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| Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix |
Writer: Debbie Horsfield
Original Air Date: September 4, 2016
Poldark equals Ross, of course, but I am giving the lead of my recap of the first episode of the second season to Francis, the Poldark who was always somehow less. Francis was never evil, merely weak, and in Kyle Soller's nuanced performance, we have a character who near constantly struggled between the right thing, and the impulses of his deeply held insecurities.
The trial of Ross was coming up, and Francis was on edge. Even as Ross appeared determined to ignore what could be his doom, Francis still envied his cousin. Ross was strong enough to stand for what he believed in. Ross would never be so foolish as to gamble away his inheritance. 'Which of us does not secretly adore him?' he asked his wife Elizabeth, whose love for Ross had not been a secret.
Francis was angry with himself, but he rightly directed much of his anger toward his former friend George Warleggan. He suspected that it was George who financed the publication of lies against Ross to poison the jury pool before he even went to trial. For too long, Francis had been under George's thumb, not just because he genuinely thought they were friends, but because he was deep in debt with the Warleggan bank. Determined to face his end, Francis held back no longer when he confronted George.
The episode ended with the sound of a gun. Unable to book a room for himself in any of the hotels in the town busy with the coming elections, Francis went to Dr. Enys's room whilst the good doctor was away. There were interspersed images of Francis writing a letter to Elizabeth, and Ross in jail writing a letter to Demelza. One cousin marched to his doom because of his beliefs, the other because he no longer believed in himself. An old and respected family, the Poldarks almost consistently danced next to tragedy.
Meanwhile, Ross was determined to ignore his upcoming trial, and focus instead on his mine. Everyone around him was appalled at his inattention. Even Francis asked how Demelza was fixed up financially should the trial not end well. He kept insisting there was no way he would be found guilty. Even as the reality of his situation began to weigh on him in jail, however, Ross could still not countenance accepting George Warleggan's help.
That was a good thing. George only went to Ross to offer his help so he could swear to Elizabeth that he tried. Ross read George's character correctly from the beginning and refused his friendship, but George read Ross's temperament as well. George knew Ross would never accept his assistance.
Though Ross insisted that Demelza remain in Nampara during his trial, she, naturally, did not heed him. She concocted to introduce herself to Ray Penvenen (John Nettles, whom I remember fondly from Midsomer Murders), who was friends with the judge who would try Ross. She also headed to Bodmin with Verity, where she meant to plead Ross's case to the judge before the trial.
Strays
■ One of the reasons I was determined to recap the second season of Poldark was because I wanted space where I could write about Dr. Enys and Caroline. We knew Dr. Enys to be a physician of no great fortune, who was determined to use his education in treating those who could not afford his services. Caroline Penvenen was an enormously wealthy heiress who spent her energies on her beloved dog Horace, despite her uncle Ray's desire to see her wed to Unwin Trevaunance, a prospective member of Parliament. Dr. Enys and Caroline met when Horace fell ill. Dr. Enys could not believe he was called in to treat a dog, but Caroline, who clearly liked the no nonsense doctor, managed to persuade him to stay. With small smiles and an aristocratic lilt on her voice, Gabriella Wilde, a real life blue blooded heiress, gave us a character who, on paper, we should not like --- spoilt and self centred --- but who had an active mind behind the calm facade, wit enough to spar with a highly educated man like Dr. Enys, and good judgment, for immediately she liked the good doctor who was not impressed with her wealth.
■ George insisted on a murder charge to Ross, though his Uncle pointed out it would not stick since their cousin was already dead before his body washed ashore.
■ The Warleggan lawyer looked for witnesses, including Prudie and Jud.
■ Elizabeth asked George to intervene on Ross's behalf.
■ George Warleggan was financing Unwin Trevaunance's campaign.
■ Francis: 'It's a terrible thought, is it not? A world without Ross?'
■ Francis was fine with Verity returning to Trenwith, but he still could not accept her husband.
■ If there was a Poldark episode that consisted only of Aunt Agatha sparring with George Warleggan, I would absolutely watch it.
Poldark equals Ross, of course, but I am giving the lead of my recap of the first episode of the second season to Francis, the Poldark who was always somehow less. Francis was never evil, merely weak, and in Kyle Soller's nuanced performance, we have a character who near constantly struggled between the right thing, and the impulses of his deeply held insecurities.
The trial of Ross was coming up, and Francis was on edge. Even as Ross appeared determined to ignore what could be his doom, Francis still envied his cousin. Ross was strong enough to stand for what he believed in. Ross would never be so foolish as to gamble away his inheritance. 'Which of us does not secretly adore him?' he asked his wife Elizabeth, whose love for Ross had not been a secret.
Francis was angry with himself, but he rightly directed much of his anger toward his former friend George Warleggan. He suspected that it was George who financed the publication of lies against Ross to poison the jury pool before he even went to trial. For too long, Francis had been under George's thumb, not just because he genuinely thought they were friends, but because he was deep in debt with the Warleggan bank. Determined to face his end, Francis held back no longer when he confronted George.
The episode ended with the sound of a gun. Unable to book a room for himself in any of the hotels in the town busy with the coming elections, Francis went to Dr. Enys's room whilst the good doctor was away. There were interspersed images of Francis writing a letter to Elizabeth, and Ross in jail writing a letter to Demelza. One cousin marched to his doom because of his beliefs, the other because he no longer believed in himself. An old and respected family, the Poldarks almost consistently danced next to tragedy.
 |
| Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix |
That was a good thing. George only went to Ross to offer his help so he could swear to Elizabeth that he tried. Ross read George's character correctly from the beginning and refused his friendship, but George read Ross's temperament as well. George knew Ross would never accept his assistance.
Though Ross insisted that Demelza remain in Nampara during his trial, she, naturally, did not heed him. She concocted to introduce herself to Ray Penvenen (John Nettles, whom I remember fondly from Midsomer Murders), who was friends with the judge who would try Ross. She also headed to Bodmin with Verity, where she meant to plead Ross's case to the judge before the trial.
Strays
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| Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix |
■ George insisted on a murder charge to Ross, though his Uncle pointed out it would not stick since their cousin was already dead before his body washed ashore.
■ The Warleggan lawyer looked for witnesses, including Prudie and Jud.
■ Elizabeth asked George to intervene on Ross's behalf.
■ George Warleggan was financing Unwin Trevaunance's campaign.
■ Francis: 'It's a terrible thought, is it not? A world without Ross?'
■ Francis was fine with Verity returning to Trenwith, but he still could not accept her husband.
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| Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix |
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