The Borgias

Extremely ruthless and ambitious cardinal Rodrigo Borgia uses bribery to take advantage of the death of the current Pope and rise to the Papacy.

Micheletto, Orsini's assassin is recruited by Cesare to defect into the service of Della Rovere who is trying to prove Rodrigo has taken on a mistress.

Rodrigo seeks funds through a profitable marriage for Lucrezia and charges a fee for safe haven; the Borgias host a Turkish prince.

Lucrezia's wedding is a disaster; the Borgia children's mother arrives; Della Rovere seeks the aid of the Medici family.

Lucrezia has an affair with a stable boy; Cesare strikes a bargain with Machiavelli and takes action to rid Ursula of her husband.

Della Rovere strikes a bargain with King Charles of France; Rodrigo attempts to thwart an invasion.

The invasion of France proceeds; Giovanni Sforza is poised to join the battle; Leonardo Da Vinci shares drawings and blueprints.

The invaders capture a pregnant Lucrezia who charms King Charles; Pope Alexander VI awaits his fate.

Alexander meets King Charles with humility; Charles abandons Della Rovere; Lucrezia gives birth in a convent.

Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover; a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; Cesare and Juan's rivalry spills into the streets; Lucrezia tends her newborn child; Della Rovere escapes an assassination attempt.

The father of Lucrezia's child travels to meet her in Rome; the Pope's lovers take him on a tour of Rome's indigent.

Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo; Lucrezia embarks on a hunger strike; the French army heads to Rome; Della Rovere sneaks into the city.

Cesare recruits mercenaries to exact revenge on French troops; the pope forges strategic alliances; Lucrezia joins Giulia, who strives to aid the poor.

The Pope demands allegiance from Catherina Sforza; Alexander hears Savonarola while in disguise in Florence; Della Rovere attempts recruitment.

Alexander begins a Lenten fast after fearing a sign from God; Cesare tries to prove his worth; the Pope pressures Lucrezia into another marriage.

Juan returns from Spain; Alexander plans to lay siege to Sforza's castle; Lucrezia scuttles a marriage scheme.

Juan tries to spin his combat injury as proof of his valor; Lucrezia takes a lover; Della Rovere recruits a young friar.

Alexander prepares to end his fast with a celebration; Della Rovere's assassin becomes the Pope's taster; Lucrezia's lover proposes; Cesare makes a decision.

Cesare has a startling revelation; Lucrezia falls for a new suitor; Cesare cannot extract a confession; the assassin strikes.

Pope Alexander fights for his life; the cardinals fight for control of the papacy; Cesare and Micheletto track the assassin; Della Rovere prepares to make his move.

Pope Alexander seeks revenge against the cardinals; Rufio is ordered to rally support from the mercenary warlords; Lucrezia becomes annoyed with her future in-laws.

The purged Cardinals are stripped of their titles and wealth; King Ferdinand refuses to accept Giovanni; Cesare considers an alliance with the old enemy; Alexander sticks to his plan; Lucrezia is abandoned on her wedding night.

Cardinal Farnese discovers Versucci's theft; Alexander calls for a Crusade; Giulia arranges an orgy for the new Cardinals; King Ferdinand learns that Lucrezia's marriage has not been consummated.

Cesare's diplomatic mission is a success; Bianca takes her own life; Alexander and Sforza conspire to repay Gonzaga; Lucrezia travels to Naples; King Ferdinand continues the refusal of recognizing Giovanni.

Cesare lands in northern Italy; Catherina sends a plague-infested cloth to Alexander; Alexander taxes a newly arrived Jewish communtiy; Mattai gains the Pope's respect.

Cesare burns Constanzo's palace to contain the plague; Lucrezia seeks a Neapolitan power base for herself; one of the candidates for Ferdinand's replacement is accused of trying to kill the other.

Pilgrims travel to Rome for the Jubilee year celebrations; Catherina wants to hinder the festival; Mattai's contacts destroy a Turkish fleet; Lucrezia sees a change in Frederigo; Micheletto learns his lover is a spy.

Micheletto kills his lover and disappears; Cesare races to rescue Lucrezia; Alfonso begins to drink heavily; Alexander and Mattai scheme to corner the market in Italian sulphur.

Alexander and Cesare have reconciled; the Borgias are ready to move against their enemies; Catherina is determined to resist a siege; Cesare learns that Alfonso has become aggressive.