The Borgias Recap 'The Moor'

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Season 1 Episode 3

Two men, one a declared enemy, another embraced as a friend, find themselves caught in Borgia plots of murder in this episode. It was not too long ago when Rodrigo wearily, warily, brought up drawing the line on murder with his son Cesare. Was it Cardinal Orsini's aborted attempt on the lives of Rodrigo and his family that turned Rodrigo around and hardened his acceptance of murder as a tool of those who seek, and seek to retain, power?

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Cardinal Della Rovere goes to Naples to seek an alliance against the Borgias, and there finds rulers who may be worse. The elderly King Ferrante, long known for his cruelty and his grotesque dinner table of stuffed corpses, has lost his wits. Ruling in his stead, along with advisers, is young Prince Alfonso (Augustus Prew), whose maniacal laughter is interspersed with moments of sober statesmanship. When Micheletto, sent by Cesare per Rodrigo's instructions to introduce Cardinal Della Rovere to the garrote, makes an appearance in the sulphur baths of Naples, Prince Alfonso angrily expels the Cardinal from his city.

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Back in Rome, Rodrigo welcomes Prince Djem (Elyes Gabel), brother of the Sultan of Constantinople, sent to the Vatican so as not to threaten the line of succession in his homeland. Prince Djem bonds with both Juan and Lucrezia; in Juan he finds a brother, and in Lucrezia, a lady he adores. Rodrigo tells Cesare that, whilst the Sultan pays 40 000 ducats in return for the Vatican hosting Prince Djem, 400 000 ducats has been offered should the prince die. In dire need of funds for Lucrezia's dowry (she is to be married to Giovanni Sforza), Juan, presumably under Rodrigo's orders, tries to borrow Micheletto from Cesare. Cesare, knowing that Lucrezia is fond of Djem, refuses. Juan hires a cook to poison Djem, but the prince merely falls ill. According to Micheletto, his death will be drawn out for weeks. Cesare forces Juan to finish what he started and kill Prince Djem himself.

How Rodrigo justifies the family's turn to murder may lie in his conversation with Cesare. Rodrigo, musing about Cardinal Della Rovere's decision to turn to Naples, tells his son, 'The good cardinal imagines that he alone hears the word of God. But God saw what he was blind to. What the Holy Church needs at this juncture is someone who can ensure its survival by whatever means necessary.' Rodrigo genuinely believes the Church benefits from his ascent to power. By protecting himself and his family, he is protecting the Church as well. As though to drive home the point of congruence between spilling of blood and defence of the Church, images of Micheletto's bloody assault in the Naples sulphur baths are intercut with Cesare's investiture as Cardinal.

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Cesare unblinkingly followed his father's lead and sent Micheletto to kill Cardinal Della Rovere. Yet, when the target was painted on Prince Djem's back, Cesare balked. It is tempting to ascribe to Cesare the sentimental notion that he does not wish to kill Prince Djem because the prince, unlike the cardinal, is no enemy to the Borgias. I do believe the bigger reason for Cesare's refusal to take part in Prince Djem's murder is Lucrezia. Almost excessively fond of his sister this early on in their tale, Cesare cannot bear to be the one to take away the young man Lucrezia has grown attached to.

The Vatican's coffers now bountifully replenished by the Sultan of Constantinople, Rodrigo prays he has made the right decision regarding Lucrezia's marriage.

Strays

■ When Cesare asks Micheletto to show him how a garrote works, Micheletto halves a watermelon with a cheese cutter. Cesare sticks a thumb into the watermelon, then sucks on aforementioned thumb. This is very important information.

■ Rodrigo decided to welcome Jews expelled by Queen Isabella from Spain into the Vatican, in exchange for payment.

■ Vain Juan posed for a portrait on a horse while servants held up candles so his armour would glisten. The Borgia family keeps Pinturicchio busy.

■ In Naples, Micheletto sits across the table from the stuffed corpses, as still as the dead.

Quotes

Prince Alfonso: 'He has appointed a veritable cascade of cardinals. Can one say a cascade of cardinals? Like a gaggle of geese? A clutter of cats? An army of ants?'

Lucrezia: '...I shall become a nun. For I shall never love a husband as I love you, Cesare.'

Lucrezia: 'And if my husband proves ungallant?'
Cesare: 'I shall cut his heart out with a dinner knife and serve it to you.'

Show: The Borgias (Showtime)

Season: One

Episode Number in Season: Three

Episode Number in Series: Three

Episode Title: The Moor

Episode Writer: Neil Jordan

Episode Director: Simon Cellan Jones

Original Air Date: April 10, 2011