BORGIA {BORGIA: FAITH AND FEAR}: THE BONDS OF MATRIMONY (TV)

Summary

One in this historical drama series set in Renaissance Italy about the notorious Borgia family and its patriarch, Pope Alexander VI. In this episode, Cesare is sent to Spoleto and frustrated to learn that he is to stay there "indefinitely" now that Rodrigo has been named Pope. He complains to his friends that he must return to Pisa to find his infant son, but Alessandro grimly tells him that the boy is likely dead. Vannozza urges Lucrezia not to tell her "uncle" about her vision of becoming a nun, and Rodrigo is reminded that he must become a "new man" and leave his family behind now that he has assumed a new role. He then learns that della Rovere has fled Rome and is likely plotting against him. Giulia visits him and seduces him despite his protests, assuring him that he can do as he pleases as Pope. Alessandro then receives a letter informing him that he is to be made a cardinal thanks to his sister's machinations, and Cesare urges him to become his spy. Rodrigo immediately begins to clean house, terminating several cardinals whom he has deemed corrupt and making Sforza vice-chancellor, as he promised when securing his vote. He has several men punished harshly for selling papal bulls and then talks to Alessandro, reminding him of his vows and ordering him not to report back to Cesare.

Lucrezia returns from the abbey and is excited to learn that Rodrigo intends to have her portrait painted as St. Catherine, while elsewhere Cesare is called to Prospero Santacroce's bedside as he dies. The man begs for absolution for past crimes, but Cesare states that he is not yet a priest and is surprised when the man offers to buy his redemption with money. Giulia urges Lucrezia to tell Rodrigo the truth about her holy vision, and Rodrigo is furious to learn of the many murders that have taken place in Rome since Pope Innocent's death. He reminds Virginio that the people are a vital source of income, and orders the "troublemakers" publicly executed as a statement of intolerance. Sforza then reveals that della Rovere has arranged for Innocent's illegitimate son Cibo to sell land to Virginio and reminds Rodrigo of his many campaign promises, including his vow to wed Lucrezia to his own cousin Giovanni. Juan returns from Spain and reveals that he has been forbidden by the queen from marrying King Ferdinand's niece, but is cheered when Rodrigo names him Captain General of the papal guard. Rodrigo then confronts Virginio and declare the sale void, stating that he does not have the right to purchase the church's land without permission. Alessandro admits to his sister that he is torn between loyalty to Rodrigo and to Cesare, but she urges him that he must be "true" to both. Alessandro then meets Silvia Ruffini, a guest of Djem's, and is instantly smitten.

Cesare is frustration to hear of Juan's promotion and Lucrezia's engagement, and is further devastated when what appear to be his son's remains are brought to him. Lucrezia panics upon hearing about her new fiancé, though Adriana orders her to go through with it. Lucrezia frantically prays to Petronilla just as Cesare prays for forgiveness for his child's death and nearly kills himself by setting fire to the church before being saved by Agapito. Juan lectures Sclafenatus about his soldiers' poor work and orders him to "improve or die," and Djem gives him some harsh advice about dealing with his inferiors. Juan is unconcerned when Vannozza warns him of della Rovere's plot, and Giulia attempts to comfort Lucrezia, telling her that her faith is being tested. When Lucrezia meets Giovanni, however, she is surprised to find him kind and unassuming. Cesare hears of Juan's failure as leader and of the plot against his "uncle," and he decides to defy orders and head back to Rome to warn him. Lucrezia admits to Giulia that she is torn between her desire to wed Giovanni and to "wed" God, but eventually goes through with the marriage without comment. Rodrigo talks to the visiting ambassador de Basche about the growing "Muslim threat" and his plans for war, and then breaks tradition by inviting Giulia and the other women in to celebrate with the men. Alessandro privately tells Silvia that Cesare's son is in fact alive and back with his mother, but that he allowed his friend to believe the baby dead in order to "save his soul." Rodrigo then forestalls the couple's wedding night by ordering Lucrezia back to her family home, and an angry Sforza realizes that he is delaying the consummation so that he may later dissolve the marriage if it proves less than politically advantageous.

Details

• NETWORK: Sky Italia
• DATE: September 16, 2011
• RUNNING TIME: 0:54:22
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: 110753
• GENRE: Drama, historical
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Religion
• SERIES RUN: Sky Italia - TV series, 2011-2014
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Anne Thomopoulos … Executive Producer
• Steven Bawol … Executive Producer
• Takis Candilis … Executive Producer
• Klaus Zimmermann … Executive Producer
• Ferdinand Dohna … Executive Producer
• Barry Levinson … Executive Producer
• Tom Fontana … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
• Michael Schwarz … Producer
• Petr Moravec … Producer
• Aaron Seliquini … Co-Producer
• Dearbhla Walsh … Director
• Gina Gionfriddo … Writer
• Cyril Morin … Music by
• John Doman … Cast, Rodrigo Borgia
• Mark Ryder … Cast, Cesare Borgia
• Stanley Weber … Cast, Juan Borgia
• Isolda Dychauk … Cast, Lucrezia Borgia
• Marta Gastini … Cast, Giulia Farnese
• Diarmuid Noyes … Cast, Alessandro Farnese
• Andrea Sawatzki … Cast, Adriana De Mila
• Art Malik … Cast, Francesc Gacet
• Assumpta Serna … Cast, Vannozza Catanei
• Christian McKay … Cast, Ascanio Sforza
• Scott Winters … Cast, Rafaele Riario-Sansoni
• Nicolas Amer … Cast, Prospero Santacroce
• Nicolas Belmonte … Cast, Shahzadeh Djem
• Predrag Bjelac … Cast, Francesco Piccolomini
• Paul Brennan … Cast, Agapito Geraldini
• Jonathan Bonnici … Cast, Young Actor
• Dan Cade … Cast, Galeotto Sclafenatus
• Sean Campion … Cast, Virginio Orsini
• Simon Cazes … Cast, Peron de Basche
• Karel Dobry … Cast, Giovanni Colonna
• Laura Fedorowycz … Cast, Silvia Ruffini
• Vadim Glowna … Cast, Jorge da Costa
• James High … Cast, Domenico Gentile di Viterbo
• Josef Jelinek … Cast, Federigo San Severino
• Jiri Madl … Cast, Francesco Remolino
• Victor Schefe … Cast, Johann Burchard
• Robert Polo … Cast, Carlo Canale
• Manuel Rubey … Cast, Giovanni Sforza
• Miroslav Taborsky … Cast, Gianbattista Orsini
• Tereza Voriskova … Cast, Fiametta Michaelis