Recap The Borgias 'The Borgia Bull'

Season 2 Episode 1

Cardinal Della Rovere

The opening scene of this solid episode signalled the shift from last season's relatively slow pace to a grittier new series. Cesare and Micheletto use cantarella, and a young altar boy, to try and kill Cardinal Della Rovere. The real Della Rovere, later Pope Julius II, was known as 'The Fearsome Pope' or 'The Warrior Pope' and, like Rodrigo Borgia, himself fathered children before ascending to the papacy. I wonder how different a show The Borgias would have been had the fact that Della Rovere had children been incorporated and given focus on the story.

Anyway, the poison does not kill the good Cardinal. The altar boy says he should still be paid. Micheletto playfully flicks water at the boy before drowning him in a well. Sean Harris is chilling as ever.

The Borgia Siblings

The Pope wants Lucrezia to get a wet nurse for baby Giovanni. Young though she may be, Lucrezia is no fool; she knows this paternal concern for her body is Rodrigo mulling another potential marriage for her. Later, in a scene that gave me The Godfather vibes, Rodrigo tells his sons the time has come to exact vengeance on the great families of the papal states who betrayed them. It could not have been clearer that Cesare and Juan loathed each other. Daddy tells them their second task is the renewal of Rome.

Much later, Cesare walks into Juan, who has new duelling blades, and of course this scene turns into a sword fight. Through the cheering of the soldiers, Cesare wins, and Micheletto sensibly breaks up the fight. The word 'fratricide' is thrown around. Way to telegraph what will happen later in the season, Show.

In a scene I can only imagine was engineered to please Lucreziare shippers (and, as a secondary purpose, remind us of the existence of Paolo, the father of Lucrezia's baby), Cesare holds Lucrezia from behind and there is talk of 'impossible loves.' See, the show gave the shippers something to enjoy (leads of other shows can only hope for a fraction of the chemistry between Fracois Arnaud and Holliday Grainger) while not actually 'going there' (outright incest). Not yet, anyway.

Cesare and Juan practise for the horse race that are part of the celebrations (more on this later). Cesare asks Micheletto who will win, and Micheletto says Cesare, unless Juan cheats. Aw, Cesare. Even if there was a chance Juan would win, did you really think Micheletto would pick him over you?

During the horse race, Micheletto is proven right (how often he is) when Juan throws caltrops that cause Cesare and his horse to topple over. Juan wins the race. Micheletto watched the race like a concerned parent, by the way. Heh, heh.

At the masked ball, Lucrezia pines over Paolo, and Cesare makes her smile by throwing caltrops at the dancing Juan, who hurts himself, of course. I have nothing against the actor who, as far as I could see, did everything the role required of him, but I never understood the appeal of Paolo. I am glad the show saw fit to keep Lucrezia's pining over him at a minimum. Also, both scenes that included mentions of Paolo cleverly featured Lucrezia and Cesare; Cesare's presence alone makes any scene interesting, so his presence during the Paolo mentions evened out my boredom of Paolo.

Rodrigo

While Giulia was away, Rodrigo had another lady stay over. The two ladies of his life, neither of which is the mother of his children, almost meet when Giulia returns early from her trip. Giulia later finds a red stocking on the bed she shares with Rodrigo. She tries to seduce the Pope while wearing a red stocking but it is clear she no longer holds the interest of Rodrigo, as she used to.

On a hunt, Rodrigo and Giulia find an old, vine-covered building filled with artistic treasures from ancient Roman times. The Pope has these treasures brought back to the Vatican. Among those working on these treasures is Vittorio/ Vittoria. Rodrigo figures out he is a girl, and gives her a commission. Giulia becomes aware of her rival.

What Rodrigo wants is a celebration for the common people of Rome, one that reconciles a pagan feast day with a Christian feast day. And he does not want to think of the cost. I, on the other hand, cannot help but think of the cost of production of this single episode. To my non-expert eyes, this episode looks expensive.

The celebrations include a masked ball where Giulia seeks Vanozza's advice regarding the Pope's wandering eye. This conversation leads to Giulia dancing with Vittorio/ Vittoria, and later kissing her, while the Pope watches. Oh, and earlier, the Pope, with a Janus mask, lights the huge Borgia bull Vittorio/ Vittoria made for him on fire. How expensive is this episode?

King Charles of France

King Charles is quite ill at Naples, and is being attended to by King Ferrante's doctor. Apparently, Prince Alfonso infected his own city with Neapolitan disease. We are also reminded of that charming supper table filled with stuffed dead bodies.

Dogs hunt down Prince Alfonso, and eventually catch up with him. He is brought to the King of France. I love Augustus Prew's portrayal of Prince Alfonso; in this scene, as in others, his polite, even courtly conversation is so smoothly mixed with his madness. Later, King Charles brings Prince Alfonso to King Ferrante's torture chambers. The episode closes with the King of France listening to music while Prince Alfonso screams.

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)

Season: Two
Episode Title: The Borgia Bull

Episode Writer: Neil Jordan

Episode Director: Neil Jordan

Original Air Date: April 8, 2012