The one thing that could make the writing on this show more overwrought and pretentious.

He is indeed. And I will believe until proven otherwise they're saving him for a coup against Monroe.

And the weird thing was I really thought it was working for the first half of the season! But it's just lost whatever appeal it had since.

Of all the press stills, this one was so goofy I couldn't help but use it.

I agree with this, and for a long time I was wondering what anyone saw in her. But when she gets to play crazy, she's redeemable.

And there is nothing to burn them all away.

The show does shoot in North Carolina, as opposed to some space around a California studio. Evidently for season two it'll be moving to Texas.

This episode had one of the more hilarious This Week In Portland's I've seen to date: The "bookstore" where the case starts out is not only not a bookstore - it's the Gerding Theater downtown - but it's also two blocks from an actual bookstore and a dozen blocks from the Willamette River. So even by the show's rather…

Agreed. So disappointed he was only around for a few minutes.

I mentioned the Mario Puzo novel "The Family" a couple weeks ago, but something I forgot to mention is that the book contains a very good map on the inside cover. It's been rather helpful going forward.

That's what I'd like to see - a fourth season that portrays Rodrigo's downfall, and then a movie pitting a weakened Cesare against an ascendant della Rovere.

That's been the only direct mention, but there's been a suspicious glance here and there from others, up to and including Vanozza.

Were I to do a podcast about The Borgias, that's what I'd call it.

Given how many people despise the Borgia family, there's a lot of ugly rumors flying about all of them. And given Lucrezia's known to have fathered a bastard child, it's easy to accuse either Cesare or even Alexander of being the father if you truly want to slander the family.

This season has indeed been much darker and sensual. I like the idea that it's their appetites finally consuming them.

I have yet to see Borgia myself - I'd prefer to wait until this is over so I can avoid judging the two together. 

The first season is okay, but's it's much slower and soapier. The second season is where things start to ramp up, particularly in the third episode, and it takes off from there.

When the series finally concludes its run, the evolution of those two as actors will be its greatest achievement. I think they've been terrific, and more than occasionally overshadow Irons, to who a role like this is so natural it's easy.

Top Ten:

Eric Kripke to the audience: "Do you remember that monologue Mark Pellegrino had in the third episode talking about the scarcity of ammo in this world and how they can't manufacture bullets any more? We certainly hope not!"