Poldark Series 2 Episode 2 Review : Thoughts from our fan reviewer Celia Fox!
Sunday night is definitely pulling in the audience on BBC 1 with the return of the very popular TV drama, POLDARK. After a successful opening episode of the new series, viewers were left teetering on the edge of their seats eager to learn the fate of Ross Poldark. Now we need wait no more! Celia Fox was one of our lucky readers chosen to write a fan review of the series alongside Sarah-Vita Younan. Take a look at Celia’s thoughts on the second episode below:
* Warning: spoilers. Do not read if you have not seen Poldark series 2 episode 2 *
Ross in Jeopardy: Judge, Jury and ‘Judas’ Paynter!
After a cleverly well-constructed and exciting Episode One which left us emotionally drained, I wondered what the script writer Debbie Horsfield had in store for us in Episode Two.
And so it begins… The comforting theme tune relaxes and excites in equal measure and draws us straight back into the Poldark world.
However not for one moment is the tension released and we are allowed to become less anxious. It becomes clear, if we had forgotten, that Ross Poldark, a dark and brooding Aidan Turner is his own worst enemy unable to accept the advice he so badly needs. He is so incredibly stubborn and we see he is likely to put his head in a noose before he reneges on his principles. Oh come on Ross! I’m sure I was not the only one who felt he deserved a really good shaking! A tender flashback or dream sequence reminds Ross what he has to lose but we still fear he will refuse to grovel in order to save his neck. As he gazes through the bars of his prison with those melting chocolate brown eyes, Anne Dudley’s evocative music subtly adds to our feelings of trepidation.
Elizabeth, finely acted by Heida Reed, who even with little dialogue shows us her innermost turmoil with her expressive face and body language, finally rushes to Bodmin to the arms of… Francis or Ross? Her motivations are unclear although a knowing glance from Aunt Agatha, Caroline Blakiston tells us where she feels Elizabeth’s true feelings lie- and no-one does those little meaningful looks that say so much as well as Aunt Agatha!
Francis may have failed in his suicide attempt but who knows if he will try again? All the pain he feels that led to that decision haven’t gone away and we see this in the sensitive portrayal of the character by Kyle Soller. Somebody just give this guy a hug! Could it be that fate intervened and maybe a turning point has been reached- Oh Francis, I hope so because for him at least there could be a tomorrow. The fate of the Poldark clan hangs in the balance and much rests on the verdict at Ross’s trial- and not just for Ross. The script tugs at our heart strings as we watch each character come to terms with the imminent danger for our flawed hero.
With other thoughts on their minds we find Unwin Trevaunance, played as a rather endearing buffoon by Hugh Skinner, not quite having the victory he hopes either with the voters or with his intended bride to be Caroline Penvenen. His finds himself floundering and open mouthed like a stranded fish out of water in front of a baying mob while Caroline, Gabriella Wilde seems less concerned for his safety but more amused at his unfortunate situation. I think that Unwin is going to find he is no match for this vivacious and self-possessed young lady. Indeed it becomes clear where her interests lie and that is with a rather charming Doctor Enys. The very fact that their encounters this episode have that certain amount of friction if not a little engaging conflict, makes me believe that Dwight Enys, Luke Norris, is in danger of falling for the charms of another possibly unsuitable woman. There is definitely a spark between these two!
Meanwhile, George continues to do his best to ensure Ross’s demise. He really is becoming bolder in allowing his nastier side to come to the fore. It is still quite an understated but clever performance by Jack Farthing, but can’t you just feel the hate and determination simmering beneath the surface? I have a feeling it will come to the boil very soon! I can’t wait!
We are told that Bodmin is already boiling with election fever and the anticipation of the trial. Ross’s friends are there to support him or are they? Surely we are not about to see ‘Judas Paynter’? Even Prudie always superbly played by the very talented Beatie Edney, looks worried! In a wonderfully subtle comic scene we see Jud, a role interpreted so well by the incomparable Phil Davis, make his decision. You can almost hear the wheels turn in his brain- such as it is- as flummoxed and feigning innocence, he obviously changes an original statement and denies that Ross did anything wrong at all! Bravo Jud but one wonders whether there’ll be repercussions for his loyalty to Ross.
The evidence against Ross, however, looks damning and we feel that there is no Jury in the land that would give any verdict other than Guilty. Demelza, again a wonderful performance by Eleanor Tomlinson, has tried so hard to do what she can to save her husband. We feel her pain through every emotion she expresses on her troubled face.
We see that George thwarts her every attempt to help Ross and we worry that she may have made the situation worse. Looking as if she is about to faint, she flees the court and meets and shares a moment of connection with Elizabeth, beautifully played by both, telling her that having lost her only child she fears she may now lose the love of her life. She confesses that she is also pregnant and Ross doesn’t know. If he goes to the gallows, he may never know… how sad is that? They return to the courtroom as Ross begins his own defence haltingly struggling to say the words written for him by his Council. It is only when he tears up the notes and speaks from the heart that it is inspiring and the music soundtrack once again leaves us in no doubt! It’s done- nothing left now but the verdict!
“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.” And so it does! Against all the odds the Jury find Ross NOT GUILTY! I admit I would have liked to have heard the Judge Lister’s closing comments as in Winston Graham’s wonderful novel on which this is based, the Judge says that the verdict owed more to mercy than to logic! I did feel the end of the trial was a little rushed felt that Judge Lister could have had more of a role.
In the final scenes we are shown George’s anger and determination to fight on to destroy Ross. He is reminded Ross is now in no doubt about his intentions so any future feuds between these two look like hotting up even further! There’s a gently comic moment where it seems that Jud and Prudie look like being re-instated in the Poldark home and there’s a reunion for Ross and all his loyal friends as the sun sets over a glorious Cornwall beach and for the time being all is right with the world. It seems that tomorrow the sun will rise again for the Poldarks. The episode ends with one of those loving and intimate moments between Ross and Demelza. The nation sighs in relief!
Well done everyone in the Poldarkian universe!
Next week… Is George already plotting to create more problems for Ross? Can Elizabeth and Francis find some common ground and some peace? How will Ross feel about having another child when we know he still is so raw about losing Julia? What will Aunt Agatha’s Tarot Cards have in store for us? I know- I’m counting the days already!
Verdict
Poldark continues on Sunday nights on BBC1 at 9pm
A Most Excellent Review.
[…] a fan review of the series alongside Celia Fox (you can read her review of the second episode here). Sarah has been blogging about Poldark and Aidan Turner on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and […]
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