Ep 1. The Poisoned Chalice

In the first episode of The Borgias season 1, titled "The Poisoned Chalice," we are introduced to the powerful and corrupt Borgia family. Set in Renaissance-era Italy, the series follows the ascent of Rodrigo Borgia, played by Jeremy Irons, as he schemes his way into becoming Pope Alexander VI.

The episode begins with Rodrigo, the ambitious Spanish cardinal, gathering support from various church officials ahead of the conclave to elect the new pope. He heavily relies on the influence of his two sons, Cesare (François Arnaud) and Juan (David Oakes), to secure the necessary votes. Cesare, however, desires to leave the church and pursue a military career, but his father refuses to let him go.

Meanwhile, the newly elected Pope Innocent VIII soon falls ill and passes away, leading to the much-anticipated conclave. Through cunning and bribery, Rodrigo successfully secures the title of Pope Alexander VI, much to the chagrin of his enemies. Cesare is assigned to the role of a cardinal, solidifying the family's power and influence in the Catholic Church.

As the family celebrates their victory, a young boy, Domenico, arrives at their villa seeking help for his ailing mother. Cesare, already resentful towards his father, sees this as an opportunity to prove himself and takes matters into his own hands by administering a controversial treatment to the woman. His actions cause a rift within the family and sparks a feud with the doctors who originally declined to treat the woman.

The episode also introduces us to other key characters in the series, including Rodrigo's mistress Vanozza (Joanne Whalley), who gave birth to his illegitimate children, and Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger), Rodrigo's daughter who is betrothed to a wealthy man for political alliance.

Overall, "The Poisoned Chalice" sets up the groundwork for the rest of the series, showcasing the family's loyalty to each other and their willingness to do whatever it takes to retain their power and influence in the church. The episode also foreshadows the many scandals and controversies that the Borgias will become embroiled in throughout the series, making for an exciting and gripping start to this historical drama.