The Borgias - Season 3

Having waited ten months for the next and sadly final instalment of this superb drama we have, as usual, gobbled the whole season up in unseemly haste. This review contains slight spoilers for the end of season two so if you've not seen it then skip the following paragraph. The action follows on immediately from the nail biting finale of Season two with our Borgia pope fighting for his life following Della Rovere's poisoning as the avaricious cardinals vie to become Alexander's successor. The depth of political intrigue makes West Wing look like a kitten playing with string and it is impossible to describe any of the goings-on without completely spoiling the season. Suffice to say that Cesare continues to be unappreciated as he strives to further cement the papacy's hold over the squabbling family states while Lucrezia struggles with the consequences of her conflicted amorous feelings. Throughout the seemingly endless labyrinthine plotting, shifting allegiances and messy deaths, the splendidly reliable and implacable Michelotto continues to shine as the apparently only trustworthy person in the whole country. With the same obsessive production values, huge cast and sumptuous costumes & locations it is sadly no surprise that again, the network bean-counters axed the show before the fourth and final planned season citing the financial cost as the main reason. Also, I somewhat cynically & perhaps pretentiously suspect that the writing and plot design were just too elegant and complex for the American mass audience. Whatever the reason, it is a shame that they wouldn't even finance a final two hour `wind-up' episode to satisfy the enthralled audience as the extant season three does end somewhat abruptly. Notwithstanding the ending, this season is a must for anyone gripped by the intricacies of 15th Century Italian politics.

This series is worth seeing over and over again for it's outstanding acting performances from all the characters, the visually rich production (costumes, interiors and locations) and the intelligent and entertaining dialogues. It is obvious that no cost was spared in producing this series. It is also obvious that great care was taken in casting all the roles - all the actors are serious professionals, making every person seem important (as they are) to the telling of the story. It's a pity this series didn't receive more media attention and awards. The story line of the Borgias in this series is based primarily on the worst poisonous rumors about their lives, but understandable since it makes the story easier to tell, and in some ways, far more interesting. However, some of the outlandish scenarios that seem too ludicrous to be true did actually happen - but just did not involve the Borgias!* The packaging was a disappointment. The season 1 and season 2 DVD sets consisted of 2 plastic boxes each containing 2 discs each, so that you wouldn't have to wrestle with all four discs (being layered on top of one another) at once, as is the case with this season 3 set. It also would have benefitted from more information about who played which roles, as well as production credits. *For a well researched and astonishing look at the real lives of the Borgias, try "The Borgias, The Hidden History", by G.J. Meyer, also purchased on this site. A riveting book that is hard to put down! The Borgias: The Hidden History

Whilst I love this series (Jeremy Irons is superb), it is yet another series I have come to love that has had its ending ruined by network execs pulling the plug early. Why can't they give the show makers more notice? At least that way they could do a re-write and tie things off properly. Now I hear that they're going to release an eBook to finish off the plot threads - I don't want to read about it! I want to watch it. If I wanted to read about it I'd have bought a history book on the Borgias. I don't want historical accuracy - I want double-dealing and skulduggery from an excellent cast. Brilliant third season, brilliant show overall - will be sadly missed in our household...

Its a great sequel to season 2. The acting and story is still at a very high standard. At the time of writing this review I am half way through the four discs, there are ten episodes in total. The brutality and explicit sexual scenes may put some viewers off but it is not included just for the sake of selling the story. Jeremy Irons takes a brilliant part and the juggling for power and money makes a great drama. The historical aspects to my limited knowledge of the Italian papal states struggle for supremacy seem to fit with what I know and it plays out very well indeed. Without watching the previous two seasons I think it may be difficult to follow the intrigue and twists in the story. However I take my hat off to the production team, its is great. Its just a shame that they decided to cut season four. I was unable to obtain a UK source for the Blu-ray version, this DVD version does not disappoint.

I missed this on BBC 2 and it had such good press that I decided to buy the three series. This was series 3 and as brilliant as the first two. Well worth every penny they spent on it. Great acting, amazing plots to carry through from one episode to the next. My only gripe is that they scrapped series four. It meant that series 3 ended very unsatisfactorily. Hope at some time in the future they change their minds.

