Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 106 "The French King"

Air Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011 10PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

Lust. It’s the first thing that came to mind as I watched “The French King.” Lust is not only applicable to the physical but to the emotional as well. In Lucrezia’s (Holliday Grainger) case, her lust for a gentler love than that of her boorish husband Giovanni Sforza (Ronan Vibert) endangers the lives of her servants and the young stable boy Paola (Luke Pasqualino). However, despite her angst towards her spouse, she’s plays the good wife and tends to his injuries with the utmost kindness, something that may have softened his harsh view of her Borgia blood line. Although, I don’t think Lucrezia is willing to forgive his many indiscretions against her so easily.

The youngest Borgia, Joffre (Aidan Alexander), only 13 years old, is married off to the much older, illegitimate daughter of the King of Naples, Princess Sancia (guest star Emmanuelle Chirqui). But, he isn’t the first Borgia to sample her – big brother Juan (David Oakes) already consummated the marriage with the bride during his visit to Naples. While Joffre drinks a glass of milk before bed, his wife has sex with her new brother-in-law, again. The only good thing about Joffre’s wedding is Lucrezia visiting with the family. As the Pope (Jeremy Irons) cradles her in his arms, his nightmares of his daughter’s demise are quieted although she hasn’t spoken plainly of the cruelty, I think the Pope, as does beloved brother Cesare (François Arnaud) knows all is not well in the marriage.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 106 "The French King" 1

Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) sits next to brother Cesare (François Arnaud) during Joffre's wedding.

I am not fond of Juan Borgia. He’s slightly pompous and very immature. Why his father, the Pope, placed him in charge of the Papal armies dumfounds me. Juan may have the nature of a cruel man but he lacks the necessary tools to enforce his will. His impassioned, almost lustful need to prove he is a true Borgia will be his undoing. His assault upon his mother Vanozza’s (Joanne Whalley) former husband, Theo (David Bamber), was appalling. Vanozza asks Juan an interesting question, “What has this papacy done to you?” The answer isn’t easy to explain. The rumors that Theo may be his real father fuels his anger but it’s this type of uncontrollable urge that makes him the wrong man for leading an army. The Pope even acknowledges that perhaps older brother Cesare may be better suited to be General. With Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore) visiting King Charles (guest star Michel Muller) of France, I don’t think either Juan or Cesare can stave off the French army for long.

Cesare isn’t thinking of anything or anyone but Ursula Bonadeo (Ruta Gedmintas). After killing her husband in last week’s episode, “The Borgias In Love,” his crime of passion reaps the benefits, although temporary. His lust for Ursula consumes him, clouding his every thought. I feel like she has another agenda but I don’t know what it could be. I’m baffled by her completely. After learning her husband’s body has been found in the river, instead of being more relieved to love Cesare freely, she weeps about paying penance for the rest of her life. How did she not know her husband was dead? Three weeks passed since she last spoke to him. All of those weeks were spent in the arms of Cesare. She asked to be liberated and yet when it happens, she mourns over it. Yes, I know Cesare killed him, but it wasn’t outright murder – they dueled and Cesare won. Again, I’m befuddled by Ursula. Her joining the nunnery further adds to my confusion.

King Charles warns Della Rovere to think about what he truly wants. War is “truly grizzly” and with his new invention – a canon that fires two cannonballs chained together – there will surely be an even more gruesome outcome. Della Rovere’s hatred for the Pope is comparable to Cesare’s lust for Ursula, to Juan’s lust for proof he’s of Borgia blood, and to Lucrezia’s lust for a kinder lover.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 106 "The French King" 2

Juan (David Oakes) has no issues having sex with his soon-to-be sister-in-law Sancia (Emmanuelle Chirqui) in room of stuffed corpses.

“The French King” was kind of a filler episode. They needed to introduce King Charles and his “ugly noggin” to establish Della Rovere’s incessant hatred and willingness to have his homeland invaded in order to depose the Pope. It was also a means to introduce the scandalous Princess Sancia, whom I think brings a bit of needed sexuality the show has been absent of recently. Seeing young children like Lucrezia having an affair with the stable boy and Joffre preparing to consummate his marriage to a much older woman makes my stomach turn. Cesare’s foolish desires for a married woman who seems to be remiss of his devotion doesn’t entice me either. Even the Pope’s ‘invasion’ of his mistress’s ‘France’ wasn’t as alluring as they previously were. But the incorrigible Sancia was delightful, even if she had sex in the same room where her father keeps his “stuffed” adversaries’ corpses. Her brazen sensuality is an excellent diversion from all the politics!

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

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

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.