Poldark Recap Series 1 Episode 8 The End

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Director: William McGregor

Writer: Debbie Horsfield

Original Air Date: April 26, 2015

An epidemic of putrid throat killed many, including Ross and Demelza's infant daughter Julia, but it also, in its own tragic manner, healed many wounds. When everyone at Trenwith fell ill except for the indomitable Aunt Agatha, Demelza went there to help. Elizabeth was tearfully grateful, and even Francis, who could barely open his eyes, expressed how good Demelza was to come and overlook past quarrels. With Demelza's careful attention, the Poldarks of Trenwith survived, including the deathly ill young Geoffrey Charles. 

There was a good reason Ross was initially upset over Demelza's decision to go to Trenwith --- putrid throat was a communicable illness. Both Demelza and baby Julia fell ill. Julia died almost immediately, whilst Demelza struggled. Demelza did not even know that her baby daughter had been buried. A barely recovered Francis went to the funeral, so did many people, peasants and the gentry alike. 

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Ross, grieving over his daughter and worried about his wife (he declared to Elizabeth, who came to help, that Demelza was the love of his life), felt guilty about not following tradition and feeding the mourners, many of whom were poor miners who had endured a hard winter. When he saw that the Warleggans' latest venture, a ship, was wrecked near his own beach, he gathered the villagers. By custom, anything that washed ashore from a shipwreck could be claimed by whoever found it.

The celebrations of the people were interrupted by news the Luggan miners were coming, impoverished people who also wanted their share of the wreck. Ross knew that a fight would likely happen, and ordered that his own people leave the beach as quickly as possible. Ross found survivors from the ship and offered assistance. He also saw that Matthew Sanson, the Warleggan cousin, had perished.

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Before they even knew of what happened to Matthew, the Warleggans were already determined to use the wreck to manufacture evidence against Ross. Just as Ross and Demelza looked forward, even with their hearts breaking, Ross was arrested for inciting a riot and murder. 

Strays

■ Jud and Prudie lived in Ross's barn. Ross knew, but turned a blind eye on it.

■ A letter from Verity showed she was content with her marriage.

■ Ross raised a mortgage on Nampara so Carnmore could bid at the next auction. Carnmore acquired no copper at all; the company was outbid by the Warleggans. The remaining shareholders declared Carnmore Copper Company dissolved.

■ George Warleggan wanted to buy Ross's shares at Wheal Leisure. To avoid having to sell the shares, Ross asked his banker for a loan of 1000 pounds, to be paid within 12 months at 40% interest.

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■ Francis and Elizabeth's relationship appeared much better after they recovered from putrid throat.

■ Aunt Agatha, on George Warleggan: 'That upstart is here again.'

■ George declared his intentions to Elizabeth.