The Pope disarms King Charles by promising his support for his Neapolitan claims, and wishes to annul Lucrezia's marriage on grounds of her husband's impotency.The Pope disarms King Charles by promising his support for his Neapolitan claims, and wishes to annul Lucrezia's marriage on grounds of her husband's impotency.The Pope disarms King Charles by promising his support for his Neapolitan claims, and wishes to annul Lucrezia's marriage on grounds of her husband's impotency.
Photos
László Konter
- Cardinal Colonna
- (as Laszlo Konter)
Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
Vanozza Cattaneo: We did love our children, did we not, my dear?
Rodrigo Borgia: To a fault.
- SoundtracksThe Borgias Main Titles
Written by Trevor Morris
Featured review
"We are all of us naked before God... even the Pope of Rome... even the King of France"
Although it was far from perfect in the writing and pace, a slow starter on both fronts, there was still an awful lot to enjoy about Season 1 of 'The Borgias'. Namely the production values, the music, the opening titles, many individual scenes and Jeremy Irons. It, and the rest of the show, is rife with historical inaccuracies, but didn't watch 'The Borgias' to watch a history lesson when that was not the intent. Watched it instead to watch well made gutsy entertainment based on a fascinating historical period, and got that and more.
For me, all the previous eight episodes were very enjoyable, with big flaws but also several significant strengths that out-weighed them. "Death on a Pale Horse" saw the show properly hit its stride, despite not caring for the Cesare and Ursula subplot and Ursula herself. "The Art of War" was even better, but had the same problems. The best episode of Season 1 though is "Nessuno (Nobody)", found it to be great with many outstanding strengths.
Not quite perfect though. Ursula is still a bland character, but because she shows a more sympathetic side for Lucrezia she is a little more bearable here. With a lot going on, it is ever so slightly rushed in spots.
However, there are quite a few standout scenes here. Absolutely adored the scene between Rodrigo and Charles, one of the season's best written scenes and it saw Michel Muller give one of his better performances (perhaps his best) of the show, as it showed a softer and more conflicted side in alternative to the bluster seen before and it was for that scene alone. Rodrigo's scene with the cardinals was full of chilling authority and the flies in a spider's web feel is still evident, enhanced by Jeremy Irons' line delivery.
The treatment of Giovanni, as suitably repellent as ever, is oh so satisfying and one of the season's and show's most entertaining moments. The ending was absolutely adorable and a nice way to end the episode and season, didn't feel too pat either. Rodrigo and Burkhart have a nice scene together too, while it is hard not to love the tenderness of the chemistry between Cesare and Lucrezia or the creepiness of Micheletto.
Loved Jeremy Irons' Rodrigo from the very start and continued to love him throughout. He doesn't disappoint in "Nessuno (Nobody), his delivery in the scene with the cardinals sends tingles down the spine, relishes the treatment of Giovanni with humorous glee and is every bit as great in his more subtle acting in his scene with Muller. Francois Arnaud and Holliday Grainger both give their best performances of the season here, Ronan Vibert is suitably repellent and Sean Harris is creepy.
Visually, 'The Borgias' continues to have very high production values with "Nessuno (Nobody)", that was never a problem and continually one of the best of the good things about the show. The exquisitely designed and richly coloured costumes, especially Lucrezia's, and scenery and interiors are wow-worthy, and the beautiful photography rivals period dramas on film. The music still has the beauty and intensity that were present in the previous episodes. Meanwhile the opening titles sequences and main theme still give me the chills. one of my favourite opening titles sequences of all time (film and television). The main theme is incredible, the sheer intensity, grandeur and drama (already sending chills down the spine and induces goosebumps before the episode's even begun) makes it one of my favourite main themes for any show. Matched by splendidly and cleverly designed visuals.
Concluding, great and Season 1's high point. 9/10
For me, all the previous eight episodes were very enjoyable, with big flaws but also several significant strengths that out-weighed them. "Death on a Pale Horse" saw the show properly hit its stride, despite not caring for the Cesare and Ursula subplot and Ursula herself. "The Art of War" was even better, but had the same problems. The best episode of Season 1 though is "Nessuno (Nobody)", found it to be great with many outstanding strengths.
Not quite perfect though. Ursula is still a bland character, but because she shows a more sympathetic side for Lucrezia she is a little more bearable here. With a lot going on, it is ever so slightly rushed in spots.
However, there are quite a few standout scenes here. Absolutely adored the scene between Rodrigo and Charles, one of the season's best written scenes and it saw Michel Muller give one of his better performances (perhaps his best) of the show, as it showed a softer and more conflicted side in alternative to the bluster seen before and it was for that scene alone. Rodrigo's scene with the cardinals was full of chilling authority and the flies in a spider's web feel is still evident, enhanced by Jeremy Irons' line delivery.
The treatment of Giovanni, as suitably repellent as ever, is oh so satisfying and one of the season's and show's most entertaining moments. The ending was absolutely adorable and a nice way to end the episode and season, didn't feel too pat either. Rodrigo and Burkhart have a nice scene together too, while it is hard not to love the tenderness of the chemistry between Cesare and Lucrezia or the creepiness of Micheletto.
Loved Jeremy Irons' Rodrigo from the very start and continued to love him throughout. He doesn't disappoint in "Nessuno (Nobody), his delivery in the scene with the cardinals sends tingles down the spine, relishes the treatment of Giovanni with humorous glee and is every bit as great in his more subtle acting in his scene with Muller. Francois Arnaud and Holliday Grainger both give their best performances of the season here, Ronan Vibert is suitably repellent and Sean Harris is creepy.
Visually, 'The Borgias' continues to have very high production values with "Nessuno (Nobody)", that was never a problem and continually one of the best of the good things about the show. The exquisitely designed and richly coloured costumes, especially Lucrezia's, and scenery and interiors are wow-worthy, and the beautiful photography rivals period dramas on film. The music still has the beauty and intensity that were present in the previous episodes. Meanwhile the opening titles sequences and main theme still give me the chills. one of my favourite opening titles sequences of all time (film and television). The main theme is incredible, the sheer intensity, grandeur and drama (already sending chills down the spine and induces goosebumps before the episode's even begun) makes it one of my favourite main themes for any show. Matched by splendidly and cleverly designed visuals.
Concluding, great and Season 1's high point. 9/10
helpful•41
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 4, 2019
Details
- Runtime48 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 16 : 9
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