The Borgias (1981)

Part 5 (1x5)

Air date: Nov 11, 1981

Lucrezia's husband returns from Naples to his pregnant wife, as ordered by the Holy Father. He regathers the family in Rome, and the child is born, christened Rodrigo. Cesare is appointed commander of the papal armies and summoned to quell a rebellion against the pope; he finds that Lucrezia's husband is conspiring against him. A plot to kill Pope Alexander is thwarted; Cesare defeats the cities of Imola and Forli and brings Caterina Sforza to Rome in triumph. An imprisoned nobleman, whose estates have been given to Lucrezia, is poisoned and her husband is attacked; Cesare is blamed. When Alfonzo is killed, Cesare threatens his father with exposure of honor-destroying secrets of the family, securing the pope's silence. Alexander counsels Lucrezia to cease grieving, but she vows never to forgive her father and brother.