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Review: The Borgias – S2 Premiere – “The Borgia Bull” (Poison, Sibling Rivalry, and a Threesome)

Review: The Borgias, Season 2, Ep. 201 – “The Borgia Bull”

Airdate: Sunday, April 9, 2012, 10:00PM E/P on Showtime

Rating ★★★★★

Beautiful, imaginative, and suggestive paintings sweep across the screen to Trevor Morris’ hauntingly melodic main theme making my heart flutter with delight. The Borgias quickly became one of my favorite new series last year and after watching the season two premiere, “The Borgia Bull,” it continues to hold its place firmly on my list of favorites.

If you missed any of last season’s tantalizing episodes, feel free to check out my reviews here  to get acquainted. Also, if you don’t have Showtime, you can watch the premiere episode on YEC.

As the opening scene unfolds, Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore) foolishly thinks he’s escaped the wrath of Pope Alexander IV (Jeremy Irons) but even in an impoverished country church, traitors lie in wait. Did Della Rovere think all was forgiven for his ultimate betrayal? It was he who invited King Charles (Michel Muller) of France to invade Rome in the hopes of usurping the papal throne. Feore is a very good actor, maybe too good. As much as I admire him, he does an excellent job of making Della Rovere an unlikable character. Despite the honorable intentions he seeks to fulfill by attempting to remove a corrupt Pope from the papal throne, Della Rovere doesn’t evoke empathy from me. I am rooting for the Borgias to stay in power in spite of their illicit activities.

Amazingly, the tainted wine Della Rovere consumes doesn’t kill him, which I’m sure comes as a surprise to Cesare (François Arnaud). But what impresses me most is Cesare’s reaction to the unexpected failure. Instead of throwing a fit or becoming manic, he appears calculating and maliciously calm when he speaks to a tongue-swollen Della Rovere. Cesare’s demeanor may have been influenced by his confidant, Micheletto (Sean Harris), whom I’m glad to see. I’ve always liked this character. Harris’ carefree portrayal of such a devious character gives the impression that Micheletto may have redeeming qualities hiding just beneath the surface. Of course, the unimposing appearance of Micheletto works to his advantage. Despite his quiet cruelty and callous manner, Micheletto is strong and seems to be a good friend to Cesare.

Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander IV/Rodrigo Borgia and Lotte Verbeek as his mistress Guilia Farnese as they attend the masked ball

Is the Pope growing weary of his mistress, Giulia Farnase (Lotte Verbeek)? Ever since Giulia returned from her trip, she senses the Pope may be disinterested in her sexually. While out hunting, the Pope and Giulia come upon some beautiful ancient Roman ruins which he immediately has transported to the Vatican. During a restless night, the Pope wanders the halls of the Vatican and comes across a young painter’s apprentice practicing his drawings, and soon discovers the apprentice is not who he appears to be. “You’re more Adam than Eve,” he comments. Giulia, who follows him that restless night, happily discovers the feminine gender of the young apprentice, Vittoria (Jemma West), and breathes easy that the Pope isn’t into young boys. Giulia cannot compete with such an inclination. However, feeling slighted, Giulia turns to an unlikely source for advice – Vanozza (Joanne Whalley), the Pope’s wife. Seeking Vanozza’s counsel is the last thing Giulia thought she would do but she’s desperate to keep her station next to the Pope. While I feel somewhat bad for Giulia, what did she think she was getting herself into when she became the Pope’s mistress? He tells his wife he must appear to be chaste but instead of having private sexual relations with his beloved spouse, he has secret encounters with a mistress. His fidelity is never going to be sated with just one woman. I see a threesome in the near future.

As King Charles lies ill in Naples stricken with the “Neapolitan disease,” his anger and desire for revenge grows. He’s stuck inside the disgusting castle of the former King of Naples, Ferrante (Joseph M. Kelly), who has a repulsive room filled with stuffed corpses sitting at a table resembling Christ’s last supper. I know medicine in the late 1400s was not advanced but surely common sense would have led King Charles to vacate the castle for more sanitary accommodations.

With revenge in his heart, King Charles wants the former Prince of Naples, Alfonso (Augustus Prew), to fill the empty chair meant for Judas at the last supper. Alfonso is a wretchedly spoiled young man who thinks he is untouchable because of his nobility. I guess that memo doesn’t get delivered to King Charles and his men—the soul ripping screams you hear after Alfonso is reintroduced to his late father’s torture devices will make you cringe just thinking about what they are doing to him.

Lucrezia misses her "Narcissus" and her doting brother Cesare tries to make her smile.

A hot topic in The Borgias is the peculiarly suggestive sibling relationship between Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) and her brother Cesare. It’s perverted to think of a brother and sister having such a connection, especially when we see these two behave in such a taboo manner. However, watching these two actors portray the siblings as such is alluring, even to the point of tempting. Say what you will, Grainger and Arnaud are beautiful young actors and do a wonderful job of keeping us on the edge of that incestuous knife. But, I think Lucrezia’s heart is still with the young stable boy, Paolo (Luke Pasqualino), who happens to be the father of her child.

 

The brothers duel - L-R: David Oakes as Juan Borgia and Francois Arnaud as Cesare Borgia

There is a growing animosity between Cesare and Juan (David Oakes), the Pope’s sons. As tensions build, they unleash their fury in a sword duel. In spite of my confidence in Cesare’s ability to wield a sword, I know Juan doesn’t always fight fair which makes me fearful for Cesare.  Fortunately for Juan, Cesare doesn’t slice his brother’s neck from ear to ear. However, after Juan’s dirty stunt in the festival horse race, Cesare may reconsider his honorable intentions in future disputes with his dear brother. Juan is a pain in the ass; his ego stoked, by the so-called victory against the French, only makes him that much more intolerable. The Pope senses the contention between his sons and becomes aggrieved. “We are family. We are one and we will only triumph as one!” It seems only a matter of time before these two brothers try to take the other one out.

The Pope (Jeremy Irons) lights the great wooden bull for the celebration

In celebration of the discovery of the ancient Roman artifacts, the Pope decides to throw a grand festival complete with a masked ball, horse race, a feast for all, and a great wooden bull to burn at the end – “The Borgia bull”. He wants all of Rome to be one because a united Rome is stronger. With his papacy still under threat, the Pope will stop at nothing to ensure he remains in power. But, will his lustful needs and growing greediness for wealth and prestige soften his hold on the papal chair? Will Juan and Cesare’s growing hatred for one another destroy the Borgia family?

Tune in to The Borgias, Sundays at 10:00PM ET/PT, only on Showtime.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.