nice

Incompetent writing has murdered this serial. I have watched the entire first season and I'm done with it. I love period dramas, and could not imagine that I would be BORED TO TEARS with this one, but the writing is CBS mini-series level only. Plotting is simplistic, obvious and unrealistic. There are few surprises, and the viewer is never left to discover anything for themselves, as the Borgia's tedious plans and schemes are waved slowly before our eyes and carefully previewed in dialog 'info-dumps'. Dialog is pitiful, there is scarcely a line of it that sparkles, or leads to character development (which is non-existent) and much of the time it does not even advance the plot, only wastes our time until the next scene comes along. I get the impression that the writers were bored with this project, in over their heads, and just throwing words on the page to draw a paycheck. SHOWTIME is no HBO, and they never will be if they can't understand that a great show starts with a brilliant script.

Aside from the fabulous sets and setting, this show proved to be a huge disappointment. I've read and researched the Borgias history thoroughly and was looking forward to the show. On seeing 6 episodes so far, I find I'm easily bored and distracted. The characters, apart from Cesare, are weak and do not bring the gravitas that one would expect a Borgia to portray. Also the story has been twisted to a degree ... if it were to add drama, I would forgive the producer, but in this case, it tends to labour on the most boring aspects of their lives. The Borgia family is by far one of the most scandalous, interesting families in the history of the Vatican and Rome and to give it such a boring rendition is a feat in itself ! This is completely a case of 'Truth being more gripping than the drama TV series' !

This show is not a bad show from a TV show perspective but it has so many not correct information about history in it that watching it became really painful for a person who is interested and knows history. I don't expect a TV show to depict history hundred percent accurately but at many points these divergence from the facts seems purposefully made to give a message and it amounts to defamation. I noticed these for depiction of the Catholic church as well but as I know Turkish history much better it was much more painful to watch the third episode of the first season for me. In that it is said from the mouth of Cem Sultan that it is OK to kill your wife in Islam and you can practically marry as many women as you can and you can kill them by beating etc. Of course there are no such things in Islam. Then Cem goes to church and says that he found peace in Christianity and decided to convert Christianity etc. In reality it is known that Pope tried to convert him for a long time but he always refused. In fact he was the only person from the House of Ottoman who ever performed Hajj the Islamic pilgrimage even though it is obligatory for any Muslim with enough wealth. At another place he says to children of the Pope how he is happy to be among the Christian souls because the cruelty in the palace of Istanbul is beyond their imagination. Then he gives an example that the predecessor of his brother who is Mehmed II the conqueror of Istanbul, taken out the eyes of 22 of his male relatives who have claim to the throne and served the eyes to them in plates. There is no such thing again. In fact Mehmet II had only one brother who can have claim to the throne no other relative can have a claim to throne in Ottoman law. Finally even though the costumes of the Christans are very nice and accurate, the costumes of the Ottomans has nothing to do with historical Ottoman costumes and in my opinion they are very ugly. So when I watched these scenes I remembered the scenes from Turkish religious movies where Christians first insult Christianity and finally enlightened by the light of Islam, convert to Islam :). There is nothing different.

This series is without a doubt intriguing, intelligent, and phenomenal! No one can say that there is not enough story lines to fulfill another 3 more seasons of this film series. Cesare alone can fulfill several episodes by himself! Rodrigo and Lucretcia and the other characters lead to a strong and powerful story line as well without leaving any of us wondering what happened to so-in-so? This show is one of the best period piece films, shows, series, etc that has come along in many years and I HOPE and PRAY that Showtime and all its co-hearts in business understand that the Fans want the show to go on! Please do not take this away from us! The actors are absolutely some of the best and under appreciated in the business and WE the FANS want MORE BORGIAS!! BRAVO BORGIAS!

I appeared with Jeremy Irons in David Cronenberg's: Madame Butterfly. Jeremy is one of the world's greatest actors. When Cronenberg shouted ... CUT ... everyone was silent absorbing Jeremy Iron's speech! Riveted with every word! I have seen each and every one of these shows in this series ... awaiting each & another with respect ... for the production elements ... actors ... direction ... set design and cinematography. The story element is fascinating. Bravo to the cast and crew ...! François Arnaud is an awesome actor as The Pope's son. So great to see that part of this production was shot in Canada. The Borgias is a masterpiece!

Premiere episodes are sometimes awkward because there is so much to establish that it sometime feels contrived--not so with The Borgias. The writing/plot is compelling, the costumes and set are beautiful and I'm definitely hooked by all the fine performances. Someone else wrote that Jeremy Irons is a reason in itself to watch and it's true--he does a fantastic job in the lead. The woman who plays Lucretia--Holiday Grainger- also gives a very nuanced performance. The only thing that I thought was awkward was the chemistry between Jeremy Irons and Lotte Verbeek-- although it works in their favor during the confession scene. She's a great actress and definitely on par with Irons but I just don't believe their relationship yet. All in all--very reminiscent of the Tudors--if you loved that series you will equally enjoy this.

