In "Medici: Masters of Florence" season 1 episode 1, titled "Original Sin," we are introduced to the wealthy and powerful Medici family, who ran the city of Florence in the 15th century. The episode begins with the unexpected death of Giovanni de' Medici, the patriarch of the family. His son, Cosimo, inherits the family business – the Medici bank – and must navigate the treacherous world of politics and finance to keep it afloat.
Cosimo is a reluctant heir, preferring the quiet life of contemplation and art to the cutthroat business dealings of his father. But he quickly realizes that he must step up to the challenge if he wants to keep his family and his city safe from outside threats and internal dissension. He is aided in this effort by his brother Lorenzo, a charismatic and worldly man who knows how to charm both peasants and princes alike.
As Cosimo takes control of the bank, he learns that there are many who would like to see the Medici fall. His father's death is shrouded in suspicion, and some of Giovanni's former partners in business are now looking to take down the family that they feel betrayed them. Cosimo must also deal with the volatile political situation in Florence, where the city's ruling class is split between supporters of the pope and supporters of the Medici.
Meanwhile, we are also introduced to Contessina, a young woman from a noble family who is betrothed to Cosimo. She is an intelligent and headstrong woman who is not content to simply be a wife and mother. She wants to play a larger role in the administration of the Medici bank, even if it means going against the wishes of her husband. Contessina also has her own secrets and motivations, which are slowly revealed over the course of the episode.
As the episode progresses, we see Cosimo and Lorenzo working together to stave off threats to the Medici bank and the city of Florence as a whole. They play a dangerous game of politics and finance, making deals and alliances with various factions in order to keep their family's power intact. However, they also come to realize that their enemies are numerous and powerful, and that they must be careful not to make any missteps if they want to survive.
"Original Sin" sets the stage for the rest of the season, introducing us to the main characters and the dangerous world in which they operate. The series is a gripping historical drama, with a strong focus on the personalities and motivations of its characters. While some of the plot points are a bit convoluted, the show is well-acted and visually stunning, with a great attention to detail in its recreation of Renaissance Italy. Fans of historical dramas will find much to enjoy in "Medici: Masters of Florence."
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Genres
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CastRichard MaddenDustin HoffmanStuart MartinMichael SchermiLex Shrapnel
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Channel
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First AiredOctober 18, 2016
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Runtime55 min
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LanguageEnglish
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IMDB Rating7.5 (899)
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