Friday Art & History Feature - Borgias TV Show (a rant)

Today, I'd like to take the opportunity to vent and rant about the cancellation of the Showtime show Borgias.
Yes, I'm very upset. This is the 3rd season of the show, that was originally planned for 4 season, and it's been the strongest season. Why cancel it?

Apparently, politics (what else, isn't it always) of the network is to blame. From what I could gather, the former big boss of Showtime wanted it to continue, but the current big man doesn't. Whatever the politics involved is, I think it is disrespectful and downright rude to the millions of fans who love the show and would like to see it to its conclusion.

Spectacular costumes on some of the Borgia women

What is more upsetting is that the final episode, which was supposed to be the season, not the series, finale seems to be just that. It does not provide, in my humble opinion, a good conclusion, as it doesn't wrap up everything that needs to be to make this a good series finale.

There's a possibility that the show's creator, Neil Jordan, might do a 2-hour movie to conclude the series. I sincerely hope that this in fact happens. There are also petitions going around the Internet signed by fans to force the network to do a 4th season. Sadly, I doubt they will make much of an impact on the final decision of the network executives.

And so, I say a sad and fond farewell to this beautiful show that brought the world of the infamous Borgia family to our screens for the last three years. I especially applaud the amazing performances by the handsome Francois Arnaud, who plays Cesare Borgia, and Holliday Grainger, who plays Lucrezia Borgia, the other half of the incestuous sibling couple, as well as Jeremy Irons - Pope Alexander himself.

Francois Arnaud as Cesare, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia and Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander

If you love good period shows and have never watched the Borgias, I would recommend picking up the 1st and 2nd seasons now, and the 3rd season when it comes out on DVDs.

New TV Shows I'm Looking Forward to in 2013

 Yes, TV is a bit of an addiction to me, although apparently I'm not as bad some of the people that I know. Actually, my list of favorite TV shows that I watch religiously is pretty small by some comparisons - Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, The Borgias (The Tudors when that was on), Spartacus, Game of Thrones. Both hubby and I are embarrassed to say we watch The Mob Wives - I curse myself during each and every show for watching it. lol Two of my dear friends finally got me into watching Once Upon A Time, as well.  And lately, I've been quiet addicted to the HGTV (Home/Garden), and all the remodeling and renovation shows. But that's probably because we're buying a house and I'm looking for design ideas.

I'm always on the look out for a good TV show, with a riveting storyline and great writing. I need these shows. To me, they are like similar to a good reading session. They take me away from the everyday problems and stress, if just for a little while.

So here's a list of some of the shows that are coming to a TV near you this year that I'm looking forward to experiencing and, hopefully, enjoying.

Vikings

As you can see by the list above, I'm a big fan of historical shows. Vikings is from the creator of The Tudors and The Borgias, Michael Hirst. The story will revolve around a historical figure, a warrior by the name of Ragnar Lothbrok. I love that one of the main characters is Ragnar's first wife, Lagertha, who is a warrior in her own right and often fought at her husband's side. To me - awesomeness! It also doesn't hurt that one of the stars of the show is Gabriel Byrne, one of my favorite actors!
Vikings will premier on March 3rd on History Channel.

Here's the trailer: 

Da Vinci's Demons

Ok, so those who read my blog even occasionally will know that I'm a huge fan of Leonardo da Vinci. He was my hero and one of the most interesting man who ever lived, at least to me, since I was a little kid. I have to admit that I'm very cautious about this show. It will center on da Vinci in his mid-twenties. It looks like a mix of history, adventure, mysticism and romance. I really don't know about this one...But I will be definitely there for the pilot episode.
Da Vinci's Demons will premier on April 12th on Starz

Here's the trailer: 
 

The Americans

Felicity grows up. Kerri Russel plays an embedded Soviet KGB agent, whose mission is to impersonate American citizens. Hey, it's a spy show. I like spy shows. And, if they do it right, the story twists could be really good.
The Americans premiers on January 30th on FX

Here is the trailer: 

L.A. Noir

This show is bbout the decades-long battle between Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker and mob figure Mickey Cohen. It is the child of Frank Darabont of the Walking Dead. And the main reason I'm going to watch it is because Jon Bernthal, whom you might remember as Shane on the Walking Dead, is going to be starring.

The series will air on TNT but there is no date for the pilot released yet and no trailer so far.

Show I'm not looking forward to:

Celebrity Diving. Really? Need I say more?
Premiers March 19th on ABC


And of course, don't forget:

The Vampire Diaries is back from it's mid-season hiatus today, January 17th on CW11! 

The Walking Dead is back from it's mid-season hiatus on Sunday, February 10th on AMC

 Game of Thrones is back for another season on March 31st



Which TV shows are you addicted to? Which shows are you looking forward to this year?