Ep 1. 1492 year

In the premiere episode of the historical drama series Borgia, titled "1492 Year," the viewer is introduced to the notorious Borgia family and given a glimpse into the political intrigue and corruption of Renaissance-era Rome.

The episode opens with Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, played by John Doman, granting a favor to a wealthy patron in exchange for a valuable relic. It quickly becomes clear that the Cardinal is a shrewd and cunning man, willing to use any means necessary to increase his own power and influence.

Meanwhile, the current Pope, Innocent VIII, is on his deathbed, and the race to succeed him is heating up among the cardinals of the church. Rodrigo sees this as an opportunity to put himself forward as a candidate, and he begins to work behind the scenes to secure the necessary votes.

He is aided in his efforts by his children, including his son Cesare (François Arnaud) and daughter Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger), both of whom are intelligent and ambitious in their own right. Cesare is studying to become a priest, but secretly longs for a different kind of power, while Lucrezia is engaged to a nobleman but finds herself drawn to a more exciting and dangerous way of life.

At the same time, Rodrigo's enemies are gathering, including Spanish Cardinal Della Rovere (Colm Feore), who sees him as a corrupt and unworthy candidate for the papacy. Della Rovere is determined to stop Rodrigo at any cost and begins to plot his downfall.

As the election approaches, tensions rise in Rome and alliances are formed and broken. When the new Pope is ultimately chosen, it is Rodrigo who is triumphant, but his victory comes at a cost and sets the stage for even more intrigue and power struggles in the episodes to come.

Throughout "1492 Year," Borgia presents a vivid and complex portrait of Renaissance-era Italy, with its opulent court life, lavish palaces, and simmering political unrest. The characters are all richly drawn, with their own agendas and motivations, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the viewer engaged from start to finish.

Overall, the premiere episode of Borgia promises an engaging and exciting season of television, full of historical detail, scandal, and gorgeous production design. Whether you are a fan of historical dramas or simply love a good story of power and corruption, this show is not to be missed.