Cesare captures traitorous host-cardinal Orsini's poisoning henchman, Michelotto. The fellow opportunist proves his switched loyalty by volunteering to have his bare back flogged convincingly for cardinal Della Rovere, the Borgia's remaining arch-rival. the ploy allows the spy to report most prominent can law expert Bucrhart is being consulted to plan deposing the Spanish pope on the basis of open vile debauchery. Despite a grim encounter with his children's shoved-aside wife, Alexander sets up Giulia Farnese, the wife of an 'abusive' mighty nobleman, whom he imposes such 'penance' for failing her marital duties, in a palace linked to his by underground passage for intimate encounters. Michelotto helps set up Della Rovere for a murder.
—KGF Vissers