Review of DA VINCI'S DEMONS

DA VINCE'S DEMONS Season 1

The first episode begins with an elderly man rudely dismissing a youth from his bed, going to church, telling people, "Don't worry, I'm here," and then being stabbed to death. It turns out he was a major supporter of LORENZO (the Magnificent) MEDICI, the ruler of FLORENCE, who now needs other support to protect him from the machinations of ROME under POPE SIXTUS IV.  And what better way to get the support of his own people than a grand party, the climax of which will be a metal dove sliding down a wire to ignite fireworks. Ah, but young LEONARDO DA VINCI has a better idea: he'll make a mechanical dove to fly to the fireworks in an elaborate path without using a wire. Lorenzo, with a little persuading, agrees, the dove works as planned, and Leonardo's career with Lorenzo has begun.

Leonardo Da Vinci is in actuality a gigantic, multifaceted figure in history, but perhaps the creators of this series went a bit over the top.  In addition to creating wonderful paintings and inventions (including war machines), he beds Lorenzo's mistress, LUCREZIA, meets a mystic group called SONS OF MITHRAS (who insist he's one of them), has an uncomfortable dinner with a non-supernatural DRACULA, escapes jail using bombs made of the guano in his bat infested cell, and breaks into the Vatican where he forces the pope to show him the secret archives.

Much of the series is historically accurate, but a lot is fiction. Leonardo was indeed an illegitimate child and a vegetarian who would buy birds intended for food and release them. His actual sexual orientation is not known, but that he was in fact accused of sodomy and acquitted. Several of the people mentioned, including Lorenzo, his mistress. his brother GUILANO, RIARIO (a nephew of the pope), and others are historical figures, though not necessarily portrayed accurately. The Sons of Mithras and their frequently referenced BOOK OF LEAVES are myths. The series frequently suggests supernatural occurrences, but leaves open the possibility of a natural explanation.

The music is eerily mystical and engaging, reminiscent at times of Philip Glass.

Be warned--there is a lot of violence with some really horrible cruelty. There is also a lot of titillation and also tits, simulated intercourse, a few limp cocks, and excessive (IMHO) use of the word 'fuck'.

All in all, this is a gripping series. There are two more seasons, and the reviews on them are also good.  I rate it ++++.  I will get your pulse up to a run.