Poldark

Sunday evening may have been the day you had been looking forward to for so long with the return of the hugely popular BBC 1 series, POLDARK gracing our screens once again. After a long 16-month break, the series is back and we have chosen two of the show’s biggest fans to share their thoughts on the new series.

Sarah-Vita Younan was one of our lucky readers chosen to write a fan review of the series alongside Celia Fox (you can read her review of the first episode here). Sarah has been blogging about Poldark and Aidan Turner on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for over 4 years and even has a YouTube channel dedicated to the series where she reviews each episode as well. Take a look at her fan review of the first episode below.

*** Warning: This review may contain spoilers! ***

CAPTAIN POLDARK IS BACK!

After eighteen months, our beloved Captain Poldark finally returned, quite literally right where the previous series left off. He is led away by the soldiers and immediately we find him before three judges, including the Rev. Halse, played magnificently by Robin Ellis and they sentence Ross to a trial at Bodmin Assizes in five days.

The next day finds Ross, in typical Poldark fashion, carrying on with his life as if nothing were amiss, wanting to continue with his daily routine. Unfortunately, this leaves our poor, dear Demelza to feel as if she is alone in her worry.

Thankfully, this is not true. Dwight Enys and Elizabeth Poldark both wish to help. Dwight, offering Ross wise and friendly advice, and Elizabeth – not so wise – enlists the aid of none other than George Warleggan. Seriously, Elizabeth, do you not know Ross at all?! Little does she know that George actually wants Ross to go to prison, and is the one behind the scandalous rumors about Captain Poldark, as well as paying people to testify against him.

Poldark pic

Francis, feeling gratitude for Demelza saving his son, Geoffrey Charles, wishes to make things right between himself and Ross. But Ross cannot move past Julia’s death and blames Francis. Much to Francis’ dismay, Elizabeth’s interference only adds to the distance between he and Ross, and achieving nothing but fuel for the Poldark-Warleggan feud.

At this point, we meet Unwin Trevaunance, who is running for office in Cornwall, and engaged to the Poldark’s neighbor’s, Ray Penvenen’s, niece: Caroline Penvenen; a rich heiress, who often speaks her mind, regardless of who is listening. She also manages to attract the attention of Dwight Enys.

As Ross’s trial nears, he enlists Dwight as his defense and has a lawyer appointed. Before he leaves for Bodmin, Ross makes Demelza promise to stay at Nampara. He does not wish her to see him in court.

She promises, but of course, she doesn’t mean it. Who do you think she is, Ross?! You won’t keep her away that easy!

Of course afterwards, when he leaves the writers, with the talent of Aidan and Eleanor, had to stab us all in the hearts with one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever. As said in the book (Jeremy Poldark), Demelza could not live without Ross, and cannot physically bare to say goodbye to him. Instead of welcoming his farewell embrace, she pushes him away and only asks him if he’ll come home again. To which he replies, “I promise,” and leaves.

Poldark

While Ross is at Bodmin, Demelza, obviously, goes too, unbeknownst to him. And in the company of Verity, who wishes to give moral support.

Shortly after they arrive, Francis does so too, sharing lodgings with Dwight, and finally gives George a piece of his mind. Finally! He then proceeds to go to the inn where Verity and Demelza are staying, and does the same to his sister, leaving drunk and angry.

Against Ross’s wishes, Demelza is seen about Bodmin, trying to enlist the aid gentlemen to testify for her husband and make the judge see that Ross is a good and decent man. Go figure, a Warleggan would of course set out to ruin her plans, and George orders the guards not to let her in because she’s a harlot. (Bite your tongue, George!)

After this atrocity against Mrs. Poldark, George goes to Bodmin jail, to offer Ross “the hand of friendship,” and his defense of a character witness. For a moment, Ross seems to consider this gesture. Maybe he will for Demelza’s sake? But, no. He stands up for himself and his honor yet again, and denies George’s offer, without kindness. To which George discloses his plan of only offering for Elizabeth’s sake and that he does not want to see Ross free.

And of course, right when things begin to heat up… Ross begins to think this is the end, George thinks his plans are working, Demelza is beginning to lose hope and Francis, shockingly enough, has a pistol aimed at his head… our screens go black.

Now I, thankfully, have read the books, so I know entirely what is to happen next week, but I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see it all played out!

I had exceedingly high hopes for this season after such a long wait and how magnificent Series 1 was. I can truthfully say nothing was a disappointment, and I think it was even better than I’d hoped.

Aidan Turner, yet again, was superb; Eleanor Tomlinson and Heida Reed were gorgeous and amazing; Jack Farthing was again the villain we love to hate. Luke Norris has captured Dwight perfectly and it was a joy to see Gabriella Wilde did not disappoint as Caroline Penvenen. I quite literally squealed at the sight of Ruby Bentall as Verity, who I loved dearly in the books and the first series. Robin Ellis exudes class and charm and it was thrilling to see him again!

Poldark is back, and better than ever! I’m sure I speak for the entire fandom when I say, well done to the cast and crew, and we can’t wait for the next episodes!

Verdict

You can follow Sarah on Twitter: @poldarkedfangrl

Poldark continues on BBC1 on Sunday nights at 9pm

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1 COMMENT

  1. Very nice recap of the first episode but maybe not so much a review. And what comes to the performances of the actors, by far the most riveting one in this episode was that of Kyle Soller’s as Francis.

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