The Borgias

Season 1 Episode 1

The Poisoned Chalice

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The Poisoned Chalice
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8.2
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123 votes
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EPISODE REVIEWS
By TV.com Users

Episode Summary

The show begins with Rodrigo Borgia unraveling his plot to become the Pope.

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

SUBMIT REVIEW

  • Rodrigo Borgia wants to succeed Pope Innocent and he will do anything necessary to make sure that he takes the papal crown.

    8.0
    By Lady_Lancaster, Jun 01, 2011
    One of the best things about this first episode was that the first half moved along at a brisk pace as we watched the senior Borgia, along with his diabolical son, scheme to make sure he is elected as the new Pope. The fact that Borgia has several illegitimate children seems to be no barrier and he is determined to succeed. The scenes showing the conclave of cardinals was excellently done and very accurate, which was good to see, as the thing that usually disappears in lavish historical costume dramas is accuracy. I'm not saying the entire episode was accurate because it wasn't, but that scene most certainly hit the nail right on the head.



    I have given up hope of anyone actually getting around to an accurate historical portrayal of Lucrezia Borgia so I am just going to keep watching as this superbly filmed tale unfolds and see what they do with it. I hope the high standard continues.moreless

  • The best of the new season so far!

    8.0
    By Clemontine, Jun 01, 2011
    Loved it! Everyone seemed to think it would be along the lines of The Tudors, likely because they are both Showtime, and because The Borgias takes place only about 50 years before The Tudors. But I found it to really be more similar in feel to Rome with a touch of NBC's Kings, two great shows. I love shows that feature a lot of conspiracies, betrayal, intrigue, and suspense. I have heard some were disappointed with the premiere because it did not feature as much sex and murder as they had hoped. I am not a fan of those unless they are necessitated by the story. And although I thought it had a fair amount of sex and murder, it was not gratuitous, so I am pleased. Of the three big shows that premiered recently, The Borgias, Camelot, and The Killing, this is so far my favourite.



    I suspect only until Game of Thrones premieres. :Pmoreless

  • *** Spoiler-free *** Gorgeous televisual monster

    9.0
    By goa103, Jun 01, 2011
    Note : This is a review of the two episodes premiere, The Poisoned Chalice and The Assassin.



    Even with Jeremy Irons as lead, Showtime and Michael Hirst (The Tudors) as producer I still had doubts about The Borgias. Indeed recently Episodes, at least its pilot, proved that the network can pick shows that should have never been filmed in the first place. Enduring it was even more painful considering their Dexter is my all time favorite TV series. It's not like if Showtime had to redeem itself but many viewers like me worried that The Borgias would turn into a televisual orgy or at least something superficial and inconsistent. Now that I have sinned its premiere I see a magnificient white dove flying in the blue sky and a giant black bird about to devour it.



    There was nothing surreal about it but the production was so immersive that you should instantly feel like traveling back in time. Right when the opening credits began I knew I would enjoy my journey. As creative and artistic as Dexter or True Blood's one I found them quite inspiring and original. It was the perfect appetizer before the feast. And what a feast ! The first part, The Poisoned Chalice, was just flawless and from its sets to its well designed costumes I can't see anyone who wouldn't believe these fictional elements actually existed. From time to time I also noticed the music and I'm convinced it discreetly contributed to the premiere success. The digital renderings, a city flyby and large crowd for instance, were also marvelously blended with real ones. There were also some interesting ideas used to interrogate the viewer. Who's the distorted figure in the mirror ? And what about the first person view right before the procession ended ? Still despite these many astounding qualities I feel the need to point out how the second part, The Assasisin, disappointingly jarred with the first. That's when you should notice some questionable lighting and audio recording. Nothing disastrous but it means the upcoming episodes won't be as well produced as The Poisoned Chalice. The issue is not new but I'll never get used to it. However people who taste the bait shouldn't bite the dust !



