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★★☆☆☆
19 August 2012
This article is a review of BORGIA season one. |
“There is very little real romance in the world.”
Following in the sadomasochism footsteps of ROME and SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND, the new Renaissance television show lacks the brains of the former, and the unashamed salaciousness and gore of the latter. Going for sporadic nudity, sex and violence, BORGIA could have been a guilty pleasure; rather, after a few episodes the poor storytelling and lacklustre production causes ennui to creep in.
Following in the sadomasochism footsteps of ROME and SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND, the new Renaissance television show lacks the brains of the former, and the unashamed salaciousness and gore of the latter. Going for sporadic nudity, sex and violence, BORGIA could have been a guilty pleasure; rather, after a few episodes the poor storytelling and lacklustre production causes ennui to creep in.
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Seemingly desirous of creating a heady ride of machinations and manipulations, we follow the mis/fortunes of the eponymous family, lead by Cardinal Rodrigo, whose limitless ambition is the focus. Spanning a dozen episodes BORGIA had the potential to be filled with gripping intrigue. Kicking off in March 1492 in the Vatican, Pope Innocent VIII is dying and there are power plays to be the next in line. Ancient organised religion comes under heavy criticism. The comparison between claimed piety, with brutality and amorality is bluntly portrayed.
Conflict on a continental scale is not shown with verve or inspiration. Characters continually talk about what is happening off camera in a non-engaging way – plus we don’t get to see it. The production values feel so budget. Locations are used over and over until the settings compound the cheapness. The writing is pedestrian, the acting tuned to hysterical, and soap-opera melodrama is the resulting tone. What a crying shame, as the creator delivered one of the top cop shows of all time, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET.
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