The Borgias, disc 1

[osprey_archer]

Watching The Borgias! It is good in the way that Rome is good (I've heard the shows were made by the same people?), in that it is an overwrought costume drama with lots of pretty, pretty costumes

Seriously, though, there are so many scenes with popes and cardinals sweeping down hallways, their robes billowing behind them! You would think it would get old eventually, but so far it looks awesome every time.

Also stabbings.

And banquets! The banquets look truly glorious and make me hungry. And pretty, pretty people!

(Although I thought Micheletto should be cuter. The weak chin just really doesn't do it for me. /shallow.)

And random historical cameos! THEY HAD SAVONAROLA YES YES YES.

...I'm not even sure why I'm so excited about this, it is not like I am a big fan of Savonarola. Although I sometimes consider reading George Eliot's Romola because it's about Savonarola, never mind it's by George Eliot, so maybe I am?

Anyway, Lucrezia is my faaaaaavorite, with Cesare running a close second. (Also, this is probably the most incestuous show in the history of forever. Like, Cesare carries Lucrezia to her bed on her wedding night incestuous. Then he sits by her bed and pets her hair as she sleeps.

Also, they probably have the least creepy relationship out of anyone on the show, which tells you a lot about this show.)

But Lucrezia! Lucrezia is so pretty! And she wears such pretty, pretty clothes! (This show brings out my shallow side, I am sorry.) She's naive - I actually think she's a little too naive, but I also think it's for Dramatic Effect so her learning curve as she learns to understand politics and comes into her own, because of course eventually she's going to be completely badass.

I also really like her relationship with her father's new courtesan Giulia Farnese, who acts as a sort of mentor figure for her (and is also smashingly beautiful. How are there so many beautiful people on this show?). I was sad when Lucrezia and Giulia's kissing lesson got cut short. :(

But at least it lasted long enough that Lucrezia's first kiss wasn't with her husband Rapey Sforza!

Comments

[goldjadeocean.livejournal.com]

Apparently the show gets even more incestuous as time goes by. Or so I hear.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Well, it is the Borgias. In between the incest and the poisonings I'm not sure how they ever got anything else done.

[goldjadeocean.livejournal.com]

Fabulously, of course.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

With sprezzatura!

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the S3 promo? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpEPExQFVAo THEY GO THERE.

Speaking of historical cameos, I enjoyed Machiavelli. (Also the King of France, although I don't think you can call that a cameo.)

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I've seen that promo! I'm kind of hoping to get caught up on the first two seasons before season three starts, but i don't know if that will work out.

[silverusagi]

YESSSSSSS, so much YES.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Yes! I was surprised by how much Lucrezia and Cesare didn't squick me, actually, but I guess compared to all the poisoning going on, a spot of incest seems almost normal and healthy.

At least if Lucrezia and Cesare got together, she would be with someone who loved her, you know? Even if he is kind of a messed up puppy. And her brother.

[carmarthen.livejournal.com]

Wait wait there's a Lucrezia and Giulia kissing lesson? CLEARLY I STOPPED WATCHING TOO SOON.

Giulia was my favorite, though.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Yes there is! It's in episode four, "Lucrezia's Wedding." Sadly it is cut short before they reach the epic make-out point, or indeed go much farther than a peck on the lips, but still!

...I kind of hope someone has written fic where they pick it up again later.

Giulia is also awesome! I like how calm and sensible she is at navigating her difficult situation, and the way she mentors Lucrezia when it would really be easier for her to put them at odds.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

I adore Lucrezia! She and Micheletto are my favourites - Giulia I liked, but I am much more fond of Caterina Sforza (though I think she doesn't turn up until much later?). And don't worry, in season two Micheletto grows his hair and beard out and looks significantly hotter (and creepier). See, you are not the only shallow one here.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I don't think we've met Caterina Sforza, unless she was the one telling the pope about how Lucrezia had better bring a big dowry? But that was a pretty short scene.

I will look forward to Micheletto with beard! That would definitely solve the weak chin problem.