© BBC Pictures
If you have already seen the Press Release and Promo for this episode then you are possibly thinking that the show takes a bit of a darker turn this week. To be fair, you wouldn’t be too far off the mark with that assumption, this is undoubtedly the grittiest one yet. Our character’s relationships are tested to their limits as they face a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles that fate sees fit to throw their way. A few will be overcome by sheer force of will, personal strength and the community pulling closer together. Regrettably, of course, not all plans will succeed and some schemes that do work out may not be for the benefit of all concerned.
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It’s been two years since young Jim was sent to Bodmin Jail by Reverend Halse (Robin Ellis) for poaching, and time has not been kind to the poor lad. He is barely recognisable as the same youth who stood shivering in the dock as Ross pleaded for mercy to be shown in his case. Yet his outlook for the last weeks of his sentence has become even bleaker as a highly contagious fever sweeps through the gaol.
Instructing Zacky to keep Jinny in the dark so she doesn’t worry about her husband’s health, Ross sets out with Dwight across the moors to see exactly what the situation is. After bluffing their way inside they are shocked at the condition the prisoners are kept in, and quickly devise a way of breaking Jim out of the disease ridden building in a desperate bid to save him.
It is these actions that will have a knock-on effect for much of the episode. The ripples of the crime the two men commit will impact their friends, family, enemies, and even themselves, in unexpected ways.
On a brighter note, the Carnmore smelting company is a massive success. With Zacky as its nominal agent at the auction, it manages to outbid its rivals and buy the copper from all the local mines, which will bring stability to the area. As you can imagine, this does create problems too however, George is seething over the loss of profit due to auction and the fact that Ross has managed to out manoeuvre him. There will be repercussions for this preserved indignity, both in the immediate future and for the long term. The smooth-talking rascal knows exactly what Ross’ Achilles’ heel is and steps up his agenda, determined to bring down his rival once and for all.
As I’m sure my regular readers are aware, Verity is one of my favourite characters, so I am glad that she was finally reunited with her Captain last week. Unfortunately, there are those in Truro who have also heard the news too, including one particular gossip who we know likes to get her malicious digs in whenever she can if the Poldark’s are concerned. If the news gets back to Francis before Verity gets a chance to tell him herself then I fear that the fledgling relationship could be doomed yet again.
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As you can see in this week’s sneak peek, she does attempt to find time to discuss the matter with her brother, but his indignation and bitterness since the mine closure has made him volatile. His downfall is entirely of his own making, but there a small part of me that wonders if Elizabeth is partly the source of his state of mind now. I felt that when Francis was telling her that she need not come to the mine last week, what he was really meaning was that he couldn’t bear the thought of her disappointment and disapproval by his side. Is there an element of her projecting her disdain on to him that has been driving his feeling of hopelessness and self-loathing in some way?
Everything comes to ahead at George’s party; a rather less seedy affair than last week’s soiree, although Margaret is still openly escorting and the card tables are doing brisk business. Demelza has been practicing her dancing and etiquette, becoming the Cinderella of the ball - albeit one whose Prince Charming has gone off script by being rip roaring drunk and getting snarky with anyone who gets in his way. For someone who’s meant to be convincing his peers that he isn’t responsible for the recent jailbreak, Ross is drawing a lot of unwanted attention and seems to be making some terrible decisions. It’s only a matter of time before Sanson (Jason Thorpe) clears up another tidy profit from the Poldark coffers...
Episode 6 airs on Sunday 12th April on BBC One and BBC One HD, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. If you want to have a go at guessing who said what, I will fill in any correct answers before it airs. Don’t forget to come back and vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.
“Your sister deserves better. I beg you; let us resolve this peacefu...” Blamey to Francis
“You’ve heard the rumours attached to Miss Verity’s name again?” Ruth to Ross
“You cannot fight all the world. You can only make your own small corner a fairer place” Demelza to Ross
“Look at them all. Over painted, over dressed, over stuffed. If these are my people I am ashamed to belong to them” Ross to Demelza
“I’ve known him since he were a boy, but were my worst enemy I would not wish jail pestilence on him” Ross to ?
“No doubt the common people you mix with have blunted your faculties as to what may, or may not, be said in polite society” Rev. Halse to Ross
“You will tell Francis, before the ball?” ? to Verity
“Tis no secret you could have done better for yourself. Only glad you did pick me, not some highfalutin scholarly chap” Mark to Keren
“Here’s to the first chink in the Poldark armour” George to Cary
“I see no scullery maid mama” Elizabeth to Mrs. Chynoweth
Trailer Teasers
“You’ve been using her to carry letters between Verity and that skunk!” Francis to Ross
“I suppose you, married the girl he loved” ? to Francis
About the Author - Sandi
Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Poldark, and other BBC shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Reign, Hannibal, Game of Thrones and Elementary.
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