REVIEW - The Borgias - SERIES FINALE - S03E10

In Micheletto’s continued absence Cesare relies on the sneaky Machiavelli as he plans his next move to carve out a Kingdom of his own and become a ‘Prince’. Forli will be taken by force and under Cesare's own terms. The problem is the Pope is not quite ready yet to hand over the reigns and has his own designs for his surviving son.

Catarina Sforza's busy little spies inform her that Rome’s army is descending on Forli. This, she thinks, gives her 10 days to bunker down and protect her domain. However, she has no idea that Cesare had already dispatched his French Army and she is surrounded. Will she surrender or go down in legend as a women who never backed down, even in the face of death and destruction.

The finale we have all been waiting for is here. Cesare is well and truly out of his father's shadow, the Pope managed to survive multiple poisonings and assassination attempts and Lucrezia leaves another fated marriage. As you would expect, loose ends are tied up but not all. There needs to be a thread or two to the next season, if there is to be one.

Season 3 did not disappoint and is another classic series to add to the Borgia box set.

Review by JoAnn Duff

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Showtime Renews Nurse Jackie and Axes The Borgias

In the same week that Showtime cancels period show The Borgias, it renews popular dramedy Nurse Jackie for a sixth season.

Season 5 of Nurse Jackie is currently airing, with the final on June 16. Showtime network president David Nevins said that they were thrilled with the series progress and "under the leadership of Clyde Phillips... this show is as sharp and compelling as ever."

However The Borgias previous season 3 finale will now act as it's series finale after an announcement was made yesterday. The two-hour wrap up movie that was also planned was scrapped with show creator Neil Jordan telling Deadline it was due to financial reasons. "I would have loved to bring all the characters to a conclusion. All of the actors were heartbroken we couldn’t continue, and so was I.”

Information was gathered from these articles.
Article by Sofie Kiriakidis

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E08

It is the start of the grand celebrations in Rome and for once Rodrigo Pope Alexander is seen to be doing Pope-ey stuff! He appears solemn and dressed in all the finery and grandeur you would expect of a Renaissance Pope. The crowd looks on while he addresses the people of Rome and opens his doors and offers forgiveness at a price. The sweet sound of jewels and coins for sins paid for fill the Papal House and the wealth amassed is plenty.

One lady is not celebrating, and that is Catarina Sforza. Benito’s body is returned to her and she is full of hate and hell bent on revenge at the loss of her only son. She wants the Borgia’s wiped out and will not stop until she gets her way starting by diverting the flood of Pilgrims to Rome by claiming to have the shroud of turin. However, the Borgia’s will not stand quietly and Cesare is dispatched to exterminate her and collect the shroud for authenticity back at the Vatican.

Meanwhile I cannot help but feel sorry for the cold blooded psychopath Micheletto. He thinks he has found love but all he has done is let a spy into the Borgia household. What fate will behold him and his lover when the web of lies comes undone?

Episode 8 cannot come soon enough as we head towards the final few episodes. The momentum is building nicely and that will be a grand finale no doubt.

Review by JoAnn Duff

More of JoAnn's works can be found at her blog.

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E07

Episode seven is about unions. Bad ones, passionate ones, religious ones, tangled ones and forbidden ones.

Cesare and his army are trying to capture Milan in a carefully balanced power negotiation with the French army. Micheletto gets some rare downtime from killing and torturing on behalf of the Borgia dynasty and is shown around Milan by a handsome stranger who takes him to a deserted house which belonged to Leonardo Da Vinci. He shows him Leonardo’s contraptions and inventions as well as something else entirely. There should be more of Sean Harris on screen as Micheletto has such a presence, intriguing story and is acted so well you are left wanting more every time he leaves the screen. It is a real treat when there are episodes which focus on him.

Back in Rome Guilia Farnese makes a re-appearance after being extricated from the Papal house. She has a new suitor and wishes Pope Alexander to approve the union while in Naples Lucrezia pushes hard to toughen up her soft yet pretty Duke husband. However, he is not interested in conflict and just wants a peaceful life. The price you pay for a peaceful life in the time of Borgia is a short one. It looks like Lucrezia has to wear the pants in this partnership and protect herself by making a power play of her own.

