Season 1 may have had a slow start, but the episodes still managed to be never less than good with so many fine things that outweighed the unevenness of the writing and pacing. It was with "The French King" where things properly got settled and got back on track after a slight slump, where the writing and pacing had improved, and the good things got even better and more numerous. The previous episode "Death on a Pale Horse" saw the season have its first great episode.
The penultimate episode of the first "The Art of War" is every bit as great as "Death on a Pale Horse" and one of Season 1's best. Its numerous strengths are pretty much exactly the same as those of "Death on a Pale Horse", their impact about equal, and issues are less. Things are progressing, tensions mounting and although purposefully unpleasant (calling the characters unpleasant should not really be a flaw, as the Borgias in real life were not what one would call likeable) the characterisation is getting richer.
Could care less for the Cesare and Ursula subplot, which was always rather soapy in the writing and the chemistry never really ignited. Never was a fan of Ursula or her bland personality either, to the extent that you are not sure what Cesare saw in her.
Otherwise, to me the episode was great. Personally did not have a problem with the writing for Juan and his role in the episode, sure his behaviour is far from subtle and could be seen as distasteful but it added to his increasing loathsome-ness. David Oakes brings that out with great confidence and his chemistry with Francois Arnaud's Cesare is both tense and in a way oddly entertaining. The most interesting subplot here though was with Lucrezia, Giulia and the French. Lucrezia continues to grow in development and in character and Lotte Verbeek's ravishing Giulia, absolutely great that she is playing a bigger role and more than being the mistress to the Pope, continues to be one of the show's best assets. Love their chemistry together and actually did like their mind games. Michel Muler is less hammy here which is a good thing.
Brought to the forefront too is the war battle, which is every bit as gut-wrenching and intense as the scene in Luca in "Death on a Pale Horse". There are other highlights too, the flies in a spiders web feel with the Pope and the cardinals, Jeremy Irons relishing his quite chilling lines in the scene with the ambassador, the unexpected final scene, the Pope's/Rodrigo's speech and the hilarity of hearing the Pope saying the ten letter word (probably prohibited here) beginning with w and ending with e, concerning Juan's behaviour. Continue to love the chemistry between Rodrigo and Cesare and the writing has come on a lot. The pace likewise, thanks to more going on and the tension mounting.
Jeremy Irons chills in the ambassador and counsel scenes as well as when he learns of the retreat, but he equally excels in the quieter moments where Rodrigo is guilt ridden where his line delivery is more understated and his eyes and face tell such a lot. Arnaud and Holliday Grainger continue being more comfortable, Cesare being the most interesting character by now along with Rodrigo, Sean Harris continues to unsettle as Micheletto, Oakes is suitably loathsome and Verbeek is a major bright spot.
Visually, 'The Borgias' continues to have very high production values with "The Art of War", that was never a problem and continually one of the best of the good things about the show. The exquisitely designed and richly coloured costumes, especially Lucrezia's and Giulia's, and scenery and interiors are wow-worthy, and the beautiful photography rivals period dramas on film. The music still has the beauty and intensity that were present in the previous episodes. Meanwhile the opening titles sequences and main theme still give me the chills. one of my favourite opening titles sequences of all time (film and television). The main theme is incredible, the sheer intensity, grandeur and drama (already sending chills down the spine and induces goosebumps before the episode's even begun) makes it one of my favourite main themes for any show. Matched by splendidly and cleverly designed visuals.
All in all, one of the season's best. 9/10
The penultimate episode of the first "The Art of War" is every bit as great as "Death on a Pale Horse" and one of Season 1's best. Its numerous strengths are pretty much exactly the same as those of "Death on a Pale Horse", their impact about equal, and issues are less. Things are progressing, tensions mounting and although purposefully unpleasant (calling the characters unpleasant should not really be a flaw, as the Borgias in real life were not what one would call likeable) the characterisation is getting richer.
Could care less for the Cesare and Ursula subplot, which was always rather soapy in the writing and the chemistry never really ignited. Never was a fan of Ursula or her bland personality either, to the extent that you are not sure what Cesare saw in her.
Otherwise, to me the episode was great. Personally did not have a problem with the writing for Juan and his role in the episode, sure his behaviour is far from subtle and could be seen as distasteful but it added to his increasing loathsome-ness. David Oakes brings that out with great confidence and his chemistry with Francois Arnaud's Cesare is both tense and in a way oddly entertaining. The most interesting subplot here though was with Lucrezia, Giulia and the French. Lucrezia continues to grow in development and in character and Lotte Verbeek's ravishing Giulia, absolutely great that she is playing a bigger role and more than being the mistress to the Pope, continues to be one of the show's best assets. Love their chemistry together and actually did like their mind games. Michel Muler is less hammy here which is a good thing.
Brought to the forefront too is the war battle, which is every bit as gut-wrenching and intense as the scene in Luca in "Death on a Pale Horse". There are other highlights too, the flies in a spiders web feel with the Pope and the cardinals, Jeremy Irons relishing his quite chilling lines in the scene with the ambassador, the unexpected final scene, the Pope's/Rodrigo's speech and the hilarity of hearing the Pope saying the ten letter word (probably prohibited here) beginning with w and ending with e, concerning Juan's behaviour. Continue to love the chemistry between Rodrigo and Cesare and the writing has come on a lot. The pace likewise, thanks to more going on and the tension mounting.
Jeremy Irons chills in the ambassador and counsel scenes as well as when he learns of the retreat, but he equally excels in the quieter moments where Rodrigo is guilt ridden where his line delivery is more understated and his eyes and face tell such a lot. Arnaud and Holliday Grainger continue being more comfortable, Cesare being the most interesting character by now along with Rodrigo, Sean Harris continues to unsettle as Micheletto, Oakes is suitably loathsome and Verbeek is a major bright spot.
Visually, 'The Borgias' continues to have very high production values with "The Art of War", that was never a problem and continually one of the best of the good things about the show. The exquisitely designed and richly coloured costumes, especially Lucrezia's and Giulia's, and scenery and interiors are wow-worthy, and the beautiful photography rivals period dramas on film. The music still has the beauty and intensity that were present in the previous episodes. Meanwhile the opening titles sequences and main theme still give me the chills. one of my favourite opening titles sequences of all time (film and television). The main theme is incredible, the sheer intensity, grandeur and drama (already sending chills down the spine and induces goosebumps before the episode's even begun) makes it one of my favourite main themes for any show. Matched by splendidly and cleverly designed visuals.
All in all, one of the season's best. 9/10