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Created Apr 13, 2011 07:49PM PST • Edited Jul 15, 2011 04:13PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   Now that The Tudors has run its course, Showtime gives us another series about a lecherous royal family. The Borgias bills itself as “The Original Crime Family.” Vatican Sopranos as it were. You see, Rodrigo Borgia bribed his way into the Papacy, where he became “the worst of all Popes,” and didn’t acquit himself much better as a parent.

   The series has potential, teeming with historical interest, palace intrigue, sex, murder and really sumptuous robes. Yet it underwhelms, at least through the first two episodes.

   Almost unremittingly grim, it lacks The Sopranos leavening humor. Plus the acting is surprisingly weak, especially from those playing the younger Borgias, who don’t seem evil enough for their roles.

   Still, I’m going to hang in for at least a few more episodes (there’s only nine of them). You never know, Leonardo Da Vinci may turn up.
   -————————
   Season Postscript: It was worth watching till the end. Da Vinci didn’t turn up, but Machiavelli did. Clever and conniving, that one, though depicted here as little more than a loyal public servant. Really?

4. Acting

   OK 2.5

   Jeremy Irons seems more tired than malevolent as paterfamilias Rodrigo Borgia.

   More troubling, neither of his infamous sons seems up to the task of serious evildoing. They tend to swallow hard every time their papa asks them to bribe a Cardinal or off a rival. Perhaps they’re pulling a Michael Corleone before he fully accepted the family business, but by the time the fifth victim gets poisoned or strangled, you’d think they would be less conflicted about their choices. Just saying…

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars Barely OK 2.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    The storylines are undeniably fascinating, with staging that is generally up to the task.

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.9

    Poisoning ain’t a pretty way to die, or to watch someone die.

17. Sex Erotic 2.6

18. Violence Brutal 3.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

    The Catholic Church can’t be happy about this one. Institutions that have been around for over a millennium have highs and lows. This depicts the latter.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.8

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0