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While the men play politics, Lucrezia (Isolda Dychauk) is treated as currency. Her brother Juan (Stanley Weber), the handsome but volatile Captain of the Papal Guard, returns to Rome. Lucrezia realizes that her father has no intention of letting her marry for love (a Spanish count). Instead, he has betrothed her to Giovanni Sforza—a man referred to as "an idiot" by his own cousin. This is the episode where Lucrezia’s innocence begins to curdle into the silent stoicism she is famous for.
The episode centers on Rodrigo Borgia's (Pope Alexander VI) efforts to replenish the Papacy's depleted coffers while navigating dangerous political waters. The Borgias Wiki Plot Summary Financing the Papacy borgia 1x03 full
The third episode, "The Confession," picks up where the previous episode left off, with Rodrigo Borgia struggling to maintain his grip on power amidst growing opposition from his enemies. The episode centers around Cesare, who is tasked with dealing with a mysterious figure from his past, while Lucrezia finds herself at the center of a complicated web of relationships.
Adding to the episode’s tension, Juan is forced to hide Prince Djem (the displaced brother of the Ottoman Sultan) in a room above the Sistine Chapel, assuring the prince that Gacet will help him escape Rome if Rodrigo is not elected Pope. What did you think of this episode
Lucrezia’s realization that her father’s "Sacred Rite" is a business of blood, not just prayer. Where to Watch While the series left
Rodrigo and Cesare agree that Lucrezia must marry an Italian to strengthen the Papacy’s local standing. They eventually settle on Giovanni Sforza , aiming to align with Milan and block Cardinal Della Rovere's path to France. While the men play politics, Lucrezia (Isolda Dychauk)
The show also condenses timelines and composites characters to heighten the drama. As one IMDB user noted, “the series does take this to extremes,” though many fans argue that the core story of ambition and corruption remains historically true to the spirit of the era. Another critic pointed out that “the core story was mostly accurate but there was, here and there, glimpses of historical inaccuracy”. Borgia is often praised for its willingness to embrace the grittier, more chaotic realities of Renaissance politics over polished narratives.
As the episode progresses, Cesare becomes increasingly disillusioned with his father's rule, feeling stifled by the Pope's reluctance to grant him more authority. Meanwhile, Lucrezia's tumultuous marriage to Giovanni Sforza reaches a boiling point, and she begins to form a bond with a mysterious and charismatic figure.
This serves as a stark counterpoint to Rodrigo's manipulations. While he is fighting for the highest office in Christendom, his family's well-being is hanging in the balance, highlighting the immense pressure and danger that accompanies their ambition.