I have only seen the first two episodes of The Borgias but am already deeply immersed in this brilliant series. The production is beautifully set and the atmosphere of the period is captured with detail and accuracy. The wonderful cast, led by the superb Jeremy Irons, is excellent and as good as I have ever seen in a production of this kind. This series proves once more that good television is superior to most of the films produced today. This is a must for anyone who enjoys a fascinating story, based on real history, and an ensemble cast of actors chosen with care. Highly recommended.

This TV-series is brilliant so how can it only have 7,9 in rating? The first season was excellent and the second was even better at some points. I am watching the third season right now and it's good! The soundtrack alone is stunning and sometimes i find myself distracted by the atmospheric music that is played during the scenes. The actors are very good and the overall story is both unpredictable and immersive. The costumes as well are really well done, i have to say everything is good with The Borgias and those who downvoted the series obviously doesn't see the brilliance in it. The Borgias is one show you shouldn't miss!

"The Borgias" is a testament to what collaborative work under an able organizational mind can achieve: the wonderfully idiosyncratic, Academy Award winner Neil Jordan creates, writes and directs the first two episodes of "The Borgias" and his signature in on every second of this amazingly film-like pilot who boasts a breathtaking performance from none other than Jeremy "Academy-and-Emmy-and-Golden-Globe-Award-Winning-Superstar" Irons, who headlines a vastly talented cast. "The Borgias" begin on the deathbed of Pope Innocent VIII who's about to be succeeded by one of the most questionable personalities in papal history, the Spaniard outcast by traditional noble Roman families, Rodrigo Borgia (Irons). As Rodrigo's reign begins, his whole family, comprised of three sons, a daughter and an aging mistress is propelled to a position of power, which will lead to deeds that still scandalize the Vatican. "The Borgias" is exquisitely crafted, with atmospheric lighting, haunting music, lush set and costume design (each of those undoubtedly worthy of an Academy Award nomination, if they were on a feature movie) and superbly executed scenes by mastermind Neil Jordan. "The Borgias" writing and editing are to be thanked for the pilot's brisk pacing (Rodrigo's Pope by the first 20 minutes and by 50 minutes there's already a poisoned corpse in his wake), as well as the humour-injected story and dialogue (maitre Jordan does take into account that people possessed both wit and the ability to be amused by certain situations, straying from the assumption that characters in period pieces need to be dead-serious, as is the case with almost every other period piece). Jeremy Irons spearheads the cast and his performance is indelible and a reason to watch all on its own. He plays Rodrigo as the smartest and coolest man in the room, knowing his own advantages and his opponent's weaknesses so good as to not panic when they attack him and treat them with sardonic disdain and sarcastic mockery. He has a comedic vein and timing, which he frequently taps into when the situation calls for it and can also prove fiery, villainous and downright terrifying all at the same time. His Pope Alexander VI (named after the great conqueror) is not however a man without depth: he hesitates to murder, especially his fellow clergymen, and is daunted by the task to be Christ's Vicar, an epiphany which spurs him to commit brilliant and atrocious acts alike. The rest of the cast is also pure gold: As the Pope's children, Francois Arnaud (as Cesare, named after the great Roman dictator) exceeds expectations when burdened with most screen time than his siblings, Holliday Grainger and David Oakes, who nevertheless inhabit their roles ably. Joanne Whalley is the standout in her short scenes as the mother of the Borgia progeny, bringing to the table a mostly sober, restrained performance only to surprise you with her intensity in the more dramatic sequences. As Rodrigo's new-found mistress, Lotte Verbeek presents a character sometimes vulnerable, sometimes strangely alert and resourceful, always intriguing and making you wonder what's really her agenda. Colm Feore appears deliciously bad-ass and self-righteous as Rodrigo's nemesis, cardinal Giulliano Della Rovere, while the revered veteran, Sir Derek Jacobi, takes a small and relatively thankless role and turns him into something his own. Peter Sullivan and Simon McBurney shine in their brief scenes, while Bosco Hogan and Vernon Dobtcheff lend gravitas to their cameos. The fantastic Sean Harris manages to render a calculating and cold-blooded killer into someone with a sympathetic dimension and depth. The plot is not new to history addicts, who are going to be the most hard to surprise, but presents nevertheless enough twists and tricks to satisfy and excite. All in all excellent, don't miss "The Borgias".