Poldark - series 2

[snozzlemaid]

One week to go. Anyone else can't wait?
I've just started to rewatch the first series. Not sure if I'll get to watch it all again before next Sunday though.

I wonder if, next week, we are going to get a version of the conversation in the book where Demelza tells Ross that she nearly revenge-shagged the Third Proclaimer (snort) and Ross has a pink fit about it. When I read the book, it made me hate Ross (just temporarily, mind). Hypocritical toss pot.

As an aside, hurrah last night for lots of lingering shots of that lovely brooding AT face!

See I disagree about their relationship in the books, at least in the books being portrayed currently. I think that although their relationship starts well, a gulf between them opens with the death of Julia, continues through the events of this book and only starts to improve and strengthen either towards the end of Warleggan or in Black Moon. I recently read Warleggan and was so sad for Demelza and I remember really rooting for them to come together again, I actually think the tv show has put in some affection/lust that just isn't shown in this book at all.

The stocking scene was taken directly from the book.

There's also a fair chunk at the end of Jeremy /beginning of Warleggan where they're happy. The part when they reopen Wheal Grace and Francis is still alive. They left out the lovely Christmas at Trenwith with Francis's toast to Demelza.

I think that's the main problem. I just don't recognise the characters. It's the same as the God awful HTV production in 1995. The characters were unidentifiable. And if you get that wrong then the whole production sinks.

I agree Ariel. The death of Julia, grinding poverty, Ross's trial, have a massive impact on their marriage. Demelza stops singing and dancing and becomes worried and anxious for the first time in her life. I think this is portrayed quite well in the tellyprog.

The other thing I don't get is Elizabeth waiting for Ross and delaying her marriage? What for? What could he offer? Would he leave his wife and child and set up home with her in Trentwith, divorce Demelza? Instead delaying her nuptials just makes things difficult for herself further down the line...

I didn't understand the delaying the marriage thing either.

Surely in those days divorce was virtually unheard of. Or did they think there wouldn't be an outcry as Demelza was 'just' a kitchen maid? I'm guessing that bit didn't happen in the book?

It does seem like Elizabeth thought he would marry her, it comes across that way in the book too. Not sure how that could have happened as divorce was virtually impossible to obtain then??? As has been said, Aunt Agatha didn't say any of that stuff about casting Demelza aside in the book but am wondering if this was a device to illustrate what Elizabeth may gave been thinking? That look Ross had at the end seeing George walk in to Trenwith, the Poldark family seat as lord and master! 😮 That's got to hurt!

Well the Aunt basically said yes, he should abandon Demelza and his child and it wouldn't be a problem cos Demelza was a commoner.

But it's still be shacking up outside marriage. But she's so enthralled with the hype of the PolDAHHKs that she doesn't care about anything else except the bloodline.

Fair enough for her, since all she does is play cards, but it made Elizabeth look insane. Who would cast off a real marriage to a rich up and comer to be the live-in mistress of a failed miner?

I did love Demelza this week though. The shit Ross was coming out with was unbelievable, and she just shot everything down. Not a single "Oh, RASS". Yay!

I didn't think I could think less of him but his whole let's get past this pronto shit....fuck him, seriously.

Meanwhile, George reacted in a pretty decent way to Elizabeth. I'm starting to be Team George actually - yeah, he hates Ross but God, he really is starting to feel a bit justified tbh. Ross is a wanker.

Yes Ross certainly lacks self awareness he couldn't even say for certain that he would never think about Eliabeth again! Great performances by all last night and George is a great foil for Ross. Ross bed by the fireside looked pretty uncomfortable, lots of tossing and turning from him 😆 Although Ross behaving like a prat at the moment, I still very much WOULD!! Am very biased though as have loved Aidan T since his being human days shallow and have met him twice. Can't wait for next week, looks dramatic, although am sad its the last in this series ