THE BORGIAS
Originally Aired On: Bravo!, Showtime
Series Length: 3 seasons, 29 episodes
Set during the turn of the 16th century, The Borgias follow the rise and fall of the notorious, Rodrigo Borgia, and his family, whose very name became a byword for depravity, nepotism, and corruption. The series begins in 1492, immediately following the death of Pope Innocent VIII, and sees Cardinal Borgia (played by the ever fantastic Jeremy Irons) manoeuvre his way to the office of the Vicar of Christ and become Pope Alexander VI through a series of bribes, alliances, and other political machinations. The rest of the show then details he and his family’s struggles to maintain and expand their newfound power in a world of shifting alliances against enemies both internal and external, including subversive and ever-ambitious cardinals, rival ruling families such as the Sforzas, and even the mighty Kingdom of France itself.
The acting, writing, costumes, and settings of the show are simply marvellous. The plot advances at a fairly brisk pace with action always around the corner, leaving audiences hungry for the next turn of events. The story remains relatively true to the actual history, which itself oozes of political intrigue and drama. Any deviations from the source material are usually made in good taste and preserving the believability and plausibility of each character’s motives, actions, and any resulting chain of events. Costume and set designs are top notch, rivalling Hollywood productions in quality and authentically replicating the clothing and settings of the period, with only very minor exceptions (such as the unlikely homogeneity of soldiers’ accoutrements during this time period, which appears to be a common issue among many historical shows – but that’s just me admittedly being unnecessarily nitpicky).
In terms of acting, Jeremy Irons in particular does a fantastic job as Rodrigo, playing him as a cool, calculating, and bitingly sardonic Pope, who inwardly struggles between what appears to be a genuine aspiration to uphold the moral sanctity and uprightness demanded of his position and the base desires and ambitions for himself and his family. This is not to say that Irons’ Rodrigo is always the “coolest cucumber” in the room, as he also possesses a fiery temper that can be downright terrifying, particularly in situations when his Papacy or his family are at stake. Indeed, Irons’ performance provides the necessary complexity required of one of the most controversial characters of Renaissance Italy.
The rest of the cast also delivers a solid performance. Colm Feore plays an ever implacable and self-righteous Cardinal Giulliano Della Rovere (an apt characterization for the man who would be later known as the “Warrior Pope”), who is the primary arch-nemesis of the Borgia family and who appears to make it his very purpose to destroy and overthrow Rodrigo. While this portrayal may appear to be a seemingly one-dimensional caricature, it certainly is understandable given that the real Della Rovere instituted a number of policies against the Borgia family following his ascension as Pope Julius II that suggested that the enmity transcended beyond mere rivalry. Indeed, on the day he became pope, he declared that:
“I will not live in the same rooms as the Borgias lived. He [Alexander VI] desecrated the Holy Church as none before. He usurped the papal power by the devil’s aid, and I forbid under the pain of excommunication anyone to speak or think of Borgia again. His name and memory must be forgotten. It must be crossed out of every document and memorial. His reign must be obliterated. All paintings made of the Borgias or for them must be covered over with black crepe. All the tombs of the Borgias must be opened and their bodies sent back to where they belong – to Spain.”
Not surprisingly, no Borgia ever again rose to a position of prominence from that point onwards.
Ultimately, The Borgias is a show for both history lovers and drama addicts alike. In particular, if one is a fan of shows such as Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Rome, The Tudors, or Boardwalk Empire, then The Borgias will definitely be right down one’s alley. And as an added bonus, there is also a European production of the very same story (unsurprisingly titled, Borgia) if ever one finishes The Borgias and is suffering from the post-viewing withdrawal typical of finishing an outstanding television series. All-in-all, most definitely recommended.