Pope Innocent VIII is still on his deathbed in 1492, when cardinals aspiring his succession as God's representative on earth prepare their ruthless campaigns to win the election by their peers in the conclave. Rodrigo Borgia, the Spanish outsider in the august Italian circle, aided by his firstborn Cesare, a bishop who aspires a military career and whom he sends messages by carrier pigeon, outsmarts his rivals in bribery of various kinds, from gold to prestigious office promises. After several voting rounds, he gets his sumptuous coronation. The Borgia family has mixed feelings about the consequences for themselves, as pope Alexander can't be seen to continue any aspect of his marital life. Cesare and his monkey outsmart the poison-mongering plot at beaten cardinal Orsini's 'celebratory' banquet.
—KGF Vissers