The Borgias

The series is one of my favorite HBO "history" series, alongside Rome and The Tudors. Even in this case, the creators didn't let themselves be too bound by the actual events and bent history according to their needs. But that’s what I’ve come to expect of HBO, and I don’t let it ruin my overall impression. Plus, all the more reason for me to look for deviations from historical events, so I might even educate myself in the process :-) As a bonus, I was served various hypocritical church practices, so all the more reason to be satisfied. (21/07/2019)

After the first season, I'm satisfied. It’s true that the creators failed to make me excited, there were a few dull moments and even the better episodes felt like something was missing for me to give a higher rating, but it was decent entertainment most of the time. (15/07/2019)

Summer is a period of reruns, so I decided to rewatch another series that I had seen years ago. The very first episode immediately drew me into the story, and as a staunch opponent of religion in general and all kinds of churches in particular, I found it very entertaining. However, I felt that some parts (such as the crowning of a new pope) were too lengthy. (13/07/2019)

Neither the second episode disappointed me, the church prelates fully engaged in what they do best, besides sodomizing young altar boys, which is scheming and pursuing wealth. I really enjoyed this part, and if the creators didn't hold back too much with the vices of the high-ranking flanders, I would even add a fifth piece. (13/07/2019)

This time, I enjoyed myself (similarly to both previous cases). The creators did not forget about Torquemada's influence on the migration of the population in Europe, and the planned politically advantageous wedding appropriately complemented the plot. It may not have been five stars, but four were more than enough. (13/07/2019)

The travel of the rebellious cardinal through the Italian states this time brought him to Florence, which pleased me a lot because Niccolo Machiavelli was also present, whom I quite liked unlike various church scum. The plot had a pleasant pace again, which was not slowed down even by Lucrezia's wedding. (14/07/2019)

Although there has been a significant decrease in church intrigues at the expense of the amorous lives of the members of the Borgia family, I did not have to lower my evaluation. Not only was there no recitation of verses fueling passion, and the warm glances were kept in a tolerable amount, but also conspiracies were being forged that could easily rival those in the Vatican in the end. (14/07/2019)

If the previous episode didn't disappoint me in any way, they managed to do it with the sixth episode. The creators immersed themselves so successfully in various love affairs that they managed to push all the interesting plot to the sidelines or even sacrifice it completely. For the first time, I got bored in some parts of this series, and that's definitely not good. (14/07/2019)

The seventh episode got rid of unnecessary baggage that burdened the previous installment, and it was noticeable right away. The plot picked up a brisk pace, the events started moving, Mr. Machiavelli was once again his true self, and I was enjoying myself again. Compared to the previous experience, it was a significant improvement. (15/07/2019)

Although this time there was more talking, I was satisfied with the episode. The brave defenders of faith entertained me greatly and their interaction with the Pope was flawless. Similarly, I was amused by the gonfaloniere Juan Borgia, who proved himself to be a "genius" tactician and brightened up my day. (15/07/2019)

The final episode of the first season was pretty well done by the creators. What amused me the most, however, was the Pope's total victory in the undeclared war against the college of cardinals, but the other events and conversations didn't cause me any significant disappointment, so it was a solid conclusion to the first season. (15/07/2019)

Even the second season had its dull moments, but I was more annoyed by some illogicalities in the siege of Forli. But that’s about it for my complaints. I was quite satisfied with this season otherwise, so I don’t want to nitpick. The second season managed to keep up the high standard. I enjoyed it, and I’m obviously looking forward to the next one. (18/07/2019)

The first episode of the second season didn't particularly impress me, I would say that the creators showed their standard. The most interesting passage for me was the one in which the pope discussed the necessity of revenge on all traitors, but then the story took a completely different direction, which didn't benefit him at all. 4* (16/07/2019)

In the second episode, to my surprise, I enjoyed myself more than in the previous episode, even though I had great concerns about the excessive romance returning. Fortunately, those concerns were unnecessary. The plot had a solid pace and did not bore me in any way, so it deserved its four pieces. (16/07/2019)

This time I had a really good time because there was joyful intrigue again in the Vatican, the Sforzas openly sided with the enemy, and vindictive Lucrezia caught my attention much more than when she was in a naively romantic mood. It would probably be a stronger four-star rating, but I rounded it up to five thanks to Potemkin's artillery. (16/07/2019)

In the fourth episode, the creators finally got into some more cohesive action, and it was immediately noticeable in the plot. To make matters even better, I was pleased with the Pope's intrigues, so the only thing that bothered me a little was the usual: "Well, let me tell you, that was one battle." I understand that the budget doesn't allow it, but it saddens me that all the important fights happen off-screen. (16/07/2019)

The second season continues with the fifth episode in the properly set course. While I praised the previous episode mainly for finally having some proper action, this time I liked the scheming the most (both by the Pope and against the Pope). I also really enjoyed the dialogues in Forli, so I decided to give it a full score again. (17/07/2019)

I've probably spoiled myself with the previous episodes, so something was missing for me in the sixth episode. And it was precisely that something that was necessary to give it a fifth star. I simply had the impression that the episode lacked a bit of pace, which I quickly got used to in the previous parts. (17/07/2019)

Somehow, I assumed that in this case, I would once again explain it in detail and provide a urological-surgical procedure, but in the end, the siege of Forli somewhat disappointed me. This time, it wasn't so much the obviously limited budget as a whole series of small inconsistencies. (17/07/2019)

The eighth episode was not bad at all, its plot was dominated by hatred and intrigues between brothers, and when anti-Papal actions were added to that, I couldn't get bored. All the events unfolded at a very decent pace, and I also enjoyed the chess surrounding Lucrezia's possible marriage, so I was satisfied. 4*+ (18/07/2019)