Word seems to be getting around that Merisi is a very talented painter. In bed with malaria, Michele himself is the last one to hear about it.

Young Michele thus enters into the service of Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, man of culture and art connoisseur. All he has to do is what he does best: paint.

We learn of the death of Francesco Cenci from a conversation between the Cardinal and one of his guests. Michele arrives too, at a reception, where his latest painting is on display. He makes an impression as someone who speaks his mind.

Michele goes back to the tavern Ranuccio and Fillide frequent. He challenges Ranuccio.

Caravaggio (as he begins calling himself) and Ranuccio play real tennis. Who's going to win?

Michele finishes his painting of Fillide and they have a moment to get to know each other better.

Michele is at dinner at Fillide's home. The conversation turns to a grim story of patricide involving someone he knows and he can't let it go. Things get out of hand.

Michele returns to the palace but the Cardinal is not happy. Beatrice is on trial at the papal court and is trying to defend herself.

Michele is distraught about Beatrice Cenci but at this point, there is nothing he can do. He confides in Costanza Colonna, who warns him to keep his ideas to himself.

The Inquisition had a repressive function and its task was to defend the integrity of the faith. One of its many victims was Giordano Bruno, an Italian philosopher, writer, and Dominican friar who lived in the 16th century. For his theories, judged heretical by the tribunal of the Inquisition of the Papal State, Bruno was condemned and burned at the stake in Rome on February 17, 1600.

Michele has been working on a painting with Fillide as one of the models, but she is getting tired of the long hours. He tells her the story of the painting.

The Cardinal gives Michele a stern talking-to, but then gives him some surprising news.

Finally, Caravaggio's paintings are finished and on display in public, amazing all those who see them. Michele is on his best behavior.

Some colleagues of Caravaggio's try to belittle his work and tell him how he should have finished the painting. Outside, young artists want to study with him but he says he has nothing to teach them.

Michele hears that one of his paintings is in the home of the notary, who is not a friend. He wants to understand how that could have happened.