In the third episode of the first season of (Showtime/Bravo!), titled " The Moor " , the family’s newly acquired power begins to show its first cracks of financial and political instability. Directed by Simon Cellan Jones and written by series creator Neil Jordan , this hour explores the intersection of strategic marriage, religious hypocrisy, and the cold-blooded pragmatism required to maintain the Papacy. Plot Summary: Finances and Foreign Princes
Rodrigo and Cesare agree that Lucrezia must marry an Italian to strengthen the Papacy’s local standing. They eventually settle on Giovanni Sforza , aiming to align with Milan and block Cardinal Della Rovere's path to France. borgia 1x03 full
After Micheletto informs Cesare that Djem would suffer for weeks, Cesare compels Juan to finish the job. Juan eventually smothers the prince with a pillow to ensure the payout. Key Subplots and Political Moves In the third episode of the first season of (Showtime/Bravo
Following his expensive rise to the Papal throne, Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) finds his coffers dangerously low. To replenish his funds and secure vital alliances, he focuses on two primary goals: They eventually settle on Giovanni Sforza , aiming
Reviewers at Den of Geek praised the episode for cramming a vast amount of historical intrigue into a single hour while highlighting Juan Borgia’s vanity and incompetence. However, some viewers on IMDb noted historical inaccuracies regarding Prince Djem’s age and the specific timing of his arrival in Rome compared to the actual 15th-century timeline.
The episode's climax centers on the tragic betrayal of Prince Djem. Despite the young prince's friendly nature, Juan Borgia is tasked with his "disposal" to claim the Sultan’s bounty and fund Lucrezia’s dowry.
You can find the full episode on platforms like Paramount+ or Apple TV+. The Borgias episodes 3 review: The Moor | Den of Geek