BORGIA {BORGIA: FAITH AND FEAR}: PRELUDE TO AN APOCALYPSE (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, Rodrigo panics as his cardinals desert him and King Charles VIII of France marches towards Rome. Juan begs for a chance to redeem himself as military leader, and Cesare is frustrated when Rodrigo orders him to merely pray for peace. Lucrezia meets her new lady-in-waiting, Pantisilea, unaware that she is also Giulia's spy. Gianbattista Orsini informs Rodrigo that his family has a military contract with Naples but feels no loyalty to the Pope, largely because of Juan's mistakes, and Rodrigo reconsiders and sends Cesare to be his brother's "conscience." Rodrigo also learns that Frederick, the Holy Roman Emperor, has died, succeeded by his son, Maximilian. Juan discovers to his fury that his men have abandoned him, and he orders his mysterious masked associate, Don Miguel de Corella, to kill the mutineers. Lucrezia is crushed when Alfonso d'Este tells her that he is leaving Rome, as his father has decided to support King Charles, and Pantisilea quietly observes their romantic good-bye. Cesare hears of Marcantonio's advances and blames Juan for the loss, and Rodrigo decides to have Marcantonio formally excommunicated.
Lucrezia demands a divorce from Giovanni, but Rodrigo refuses to dissolve the alliance with the Sforzas. He learns of the French army's continued advances and their total destruction of villages along the way, and Rodrigo is outraged at Charles' barbarism. Juan attempts to rally German soldiers to their cause, but Cesare is far more successful when he promises them riches and glory in exchange for their service. Marcantonio's uncle Giovanni rages about the insult of the excommunication, and Rodrigo points out that the devoutly Catholic Queen Anne of France will also take issue with his status. Lucrezia tells her sister-in-law Maria about her marital woes and realizes that Juan is a far worse husband than Giovanni, and Cesare trains the German soldiers to battle France. Rodrigo hears that Charles has sent an emissary, Briconnet, to discuss safe passage to Naples, but Rodrigo firmly states that they are supporting Prince Alfonso's claim instead. He then declares that he wants Emperor Maximilian's nephew to be godfather to his unborn child, adding that Spain should consider Maria's safety in deciding whether or not to send troops to Rome. Cesare tells Djem about his idea to allow France into the papal states and then to cut off their supply lines, then explaining to him the process and true humiliation of excommunication.
Pantisilea updates Giulia, wondering if Lucrezia intends to murder Giovanni to be with Alfonso, and at Giulia's urging, Pantisilea takes her to an apothecary to purchase arsenic "to kill a beast." Alessandro mends fences with Cesare, and Giovanni de Medici tells Rodrigo that the monk Savonarola has banned his family from Florence for life. Ascanio suggests to Rodrigo that he can reclaim Colonna's support at a price, and Cesare is outraged to learn that he is to be sent to Marino as a prisoner in exchange for the Colonnas' loyalty. Lucrezia and Vannozza are also upset by the trade, and when their pleas to Rodrigo go ignored, Lucrezia turns to her husband for help. Marcantonio immediately antagonizes Cesare upon his arrival, and Rodrigo decides to send Giulia away from Rome as well, fearful that della Rovere will exact revenge upon her as well. Giovanni fails to convince Ascanio to save Cesare and Lucrezia very nearly poisons him, but changes her mind and tells him to "die for Rome" instead. Rodrigo flies into a rage upon learning that Giulia has been captured by the French, and threatens to execute Briconnet, Sforza, Colonna and Orsini if she is hurt. Prince Alfonso arrives and admits his defeat, and with Cesare gone, Juan's German soldiers soon abandon him as well. Lucrezia prepares to travel to Castel Sant'Angelo for safety, and Giulia is returned unharmed, though an angry Gacet is sure that the cardinals will immediately flock to Charles if released. In Marino, Marcantonio laughs off the idea that the Colonna will truly ever support Rodrigo, and he viciously beats and assaults Cesare in revenge for his missing finger.
Details
- NETWORK: Sky Italia
- DATE: September 23, 2011
- RUNNING TIME: 0:54:34
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 110756
- 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
- Cyril Morin … Music by
- Metin Huseyin … Director
- Thomas Kelly … Writer
- 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
- Assumpta Serna … Cast, Vannozza Catanei
- Art Malik … Cast, Francesc Gacet
- Christian McKay … Cast, Ascanio Sforza
- Nicolas Belmonte … Cast, Shazadeh Djem
- John Bradley … Cast, Giovanni de Medici
- Paul Brennen … Cast, Agapito Geraldini
- Dan Cade … Cast, Galeotto Sclafenatus
- Brian Caspe … Cast, Giacomo Galasi
- Karel Dobry … Cast, Giovanni Colonna
- Marc Duret … Cast, Guillaume Briconnet
- Jan Filipensky … Cast, Thadeus
- Andrew Hawley … Cast, Alfonso d'Este
- Petr Jakl … Cast, Jorg
- Monica Lopera … Cast, Maria Enriques de Luna
- Tomas Mechacek … Cast, Apothecary
- Elisa Mouliaa … Cast, Pantisilea
- Richard Southgate … Cast, Marcantonio Colonna
- Miroslav Taborsky … Cast, Gianbattista Orsini
- Manuel Rubey … Cast, Giovanni Sforza
- Petr Vanek … Cast, Miguel de Corella
- Raimund Wallisch … Cast, Alfonso d'Aragona