Loved 'The Borgias' when seeing it. Binge-watching it recently, still like it enormously and it is truly addictive viewing, evident from watching four episodes in one sitting one night. Despite this time round noticing that it was a slow starter and that there were flaws not noticed before when the show was still settling mainly. There are still so many things to love about and a few assets are quite special.
Despite the pace and writing being uneven in the show, the general feeling though being both did improve over-time, there are some truly great scenes in every episode and there are assets that were great or more from the very start and were consistently so. Those being the production values, music, opening titles sequence and the acting of Jeremy Irons. Inaccuracies are many, but personally watched the show on its own terms rather than expecting one hundred percent fidelity to history, which 'The Borgias' in the first place was never about, and it is wholly successful on that front.
After a promising first two episodes in "The Poisoned Chalice" and "The Assassin", "The Moor" doesn't disappoint on the most part. While there are still issues, and actually issues that are new rather than the same ones, there is also an enormous amount to admire.
The dialogue is still inconsistent, many parts are thought-provoking and tense like between Rodrigo, getting the best lines again, and Cesare and then we have too many lines that stick out like a sore thumb (i.e. the somewhat anachronistic golden calf line). Augustus Prew is far too camp as Alfonso and comes across as more annoying than menacing, that laugh just grates.
Was very mixed on the public swimming bath scene, it started off very suspensefully and shockingly and then got ridiculous, it made Micheletto look stupid when he really is the creepiest character on 'The Borgias'. Djem is fairly bland as a character, though his chemistry with Lucrezia is charming.
However, the pacing has improved, helped with more going on in the story (perhaps a little too much at times) and the time flies by, was never bored and was always intrigued. There is less of a still setting up feel and things start to advance, even if the characters are intentionally unpleasant they are becoming interesting with each episode. Really liked that we saw more of Juan, and this is the episode where he becomes interesting and comes into his own, with David Oakes doing a great job. Lucrezia is not a properly interesting character yet, it took until episode 5 before that happened, but Holliday Grainger does have enchanting moments.
In terms of storytelling, a memorable scene was with the skeletons. That was stomach churning and quite scary, one of not many scenes from Season 1 to be described that. The dancing was beautifully choreographed and the ending is shocking (not as much as the one of the previous episode though) even when one knows it was going to happen. Some may find the potential suitors scene clumsy, actually thought it was pretty amusing and Jeremy Irons' exasperated facial expressions had a lot to do with it.
Jeremy Irons again sinks his teeth into Rodrigo and embodies his complex personality, he may be miscast physically but the performance again is right on the money in my eyes. The gravitas, the menace, the intensity and the charm, the relishing of the lines, all there. Found his final scene very telling. Francois Arnaud is becoming more comfortable the meatier his material gets, while Lotte Verbeek is one to watch, Sean Harris is terrifying and Colm Feore has the right authority for his role.
"The Moor" looks stunning again visually, though other episodes have more standout scenes in this regard. It is just so exquisitely shot, whether in more intimate scenes or the more expansive ones. The costumes, interiors and scenery left me in awe in their rich colours and attention to detail, as well as their authenticity. Having the feel of stepping into a Renaissance painting. Have said already about how big an impact the music had on me, so beautifully performed and sung. In the dramatic parts it manages to not be intrusive and it really stirs the emotions. Am amazed at having not mentioned in my review for the show the opening titles sequence, a glaring over-sight. 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, it makes for one of my all-time favourite opening title sequences.
Summarising, very well done on the most part. 8/10
Despite the pace and writing being uneven in the show, the general feeling though being both did improve over-time, there are some truly great scenes in every episode and there are assets that were great or more from the very start and were consistently so. Those being the production values, music, opening titles sequence and the acting of Jeremy Irons. Inaccuracies are many, but personally watched the show on its own terms rather than expecting one hundred percent fidelity to history, which 'The Borgias' in the first place was never about, and it is wholly successful on that front.
After a promising first two episodes in "The Poisoned Chalice" and "The Assassin", "The Moor" doesn't disappoint on the most part. While there are still issues, and actually issues that are new rather than the same ones, there is also an enormous amount to admire.
The dialogue is still inconsistent, many parts are thought-provoking and tense like between Rodrigo, getting the best lines again, and Cesare and then we have too many lines that stick out like a sore thumb (i.e. the somewhat anachronistic golden calf line). Augustus Prew is far too camp as Alfonso and comes across as more annoying than menacing, that laugh just grates.
Was very mixed on the public swimming bath scene, it started off very suspensefully and shockingly and then got ridiculous, it made Micheletto look stupid when he really is the creepiest character on 'The Borgias'. Djem is fairly bland as a character, though his chemistry with Lucrezia is charming.
However, the pacing has improved, helped with more going on in the story (perhaps a little too much at times) and the time flies by, was never bored and was always intrigued. There is less of a still setting up feel and things start to advance, even if the characters are intentionally unpleasant they are becoming interesting with each episode. Really liked that we saw more of Juan, and this is the episode where he becomes interesting and comes into his own, with David Oakes doing a great job. Lucrezia is not a properly interesting character yet, it took until episode 5 before that happened, but Holliday Grainger does have enchanting moments.
In terms of storytelling, a memorable scene was with the skeletons. That was stomach churning and quite scary, one of not many scenes from Season 1 to be described that. The dancing was beautifully choreographed and the ending is shocking (not as much as the one of the previous episode though) even when one knows it was going to happen. Some may find the potential suitors scene clumsy, actually thought it was pretty amusing and Jeremy Irons' exasperated facial expressions had a lot to do with it.
Jeremy Irons again sinks his teeth into Rodrigo and embodies his complex personality, he may be miscast physically but the performance again is right on the money in my eyes. The gravitas, the menace, the intensity and the charm, the relishing of the lines, all there. Found his final scene very telling. Francois Arnaud is becoming more comfortable the meatier his material gets, while Lotte Verbeek is one to watch, Sean Harris is terrifying and Colm Feore has the right authority for his role.
"The Moor" looks stunning again visually, though other episodes have more standout scenes in this regard. It is just so exquisitely shot, whether in more intimate scenes or the more expansive ones. The costumes, interiors and scenery left me in awe in their rich colours and attention to detail, as well as their authenticity. Having the feel of stepping into a Renaissance painting. Have said already about how big an impact the music had on me, so beautifully performed and sung. In the dramatic parts it manages to not be intrusive and it really stirs the emotions. Am amazed at having not mentioned in my review for the show the opening titles sequence, a glaring over-sight. 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, it makes for one of my all-time favourite opening title sequences.
Summarising, very well done on the most part. 8/10
