Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 107 "Death On A Pale Horse"

Airdate: Sunday, May 8, 2011 10 PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

A prophetic vision from Father Savonarola (guest star Steven Berkoff) in episode four, “Lucrezia’s Wedding,” told of death and carnage as blood flowed through the streets of Italian cities. He said a cleric in red would be the one to bring this destruction to Italy. That cleric in red is Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore), but I doubt he truly understood what he was asking of the French King Charles (guest star Michel Muller) when he invited him and his army to march into his homeland and help him depose the Borgia Pope (Jeremy Irons). As he calls Savonarola’s words, the look of horror spreads on Della Rovere’s face as he sees firsthand what cruelty the French Army brings as they slice through the city of Lucca like a hot knife through butter. I think Della Rovere was foolish to go to the French when all he had to do was incite the people to rise against the Pope. His actions cannot be reversed.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 107 "Death On A Pale Horse" 1

Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore) feels conflicted about his choices

Because Della Rovere is feeling guilty, he beseeches King Charles to let him try to negotiate non-combative passage through Florence. The demands are essentially to have Florence pay the French Army to come through their fair city. It’s an audacious demand to which Medici (Cesare Taurasi) immediately agrees. I love Machiavelli’s (Julian Bleach) sarcasm after Medici basically hands over Florence on a silver platter. “And now, my Lord Medici, that you’ve surrendered the Republic of Florence, can we at least pour the wine?” With backbone like this, I’m surprised at how anyone can stand upright.

I find it odd and darkly humorous that the Pope wishes to go to confessional boasting of Friar Raphael (Edward Petherbridge), who was able to make him feel “clean.” I don’t think an ocean could cleanse this Pope of his filthy sins. It’s one of the scintillating things I love about this show. Irons portrays the most cunning and ruthless religious figure I’ve ever seen. His subtle nuances – the haunting pitch of his voice, his mannerisms, and his facial expressions – are frightfully convincing. It gives me chills sometimes as I watch him.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 107 "Death On A Pale Horse" 2

The French Army marches towards the city of Lucca

It is so depraved how Sancia (guest star Emmanuelle Chirqui) discusses her wedding night with her very young husband of 13, Joffre (Aidan Alexander), while she’s bedding her brother-in-law Juan (David Oakes). After being repulsed at the thought of being betrothed to the illegitimate daughter of King Ferrante (Joseph M. Kelly) of Naples, Juan obviously has no issues sleeping with her, but her beauty doesn’t erase her birthright. I’m curious what will happen now that King Ferrante has died. I thought his annoying son Alfonso (Augustus Prew) would become King but apparently, that’s not the case. The Pope would be wise to move on this news post haste because I doubt his small Papal army will stave off the French Army for any amount of time, especially if Juan is in charge.

Ah the sweet Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger). While her vile husband, Giovanni Sforza (Ronan Vibert), has been laid up nursing a broken leg, she and stableboy Paolo (Luke Pasqualino) have been very naughty. When Giovanni tells Lucrezia he is ready to come to their marital bed, she ensures he doesn’t make it by spilling water on the floor before he enters, knowing he’ll slip on it. She’s becoming more devious and her innocence is fading fast. Even her beloved brother Cesare (François Arnaud) notices the difference in her. It was inevitable she would lose some of her naivety after marriage to such an older, dreadful man, but I think Lucrezia is losing herself as well. She places too much stock in the literature she spouts to the illiterate Paolo. And were you surprised that Giuliana Farnese (Lotte Verbeek) thinks Lucrezia is pregnant? Lucrezia sure seemed to be.

The only part of this episode that puzzles me is Ursula’s (Ruta Gedmintas) storyline. Her lunacy in joining a convent to repent still baffles me. Yes, I know she wants to pay for her sins but honestly I think she knew deep down what Cesare was going to do. After all, she’s the one who wanted to be “liberated” from her marriage. Her relationship with Cesare makes no sense to me at all. I’m not familiar with the Borgia history nor do I want to mix it up with the obvious liberties the writers have taken with that history, but I hope Ursula is an imaginary character whose story ends very soon. Cesare’s infatuation will die down eventually and in the light of the eminent danger heading towards Rome, he really doesn’t need the distraction of a delusional woman.

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