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
Despite their crimes—including murder, simony, and incest—the Borgias were depicted as a "close-knit and loving family" prioritizing each other's survival. The season followed Rodrigo’s rise to the papacy