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‘Poldark’ Episode 3 Recap: Hope v. Heartbreak

Author: Rosa Caballero
by Rosa Caballero
Posted: Jul 06, 2015

Season 1, Episode 3

At this point, we’ve seen enough of "Poldark" to know that Ross Poldark has a heart of gold that’s shielded by an impulsive disposition and a flaming-hot temper. But in this third episode, the consequences of his lesser (although no less interesting) qualities begin to hit home.

Ross is no longer merely prompting awkward family gatherings with his actions, but instead setting unalterable events into motion: a prison sentence is handed down to his servant, he’s earned the ire of important people in town, and then there’s the matter of his own quickie marriage to Demelza — a grim-seeming affair, though there’s real feeling between the two of them.

Weddings and their aftermath are the center of this episode, which canters by faster than Ross on his steed, churning hope into heartbreak. We begin auspiciously enough — although one must always be suspicious when Cornwall events seem auspicious (if that’s not a local aphorism, it should be). Months have passed. Elizabeth is near term with a Poldark heir, while Wheal Leisure, Ross’s father’s old mine, is at long last open, to the delight of the miners and the disdain of Uncle Charles and Cousin Francis. Ross cheerfully arranges a marriage between his servant, Jim Carter, and young Ginny, who is pregnant. They’re to live rent free in one of his cottages, and Jim must stop poaching. A genuine period of happiness flourishes briefly on screen, as the couple unites in marriage and Ross and Demelza dance with joy and exchange affectionate lingering glances. Ross seems much more at home celebrating in the fields than he did among the gentry, fending off husband-hunters. But in both places, he fails to prevent tongues from wagging about him and Demelza.

When Ross does return to mingle among his own class, for a party to celebrate the new Poldark’s arrival, it’s with less pleasant results. George Warleggan is named godfather instead of Ross, Francis grows jealous of Ross’s cozy time with Elizabeth and the new baby, and Uncle Charles suffers some sort of attack while toasting the future of the Poldarks. It’s not a good day, even for Cornwall. Throughout, Ross receives insinuations from everyone about fraternizing with the "vulgar" members of the "lower orders." Those rumors have even reached Demelza’s father, now a respectably married born-again religious type. He has heard the gossip, and he wants his daughter out of the Poldark house. Though the innuendo has little basis in fact (at first), the chemistry between the two is evidently growing. At home, Demelza predicts Ross’s every move, and is becoming indispensable. In secret, she’s spending a lot of time sneaking around, looking at a beautiful blue-green dress hidden in a trunk.

It’s hard to stay virtuous when everyone is giving in to temptation left and right. Of course, young Jim — who has a mother and sister to support as well as a new wife and unborn child — keeps poaching and gets caught. We’ve seen Ross gallop a lot, but never has he galloped so earnestly as he does after the news reaches him. As Ross prepares to argue for leniency at Jim’s sentencing, our hero is cautioned against "being sentimental about such folk," a warning which could easily refer to his attitude toward Demelza as well. No one is particularly interested when Ross fulminates against and begs for clemency because of Jim’s fragile constitution and family needs. Staring down from the bench, Judge Halse, played by Robin Ellis (the original 1975 Poldark for whom many fans still pine) has little patience with Ross’s high-handedness and gives him a two-year sentence. Many are convinced Jim won’t survive it.

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Ross is furious at his failure, and boy does he ride around in a snit. His rage is only made worse when he comes home and finds Demelza dressed up in that stunning green dress, acting above her station. From the depths of his fury at her, Ross finds his passion, and Demelza ends up persuading him to help her take that green dress right off. "You know what people say of us? If we behave like this, it will be true," he says. "Then let it be true," she responds. But the tangled web they’ve woven in their moment of impulse leads to shame. Demelza tries to leave, Ross finds her, and they end up by the church altar, with only Jud and Prudie witnessing their union.

Both weddings, not to mention the birth, are bittersweet. Like most events in Ross Poldark’s Cornwall, an initial burst of optimism will inevitably lead to something more complex and sad. Some other hopes and heartbreaks this week:

  • There is ironstone in the mine, which tends to indicate the presence of valuable copper. Hope.
  • A fistfight between Prudie and Jud over the master’s liquor leads to Demelza having to cook. Ross tells her to delay Prudie’s recovery "as long as possible" because her food is better. Her subsequent smile could slay the hardest heart. Hope.
  • Francis, denied Elizabeth’s bed after childbirth, has some very bitter words about marriage for his lovelorn sister Verity.Heartbreak.
  • The physician’s name is Dr. Choake. Clearly this augursheartbreak.
  • What cheer, Captain Poldark?" asks a local sex worker. "Precious little," he replies. But he’s not having any (he’s got Demelza at home, after all), so the sex worker moves on to cousin Francis, who seems very interested in her services. Heartbreak, depending on whom you ask.
  • The infamous scything scene involves a shirtless Ross, an overgrown meadow, and a lovestruck Demelza secretly watching. For her and many viewers, this sultry scene can only mean hope.
  • When Demelza returns from the meadow with a bunch of blue flowers, a sad-seeming Elizabeth is visiting Ross. She makes a telling remark about the short-lived beauty of cornflowers and everyone feels lousy. Heartbreak.

Although the frenzied melodrama of these episodes has a fun, soapy quality, one longs for something deeper, especially in the romantic department. My own hope is for a slower, expanded look at the chemistry and dynamic between Ross and Demelza now that they’re man and wife — before the next round of misery hits the neighborhood.

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About the Author

Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you hold. keep your friends close,but your enemies closer.

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Author: Rosa Caballero

Rosa Caballero

Member since: Mar 02, 2014
Published articles: 253