Poldark Recap Series 2 Episode 6 The Stocking Scene

Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix

Director: Charles Palmer

Writer: Debbie Horsfield

Original Air Date: October 9, 2016

For most of this episode, I was just getting ready to scold Ross in this recap. I had completely forgotten that this episode ends in the now famous stocking scene. If you are unfamiliar with it, or merely want to watch it again, BBC One uploaded the scene here. So now, my poor, asthma ridden self is hyperventilating. Aidan Turner held that scene with his eyes. There is much to love about Poldark, but when it gifts us viewers with a scene like this, it is like the show loves us back. 

Ross has been spending much of his energies in looking after Elizabeth, to the evident displeasure of Demelza. Never mind that the Warleggans had his promissory note, and that he could soon end up in prison. Intent on assuaging her financial worries, Ross sold what was left of his shares at Wheal Leisure, raised 600 pounds, and anonymously offered to buy Geoffrey Charles's shares at the soon to be closed Wheal Grace.

It helped, but it was hardly enough. Elizabeth was justifiably worried about her son Geoffrey Charles's future. With her mother spending much time with him, George Warleggan knew exactly how to manipulate Elizabeth. He targeted his generosity toward the boy, and even offered to pay for his schooling until the university. Then, George Warleggan made it look like he was looking for brides from amongst the young, eligible ladies at Cornwall.

George had to redouble his efforts to win Elizabeth, for he suffered a disappointment with his plans for Ross. A person who did not wish to be named offered to give Ross 1400 pounds in exchange for a new promissory note with far better terms. The mysterious benefactor? Caroline.

Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix

Caroline's feelings for Dr. Enys may have helped a little in nudging her toward the decision to part with some of her private fortune, but she long has admired Ross as well, independent of her love for his friend. Caroline's Uncle Ray had now openly expressed his disapproval of the match. He even called Dr. Enys in and informed him that Caroline must marry with his consent, otherwise, she would only have her private fortune, a mere 6000 pounds, and not the entirety of her inheritance. It only served to sharpen Dr. Enys's ardour, for a less wealthy Caroline was a more accessible Caroline, a woman he could marry and not be eclipsed by.

They were in love, deeply and stubbornly so, yet the differences between them had started to put cracks in their relationship. Caroline asked Dwight if he would consider establishing a practise in the city and attend to clients more within their social set. Dwight pointed out that even in areas like Oxford or Bath, the poor would always need more help than the rich, and that he had no desire to be a society pet. The mild edge in Caroline's voice when she spoke of Rosina, the peasant girl whose leg Dwight cured, a feat that earned him a reputation for miracle working, showed some degree of insecurity in her lover's affections. It was not that she was jealous of Rosina, it was that she was a young woman who wanted her love to show that he would choose her first, always, above all else. Instead, she found herself sharing space for Dwight's affection with his poor patients. It is not an entirely rational response, but I was much the same when I was 18-19 so I cannot really judge Caroline too harshly. 

Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix

Strays

■ The rock samples Francis was excited about before he died were 'fool's cooper' and without worth.

■ George and his Uncle Cary called in Ross's loan the day after Christmas because they were both little sh-ts. Both believe themselves to be gentlemen but no, just no.

■ Elizabeth may not have admired Francis much, for many reasons, but she now realised how much he actually dealt with vis-a-vis their finances.

■ Elizabeth was a woman who was never raised to look after herself, only to be a proper wife and lady of a wealthy, thriving house, with a man who handled most of its practical needs. Everyone could see how much Ross liked looking after her, and how Elizabeth depended on him. To Elizabeth's credit, she listened to Verity's advise, and allowed Ross and Demelza to spend Christmas by themselves.

■ LOL at Elizabeth's explanation to young Geoffrey Charles about smiles and lines on the face. It did make me wonder if she wanted to remain beautiful for Ross, or George.

Image from Poldark, streamed via iFlix

■ Aunt Agatha: 'Sit by me, child, Beware that man's pitchfork and his tail.' From my notes - Hahahahahahaha. At 95 years old, Aunt Agatha was the one person at Trenwith who could see through George Warleggan.

■ Ross: 'The quirks of fate, which make nonsense of all our struggling.'

■ Ross now knew about Demelza's secret cache. Yay for Prudie making him realise how much Demelza worked to ensure the house was fed and relatively comfortable through difficult times.

■ Ross wanted to find Mark Daniels so he could ask him about the lode of copper he discovered in Wheal Grace.

■ To Demelza's anger, Ross allowed a secret cache to be built in the library to store goods brought in by the free traders.

■ Dr. Enys used what he learnt from a dead body that washed ashore to cure Rosina.

■ Caroline, about Demelza: 'Is she the sort of woman that all men desire except her husband?'

■ Dr. Enys, in love: 'Without you, nothing is possible.'

■ Ross: 'So you are not to be rid of me, my love.' Demelza: 'So I am not to be rid of you, my love.'