One of the reasons I gravitated to The Borgias as a TV show was largely that in addition to liking Jeremy Irons and Colm Feore, the Renaissance setting is one I’ve had a particular fondness for for years. I took several courses on the subject in high school and college, read many pieces of literature from then, and at one point was able to quote The Prince in appropriate context during a party. (Benefits of a classical education, as Hans Gruber would say.)
As such, I knew who Niccolo Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza and Giralomo Savonarola were before the show introduced them last year, and was very pleased at the rendition of all three. Last night’s episode “The Choice,” my review of which is now up at The A.V. Club, had all three in the same episode for the first time. If you’re a fan of the show or a Renaissance history wonk, check it out.
A Helpless Compiler 