Found the Season 3 premiere "The Face of Death" to be amazing, of 'The Borgias' season premieres Season 3 to me had by far the best and a must watch for the opening alone. Of course there were other fantastic things but the opening really stood out, making for an episode that managed to be on very high par with the previous season's finale "The Confession" which was 'The Borgias' at its best.
While still a highly impressive episode with more good (more like great) than not so good, "The Purge" was a slight let-down compared to "The Face of Death". Also didn't find it as great as the whole of Season 2, which had a remarkably consistently high standard that one doesn't always get with shows. It would have been extremely difficult following on from that episode, but "The Purge" does do so more than admirably. It is a slower episode, and there is not a scene here quite as scintillating as how "The Face of Death" opened, but still very much eventful in particularly the latter stages and still compelling. Anybody who really liked at least the previous episodes of 'The Borgias' should find plenty to love here.
Did think that some of the dialogue in scenes where there is scheming going on a little on the exaggerated side, even for something as theatrical as 'The Borgias'. Especially in that scene in the Roman ruins.
Also found that dream sequence to be very out of place, it just didn't gel with the rest of the episode and came over as strange.
However, the production values do not disappoint in any shape or form. Have always loved the cinematic quality of the photography and that can be seen in "The Purge", and the scenery, interiors and especially the costumes continue to stun. Why do Lucrezia's dresses always look so wonderful? The opening titles sequence visually and musically is one of my favourites for any show, also love it more than opening titles sequences for a vast majority of films too. Those beautifully designed, theatrical visuals and that stirring goosebump-inducing main theme, what a perfect marriage.
Some exaggerated moments aside, the writing is still thought-provoking and maintains a lot of intrigue. Especially in the latter stages of the episode. As said, the story is slower in momentum but plenty happens and it feels like it's advancing rather than going backwards or feeling like filler. Rufio is a promising new addition, managing to give Micheletto a run for his money in the creep stakes. Love too that Cardinal Sforza has more to do and one knows that Caterina is a memorable character when she doesn't even appear yet one feels her presence. Rodrigo sums her up very well nicknaming her the tarantula of Forli. A major highlight is the ending, that was tense and personally was not expecting it. The character interactions excels also, especially the crackling one between Cesare and Lucrezia. Rodrigo and Vanozza have lovely moments too, particularly in their most romantic ever scene, one really feels their chemistry which never felt forced.
The performances are all strong, Jeremy Irons commands the screen effortlessly and Holliday Grainger has now fully established the bat out of hell personality that gave Lucrezia Borgia her reputation. Francois Arnaud is darkly intense and Joanne Whalley is knowing and understated.
In conclusion, very impressive if not as good as the previous episode. 8/10
While still a highly impressive episode with more good (more like great) than not so good, "The Purge" was a slight let-down compared to "The Face of Death". Also didn't find it as great as the whole of Season 2, which had a remarkably consistently high standard that one doesn't always get with shows. It would have been extremely difficult following on from that episode, but "The Purge" does do so more than admirably. It is a slower episode, and there is not a scene here quite as scintillating as how "The Face of Death" opened, but still very much eventful in particularly the latter stages and still compelling. Anybody who really liked at least the previous episodes of 'The Borgias' should find plenty to love here.
Did think that some of the dialogue in scenes where there is scheming going on a little on the exaggerated side, even for something as theatrical as 'The Borgias'. Especially in that scene in the Roman ruins.
Also found that dream sequence to be very out of place, it just didn't gel with the rest of the episode and came over as strange.
However, the production values do not disappoint in any shape or form. Have always loved the cinematic quality of the photography and that can be seen in "The Purge", and the scenery, interiors and especially the costumes continue to stun. Why do Lucrezia's dresses always look so wonderful? The opening titles sequence visually and musically is one of my favourites for any show, also love it more than opening titles sequences for a vast majority of films too. Those beautifully designed, theatrical visuals and that stirring goosebump-inducing main theme, what a perfect marriage.
Some exaggerated moments aside, the writing is still thought-provoking and maintains a lot of intrigue. Especially in the latter stages of the episode. As said, the story is slower in momentum but plenty happens and it feels like it's advancing rather than going backwards or feeling like filler. Rufio is a promising new addition, managing to give Micheletto a run for his money in the creep stakes. Love too that Cardinal Sforza has more to do and one knows that Caterina is a memorable character when she doesn't even appear yet one feels her presence. Rodrigo sums her up very well nicknaming her the tarantula of Forli. A major highlight is the ending, that was tense and personally was not expecting it. The character interactions excels also, especially the crackling one between Cesare and Lucrezia. Rodrigo and Vanozza have lovely moments too, particularly in their most romantic ever scene, one really feels their chemistry which never felt forced.
The performances are all strong, Jeremy Irons commands the screen effortlessly and Holliday Grainger has now fully established the bat out of hell personality that gave Lucrezia Borgia her reputation. Francois Arnaud is darkly intense and Joanne Whalley is knowing and understated.
In conclusion, very impressive if not as good as the previous episode. 8/10
