Poldark

[Sunnymeg]

Is anyone else looking forward to this? It is going to be shown on Sunday nights once the present series of 'Call the Midwife' has finished.

I loved the original series even though the story did stray from the books a bit. I wonder how this one will go. I understand Robin Ellis has a bit part in the new version as the Reverend Halse.

I enjoyed it, though I doubt it is going to replace the original in my mind. I found some of the characters didn't quite hit the mark and realised half way through that I would have liked to see Tobias Menzies as George Warleggan. Elizabeth isn't such a cold fish this time round and I don't know how that is going to work as the story progresses.

I never watched all of Desperate Romantics as it annoyed me but pretty much sums it up I think.

Enjoy

But I did like last night's Poldark. Cornwall looked amazing - going there in a month, so it has made me look forward to it even more!

Mmm - was I the only one a bit disappointed? I thought there was too much of Ross randomly moving some rocks (e.g. at the base of the mine building ), then rushing on his horse along (the same bit?) of coastline. Demelza looked nothing like "a child" - much too tall or a tom/boy. It was pretty, but lacked integrity and believability for me. I love AT but he seemed wooden compared to his Mitchell in BH.

Some questions - where were Elizabeth's parents - what did they think of the marriage ? Ross implied Elizabeth wanted Francis for his mine and manorhouse - so if she is not an heiress then why are the hard up Poldark Uncle and Aunt so keen on the marraige to Francis?

Noone can ever replace the original toothless Jud - he was just so unintelligble, dirty and lazy in a brilliant way.

Elizabeth's parents were there - at the dinner party when Ross first returned home - remember? - the mother said 'Elizabeth get me my wrap' to get her out of the room and that's when the engagement was announced to Ross. Later on the mother was talking to Elizabeth telling her what a great idea marriage to Francis was. Again at the wedding, and Ross was quite rude to her.

Ross's aunt does not appear, she died when Francis and Verity were children.

Francis's father is keen on the marriage, I think maybe because Elizabeth is beautiful and classy, even though the family are not rich, they have been considered a 'good' family for ages.

Thanks. I thought Elizabeth's mother was actually the Uncle's wife - makes sense now.

No problem, I guess maybe they didn't make it that clear. I probably only know because I read the books!

Will never be as good as the books but still good for an hour on Sunday evenings.

Anyone know how long the series is running for?

I think it's eight episodes long.

I pictured Ross as lankier somehow but Mr Turner is very watchable. I think that they cast the female characters pretty well. Warleggan though, isn't he supposed to be dark and hulking?

The tenants looked a little too clean and nourished but Jud and Prudie are the right mix of sullen and loyal if lazy.

The Cornish tourist board will be inundated after this.

PS Thought Warren 'Dalziel' Clarke, RIP made a fine Uncle Charles.

muminhants ah yes the repeats were shown in 1987 - I used to rush back from my piano lesson aged 11 to watch it. The cliffhangers every week were so dramatic!

The original Elizabeth was so cold. Does anyone else find her performance a little reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher?! (No offence to the actress playing her - I think it must have been the wig!)

Glad to hear that mouse, I wondered whether you wanted to play it classy over here

norah - another Poldark virgin here

oh and sadiesimmons? This unwashed wench has had her eye on the delectable AT since Desperate Romantics. So that puts you behind me in the queue.

I am such a sad fan of the original series, I have it on DVD.

I rather enjoyed the new series, but no-one can compare to Robin Ellis, IMO.

I will try very hard not to compare the two.

I never saw the 70's version. Watched last night. Excellent. Great sets, costume, scenery and acting. Good stuff!

My ds(16) asked if I taped it which I had but watched it already.
he really wants to watch it with me so looks like I have to watch it again-the hard things we as parents have to do for our children!

Should we anticipate a rush of baby Aidans?

I enjoyed it, but I have to say that nobody else could do that Robin Ellis smouldery, eye-half-closed stare as well. He had a kind of low intensity burn to him.

Aiden is easy on the eye, though, and believable. Elizabeth is too made up and would not have been out and about by herself like that. My son, 18, didn't think she was quite drop-dead-gorgeous and desirable enough to have caused such a rumpus. Perhaps she'll develop a smoulder in time.

I like what I have see of Demelza so far. AR was great but actually in the first few episodes she was a bit hammy. She warmed up quite a lot as time went on and it will be hard to replace her in my affections.

I ADORE the original series, so watched this with some trepidation.
It was ok actually.
Robin Ellis was much sexier though, much more manly.
I thought Elizabeth was daft.
Like the new Demelza though.

That's a thought bluechampagne-
Top 10 names of 2015/16

Demelza
Ross
Aiden
Francis
Garrick
Judd
Poldark

I said it earlier in the thread but my brother is a Ross named after Original Hunky Ross.

I toyed with the idea of calling my daughter Verity - after the original series character. Glad I didn't now after seeing the woman playing Verity now. Such a shame. I loved original Verity and she and Ross had a lovely relationship that has not been shown at all this time around. Maybe in the next episode?

Can't warm to the new Demelza yet. She is too old and too tall. Also found Jud "wrong". I loved the original Francis; this one seems a bit wet.

Early days yet.

Does Demelza have a Doris Day in Calamity Jane moment where she puts on a nice frock and everyone suddenly notices she's a stunner?

Yes some of the casting seems a bit off. But I can understand about the Demelza casting though - in the books she is only 13 on her first appearance, but by the end of the first four books she is well into her twenties. I can understand that they wouldn't want to bother casting a difference actress for the younger Demelza. Also maybe they have made her older in the series as her being 13 would seem a bit dodgy nowadays- even though there is no hint of a sexual relationship between her and Ross until she is 17, and then it was at her instigation.

Also Jack Farthing seems too aristocratic for George Warleggan. In the books he is the grandson of a blacksmith and the family is nouveau riche, which he gets mocked for. He is supposed to be quite solidly built. Jack Farthing was hillarious as Freddie, the aristocratic young idiot in 'Blandings' and seems more suited to that kind of role. He would have made a better Francis. The Francis they have got is too ordinary looking and dull.

Also Elizabeth is supposed to be blonde, and Demelza a brunette.

I loved the original series which I watched when it came out and read all the books. I'm enjoying this though and it has been a long time since the original series, though I would like to watch that again now to compare. I do like the new castings of some of the characters but preferred the original Warleggan.