until God saves her. Fearing for her safety, Panfilo pays Dioneo to pretend God sent him to rescue her. Her attraction to Dioneo is obvious. The episode deserves a 4.2 out of 10.

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