    If I had to compare the show with an other one that would be Rome. They're similar in many ways. First the acting is really convincing and I didn't spot any weak link in the casting chain. But of course Jeremy Irons shined among them like a living god. His performance in Lolita and Fatale was so brilliant that I really anticipated his charismatic portrayal. The transformation of his character was intense and almost grotesque at times, a smart way to criticize how a simple mortal can be turned into a living god with unlimited power. Second most characters, if not all, have tremendous potential and their first encounters were quite thrilling. The assassin should send gamers straight to heaven. His controversial role reminded me of Ashur from Spartacus : Blood and Sand. He was just unpredictable and made the story even more twisted and shocking ! Actresses and specially Joanne Whalley also did a good job. The last plays the mother and she's so easy on the eyes that I couldn't believe it when they dared question her mature and natural beauty. Blasphemy ! It leads us to the third element, not the fifth. Indeed the connections between characters, their relationships, shouldn't be as spectacular as in Lost but their realism can only move and make the viewers even more uncomfortable. For example the early chasing game between the sister and the brother has a dual meaning, specially considering what the last had just done. The last shot above the forbidden grass was also probably a direct reference to Christianity. And the contrast between the pure and innocent young daughter and corrupted older son made it even more spiritual.



    To sum things up Neil Jordan can be proud of the show he created. The last time I was so impressed by a pilot was after watching Boardwalk Empire. However I think The Borgias has more potential. There was almost something hypnotic about the white versus red costumes. It's simple, most scenes were both interesting and entertaining. For example the painting one in the garden was educative. Using beauty as a weapon of mass seduction ? Sharping wit and intelligence ? Sequences were also tainted by sins and the one you should appreciate the most could be luxury. Indeed I was gladly surprised by the subtle way sexually oriented scenes were written and filmed. Far from crude productions like Spartacus there was something both substantial and sensual about them. The angles were shy on nudity and the tension peaked during the confession. Of course greed was also covered considering the opulence of their society and their obsession with the soul, tormented and scared by their own doing.



    The masquerade of all masquerades has begun. Let you manipulate like a wooden puppet because the show's masters clearly know what they're doing. Already intriguing with its many opened plots, from the conspiracy to the upcoming war, I can't see anyone who could resist The Borgias. The religion, the beauty and the beast. What a happy family painting !moreless

  • 101

    6.0
    By thefanof, May 18, 2011
    The Borgias was a highly anticipated show on my end ever since it was announced last year. I am still suffering from The Tudors withdrawal, and while this did a little to help with that, that void will never be filled.



    That being said, this was a decent enough start for the series. In the long run are they going to be able to keep a show about the papalcy interesting? Maybe, maybe not, but I liked what I saw here today. Authentic dialogue, great visual effects, everything that was right about The Tudors.



    It is going to be a little hard to keep track of all these characters that did not really distinguish themselves. That is where my main gripe comes in. A lot of cardinals and important people that I am going to have to keep track of now.



    The slow-moving style worked in the pilot, but I'd be lying if I said I loved every scene. There were gaps of filler scenes, and that irks me in a first episode, when should not need those things.



    All in all, I would say "The Poisoned Chalice" was a success.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

Joanne Whalley

Joanne Whalley

Vanossa
Ruta Gedmintas

Ruta Gedmintas

Ursula Bonadeo
Francois Arnaud

Francois Arnaud

Cesare Borgia
Derek Jacobi

Derek Jacobi

Cardinal Orsini
David Oakes

David Oakes

Juan Borgia
Holly Grainger

Holly Grainger

Lucrezia Borgia
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Season 1 Episodes

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Ep 9
Nobody
Ep 8
The Art of War
Ep 7
Death on a Pale Horse
Ep 6
The French King
Ep 5
The Borgias in Love
Ep 4
Lucrezia's Wedding
Ep 3
The Moor
Ep 2
The Assassin
Ep 1
The Poisoned Chalice

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