The Dogs of War

 

 

A wounded Placidi has revealed Piero's secrets to Leo, reminding all of the baddies among our readers to not betray cohorts who know your plans for European domination or they might spill the beans. Or as Placidi says: "He should have treated me better!" Realizing the extent of Piero's schemes, Leo hurries to the workshop to sabotage his marvelous super weapon. Rocco walks in and catches him and Leo explains to him that Piero killed his father. Naturally, Rocco doesn't believe him and (characteristically) threatens to have Leo executed for treason. In a crowning moment of awesome, Verrocchio daringly knocks the hot-headed Duke out with a painting.

 

A thing of beauty is a weapon forever

 

 To prove to Rocco that Piero is a traitor, Mac and Rocco hide inside the tank and Leo confronts Piero with the handkerchief stained with cyanide that he used to kill the Duke. He readily admits to Leo that he did indeed kill the Duke, finally convincing the rather dimwitted Rocco that he is a major threat. Piero believes Leo's assertion that he hasn't told anyone else yet and tries to wheedle him into joining in his quest for continent-wide conquest. Naturally, Leo refuses to participate in his nefarious scheme and Piero moves to kill him. Mac and Rocco pop out of hiding to save Leo. 

 

*Insert random joke about Inigo Montoya*

 

 Rocco orders his men to arrest Piero, but it turns out they are secretly under Medici control and Rocco and the boys are seized. Leo refuses to right his sabotage of the machine, so Piero orders his men to kill Mac. 

 

 

 

 Leo replaces the missing parts to save Mac, but in the end it does no good as Piero claims that the pair are spies from Milan and throws them and Rocco in a cell in the Medici palace. He decides to frame Mac and Leo for Rocco's murder and plans to proceed with the invasion of Milan. At this moment one begins to wonder what has happened to Tom, but forgets just as quickly since things are getting really interesting.

 

"Crap! We've spent almost the whole series in jail!"

Meanwhile, Lorenzo has gone by Mac's house and found Placidi who reveals all. Lorenzo goes to the house where he and Lisa were held after the masqued ball and tries the key Placidi gives him. It fits and he is forced to acknowledge that his own father had him kidnapped. He runs to find Leo just in time to see Piero's men drag him away from Verrocchio's workshop. When Piero lies to him about the whereabouts of Rocco, Lorenzo realizes all of Leo's past suspicions about his father are true. 

 

"NOOOOOOOO!"

 

 He steals the key to the cell from his father and shows up seemingly to express his disgust at his friend's traitorous ways. However, he has really drugged the guards and springs the trio from their cell. Lorenzo confronts his father who tries to persuade him to join him. Lorenzo refuses, but is unable to bring himself to kill his own father. Rocco easily disarms the remainder of the Medici guards and the heroic band rushes to seize the tank before Piero can use it. Alas, they are too late, arriving just in time to see the tank burst out of Verrocchio's workshop. 

 

Although about to die horribly, Leo couldn't help pausing to admire his workmanship

 

Rocco orders his men to fire on the tank, but the rounds just bounce harmlessly off of the protective shell. As Piero prepares to fire on Rocco and his men he discovers that the tank's cannon will not work. Evil triumph quickly turns to dismay and howling rage as Tom at last makes an appearance. 

 

"Looking for this?"

 

She cleverly disguised herself as a cleaning girl and sneaked past Piero's guards to remove the flint from Leo's tank. With the super weapon out of commission, Piero challenges Rocco to one-on-one combat. Piero goads Rocco into losing his temper and he stabs him through the torso. Piero then moves to regain the upper hand with the confused Florentine throng, claiming that it was Rocco who killed the former Duke. He has Verrocchio, Mac and Tom arrested for conspiring with the Duke. Leo desperately grabs a sword to defend his friends, but unfortunately he has no idea how to use it. 

 

 

 

 

As Piero prepares to kill him, Leo strikes the flint off of his blade forming a spark that burns Piero's eyes and Leo disarms him. Lorenzo denounces his father and he is dragged away to be executed for treason. Leo is universally regarded as the hero of Florence and everyone celebrates except for Lorenzo who is upset over his father. His friends manage to cheer him up slightly and everyone is happy as Piero is at last defeated. 

 

Happily ever after

 

Lose a father, regain a fencing tutor

 

 Not so fast. Cut to the Florentine jail where Piero persuades the jailer to deliver a mysterious message for him. Cue evil smile and series three is properly set up. 

 

Florence really needs a larger jail

 

This was a nicely staged series finale with each of the friend's stories being shown in flashback. With plenty of sword fights and more allegiance changing guards than you can shake a stick at, "The Dogs of War" has something for everyone. Whether or not Leonardo will be commissioned for a second series is not yet certain. We will have to see if all we get is two series. In the mean time for the love of God, CBBC please just release some DVDs!