© BBC Pictures
Firstly, I’d like to apologise for not getting a preview up last week, and for the tardiness of this one too. Life has been a tad hectic the last week or two thanks to a number of factors, but should be back to normal as of this week. I’m so pleased to see the support that the show has on the site, thank you for bearing with the recent delays in getting information up.
Elizabeth may have tried to put her rival down by telling her that cornflowers don’t last, but this doesn’t stop the newlywed Demelza from picking herself a fresh bouquet on the Cornish clifftops at the start of this week’s episode. Is her optimism well placed though? Jud and Prudie are certainly riled up by her change in status at Nampara, and that’s putting things mildly. Just who will be expected to sweep the floor and wash the clothes now is what they want to know? T'aint fair, t'aint right, t'aint fit and it definitely t'aint proper!
As for the rest of the town, Ross leaves the job of breaking the news in his cousin’s hands. Which is undoubtedly the best course of action after witnessing the vicious gossip mill spreading like wildfire through the echelon of the upper classes. Even Margaret Vosper takes time out from finding clients in the tavern to tease Ross and attempts to goad more information out of him about the union.
It has unexpected, and rather regrettable, knock on effects too. With the workers still struggling to cut through the ironstone at Wheal Leisure in order to reach the copper, more funds are required in order to blast their way through. However, a number of the investors are already troubled by Poldark’s recent behaviour in court at Jim’s trial. Therefore this marriage to a ‘serving wench’ is the last straw as far as they're concerned and they are unwilling to throw good money after bad. If the mine does not start turning a profit soon soon then it will have to close down again after the Christmas festivities.
It is the Trenwith Poldark’s who feel the effects most acutely in the short term however. Elizabeth Is feeling the isolation of being a new mother while her husband is rarely home to support her, so the news that Ross’ head has been turned by the scullery maid she felt so comfortable putting down only last week comes a bit of a shock. While Charles finds it highly amusing that his nephew has married below his station, in fact he finds the situation so humorous that it brings about a fatal heart attack. This leaves Francis as one of the most important men in the county, except he is too busy drinking, gambling and whoring the family money away at an alarming rate.
I’m enjoying his decent into despair through the series, with each episode it feels as if he is slipping further down that ladder of no return. George Warleggan has been instrumental in his descent though I feel, all it took was a few well place words whispered in his ear and jealously has done the rest. I find that the best villain’s know their prey’s weak spot and part of me does enjoy watching them push those buttons. There's no point in having a drama if the baddie isn't a scoundrel after all. Once again this week George starts to put further plans into action in his attempts to thwart Ross' success. He's not the only one with an axe to grind though, young Ruth Teague is back this week and hasn't forgotten being brushed aside so easily by our lead man.
The difference between the classes is highlighted more clearly than ever with Demelza’s own struggles with her new lot in life however. The will is there for her to better herself; we’ve seen her sneak into the study to try and learn how to read, for example, and there’s no question about her resolve when it comes to hard work and effort. The key element she lacks I feel is confidence. Luckily for her, there is someone who is more than competent at guiding her through the basics of etiquette and deportment.
Verity is a favourite of mine, as is Demelza too, so this episode where the two characters become firm friends and embark on bolstering each other’s lives is a real treat. Both characters are thrown in at the deep end at first, it appears that Ross knows them both far better than they do themselves and leaves them alone to simply get on with it. I’m not usually one for sentimentality, but Eleanor Tomlinson and Ruby Bentall’s performance genuinely moved me during their frank and open ‘getting to know you’ scene. Neither woman minces their words when it comes to expressing their innermost thoughts on who they have given their hearts to. It’s astonishingly powerful stuff, and I hope there’s plenty more of their friendship to come later in the series.
Episode 4 airs on Sunday 15th March on BBC One and BBC One HD, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. If you feel that you know some of the characters now and 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.
“It’s life’s greatest treasure; to love, and be loved in return” Verity to Demelza
“Now, you go and sit by Elizabeth so I can see how you measure up”
“He feels it marginally less likely that you’ll ride over and steal Elizabeth from him” ? to Ross
“If I have to sell half my house, I will not ruin Christmas for them” Ross to ?
“I d’ pluck a fair rose for my love; I d’ pluck a red rose blowing”
“Mining and fishing’s our life blood. Surely both won’t fail”
“Is it terrible to feel nothing but relief? Nothing I ever did pleased him” Francis about Charles to Ross
“How else we meant look? We don’t rightly know who we looking at!”
“You are mistress of Nampara; it’s for you to engage your own servants”
“I would like to be the first to write to you and wish you joy”
Trailer Teasers
“Did Verity send you? May I see her?” Captain Blamey to Demelza
“This is Dwight Enys, I have him to thank for patching me up” Ross to Demelza
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.
