Was incredibly fond of 'The Borgias' from the very beginning when first watching it. Did find on re-watches that Season 1 didn't hit its stride until halfway through and wasn't perfect in the writing and pacing but both improved drastically in the second half of the season. Never found either a problem really in my viewings of Season 2's episodes, apart from one dragged out subplot, and the many good things about before were even better. When it comes to second seasons for any show, for me that for 'The Borgias' is among the best and most consistent.
Have always loved all of Season 2's episodes and on an equal level, hence what was meant by the season being so consistent, for all the same main reasons and each episode's memorable scenes, quotes and such. For me, and there will be the odd spoiler enclosed, the season finale "The Confession" is not just the best episode of Season 2 but also the best episode of 'The Borgias' up to this point. And a contender for the best episode of the show. Just love everything about it, with the best assets being so amazingly done.
So much so that Rodrigo's seeming obliviousness as to why the rest of the family hated Juan so much and saw what he was really like being something of a not so buyable surprise didn't actually bother me that terribly.
"The Confession" is especially a must watch for one scene alone, a scene that is the individual highlight of the whole of 'The Borgias'. That is even, as far as previous episodes go, 'The Borgias' is a show full of great scenes like with Giulia's confessional scene, the geopolitics, Rodrigo's dressing down of Juan, the scene between Rodrigo and Charles, Lucrezia's cookery lesson, the climax of "The Choice" and the giving up your vanities scene. That highlight is Juan's burial, 'The Borgias' most perfect marriage of visuals, music (in the best scored scene of the show, never was this epic), emotion (absolutely heart-wrenching, a tissue box by your side is a requirement) and acting. Jeremy Irons' acting in this scene is some of his best of the whole show, without saying a single word pretty much, and some of my favourite acting of his overall because it plays to his strengths so well and does justice as to why many regard him so highly.
Savonarola's brutal exit, Rodrigo's reaction to Lucrezia's opening up her true feelings about Juan, all the chemistry between Rodrigo and Cesare (always one of the show's highlights) and the single most shocking ending of any episode of 'The Borgias' are also memorable moments. And the dance choreography, gorgeous as always. The dialogue shows how the writing has advanced so significantly, the above quote in the review summary is not even the best line. The best lines actually belong to Lucrezia and Vanozza.
Acting is extremely good across the board, especially Irons. With Francois Arnaud's intensity close behind and Holliday Grainger has also come on a long way the more interesting Lucrezia has become. Am going to somewhat miss Steven Berkoff's delicious Savonarola. The sumptuousness of the costumes and overall period detail never fails to amaze. Even more of a star here is the music, especially in that particular scene, the main theme and opening titles sequence still brings chills up the spine.
In summary, outstanding episode and 'The Borgias' at its best. 10/10
Have always loved all of Season 2's episodes and on an equal level, hence what was meant by the season being so consistent, for all the same main reasons and each episode's memorable scenes, quotes and such. For me, and there will be the odd spoiler enclosed, the season finale "The Confession" is not just the best episode of Season 2 but also the best episode of 'The Borgias' up to this point. And a contender for the best episode of the show. Just love everything about it, with the best assets being so amazingly done.
So much so that Rodrigo's seeming obliviousness as to why the rest of the family hated Juan so much and saw what he was really like being something of a not so buyable surprise didn't actually bother me that terribly.
"The Confession" is especially a must watch for one scene alone, a scene that is the individual highlight of the whole of 'The Borgias'. That is even, as far as previous episodes go, 'The Borgias' is a show full of great scenes like with Giulia's confessional scene, the geopolitics, Rodrigo's dressing down of Juan, the scene between Rodrigo and Charles, Lucrezia's cookery lesson, the climax of "The Choice" and the giving up your vanities scene. That highlight is Juan's burial, 'The Borgias' most perfect marriage of visuals, music (in the best scored scene of the show, never was this epic), emotion (absolutely heart-wrenching, a tissue box by your side is a requirement) and acting. Jeremy Irons' acting in this scene is some of his best of the whole show, without saying a single word pretty much, and some of my favourite acting of his overall because it plays to his strengths so well and does justice as to why many regard him so highly.
Savonarola's brutal exit, Rodrigo's reaction to Lucrezia's opening up her true feelings about Juan, all the chemistry between Rodrigo and Cesare (always one of the show's highlights) and the single most shocking ending of any episode of 'The Borgias' are also memorable moments. And the dance choreography, gorgeous as always. The dialogue shows how the writing has advanced so significantly, the above quote in the review summary is not even the best line. The best lines actually belong to Lucrezia and Vanozza.
Acting is extremely good across the board, especially Irons. With Francois Arnaud's intensity close behind and Holliday Grainger has also come on a long way the more interesting Lucrezia has become. Am going to somewhat miss Steven Berkoff's delicious Savonarola. The sumptuousness of the costumes and overall period detail never fails to amaze. Even more of a star here is the music, especially in that particular scene, the main theme and opening titles sequence still brings chills up the spine.
In summary, outstanding episode and 'The Borgias' at its best. 10/10
