Season 2 of 'The Borgias' saw a big step up in quality from the first season. Actually found the first season to be a solid one and found a lot to like/love about it, but it took half the season for everything to feel fully settled. Just found Season 2 more consistent, the dialogue and pacing much improved (despite still having reservations about the Della Rovere subplot) and as far as the previous episodes and "The Choice" go they are all great.
While, as said, loving all four of the previous episodes, "The Choice" for me was not just one of the high points of the second season but also one of the high points of the whole show. Would go as far to say that it gets my pick as the first near-perfect episode of 'The Borgias', other episodes may be a little better at advancing plot, though that certainly does happen (Della Rovere's finally does go somewhere) , but "The Choice" scores brilliantly in providing development to some of the characters (showing them as more than just what they were seen as before) and the emotional impact. One scene in particular is one of the most shattering scenes in the whole of 'The Borgias'.
The only asset that to me wasn't quite so good, and this is going to come over to some people as a nit-pick, was some of the storm and roof collapsing visuals. They seemed a bit obvious and didn't have the same high quality of the rest of the production values.
Because the production values throughout 'The Borgias' and in "The Choice" were so top notch and rivalled those of historical period dramas on film. The costumes are just exquisite, especially those of Lucrezia and Giulia, and the scenery and interiors have the wow-factor, namely the interiors of the Sforza Castle. The photography captures those qualities beautifully. The music still has the beauty and intensity that were present in the previous episodes. Meanwhile the opening titles sequences and main theme still give me the chills. one of my favourite opening titles sequences of all time (film and television). The main theme is incredible, the sheer intensity, grandeur and drama (already sending chills down the spine and induces goosebumps before the episode's even begun) makes it one of my favourite main themes for any show. Matched by splendidly and cleverly designed visuals.
Have always loved the different character chemistries and "The Choice" has some of the most interesting. Cesare and Rodrigo always has plenty of intrigue and tension, especially in Rodrigo's scheming, Cesare and Micheletto likewise. It was so great to see such a strong bond between Lucrezia, Vanozza and Giulia and the seductive chemistry between Cesare and Caterina. Who here lives up to her nickname "The Tigress of Forli", brought out more than convincingly by Gina McKee. Other interest points were seeing development to Micheletto and knowing more about his personal life, showing him as much more than an assassin (Sean Harris does poignant equally well as unnerving), and the gleefully over the top and chilling character of Savonarola, deliciously played by an Uncle Fester-like Steven Berkoff. The story is always compelling and never found the pacing dull, even in the less tense scenes.
It is the climax/ending, or the last 10 minutes or so, that elevates an already great episode to an even greater level. Like "Stray Dogs", it has two major events going on simultaneously. It handles it though much better than "Stray Dogs" even if the editing wasn't quite as interesting, which was a case of one event being more important and being better executed than the other. Here though, they were handled equally brilliantly, a brutally satisfying comuppence simultaneously doubled with the harrowing and emotionally devastating church climax that is one of the best scenes of the whole show. Certainly one of the ones that stuck in my mind and stayed with me emotionally for a long time.
All the acting is never less than very well done across the board, but it is Jeremy Irons' incredibly moving acting in the climax and aftermath that stood out the most. Irons is nothing short of masterly in this episode, some of his best of the show and he was always one of the consistently good assets even when underused, and will never forget how he delivered the lines and expressed his grief in his eyes and face in the aftermath, that did not feel like just acting but came over as real. Francois Arnaud's intensity shines too, and McKee, Harris and especially Berkoff (lets not forget suitably detestable Ronan Vibert) cannot not be mentioned.
Concluding, great episode and nearly perfect. 9/10
