Having watched all episodes of the three seasons recently, it's not surprising that the series was canceled before the proposed fourth and final season began.The first season was okay (6.8/10) with nice cinematography, costumes and very good acting. The story was a bit weak in parts.The second season was better (7.3/10), especially episodes 5-8. But the third season was disappointing (2/10). There was no need of the incest, it brought down the ratings I'm sure. The story became repetitive, unrealistic and rather dull.

The rise to power, and start of a dynasty, of the Borgia family. Rodrigo Borgia ascends within the Catholic Church, becoming Pope Alexander VI. The position brings with it many enemies, internal and state-based, and he has to use all his abilities of diplomacy, ruthlessness, charm and the power of the church to stay in power, and alive. Luckily his children are equally ambitious.Great series, based on historic events. Captures well the precarious nature of Pope Alexander VI's position, and of a ruler in general, plus the state of flux Italy was in at the time. The diplomacy and alliances aspect is well explored.Some good intrigues and action scenes too. Good character depth and development.Solid performances all round. Jeremy Irons is superb as Rodrigo Borgia / Pope Alexander VI.

Like other recent similar series the settings of the period are captured beautifully, i.e. The Medici, but there is hardly a grain of historical truth in this show. While the names of real characters are used they bear little resemblance to the real people and most of the events here never happened or varied wildly from how they are depicted. In drama there is always some room for historical license, but there has to at least be some underlying truth and fidelity to history. This story line has none. There are some people named Borgia, but they have been made cartoon figures 100 times more evil than they actually were. This "history" is based upon there attitude prevalent in prior fiction and a historical reputation generated by enemies. The Borgias were no saints, but they were nowhere as evil as legend has it, and certainly not as depicted in this show. The screenplay is simply awful, misleading, historically inaccurate, and way off the mark. Key characters, such as the assassin, the Turk, etc. are unknown to history. The depiction of Machiavelli and the Medici is way off base, etc. etc. The other European "Borgia" series is far far better.

I had already seen the Canal+ Borgia, which was mesmerizing and excellent. I expected the story and interpretation of the Borgia family's activities to be different but at the same level of story- telling. What a disappointment. Jeremy Irons, who is usually riveting, seemed to be sleep-walking through most episodes. And he played Pope Alexander/Rodrigo as if he was a half-addled fool who just kinda fell into the position of Pope. Of course, he may have been as bored with the insipid script as I was. I don't know what to think of Holliday Grainger's portrayal of Lucrezia. While I realize women had limited spheres in which to influence in their lives, I found it insulting that a powerful woman, famous through the centuries, would just be a cheap soap opera, bodice-ripping tart. I actually fast-forwarded through some of the scenes she was in because she was written and played like a grown woman throwing tantrums and hissy fits. I just couldn't stand watching her. Pretty, yes. The only other thing I have seen her in was a Bonnie & Clyde show. I was not impressed with her performance in that either. This part was too important to be played by someone with limited acting skils.Cesare, as acted by Francois Arnaud, fared the best of the leads. While it was hard to see the gravitas that might have made others follow him into battle, I think the actor could have displayed that and blame the writing instead.While I have focused on the poor acting, I think the problem was really in the writing and direction. We all know Irons is capable of putting on stellar performances. Maybe Grainger is, too. But, as written and directed, everything was flat and, quite frankly, quite boring.I know I sound like a masochist when I say I watched all three seasons of something I hated. It did have its moments and the sets and costumes were sublime. Curiosity kept me going.This is actually the first review I've written so I apologize for it not being well-crafted. I just felt so disappointed and angry that a great opportunity was squandered, that I couldn't keep quiet.If you want a fascinating story with characters that seem like real people, watch Borgia instead.