The Borgias

:

Season 3
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 3, 2011
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 63
  3. Negative: 14 out of 63
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User Reviews

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  1. Nubba420
    Apr 24, 2013
    9
    The Borgias is an under-appreciated show in my opinion. Both by critics and fans alike. After last season's tremendous latter half and the premiere of season 3, it looks good going forward. Jeremy Irons is fantastic as is the norm for him. But Holliday Grainger and the actor who portrays her brother Cesare are giving great performances too. Really hope Showtime lets The Borgias finishThe Borgias is an under-appreciated show in my opinion. Both by critics and fans alike. After last season's tremendous latter half and the premiere of season 3, it looks good going forward. Jeremy Irons is fantastic as is the norm for him. But Holliday Grainger and the actor who portrays her brother Cesare are giving great performances too. Really hope Showtime lets The Borgias finish it's story.… Expand
  2. Renaldo
    Apr 27, 2013
    10
    Part intelligent soap opera. Part Shakespearean drama. The Borgias is a hard show to niche and perhaps understand at first glance, but once you get a hang of the politics, intrigue and complex relationships, the story becomes very addictive. The acting on this show is brilliant and right up there with any of year-in and year-out Emmy nominated dramas.
  3. Abraham_91
    Jun 17, 2013
    9
    It is not the Pope(Jeremy Irons) who steals the show here, it's his beloved son Cesare Borgia (played by Francois Arnaud). For history buffs, you would know about the life and conquests of Cesare Borgia and appreciate the originality Francois brings to this iconic character. He's passion and devotion to family and the papacy is what really shines in this series. It's a shame it has allIt is not the Pope(Jeremy Irons) who steals the show here, it's his beloved son Cesare Borgia (played by Francois Arnaud). For history buffs, you would know about the life and conquests of Cesare Borgia and appreciate the originality Francois brings to this iconic character. He's passion and devotion to family and the papacy is what really shines in this series. It's a shame it has all come to an end a spin off of Cesare Borgia would be worth the watch! An amazing series that is way too underrated.… Expand
  4. dierregi
    Feb 27, 2014
    10
    Just started watching the third series and I really regret that The Borgia was cancelled. It was a much stronger show than anything “historical” I saw so far. The first episode is brilliantly shot and keeps the tension going until the very last moment. After having being poisoned at the end of the second series, the life of Rodrigo Borgia hangs in balance, while all the enemies of hisJust started watching the third series and I really regret that The Borgia was cancelled. It was a much stronger show than anything “historical” I saw so far. The first episode is brilliantly shot and keeps the tension going until the very last moment. After having being poisoned at the end of the second series, the life of Rodrigo Borgia hangs in balance, while all the enemies of his family are joining forces. Della Rovere, the cardinal just as diabolical as Borgia is free once more to create havoc and Lucrezia is sort of in love with her second husband-to-be. But clearly all will not be well in the Borgia world.… Expand
  5. Jhwarfield
    Sep 6, 2013
    8
    The Borgias is a glimpse into the most salacious periods of the Vatican. Jeromy Irons was at his best. I only wish the writers had better paced themselves, leaving room for a fourth season. Always leave them wanting more, I guess.
  6. liakosh
    Jun 12, 2013
    9
    Seriously a 40? Did the reviewer took the trouble to watch episodes past the first one? Yes Jeremy Irons is not at his best to say the least, but almost everything else is in place. Script, acting, photography etc. all can be compared to any current top rated show. Especially episode 5 which could easily be made into a good movie by its own. Please screen the reviews that are obviously outSeriously a 40? Did the reviewer took the trouble to watch episodes past the first one? Yes Jeremy Irons is not at his best to say the least, but almost everything else is in place. Script, acting, photography etc. all can be compared to any current top rated show. Especially episode 5 which could easily be made into a good movie by its own. Please screen the reviews that are obviously out of place either very high or very low.… Expand
  7. FilipeNeto
    Feb 9, 2019
    7
    This series was produced by a Canadian TV channel and had three seasons. It focuses on the figure of Pope Alexander VI and his bastard children and their political games. But the series has several problems that I have to point out. First of all, it doesn't have a closed conclusion. At the end of third season you understand that it should have continued, but audience concerns probablyThis series was produced by a Canadian TV channel and had three seasons. It focuses on the figure of Pope Alexander VI and his bastard children and their political games. But the series has several problems that I have to point out. First of all, it doesn't have a closed conclusion. At the end of third season you understand that it should have continued, but audience concerns probably spoke louder and dictated an early end, so you get an unfinished story that would need, at least, a few more episodes to properly shut down. Another problem is the exaggeration of the sex scenes and the way the series faces some potentially shocking elements in the plot. I will explain: when you study the Renaissance and their popes, you understand that they were anything but holy. They were noblemen who used the Church to gain power, for themselves and their dynasties, not hesitating to run over anyone who opposed them. Therefore, for a pope or cardinal of this historical period, having lovers and children, or even having someone killed, was quite normal, it wasn't shocking, but the series shows this as something horrible because we, in the 21st century, think it's horrible. This difference of mentalities is essential to understand this pope but never appears in the series. In contrast, the series has made an effort to realistically show the Renaissance environment, and this paid off: the CGI-loaded scenarios are excellent, although sometimes we can see obviously the use of digital resources, in a way it spoils the effect. The costumes were also excellently done, movie quality, and faithful to the period. Jeremy Irons leads the cast, giving life to the Pope in a great performance, at his best level. Alongside him are François Arnaud (in the role of Cesare Borgia) and Holliday Grainger (Lucrezia Borgia), two actors who stand out throughout the series, giving life to two historical characters who, even today, are controversial. I also liked the work of Gina McKee (in the role of Caterina Sforza), Lotte Verbeek, Peter Sullivan, Sean Harris and David Oakes. On the other side, I hated the way that Colm Feore (a good actor, with great talent) played the role of Cardinal della Rovere, one of the pope's opponents. But it's not Feore's fault. The problem is the way his character was developed in the series. Its very few 15th century and a lot of 21th century. In the real life, Rodrigo Borgia and Giuliano della Rovere aren't so different. They think in the same way but they're in opposite sides of the board. Just that. But the series have transformed Della Rovere in a champion of 21th century morality and this simply doesn't make sense. It's anachronic. I will finish with a recommendation: this series has lots of sex scenes, discrete or more obvious, and some violence also, so keep it away from children and teen's eyes.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Apr 15, 2013
    83
    The intrigue continues and The Borgias remains one of TV's more reliable potboilers.
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  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Apr 15, 2013
    63
    Jordan favors intimacy in his shooting; he prefers discussions behind closed doors or hidden in plain sight and affairs built on whispers of secrets. This visual tendency blunts the sharp edge of the series, as does his understandable but limiting focus on the eponymous family.
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Apr 12, 2013
    40
    The Borgias remains a serious letdown as well, so grim and joyless it’s hard to derive much satisfaction from seeing Jeremy Irons in a role he was seemingly born to play.
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