The Borgias: Season 2
Having barely survived the French invasion with his papacy intact, Alexander VI continues to advance his agenda during the second season. However, the Sforza family continues to thwart him, which leads Pope Alexander VI to make physical war upon them. Meanwhile, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere has not given up his efforts to rid the Vatican of Alexander. Having previously failed in his attempts to depose the Pope lega
Season 2 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The series is set in Renaissance-era Italy and follows the Borgia family in their scandalous ascension to the papacy.
- The historical drama television series was created by Neil Jordan and ran for three seasons from 2011 to 2013.
- Jeremy Irons stars as Pope Alexander VI, also referred to as patriarch Rodrigo Borgia.
- The narrative chronicles the corrupt rise of the patriarch to the papacy, where he commits every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence, and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
Season overview
Having barely survived the French invasion with his papacy intact, Alexander VI continues to advance his agenda during the second season. However, the Sforza family continues to thwart him, which leads Pope Alexander VI to make physical war upon them. Meanwhile, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere has not given up his efforts to rid the Vatican of Alexander. Having previously failed in his attempts to depose the Pope legally, Cardinal della Rovere shifts his tactics and plots to assassinate him instead.
Episode Guide
Season 2 Progress Shield
The Borgia Bull
Apr 8, 2012 · 54 min
Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover and throws a grand, pagan fete for the citizens of Rome when a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; the rivalry between brothers Cesare and
Paolo
Apr 15, 2012 · 48 min
The stable boy who fathered Lucrezia's child travels to Rome to rendezvous with her but suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Juan; the Pope's lovers Giulia and Vittoria take
The Beautiful Deception
Apr 22, 2012 · 56 min
Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo, despite his doubts about the stable boy’s suicide, causing Lucrezia to embark on a hunger strike that threatens the life
Stray Dogs
Apr 29, 2012 · 53 min
Cesare recruits a band of mercenaries with the help of Micheletto to seek revenge on the retreating French troops for burning the nunnery where his beloved Ursula lived; the Pope f
The Choice
May 6, 2012 · 53 min
Cesare deals with the cunning Sforzas decisively; Alexander disguises himself and travels to Florence to hear the fiery preacher Savonarola, not realizing that Della Rovere is tryi
Day of Ashes
May 13, 2012 · 50 min
Alexander is convinced that a lightning strike on St. Peter's Basilica during mass was a sign of God's disapproval; Cesare tries to prove his worth as a military commander; the Pop
The Siege at Forli
May 20, 2012 · 52 min
Juan's triumphant return from Spain is marred by his unsuccessful siege of the Sforza castle; Lucrezia purposely scuttles a scheme to marry her off to a rich Genovese merchant; Sav
Truth and Lies
Jun 3, 2012 · 50 min
Juan returns to Rome trying to spin his combat injury as proof of his valor, but Cesare exposes his brother's ignoble behavior; Lucrezia takes a lover in her intended husband's you
World of Wonders
Jun 10, 2012 · 49 min
It's Easter and Alexander makes plans for a celebration to end his pious fast even as Della Rovere's assassin ascends to the position of the Pope's taster. Lucrezia's lover asks fo
The Confession
Jun 17, 2012 · 58 min
Tragic news for the Borgia family is followed by a shocking revelation from Cesare; Lucrezia surprises herself by falling for a new suitor, Alfonso of Aragon, and accepts his propo