Da Vinci’s Demons Season 1, Episode 1 is not a great historical drama. It is a great action-fantasy-mystery that happens to be dressed in historical clothing. It understands that the audience came for two things: the spectacle of genius and the sexiness of forbidden knowledge. It delivers both in spades.
For viewers who want their historical figures venerated, look away. For those who want to see Leonardo da Vinci punch a Pope’s assassin, then sketch a tank, then seduce a Medici’s mistress—all before the opening credits roll in episode two—this pilot is a perfect machine.
Rating: 8/10 (as a genre pilot; 10/10 for sheer audacity)
“The Hanged Man” is streaming on Starz, Amazon Prime, and Blu-ray.
The series premiere of Da Vinci's Demons , titled " The Hanged Man
," sets the stage for a "secret history" that blends Renaissance politics with dark mysticism. It introduces a 25-year-old Leonardo da Vinci (Tom Riley) not as the venerable polymath of history books, but as a restless, swashbuckling insurgent. The Genius and His Demons da vincis demons season 1 episode 1
Leonardo is portrayed as a man "tortured" by superhuman intellect. He struggles with:
A "Void" of Memory: Despite his photographic memory, he cannot recall his mother’s face, viewing it only as a void.
Addictive Escapism: He uses "opium" (hallucinogenic tobacco) to quiet his "endlessly raging thoughts".
Bastardy and Ambition: As an illegitimate son, he yearns for legitimacy while simultaneously mocking the elitist society of Florence. Key Plot Developments Da Vinci's Demons, Season 1, Episode 1: The Hanged Man
In Tarot, The Hanged Man represents suspension, sacrifice, and seeing the world from a new angle. Leonardo, literally hanged from a crane during the episode’s climax (when he stages his own fake hanging to escape guards), must learn to pause his frantic mind and observe. The card will recur throughout the series as a symbol of Leo’s journey toward enlightenment. Da Vinci's Demons — Season 1, Episode 1:
As of 2025, Da Vinci’s Demons streams on:
The episode runtime is 55 minutes (no ads on streaming; 60 minutes with original commercial breaks).
1. The Mind of a Genius The episode’s most distinct visual flourish is the way it visualizes Leonardo’s mind. We see him "drawing" in the air, deconstructing the mechanics of locks, birds, and pulleys in real-time. This CGI effect creates a "Sherlock Holmes" vibe, bridging the gap between the audience and the historical figure's intellect.
2. Historical Mash-up The show does not aim for strict historical accuracy. Instead, it embraces a "history is cool" aesthetic. The costumes, haircuts, and dialogue feel modern. Leonardo is essentially a Renaissance rock star, embodying the spirit of the age rather than the letter of the record.
3. Faith vs. Reason A core tension is established between the Church and free thought. Riario represents the dogma of the Vatican, while Leonardo represents the Enlightenment. However, the episode introduces the supernatural element of the "Book of Leaves" and the mysterious Vault, suggesting that Leonardo's science may eventually brush up against actual magic or divine mystery. The Hanged Man Tarot Card In Tarot, The
1. Vision vs. Reality The show utilizes "time-lapse" visual effects to represent Leonardo's mind. When he designs a machine, the audience sees the 3D blueprint superimposed over the real world. This visual stylistic choice emphasizes that for Leonardo, the imaginary and the real are one and the same.
2. The Reluctant Hero Unlike the traditional serene image of the elderly master, this Leonardo is cocky, sexually active, and deeply flawed. He struggles with his illegitimate birth (he is a bastard son) and seeks to legitimize his existence through greatness. The "Hanged Man" tarot card motif (referenced in the title) serves as a metaphor for Leonardo himself: a man suspended between worlds, sacrificing himself for a higher truth.
3. Historical Remix The episode does not aim for strict historical accuracy. Instead, it takes the "cool" parts of history—da Vinci's flying machines, the political intrigue of the Medicis, and the corruption of the Borgias—and accelerates them for modern television pacing. It reimagines the Renaissance as an era of high-stakes espionage.
Director (and series co-producer) Peter Hoar shoots Florence like a futuristic city trapped in the 15th century. The camera moves with kinetic desperation—crashing zooms, Dutch angles, and slow-motion sequences of Leonardo’s sketches coming to life. When Leonardo designs a repeating crossbow or a diving bell, the CGI renders his notebook drawings as moving blueprints, bleeding into reality.
The aesthetic is deliberately anachronistic. The costumes mix period leather with Victorian tailoring. The violence is sharp and sudden (a throat is cut in a bathhouse; a crucifix is used as a bludgeon). This is not The Borgias. This is 300 meets Sherlock.
