The Poisoned Chalice

S1, E1: It is 1492 and the Western world is experiencing profound change. An increasingly weak and dysfunctional Rome falls further into decay. Pope Innocent VIII lies dying. The struggle for succession will be a political chess match. Many established noble Italian families have expectations of obtaining the honour. But it is the Spaniard upstart, Rodrigo Borgia, with the able assistance of his son Cesare, who manages to bribe and cheat his way to the Papacy. He is now Pope Alexander VI.