“The Poisoned Chalice” is the pilot episode of the Showtime-Bravo! series The Borgias. It was written and directed by series creator Neil Jordan and originally aired on April 3, 2011, as the first half of a 2 hour premiere.

The episode deals with Rodrigo Borgia’s election as Pope after the death of Pope Innocent VIII, and introduces the supporting cast of Borgia’s family, and the College of Cardinals.