By Homer, It’s A Winner’s Wreath! – As the third episode of The Decameron begins, Misia (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) picks flowers to make a wreath. She goes inside where she awakens Pampinea (Zosia Mamet). Misia tells her a perfectly joyful day has been planned to honor the bride. Pampinea asks about the mourners’ wreath. Misia claims it’s going to be the winner of the day. She says they will not talk about the departed. Instead, they’re going to celebrate Pampinea, the bride of Villa Santa. Licisca (Tanya Reynolds) asks if it’s strange to have wedding festivities without the groom. Filomena (Jessica Plummer) exercises on the bed behind her.
She tells Licisca that she’s not going to listen to anything she says once the doors are closed. She’ll play along outside. Filomena believes Licisca is the one who will give them away. She notices a possible love bite on Licisca’s neck. Filomena accuses Licisca of having midnight trysts with Tindaro (Douggie McMeekin). Licisca says she had sex with Dioneo (Amar Chadha-Patel) and not Tindaro. Filomena reminds her that she has to follow the rules. She worries that Licisca’s selfishness will get them kicked out. Tindaro wakes up Dioneo to tell him he’s in love. He says Filomena has changed him. Dioneo quickly hides the gown on the floor. No matter what Dioneo says, Tindaro believes Filomena is the one. Panfilo (Karan Gill) opens the door to the messenger, Andreoli (Giampiero De Concilio). Panfilo calls for Sirisco (Tony Hale). He learns there is a dreadful message for Panfilo of the Lungarno family.
Panfilo reads it and tells Andreoli the steward will settle up next time. Panfilo tells Neifile (Lou Gala) that the bank seized everything. He didn’t realize he’d be so stupid. Neifile says it’s his fault for not leaning more closely on Panfilo’s counsel. Panfilo insists they need to redouble their efforts to secure their future since they’re homeless now. He thinks they can use Filomena and Pampinea is the only one who can make them leave. They talk about winning her over. Misia interrupts to tell everyone that the festivities are about to begin in the great hall. Panfilo tries to win the crown. Tindaro begins praising Licisca who seems surprised. He gives her a gift that she reluctantly accepts. Pampinea tells them about her wedding day. She likes her story best so she declares herself the winner. They play a game outside.
Sirisco tells everyone that his falcon will circle in the air and pluck the gobbet out of their hands. Instead, the falcon flies away and does not return. Licisca speaks to Dioneo who calls her bizarre. Neifile asks Dioneo what it felt like when he was called upon to rescue her. Pampinea interrupts so Neifile tells her a story about a lost maiden. Pampinea asks if she’s the lusty maiden in the well. Neifile says she’s pious. Licisca thinks she’s more pious than Pampinea. She asks Pampinea if she knows pride is a sin. When the others try to go inside, Pampinea yells at them to stop and reminds them they are there at Leonardo’s invitation which can be rescinded. The bird returns. Licisca sits out her arm and the falcon lands on it. Pampinea claims the game has ended in a tie.
In private, Misia reminds Filomena that she can’t say whatever she wants in front of Pampinea. Filomena believes Misia just let her push her around all day. Panfilo finds the messenger with the pigs. Anderoli doesn’t think it matters who Panfilo was or what he desired before. He argues they choose the parts of themselves they wish to keep. Sirisco explains to Pampinea that Fortuna has been in a mood lately. He tells her how happy he is to have her there and gives her the visconte’s sketchbook. She asks him to stay. Sirisco reveals Leonardo loved the country. He tells her the things that Leonardo complimented about her. Sirisco believes Leonard would’ve loved her deeply. She asks what else he would’ve done. Sirisco tells her as Pampinea gets closer to him. She ends up kissing him. He returns the favor.
Licisca tells Dioneo that she doesn’t like the necklace she got from Tindaro. They talk about the fact that Licisca came back to his door. They’re going to have sex again. Neifile asks God why Dioneo is his emissary. She begins playing with herself while thinking about him. Neifile stops herself and grabs her Bible in hopes of distracting herself. She ends up watching Dioneo and touching herself. Andreoli and Panfilo have sex. Sirisco and Pampinea are together as well. Later, men try to get into the gates and yell for food. Sirisco manages to scare them away. He goes back inside. Pampinea asks why he had to fight them off alone and where the men were. She scolds them for letting the old fool handle the ruffians. Pampinea tells Sirisco he’s not the man of the house before yelling at him. In private, Pampinea complains that Misia could’ve told everyone about her relationship with Sirisco.
