Poldark: A fan’s review by Sarah Vita-Younan
As the nights are drawing in, so is the end of another series of POLDARK. It is hard to believe that already we have reached our sixth episode of the second series. After last week’s tragic ending (we are still needing a lot of tissues to get over the death of Francis!) we couldn’t wait to see the aftermath of his accident. After five fantastic episodes, Sarah Vita-Younan (one of our lucky readers chosen to write a fan review of the series alongside Celia Fox) is back again to share her thoughts on Sunday night’s episode. Take a look at Sarah’s thoughts on episode six below:
* Warning: spoilers. Do not read if you have not seen Poldark series 2 episode 6 *
So You Are Not To Be Rid Of Me, My Love
After last week’s fully heartbreaking episode, we open this week with none other than reminders of the heartbreak. Francis is gone. Elizabeth and Geoffrey Charles are alone. Who is there to help them?
Ross. Obviously.
And of course, things are never done halfway in Poldark, so not only is Francis gone, but the vein he was seeking when he died has turned out to be none other than fool’s copper.
Ross has been spending time quite often at Trenwith. But don’t worry, it truly is all innocent. Though I’m not so sure Demelza believes that. Though all he is doing is updating her on work at the mine, with her being trustee of Geoffrey Charles’s shares.
While Ross wishes desperately to help Elizabeth in her financial state, his own becomes worse. His loan, in the hands of the Warleggans, is approaching its time for repayment. He cannot pay, and knows he will be sent to debtor’s prison.
Throwing himself into his work since Caroline Penvenen’s departure seven months before, Dwight Enys has been doing his good for the people of Sawle. Particularly Rosina Hoblin, who he treated on many occasions for a lame leg, and finally was able to mend her muscles.
On the way back to Nampara, Ross meets none other than Caroline, who has finally returned to Cornwall, not being of age. They exchange pleasantries, and Ross hints to knowing Dwight and Caroline will soon meet for themselves, much to Caroline’s amusement.
Dwight dines at Nampara that evening and admits to Ross his fondness for her, and that he expects one day it will cease to exist. Ross suggests otherwise.
Unexpectedly, George Warleggan calls at Trenwith the next day. Now, I know George is manipulative and rude at times, but I must admit even I was shocked at his conversation with Elizabeth. He tells her she looks pale and asks if she is unwell, then asks if she is looking forward to Christmas. You do know she’s in mourning, right, George? Her husband died… That was just rude! And as if it couldn’t get worse, he tells Elizabeth not only that he’s been dining with her mother (creepy, much?) but also goes into a conversation about Francis’s debts. Real smooth, Georgie.
Verity, thankfully, was not at Trenwith for George’s arrival, but at Nampara visiting Demelza. She expresses her concerns about Ross and his lack of care for his new role as head of the Poldarks, such as his duties as a magistrate and other things. Demelza then makes a remark that possibly Ross feels he is fulfilling his duties with his visits with Elizabeth. At Verity’s asking if Demelza is concerned for her husband, she replies that “having a husband is a bit like going to church. You either believe in something or you don’t. And if you don’t then why go at all? But if you do, then you have no cause to keep asking for proof.” She also says that she does believe. Most of the time.
That night is, what I think, is a very sweet scene at Trenwith. Geoffrey Charles watches Elizabeth in the mirror and asks her why she does not smile. She tells him that smiles makes lines upon the face, and that a lady must always look her best. Nowadays, this would see extremely vain: not to express one’s joy for worry of wrinkles, but back in Poldark’s time period, women were brought up and conditioned to think all they had to offer were their good looks. I do not think she is being full of herself, but truthful.
The next day, Dwight meets Caroline at the same secret spot they met at seven months ago. They have been exchanging letters, and it is clear they missed each other greatly. There is some small talk, about Caroline’s meeting and Dwight’s friendship with Ross Poldark. She compliments him on his dedication to the poor, and how great his skill is, suggesting he set up practice in Oxford or Bath, and that he would be well accepted.