By far the most interesting storyline in this episode is Ludovico Sforza’s deal with the devil (or should that be the Pope?). He has been keeping Caterina’s only son in hiding and gives him up to the Borgia’s in return for safe passage and a life spared. What he didn’t count on was Michelleto mistaking capture for murder and as with every deal made by anyone it this season of the Borgia’s, there will be dire consequences.

Review by JoAnn Duff

You can find more of JoAnn's work on her blog.

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E06

Death, pestilence and the plague are rife in Naples, so is it the right place to bring a Borgia heir? Michelletto thinks so as he smuggles Lucrezia's baby from Rome back into his doting mothers arms to the disbelief of her husband.

Meanwhile in Rome it’s turning 1500 AD and Pope Alexander sees fit to plan a spectacular show to mark the 1500th year of our Lord. He expects pilgrims to come from all over Christendom and hopefully donate and fill his coffers. The narcissistic egomaniac also commissions a portrait and gets busy organizing an outrageous event. One of his cardinals comes up with a grand idea for gold coin where Pilgrims literally pay for their sins with coins with a coin box outside each confessional.

Caterina Sforza is still plotting as usual and pulls a stunt with a plague filled rag. I am unsure if she really does plan to destroy the Borgia family or maybe she just enjoys pontificating and walking up and down in front of good looking sons from powerful Italian families. Now we reach episode six I hope that thinks will begin to happen.

The Jews are descending on Rome daily, more and more are pouring in and Pope Alexander sees a chance to grab yet more gold coins. For the Jews to stay and trade and live happily in Rome they must contribute generously. While the negotiations are in full swing the Pope is interrupted. The French army is descending with the newly married Cesare as it’s Commander. Is there anyone else in the world in 1500? Or is the whole world’s population nestled and squeezed tightly into Rome. Surely is only a matter of time before the pressures give way.

Review by JoAnn Duff

You can find more of JoAnn's work on her blog.

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E05

This episode is all about the women. Strong women, sexy women, evil women and mad women.

Katarina Sforza is back on the scene after an episode of absence and is still building a union of key Italian power families with her narcissistic self at the helm. Lucrezia is heartbroken as she gives up her illegitimate baby who is to be brought up by her parents out of the public eye as per her marriage negotiations. As she leaves with a heavy, weeping heart to set up her marital home in Naples Michelleto, the Borgia’s faithful guard stays by her side. The Pope however barely notices her sadness and shows no empathy as she leaves her baby behind for a new life without her beloved son. The faithful Michelleto seems to be the only one to listen to Lucrezia’s woes and who understands her pain and want for revenge.

The pre-occupied Pope rather than be a good father and grandfather, seems more interested in sleeping with other noblemen’s wives. However the latest seductive conquest may be one of the most beautiful to ever visit the Vatican, but is also the most unhinged. Has Pope Alexander bitten off more than he can chew?

Cesare arrives in Avignon, France in search of another woman (as if The Borgia’s don’t have their hands full enough). He needs to find a wife to strengthen the Borgia dynasty and also to hopefully snuff out the fires of passion that burn deep for his little sister. Whilst surrounded by strong, beautiful French ladies-in-waiting he is also there to work on powerful negotiations with France, which could take the Borgia household to new heights of control, power and wealth.

Review by JoAnn Duff

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E03

This episode is all about Cesare (Francois Arnaud). It’s any wonder he can think straight with the pressures and issues he has to deal with, seemingly on his own. He continues to protect his family from assassination, works to rebuild a weak Papal army, travels to Naples to negotiate his sisters dowry all the while fighting a growing urge to bed his own sister Lucrezia and also finding a new bride in France. All in a days work for the son of Borgia.

Giovanni, Lucrezias betrothed takes Cesare to Naples to meet his father and discuss the dowry. This does not go well. They do not wish the bastard son of Lucrezia to be recognized and want him removed from the household. Cesare takes immediate offence and if you have watched any Borgia’s episode you know that no one will dishonor another Borgia and get away with it. All the while, weak young Giovanni stands by quietly not defending his wife to-be’s honour. Alliance or no alliance weakness will not be tolerated in the Borgia Dynasty and Cesare will ensure it. Will he step up or become collateral damage.

Katarina Sforza is all over the papal house, and even manages an invitation to Lucrezia’s wedding. Spies, bribes, power plays and plotters in dark corners flutter in the shadows as Katarina Sforza garnishes information and power, right under the nose of the Borgia’s. How can Pope Alexander let her into his household?

