User Reviews

All You Need Is Love, if only life was that simple. It's what Lucrezia learned the hard way at the end of the past installment. Watching such a delicate thing brutalized by her husband was just painful so I'm glad it only lasted a few seconds. In fact it's not surprising considering the premiere confirmed the show wasn't for voyeurs. It leads us to Lotte Verbeek who is just ravishing as Giulia Farnese, a perfect balance of grace and wit. I like how her every moves and words contrast with Jeremy Irons cold portrayal of Pope Alexander VI. That's why the very first scene was so pleasing. In the one hand it was unexpected and in the other it was well executed even if I found it too short. So I really hope the upcoming episodes will feature similar creative moments because they would be more than welcome. Moreover like in The Poisoned Chalice I also noticed a few interesting camera angles. Filming right in the eye of the beholder !

But despite its undeniable qualities, that conducted Showtime to order a second season the day after this 5th episode was aired, the show is beginning to reveal some weaknesses. The first could be Neil Jordan himself. It's only a speculation for the moment but the strength I mentioned in my previous review could actually be a weakness. Indeed the man wrote every single episodes and even if it guarantees that they don't jar with one another the drawback could be that some seemed too similar. As much as I regret it the problem is obvious with The Borgias in Love when you compare it to The Moor. Handsome young male for Lucrezia ? Checked. Romantic escape ? Checked. Grotesque families courting the Pope and his son ? Checked. It's not that it didn't make me laugh but I just hope it won't become a running gag. In fact I don't think it would be fair to only blame Jordan considering it could also be the director's fault. The important thing is that two episodes that partially look the same is not acceptable.

However these are minor issues compared to the numerous elements dedicated to appeal the audience. The first would be François Arnaud as Cesare Borgia who has given a convincing performance so far. I also appreciate his wicked relationship with the assassin and I really wonder how it will end. This time they were actually featured in a dynamic and intense swordfight. Was it just a tease ? So it was good entertainment but sadly it was almost ruined by an other duel. Too short, too dark, too much rain. It was just pouring and you shouldn't be able to identify the fighters ! Was it a twisted reference to Godzilla ? At least it made me laugh but I can't help thinking that it was an easy solution not to reveal the stuntmen even if the first fight occurred in bright daylight. Hopefully the confession scenes aren't doubled because they're a recurring ingredient one can only enjoy. It's specially true considering they're often controversial and featuring vicious gorgeous creatures. Last but not least one of the best elements was probably the difference between young and old characters. Lucrezia is naive, Giulia is manipulative. Her husband is violent, the servant has soft hands. They just don't know how to play the game yet when the Pope, Cesare and others have already reached the grandmaster league. Too smart for a TV show ? Never but if you're up to the challenge it can only pay off.

Note : For once I would like to address my readers and invite them to give me some feedback if they have a few minutes. Enjoyed this review ? Just feel like chatting ? You're more than welcome ! And please don't forget to objectively rate so I can know how many of you guys are there.

Season 1 of 'The Borgias' was far from perfect and took time to settle, something that was more noticeable on my re-watch binge. Especially in the writing and pacing, over-time both improved and they were starting to at this point of the season too. But there were also a lot of great and even brilliant qualities, such as one of my all-time favourite opening titles sequences, and each episode regardless of imperfections is on the most part absorbing enough as a result of those great qualities.

Found an enormous amount to like about the first three episodes, which had exceptionally high production values and music with some memorable scenes, interactions and exchanges as well. Jeremy Irons was never less than watchable too in one of his best roles, relishing some of the show's best lines, having some of the show's best scenes, having many believable interactions (namely with Cesare and Giulia) and with telling softer/more subtle moments, all of which continued throughout 'The Borgias' run. Also found a lot to like about the previous episode "Lucrezia's Wedding", although it was a step down due to the Della Rovere subplot namely.

"The Borgias in Love" fares the same, though do feel the same about it with "Lucrezia's Wedding" in not finding it as good as the first three episodes.

Will begin with the not so good things. Like "Lucrezia's Wedding", the Della Rovere subplot brings it down significantly. Again found it very dull and lacking in tension, it also is too exposition-heavy. Della Rovere himself is still bland and here almost detached, and some of the newly introduced characters in the subplot veer on cartoonish.

Did find the Lucrezia and Paolo subplot similarly with not an awful lot of life and cheesily written, though Lucrezia's actions are understandable. Parts of the dialogue are soapy and am not sure what to make of Ursula as a character yet.

Flaws outweigh those not so good things though. Have nothing to fault the production values, it is exquisitely costumed, with the rich colours and evocative designs, and the scenery and interiors also leave one in awe, made even better by the photography which rivals a lot of period dramas on film. The music still has the beauty and intensity that were present before. 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.

Although episodes before and since "The Borgias in Love" have scenes that have bigger impact, there are scenes that stand out. The rainy duel (although some of it is too darkly lit), Giovanni's harrowing treatment of Lucrezia, the tensely calculating and intriguing scene between Rodrigo, Cesare and Juan and especially that beautifully filmed and nightmarish opening scene. The interactions are also well done, especially between Cesare and Lucrezia, Juan and Rodrigo and Rodrigo and Giulia (love those two together). Other than with Della Rovere, the pace is improving the more eventful the storytelling is getting.

Have little to fault most of the performances, in the scenes that aren't the Della Rovere subplot. Irons does have too little to do here, but really shines when he is on screen. Whether it is in the opening scene, the chemistry between him and Giulia (as ever ravishingly played by Lotte Verbeek) and the scene between him, Francois Arnaud (with Cesare becoming more interesting and developed each episode, and he is by far the most interesting character here, his subplot also having some heart) and David Oakes. Best of all though is his subtle comic timing, absolutely love his expressions of pure exasperation reactions at Juan's marriage fantasies. Lucrezia is starting to come into her own and mature, and did feel genuine empathy for her, Holliday Grainger brings out the anguish well. Ronan Vibert is a menacing Giovanni and something of a brute.

In summary, good episode but not a great one. 7/10