Tonight on The Borgias: The Beautiful Deception
One of the major themes running through The Borgias is, try as you might, there's no such thing as fully escaping your past. Rodrigo had a bulls-eye on his back from his first day as pope due to his Spanish blood, Lucretzia's attempt to distance herself from (and protect) Paolo proved fruitless, and Ursula can't seem to get Cesare to leave her alone to grieve in the nunnery. In the world of Borgia bulls, religious menages-a-trois, and near-constant threats to your position, it's only a matter of time before old enemies and burned bridges catch up to you, both reminding you of your past and punishing you accordingly.
On tonight's episode of The Borgias, titled "The Beautiful Deception", the past is present, as the French are on the move once again. King Charles has dispatched poor (annoying) Alfonso, leaving him to the horrific dining room for all eternity, and now, there's a score to settle with Rodrigo Borgia. With only a week remaining before the attack and no money to burn on weapons, thanks to the party from the premiere, what's a pope to do? Cheap cannons seem to be the answer, as Cesare provides demonstration with a hand model in one of the sneak peeks below. One hundred of them may be in production to combat the dual-cannonball invention of the French, but what could they be made out of? And will it be enough to push the mighty French army back once more?
The past pops up again regarding Paolo's death, which rouses Rodrigo's contempt for Juan to the point of attack. But here's the thing about Rodrigo Borgia; he may say that family is number one, but in actuality, power and the preservation of is the ultimate trump card here. In his heart of hearts, he has to know that Juan had a hand in Paolo's death, but more important than justice for murder (and Lucretzia) is the possibility of marrying his daughter off to another political power player. Rather than letting her living life with a peasant, Rodrigo is leaving open the possibility of securing alliances through marriage. Therefore, Juan's guilt in the matter becomes much less important, as (sick as it may sound) he did the pope a favor in getting rid of Paolo.
Juan may have soothed the pope's ire this time, but how much longer can Rodrigo hang onto a loose cannon like that?
The Borgias airs tonight at 10:00 on Showtime.