Pope Alexander (Jeremy Irons) in the meantime has a slightly easier time. No poisonings or assassinations for him and as he recovers he starts to create alliances and form bonds of his own. Even if it means using his children as pawns in his powerful game.

Review by JoAnn Duff

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E02

Katerina Sforza has declared open warfare against the Borgias. After the failed poisoning of Rodrigo (Pope Alexander VI) and the failed assassination attempt of the entire Borgia family, Katerina has to move fast to save her own skin. She seeks to be rid of the Borgias once and for all by gathering and grooming an army of young blooded Italians from some of the most powerful families in Rome. The power hungry and the ‘2^nd Sons’, looking for a chance to overthrow the family Borgia and create powerful paths for themselves.

Rodrigo Borgia is still frail, struggling with the loss of his virility and recovering slowly. He pulls his wife Vanozza closer to him, who is an ever loyal advisor, and seems to fully accept the mistress Giulia Farnese as a second wife and full member of the household. While the Pope clings to his health and his sanity the family looks to handsome, strong Cesare to protect his family and strike back. With Della Rovere still on the run, also another threat to the Borgia dynasty, who must be stopped. Cesare and his faithful manservant Micheletto stalk Rome to find out Katerina’s next move and the whereabouts of the fugitive Della Rovere.

It becomes time to act, ‘to snip the silken threads of the spiders’. Pope Alexander demands an inquisition. It’s a risky maneuver and Cardinal Sforza becomes the first head on the chopping block. He tries to distance himself from the other Sforza’s and seeks alliance with the Borgias. Can he be trusted? How valuable can he become to Pope Alexander?

Episode two also touches on Lucrezia and her new husband to be, who is a virgin and certainly no match for the experienced and devilish Lucrezia, while the incestual chemistry between Cesare and Lucrezia escalates and becomes more apparent. Can Cesare resist?

This episode stakes out each characters side and builds slowly ready to unfold the secrets and wars of the dynasty of Rome. There can be one thing for certain, episode three will be driven by sex, revenge and many more assassination attempts.

Review by JoAnn Duff

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REVIEW - The Borgias - S03E01

The promotions, posters and trailers for season 3 promised opulence, drama and a lot of intrigue, plotting and murder. Just perfect for a holy family leading Rome at the turn of the 16^th Century. If episode one is anything to go by we are in for another sensual, dramatic, delicious treat, which will deliver just as seasons one and two did.

The episode starts with a quick catch up of season two. It gets us right up to speed and reminds us of brother murdered by brother, beautiful Lucrezia used as a pawn in the families numerous calculating moves, the Sforza family power struggle and culminating in the poisoning of Pope Alexander with cantarella by his own priests who want the Spaniard off the Papal throne which was where we left the Borgias in season two.

The opening scene is dark, rich and heavy. The use of slow motion and music sucks you straight back into the Papal household while Pope Alexander clings to life. Lucrezia quickly administers charcoal to try and save her father and stop the poison taking his soul. Cesare exacts swift and immediate revenge wasting no time on seeking vengeance for his father, although it’s a perfect chance for Cesare to see his own path and step into the sun, out of the shade of his dead brother Juan and step out from his father's coat tails.

I love seeing Cesare’s right hand man Micheletto back in season 3. He is so cold, unpredictable yet loyal (at the moment) to his master. I follow him whenever he is on screen and Sean Harris does a great job in such a strong supporting role as the devoted follower of Cesare.

The Sforza clan are always on the radar, on the periphery waiting for yet another opportunity to reclaim power and this will no doubt set the tone for revenge, intrigue, plotting and murder, particularly as the poisoning of the Pope was unsuccessful. Either the cantarella was too weak or god was smiling on the Pope Rodrigo Borgia, which kept his heart beating and keeps him clinging to power. The Pope is played with gravitas and old school theatrical cool by the ever-handsome Jeremy Irons who is just perfect for this role and I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing the part.

The first episode keeps a solid pace, all the characters are so layered and have their own storylines strong enough to see out season 3, but who will be lucky enough to survive?

Let’s be honest, it’s not the most historically factual program about Pope Alexander and his family but it is salacious, well produced, with outstanding costumes and a cast worthy of any great drama. I cannot wait for episode two!

Review by JoAnn Duff

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