The Borgias: The Final Season

Neil Jordan, who created this juicy Showtime series about Renaissance-era Italy's answer to The Sopranos, reportedly sketched out a four-year run meant to conclude with the clan's downfall. But The Borgias' abrupt cancellation during the third season ends on a somewhat unsatisfying note, with family patriarch Pope Alexander VI (Jeremy Irons)—recovered from the assassination attempt made during the second season cliffhanger ending (and having forgiven his son for killing his own brother)—plotting to turn the papal state into a kingdom that would pass to son Cesare (François Arnaud), who is busy taking the stronghold of his most formidable foes (the Sforzas) by siege and doing away with the husband of his sister, Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger), so he can have her for himself. However, even if the last season doesn't unleash the retribution that the family so richly deserves, it does offer compensatory rewards; namely, an abundance of bloodletting, battles, duplicity, and debauchery. Richly produced, with elegant period costumes and detailed sets, The Borgias also boasts excellent acting, with Irons obviously relishing the chance to play one of history's most devious schemers. Compiling all 10 episodes from 2013, extras include a blooper reel. Recommended. (F. Swietek)