Despite it not settling straight away, with it taking half a season or so for the writing and pacing to become more consistent (have never properly faulted the production values, music and acting and love a lot of individual scenes, chemistries and little things), for me 'The Borgias' is an incredibly well made show regardless of any historical inaccuracies and addictive show. Also have always felt that there isn't a bad episode though have liked a few of the earlier episodes less on re-watches.
Am personally surprised that "Relics" isn't rated more highly here, though still a good score, and that it's rated lower than the still very good and nearly great previous episode "The Wolf and the Lamb". Sure it may not have the same amount of tension, emotional impact or as many scenes not for the faint hearted that that episode had. It also doesn't have any subplots noticeably weaker than the others, Cesare's for me had some dull moments, or any frustrating character behaviours, especially Alfonso's naiivety. Found "Relics" however to be a great episode.
Cannot find an awful lot to fault "Relics", though (sorry if this sounds like a nit-pick) there is a very noticeable camera setup shot in the emissaries exit from the meeting with Rodrigo. This may be a non-issue for some but it was very distracting to me and jarred with how amazing every aspect of the production values were throughout the show's whole run.
It is a shame because the rest of "Relics" looks wonderful. Love the sumptuousness of it all, how beautifully it's shot and how the more intimate moments especially are like one has stepped into a painting. Some of the best directing of 'The Borgias', personal opinion of course, is in "Relics", especially in the silent scenes with Rufio (like with the plague trap). Up there with Juan's burial in "The Confession" and the beginning of "The Face of Death". Other standouts being the through a chandelier view and with the spinning fireworks. The silent Rufio scenes are also the standouts on the music front, some of the show's most haunting. Cannot get enough of the spine-chilling opening titles sequence and the main theme either.
The writing has been one of the most improved aspects of 'The Borgias' over-time, along with the pacing and the character writing for Lucrezia. It provokes thought and there is a good deal of tension here, whether very obvious or quieter, and intrigue in the negotiations and with the spear. "Relics" does a great job with the theme of the appearance of power, summed up brilliantly in the above line in the review summary by Rodrigo (although some of the best lines go to Cesare). The story, despite being very political intrigue-heavy, is compelling and has some nice moments like Rodrigo in a beekeeper outfit, Micheletto having increased screen time and everything to do with the French army. It is not just all about negotiations.
Found the acting to be great across the board, Cesare has really come into his own since Season 2 and the dark intensity is still there in Francois Arnaud's performance with some levity too when returning to Rome. Jeremy Irons is wholly believable in his authority, commanding every scene he's in and how he shows how increasingly livid he is but subtly. Also loved how beautifully Peter Sullivan underplays Sforza, telling a lot with as little as a glance (something that Irons also has always been brilliant at), especially true in his disgust in the honey scene.
Concluding, great. 9/10
