A chronicle of the life of Leonardo da Vinci begins with the Italian artist-inventor in his mid-20s, when he is commissioned by the Medicis to create an Easter spectacle in Florence. Later, he's hired to build war machines, and meets a mysterious Turk.

Leonardo continues his quest for the Book of Leaves. The Pope's nephew arrives and meets his spy. Leonardo's war designs fail, causing a rift with the Medicis. The Pope learns of Leonardo's prowess.

Riario engages the Pope and a mysterious prisoner in a discussion concerning the count's defeat, while Leonardo searches for a rational explanation when an outbreak of demonic possession occurs at a convent, and the blame is placed on the Medicis.

Bechhi is accused of spying for Rome and arrested; Leonardo unveils his latest weapon when the armies of Rome and Florence square off. Later, at a party in his honor, Leonardo is arrested and charged with sodomy.

Lorenzo demands that Leonardo's estranged father defend his son in court. Later, Leonardo surprises a corrupt judge during a performance for visiting royals, and is surprised himself when the Turk makes an appearance at the workshop.

The Turk's clue about the Book of Leaves leads Leonardo to Wallachia and an encounter with Vlad Dracula, while Lorenzo and Piero have a meeting with the Duke of Urbino. Later, the spy search intensifies.

Leonardo constructs a suit for underwater transportation and takes to the sewers to enter the Vatican, where he meets the pope and a mysterious prisoner. Meanwhile, Giuliano reveals the identity of spy in Rome.

The Pazzis set in motion a plan to cuddle Lorenzo and Giuliano on Easter Sunday, while the Turk tells Leonardo the location of the Book of Leaves. Later, Lucrezia serves up a startling revelation as Leonardo steps in to save the Medicis.