Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 108 "The Art of War"

Airdate: Sunday, May 15, 2011 10PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 108 "The Art of War" 1

Giulia (Lotte Veerbeek, C) and Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger, L) are taken to the French camp by a solider (R)

Guilia (Lotte Veerbeek) and Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) encounter the French army as they flee Giovanni’s (Ronan Vibert) castle while riding to Rome. Poor Paolo (Luke Pasqualino) feels the sting of his master’s whip but he remains steadfast, not revealing any information on Lucrezia’s whereabouts. After Giovanni tells Lucrezia he is not going to hold his end of the marriage deal, which included the use of his army to help the Pope (Jeremy Irons), did he really think she would stay? She may be young but she’s not stupid. Besides, Lucrezia being pregnant with Paolo’s child would only escalate matters and not to her benefit.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 108 "The Art of War" 2

Colm Feore as Cardinal Della Rovere

Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore) visits Lucrezia and Giulia while they are detained inviting them to dine with King Charles (Michel Muller). During their brief conversation, after Lucrezia says some choice words, Della Rovere assertively states his stance regarding his mission to depose the Pope thus revealing another side to him that I know lies just beneath the surface. Feore’s acting has not been highlighted in my previous reviews. But I would like praise him. He’s brilliant as a man hell-bent on doing what he fully believes, yet torn at the lengths he must go through to achieve what he deems is righteous. The title, “The Art of War,” suggests there is a beauty about war. In some ways, the strategy of an army to outwit their opponent can be described as artful in the way they play their part – almost like a choreographed dance.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 108 "The Art of War" 3

Juan (David Oakes) realizes his army is no match for the French.

The Pope is left to his own devices when his “loyal” cardinals cower, fleeing Rome the first chance they get. With only his two sons, Cesare (François Arnaud) and Juan (David Oakes) at his side I fear the Pope may be in trouble, especially with Juan leading the Papal armies. Juan is a fool who doesn’t think things through before he acts. He shuns his duties as a military leader to spend his days and nights in whore houses.

Juan underestimates the power of the French canons because he is unaware of King Charles’ new invention – two cannon balls chained together. As Juan leads his army to engage the French, he learns a horrifying lesson as he watches the twin cannon balls slice through his forces like butter. Of course, I think it was foolish for Juan to lead the small Papal army to meet the French with over 20,000 troops. Did he really think his band of 2,000 men would make a dent? He’s lucky his sister Lucrezia swayed King Charles into letting him leave with his remaining men unharmed.

Review: The Borgias, Season 1, Ep 108 "The Art of War" 4

King Charles of France (Michel Muller) and Lucrezia Borgia (Holliday Grainger)

Why does Cesare chase after that insufferable woman Ursula (Ruta Gedmintas)? She doesn’t seem to want his help when he offers her protection from the invading French army yet she taunts him by getting close to him, as if whispering to a lover. I’m ready for her story to end or at least go somewhere interesting because frankly, she’s boring. Cesare can do so much better.

The Pope is either a genius or insane. Some say there is a fine line between the two. As he trades his holy white gowns for that of a simple friar, he aims to seek out King Charles in hopes to show him that he is still a humble servant of God. The audacity of his actions provokes an even deeper interest in this obviously flawed Pope. Again, Irons’ acting is superb and most convincing. The slight lip curls, the eyebrow movements, down to the depth of his voice, all of these manifestations give life to words even kings would be jealous of.

Tune into The Borgias season finale Monday, May 22 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.