The season followed Rodrigo’s rise to the papacy through bribery and his subsequent transformation into a "holy figure" who left "dirty deeds" to his son, Cesare.
“These kinds of grand historical reimaginings can be a scrumptious combination of costume drama acting, soap opera theatrics and pay cable promiscuousness.” The Hollywood Reporter · 15 years ago The Borgias - Season 1
Season 1 of (2011) established the show as a visually stunning, high-stakes historical drama centered on the corruption and family loyalty of the infamous House of Borgia. Critical Reception & Style The season followed Rodrigo’s rise to the papacy
“The Borgias is a thing of beauty, aiming for the same rich colors and painterly qualities of some of the era's great artworks.” Rotten Tomatoes Critics noted that while the first season took
Reviewers widely praised the show's production values, often describing it as "a thing of beauty" that captured the rich, painterly quality of Renaissance art. Critics noted that while the first season took time to establish its world, it successfully delivered a blend of "mechanical exposition and soulless melodrama" that kept audiences engaged through intrigue.
Despite their crimes—including murder, simony, and incest—the Borgias were depicted as a "close-knit and loving family" prioritizing each other's survival.