(Published June 27, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor
Italian visionary Leonardo da Vinci is a defiant and
reluctant hero in the new drama “Da Vinci’s Demons,” created by David Goyer,
screenwriter of “Man of Steel” and “Blade.”
An accessible merging of historical and fantastical
exploits, the show depicts the innovator as an inquisitive but sometimes flaky
fellow, able to craft some unheard-of inventions while seeking answers to his
own life’s mysteries.
Leonardo da Vinci (Tom Riley), illegitimate son of a
nobleman, is in his 20s, a brilliant “scribbler” scoffed at by those that
underestimate him, but respected and beloved by friends from
He persuades Florence ’s
ruler Lorenzo de Medici (Elliot Cowan) into making him the bustling republic’s
weapon designer, suggesting that his abilities will be useful in the impending
war with the city-state’s enemies. One of those looming adversaries is the Vatican ,
ruled by the corrupt Pope Sixtus IV (James Faulkner), whose bloodthirsty
henchmen are tasked with controlling knowledge and silencing perceived enemies.
Lorenzo and Leonardo, however, are attracted to the same
woman, the enigmatic Lucrezia Donati (Laura Haddock), who is spying on both
smitten men for the Vatican .
“Da Vinci’s Demons” is lushly realized. There’s a vibe of
artificiality emanating from its adventurous costume designs and set pieces,
but they mostly enhance the fantasy-history scenarios, which are distinct
enough to create a multifaceted Florence .
Leonardo, or Leo, is presented as an exasperating but
undeniable genius who often saves the day—his keen detective skills and
extensive scientific knowledge often debunking superstitious beliefs and
fallacies. Rooting for him is easy, as the character expectedly manages to
escape his various scrapes with ingenuity and foresight.
But just as alluring as Leo’s use of eidetic memory or his
ambidextrous sword-fighting is his seemingly unending quest to decode his
long-unsolved puzzles. Who and where is his mother? What trauma did his mind
bury and is only partially recovering?
Tying to the gradually unveiling answers is a secret society
of wizened freethinkers, whom Leo encounters mostly through hazy visions and
fever dreams. Occasionally, there’s flashy, music video-esque editing, as well
as sketchy animation, helping illustrate Leonardo’s more “unreal” mind-jaunts
and thought processes.
English actor Riley portrays the titular character
energetically, mesmerizing with Leonardo’s dashing demeanor and enlightening
outbursts, especially in the outstanding fifth episode, “The Tower.” In it,
Leonardo addresses his sexuality, which is still being speculated on centuries
later. The celebrated artist-inventor’s TV version certainly has its
embellishments, but both real and fictional details blur into an amusing
incarnation.
In the same episode, he aptly tells an outwitted enemy:
“This is how history will remember you. Lies, truth—it’s irrelevant. The best
story wins!”
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