A Shout Out For The Borgias

I originally wanted to write about Haywire, but after watching the film, it wasn’t worth writing about. It did actually give me an idea for a possible future blog post.Anyway, I was disappointed about that, but last night after work, I was watching one of the few TV shows I actively watch and realized that the show needed its due.  

If you haven’t watched, or even heard of Showtime’s The Borgias, please start watching. If you liked The Tudors (not as much as a soap opera in comparison) or Rome, this is right up your alley.

 Neil Jordan (also known for directing Interview with Vampire, writing and directing The Crying Game and other gems) is the head creator behind the show and along with this team of writers has crafted a smart and entertaining look at the medieval world of Pope Alexander and his family (The Borgias.) How they ruthlessly held on to power, dealt with the dangers around them and those who tried to stop them, but most important and entertaining is the drama between family members, in particular brothers Cesare and Juan Borgia.

It is also said that the Borgias was the inspiration for Mario Puzzo’s The Godfather and Cesare Borgia was the inspiration for Niccolo Machiavelli’s famous book, The Prince.

Before I go any further, here are the opening credits  (one of the best opening credits for a show) for season 2. 

The Main Characters

Pop Alexander VI/Rodrigo Borgia

 Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons plays the head of church and the head of his family. He is ruthless in his ambition and devotion to his family. Power hungry and manages to stay a step ahead of his enemies. He is also a man of flesh and bone and likes to give in to his pleasures. A great multi layered character.

Cesare Borgia

Played by Canadian actor, Francois Arnaud, he is a personal and fan favourite character. He is smart, charming, cunning, and ruthless while at the same time he shows great heart and soul towards (most) of his family, and in particular his sister that at times borders incest. There were rumours that they where um...extremely close, and the show plays on that.  He has a secret anger about him, being forced by his father to enter the priesthood and become a Cardinal. His real passion is to lead the Papal Army and has a flair for war. His take charge attitude, willingness to kill and do what he has to do (willingly and unwillingly) have saved his family more than once from enemies. Cesare is as close to an anti-hero that you will get on this show.

Lucrezia Borgia

Played by Holliday Grainger, she is considered pure and innocent by the family. As the show progresses Lucrezia becomes more and more wise and learns more about how her family works, she shows her own ability to fit right in.  She was forced into a marriage and had an affair and got pregnant. Since she is daddy’s little girl, she convinced him to annul the marriage and no one seems to mind her single mother status, but I’m sure she will be forced to marry again.

Juan Borgia

Played by David Oakes, he is what you would call the black sheep of the family. Head of Papal Army, despite not having a flair for war. He is cocky, ruse and selfish. Anyone who isn’t a Borgia or a noble is not worth his time. Okay, he’s a jerk. Without saying too much, karma gets him.  

Giulia Farnese

Played by Lotte Verbeek, the Pop’s mistress, but she isn’t your typical mistress. Many Kings in Europe and other men in power would not.  hide their mistress, and would be considered a great honour to be the “official mistress.” Henry VIII for example, wanted Anne Boelyn to be his, but she refused. In other words, she wanted him to put a ring on it. With Giulia Farnese, she is comfortable in her position, is almost like a second mother, and even has been able to start her own charities and look into the accounting books of the church and recommend and be in control of changes. She is not weak, and knows how to play the game of being a woman in a male dominated world.

Vanozza Gattaneo

Joanne Whalley is the Pop Alexander’s wife, who also worked her way up into power. On the outside she is a figurehead, but within the family dynamics on the inside, her cunning and sweet demeanor gives her the ability to get to the point, help out her children. The Pop cannot get a divorce, and so her place is secure and is able to reach others the way no one else can.

There are other characters important as well, but these are the main players.

As mentioned the writing is superb with great dialogue and twists and turns that sometimes you see coming, and sometimes you do not, and it is this balance that makes you continue to watch.

The music by Trevor Morris does what a good musical score should do, enhance the moment and at times convey what can’t be said by the characters themselves.

The costumes, designed by Gabriella Pescucci are elaborate, elegant, and probably very uncomfortable and would   be considered haute couture for the time.

As a history lover I must also caution to not let this be your mini Medieval Rome/Borgia history lesson.  documentary by A&E on The Borgias that I cannot seem to find a link to share. :(

As series creator Michael Hirst for the Tudors said early on about complaints for historical inaccuracies (paraphrasing here) “This isn’t a history lesson, it’s a TV drama.”

I know have not done justice to just how great the show truly is. It is something to watch and enjoy. I hope that I have at least intrigued you. 

One more episode left in season two, already looking forward to season three next spring. Good thing I have Boardwalk Empire until then.