The Borgias

I've never intended to watch every fashionable historical series, but it's not out of place to change the storyline of one format or another from time to time, and I always keep Showtime series in mind as a better choice. But what is a real surprise is the work of Neil Jordan, who remains for me an inscrutable filmmaker. I still love his Interview with the Vampire, but most of his other work has very different strengths and appeals to different audiences. So does The Borgias now belong to the parade of such titles as High Spirits, The Crying Game, Breakfast on Pluto, and Byzantium? If we were to analyze this, we would probably conclude that the invisible thread of those first turbulent years of the papacy under Alexander VI is the theme of the bastards. This is a traditional theme for Neil, to work on material about those on the margins of society, about their ambitions and feelings. Through this lens, then, it's a slam dunk. I can therefore recommend all 3 series full of renaissance morality, fashion, and desire. (06/24/2019)

The first series has a very slow start, but after two or three episodes, even The Borgias can become an audience-pleasing affair. As the clan climbs the popularity ladder, each of them soon makes it clear that they are not taking their name in vain. Cardinal Cesare, his sister Lucrezia and above all their father, His Holiness Rodrigo... An interesting look into the early Renaissance, wonderful costumes, and short trips outside the Vatican. Acting wise, of course, Jeremy Irons and his two wives, the ever-attractive Joanne Whalley and the spicy Lotte Verbeek. (06/09/2019)

In Season 2, the Borgias truly become the family of which legends speak. The naive, cute Lucrezia becomes a cunning, almighty young lady. Cardinal Cesare will do anything for the love of his sister and the respect of his father. The papacy must be protected at all costs. The unbelievable is becoming reality. Of course, there are problems within the family as well. But what really impressed me was the pride of the Sforza family. Their Catherine (played by Gina McKee) doesn't have many comparisons to other women in historical sagas. Not even with another character to whom McKee lent her face, the erratic Irene Forsyte... I'm quite looking forward to the conclusion of this series because creeping evil in sheep's clothing has its own qualities. Although, the heretic of Florence is done too. Will it be Machiavelli’s turn? (06/24/2019)

The only flaw in Season 3 is that there was also a planned Season 4, in which we were supposed to watch the fall of Rodrigo and Cesar. Thus, we end up at the imaginary peak of everyone's powers in the family and the drama is not finished. The happy ending for all the survivors of the Borgia family at the end of this series is bittersweet. The incestuous love between Cesare and Lucretia is at its peak and it's really nice to watch their hunger for each other. The wonderful climax also had the tension between Cesare and Rodrigo, a true ancient drama it was. In the end, what could be stronger than the relationship between father and son who are one? It was also a joy to see the helplessness of Caterina Sforza and the intrigues of the Jews of Constantinople. Micheletto had a surprising romance and the situation at the Neapolitan court was even more intriguing... It was worth it. (07/07/2019)