Misia is just so happy to see Pampinea happy. Pampinea says Leonardo is her one true love. She thought Misia would understand since she had to leave Parmena behind. Pampinea believes her pain is clouding her judgment. She doesn’t want to see Misia until she’s found the Misia she needs. Pampinea finds Sirisco in her room and complains about the beggars and his breakfast. She’s beginning to wonder if he’s worthy of being her steward. Pampinea claims he’s never pleased her once. He’s only a vessel that she uses to experience Leonardo’s love. Pampinea tells him not to enter her chambers again. Sirisco reveals Leonardo told the marriage broker he’d take any bride with a hefty dowry and a womb. Neifile tells Panfilo she’s been having sinful thoughts. Panfilo insists God will forgive sinful thoughts.
Later, Neifile pulls Dioneo aside, undresses, and says God wants him to have her in a wifely way. He believes she wants that. Dioneo turns her down and leaves. Filomena takes Misia wine and tells her to drink it even though they’re not allowed to. They drink and talk about Misia who says her nails stopped growing months ago. Dioneo surprises Licisca with flowers. She throws them away when Tindaro approaches. Tindaro wrote Licisca a poem to show her how much he loves her. They end up laughing. Licisca says it was perfect and she enjoys this side of him. After a kiss, Licisca reluctantly agrees to let Tindaro visit her chambers tonight. He walks away. Licisca admits to Dioneo that she didn’t hate that. She reminds him she’s able to do whatever benefits her.
Then, Tindaro tries to get Dioneo to admit he was wrong about her. Tindaro discusses the possibility of proposing. While he’s busy, Dioneo poisons his wine. Panfilo praises Sirisco and the work he’s been doing. Sirisco tells him what it’s really like and how Pampinea only whines about her dead husband. Panfilo is told that only the viscontessa, her handmaiden, and the cook know Leonardo is dead. Sirisco admits anyone could fight Pampinea for the claim of the house. Panfilo thinks they can find someone with a better claim to take charge. Sirisco doesn’t think that’ll be so difficult. Licisca is surprised when Dioneo visits instead of Tindaro. He gives her flowers and says they should leave together. Dioneo can’t live with her being in love with Tindaro and not him. Licisca is hesitant to go with him.
She confesses she’s not Filomena before kissing Dioneo. Stratilia (Leila Farzad) hears Tindaro groaning and finds his face badly swollen. She suspects he’s been poisoned. Stratilia gives him something to take care of it. She asks when the last time Dioneo gave him something that made him feel better instead of worse. Stratilia believes the doctor is poisoning him, but Tindaro doesn’t want to believe it. He goes looking around and spots Dioneo having sex with Licisca. Neifile cries alone. Pampinea touches her belly while looking at a painting of Leonardo. Neifile tells Panfilo that she failed God. Pampinea interrupts to tell everyone she’s with child. Tindaro stumbles in and interrupts. He scolds Dioneo and tells them to seize him because he tried to kill him.
Stratilia tells them that Dioneo uses belladonna. Dioneo tries to convince him otherwise. Tindaro tells him to eat them. Dioneo doesn’t. Tindaro wants him stripped of his clothes and quarters. He says Dioneo should be thrown down with the servants so the rats can have at him. Tindaro agrees to let him keep his clothes. Pampinea claims she’s having Leonardo’s child. Tindaro proposes to Licisca who accepts.
The Decameron Review
The third episode of The Decameron was pretty much in line with the previous episodes. Viewers who have enjoyed the first two episodes are going to like this one as well. At the very least, there was a betrayal that made the ending of the episode slightly more interesting.
Otherwise, there isn’t much good to say about the Netflix series. The characters are pretty much modern stereotypes, the comedy isn’t funny in the least, and the episodes are mostly dull. Actually, a lot of the scenes that are written to be funny are just annoying. There doesn’t seem to be any message or purpose here besides the one being told in every other television show.
Through three episodes, there isn’t much comedy here and there’s very little justifying stomaching the annoying characters and skits for the full eight episodes. The episode scores a 4.5 out of 10. Recaps of The Decameron can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent work at this link.
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PS: Licisca uses the name Filomena and vice versa. I used the actual character names to avoid confusion and jumping around sporadically.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