He says he has no need to become a pet of society. This insults her for a moment, until he says he would not suggest that of her, and that he cannot be other than he is. She tells him she wishes him to believe he’s better than he thinks, and then they race horses along the beaches. This scene made me very happy, as I was completely enthralled in Dwight and Caroline’s relationship in the books, and felt this scene did it complete justice!
Trying to still find a way out of his impending debt, Ross has a meeting with Trencromb, and accepts a new plan that he has. Building a secret cache in Ross’s home, and paying 25 extra guineas each time it’s used. This way, at least Demelza will have more money if he goes to prison. Trencromb also promises to help Ross find Mark Daniel, so they can discuss Wheal Grace.
When she hears of this, Demelza is not happy about it. Understandably. She argues with Ross in the barn, and tries again to convince him to ask his friends to help him, but he refuses. It’s a pride issue, as always. And he is right, he can give no assurance that anyone would see they’re money returned, so it would be a bad investment logically speaking. Finally, he asks her consent for the cache, and she grows even more angry. “You dare to ask me that?! Knowing very well that you will do exactly what you please, with or without my say!” She storms out, throwing a rake at him.
Again, Ross visits Trenwith, and witnesses that things are growing worse for Elizabeth. He feels sorry for her, and makes a decision, without telling her. Or Demelza.
He sells his remaining shares in Wheal Leisure. Taking 600 pounds, he buys Geoffrey Charles’s shares in Wheal Grace, transferring the money to Elizabeth.
Speaking of money, Ray Penevenen has called Dwight Enys to Killawarren while Caroline is out. He makes his feelings on their attachment clear, and all but forbids Dwight to see Caroline, and accuses him of only being interested in her money. Dwight leaves, insulted, but only more willing to peruse Caroline, to prove his intentions are indeed honorable.
Upon receiving a letter, Elizabeth accepts the offer for Geoffrey Charles’s share, with Ross’s encouragement. She still has no idea it’s from him.
Christmas Dinner at Nampara is small, and not festive. Ross is still upset with how little the mine has been producing, and has had no word from Mark Daniel.
Trenwith’s Christmas is equally small, until George comes (a Christmas Scrooge?) and takes Elizabeth to a Christmas Party at Cardew. At the gathering, he informs her that he will be paying for Geoffrey Charles’s education and that she may pick among Oxford and Cambridge. She expresses her gratitude; to which he seems satisfied. For now.
Later that same day, Ross goes to Truro to tell the Warleggans he cannot pay his debts. Arriving at Pascoe’s, he and Demelza are informed that he will not be going to prison. An anonymous person – who is revealed to us to be Caroline Penvenen – has purchased Ross’s debts, and in doing so given him the money to pay off his loan in full, with interest. At first they seem wary, but Pascoe convinces the Poldarks to accept, and they do.
George looks quite taken aback by Ross’s sudden financial means, but not quite so taken as his Uncle Cary, who has a full on temper tantrum the moment Ross and Demelza leave the room. George seems eerily at ease with this sudden turn of events. No doubt, he has plans for Ross.
That night, Ross becomes aware of his neglectfulness of Demelza. He goes to their room to find her sitting by the bed, and presents her with a Christmas gift. She says that she needs to no gifts, but only to know that he cares for her. “Do you doubt it? You think that I no longer love you?” he asks. To which she replies, “I’ve begun to…”
She opens her gift. A pair of white stockings. At her silence, he thinks she does not like them, but she tells him that it is only that they are too fine. She cannot tell if they will fit, so Ross, getting on his knees in front of her, puts them on her himself. After lacing one stocking, he forgets the other, and instead kisses her. More than once.
“So you are not to be rid of me, My Love…” he says.
“So I am not to be rid of you, My Love…” she smiles.
And the camera fades to black as they go to the bed.
After all the ups and downs we’ve had the past weeks, this ending was definitely satisfactory! The entire episode was superb, and everything about it was perfection! I would also like to point out again, the beautiful music by Anne Dudley, that set the tone wonderfully!
It’s so hard to believe we only have 4 episodes left. I don’t want it to end, yet I cannot wait!
Verdict
Poldark continues on Sunday nights on BBC1 at 9pm
