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Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 104 “Lucrezia’s Wedding”

Air Date: Sunday, April 17, 2011 10PM E/P

Grade ★★★★★

Despite the title “Lucrezia’s Wedding” it is not solely about Lucrezia’s upcoming nuptials to the grim Giovani Sforza (Ronan Vibert). Her marriage is a key political move orchestrated by her father, Pope Alexander VI (Jeremy Irons).  Lucrezia is only 14 years old. She is inexperienced in so many things, it breaks my heart to see her so wide-eyed and naïve as to how things will be in her new marriage.

The Pope (Jeremy Irons) tells Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) confirms her mother will not be permitted to attend the wedding.

The Pope’s mistress, Giuliana (Lotte Verbeek) gives Lucrezia lessons in kissing before informing her that her mother, Vanozza (Joanne Whalley), will not be permitted to attend the wedding. The Sforza family doesn’t want her there because she is not of noble birth and was once a courtesan. It amazes me that the Pope is allowed to bring his mistress as his date to his only daughter’s wedding but has allowed the Sforza family to ban the bride’s own mother from attending. However, we meet Vanozza’s ex-husband, Theo (David Bamber). I believe his introduction is vital as there is speculation that Juan (David Oakes) may not be a true Borgia.

L-R: Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI and Lotte Verbeek as Guilia Farnese; David Oakes as Juan Borgia

During the ceremony, which Lucrezia’s brother Cesare (François Arnaud) performs, you can see a look on the Pope’s face as his young daughter walks down the isle – the look of shame at what he’s forcing her to do for the sake of his papacy. Cesare looks none too pleased either, ripping off his robes after the couple is married. I feel Cesare is at war with himself. He neither wants to be a Cardinal nor does he agree with how his father is conducting business. I think we will see an even darker side to Cesare before the season is over. I don’t think his flirting with a married woman, Ursula Bonadeo (Ruta Gedmintas), at the reception will make matters easier for himself either.

François Arnaud as Cesare Borgia

Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore) is in Florence to ask Piero De Medici (Cesare Taurasi), along with the family’s political advisor, Niccolò Machiavelli (actor name), to allow the French army passage through Florence. Della Rovere intends to wage war to depose the Pope but has doubts when he meets another priest who tells him of a vision he’s had regarding a great army from the north. This army was invited by a cleric in red and will leave a path of death and destruction in their wake. I find it interesting this priest, who also has an extreme dislike for the Pope, has such detailed vision of what may come just as Della Rovere happens to be in Florence. Della Rovere asks God for a sign to reassure himself but instead, he meets Giancarlo (Johnny Palmiero), the spy Cesare hired to follow him. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end well for Giancarlo. Della Rovere’s hatred for the Pope is taking its toll not only on his judgment but his sanity as well.

Youngest son Joffre (Aidan Alexander) makes a brief appearance when he asks his father how the marriages of his children help him. After hearing that his father has been losing sleep, he says something he may regret sooner rather than later. “I will marry anyone you like if it helps you to sleep.”

Lucrezia asks her new husband during their first dance about his lack of conversation. You could see in his eyes and facial expressions how utterly disgusted he is with not only Vanozza’s appearance at the reception but Juan’s poor choice of entertainment – a raunchy street play about a cheating husband and his courtesan. Despite the rest of the guests enjoying and laughing during the performance, Giovanni remains silent and rigid. He unleashes his anger and frustrations, taking Lucrezia’s innocence with a cruel savagery she will never forget.

Ronan Vibert as Giovanni Sforza

While I enjoyed the episode, I feel it was lacking something. I believe with so many varying storylines in one episode, it became a bit overwhelming. We know the brief moment we see Joffre is because he’s going to be betrothed to Princess Sancia of Naples; Juan’s crazy choice of play shows his immaturity but it’s important because it will reveal to the Pope that Cesare may have been a better choice to lead the Papal army; and Vanozza’s ex-husband showing up will either result in confirming he’s Juan’s father or reveal more about her tainted past.

Tune into The Borgias, Sundays at 10PM E/P on Showtime.

Photos © Showtime, All Rights Reserved.

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.