I was expecting a blu-ray, like the first two seasons, but it never arrived, and finally I got tired to wait and bought this dvd version. But I have to admit that the quality of the disk is excellent, you can hardly say the difference. The story, as falsified as it is, yet is engrossing. Too bad that it ends in an inconclusive way. I would like a final fourth season. Highly recommandable.

God I loved this series ,it's tragic they never made anymore ,The acting the costumes and the sets are fantastic ,Jeremy irons is great as the pope ,and he is superb in the role ,It's a wonderful story full of intrigue and plots ,and had me on the edge of my seat ,A wonderful cast and worth every penny ,i hope and pray someone will make more like this ,

I don't think I need add any more as regards the excellence of this series, and my disappointment and puzzlement at its cancellation. I play it on a loop while I work my rowing machine. All I wanted to say was that I wonder if there is any way to resuscitate it through crowd funding, as I for one would be the first to contribute. Like a great renaissance painting, this series is a true masterpiece within a 21st century medium that,like a Leonardo, will stand the test of time. Anyone with the knowledge as to how that works who can start the process off ?

I love this series. I am just sad that it came to an end after only a few short seasons. I love Jeremy Irons. What an actor. I will have to watch the complete series over again. I wish it would come back ~ highly recommend it. I am also pleased with the delivery service of Amazon ~ so quick and things well packaged!

The Borgias is IMO the best TV Show ever produced. It has everything. Best writing, beautiful costumes, makeup and hair, scenery, lighting, music and choir and not to forget a fantastic group of amazing actors to carry it off. Jeremy Irons (Rodrigo Borgia - patriarch) who becomes Pope Alexander V1, Francois Arnaud as his highly intelligent and ambitious son Cesare Borgia, Holiday Grainger, his beautiful and savvy daughter Lucrezia, Sean Harris as the loyal and dangerous Michelletto, Cesare's bodyguard and friend, Joanne Whalley as Vanozza dei Cattenei, Rodrigo's ex mistress and mother of the children, and Lotte Verbeek as Julia Farnese, Rodrigo's younger mistress, David Oakes as Juan Borgia in S1 and S2 but not in S3. These group of outstanding actors are the glue that holds together the fabric of the storyline from 1492 to about 1501 - ably assisted by Peter Sullivan as Cardinal Sforza and Gina McKee as Caterina Sforza, the Borgia's enemy and Colm Feore as Guiliano della Rovere the Borgias arch nemesis. Not to forget Julian Bleach's marvellous portrayal of Niccholo Machiavelli and Simon MacBurney's Johann Burchardt. Neil Jordan has brilliantly plotted a storyline close to actual history in the telling of The Borgias. There is never a dull moment, the scenes build beautifully and the editing is superb. Action scenes with Renaissance weaponry is amazing as are the scenery and props. Direction in Season 3 has been a lot tighter too and all the threads are well linked between episodes. The Borgias is a visual feast, providing passion, plotting, curruption, ambition and politics all wrapped up in the marvellous package of Neil Jordan's visionary expose of Renaissance Italy. This wonderful show has been cruelly cut off at the knees without a proper conclusion by ending it at Season 3. So much story still to tell and much left unfinished. The decision by Showtime to cancel, is short sighted and left so many of The Borgia's fanbase furious and upset. Including me. A Season 4 or the two hour wrap up movie "The Borgia Apocolypse" as written by Neil Jordan is absolutely vital to finish this epic story.

I loved the whole series, beautiful work. I was sorry that another season did not follow, last episode was a cliff hanger would have loved another episode to have summoned up the continuing life of the borgias. Actors were simply beautiful and talented. I loved this series and will continue to view it from time to time

Still great. This season has a few spots that seem a little dragged out or repetitive, but still overall an enjoyable show. Intrigue, politics, family honour, duty, love...this show has it all. It shows the struggle for power, respect, love, and life, and what this does to the individual. Brilliant cast with well fleshed out characters. Unfortunately the show ends a little abruptly with no season 4 to follow, leaving you wanting more, but better to have loved and lost......

Excellent. Great writing, acting, and filmography. Too bad the series was cancelled..... Perhaps just a quick perusal of modern politics is enough