The worst episodes of Borgia
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Cesare's ultimate judgment is realized while Lucrezia struggles to make sense of her family's history and its future.
- 02
Cesare and the King of France organize their wedding, one after another, the day of the Assumption, a date when it rains consistently. Cardinal Orsini, very sick, terrified of what awaits him after his death when he thinks about his relationships with friends and enemies of the pope. Lucrezia plays on the big surge of hope caused by the salvation and the power of forgiveness to ease political tensions.
- 03
The episode is marked by Sorrows hitting the Borgia family. Kneeling before the tomb of Juan Vannozza pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows aloud. Lucrezia interrupts to ask about new secrets about their family she has heard. Vannozza refuses to answer but encouraged to meditate on Fifth pain. During his prayer, Lucrezia begins to understand the secret history of his family and is considering how to fix past mistakes.
- 04
Lucrezia is in a delicate position with the return of Rodrigo Borgia. It reigns supreme and does not hesitate to be cruel to his enemies. Pope became a counselor with him, Lucrezia can neither impose his word, nor to stop the fears of her husband, which occurred with the arrival of Cesare in Rome. The son Borgia is carried by his desire for conquest. Fierce, he is ready for anything ...
- 05
Outside of Italy, rebellion stirs and the Cardinals fear they'll lose their power, while plans begin for Lucrezia's next marriage.
- 06
Cesare Borgia celebrates Mass on Ash Wednesday for the King of Naples and his court. According to the liturgical texts, Cesare made a sign of the cross on the forehead of each participant with ash, in these words: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." But when comes the turn of King Federico d'Aragona, Cesare draws a "C" on his forehead. Thus causing the sovereign Cesare stands in contradiction with the spirit of contrition associated with this holiday.
- 07
Though officially their uncle, Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia gathers his three children, but Juan's and Cesare's lack of control threaten his life's work.
- 08
When a plot to poison the pope is baffled and the pontiff's original testament restored, Cesare watches his brother rise further in Rodrigo's esteem.
- 09
As peace remains brittle, Rodrigo publicly acknowledges his paternity of Juan, Cesare, Lucrezia and Goffredo to strengthen the family bonds.
- 10
While Lucrezia is head of the Vatican, Rodrigo Borgia continued his retreat. He tries to erase his feelings of love for Julia and her desire for her own daughter, now married to Alfonso di Calabria. But even away from all temptations, he struggles to get there. For his part, his daughter, a young woman who became regent seat with wisdom and moderation, qualities that are lacking in Cesare. The latter, still at war in Romagna, hopes to achieve with a little luck to defeat Catarina and all the enemies of the Borgia family ...
- 11
A quarrel starts among the cardinals and old reckonings are being settled, while Cesare offers his son as a sacrifice to God, abandoning the newborn.
- 12
The crowds gathered on Saint Peter's Square in Rome, while another big celebration takes place in Spoleto. This episode, largely devoted to the celebration, the narrative ends by Rodrigo Transfiguration to a group of children. The story is accompanied by a warning to adults who listen Rodrigo, including Giulia and Virginio Orsini. Rodrigo, Lucrezia and Cesare are transformed as they endorse their new roles, sometimes an inspiration to others, sometimes manipulative attempt to influence them.
- 13
Cesare's new mistress could trigger a diplomatic incident, and public allegations of debauchery are made against the Borgia family.
- 14
When one of his commanders captures a city without authorisation, Cesare must appease a ruler. Lucrezia's son suffers a potentially mortal fall.
- 15
Cesare loses his lover and his daughter, leading to a painful defeat, and Lucrezia's betrothal becomes politically and emotionally complex.
- 16
Cesare's renegade generals mount a rebellion against him, while those close to Rodrigo conspire against him, all on the eve of Lucrezia's wedding.
- 17
The wedding of Lucrezia to Giovanni Sforza is to seal the union between the Borgia and Sforza families, but the marriage will not be consummated.
- 18
On the occasion of this celebration, Cardinal Riario Sansoni organizes morality recounting the story of Alexis. Far from these concerns, Cesare continuing negotiations to try to raise an army and get a title and a wife. Conversely, Lanzol asks to leave Rome and intrigues in order to devote himself more confidently to Christ.
- 19
Alessandro Farnese, treasurer of the Vatican, announces that the signorie of Imola and Forli haven't paid their taxes. The pontiff then summons Caterina Sforza, the Regent, and her son, the heir of these principalities. Furious for being forced to pay high taxes, Caterina arranges a plan to assassinate the Pope. Meanwhile Cesare, at the head of an army of three hundred soldiers, manages to seize the duchy of Milan.
- 20
While Rodrigo engages in delicate politics, Leonardo da Vinci offers Cesare a powerful weapon and murder visits the Borgia family.
- 21
Lucrezia meets her new family with mixed results, while at home a malaria outbreak has historic consequences for the Borgias.
- 22
Rodrigo's death sets chaos in motion on many fronts and forces Cesare to practice his most sophisticated politics yet as stakes are raised.
- 23
With a new pope crowned and order breaking down, Cesare finds himself with more and stronger enemies than ever.
- 24
Cesare stands trial for treason against the Holy See and the Ten Commandments, with his old friend Niccolo Machiavelli as prosecutor.
- 25
Cesare is brought to La Mancha and goes on trial before the Inquisition, while Lucrezia must use extreme measures to save her marriage.
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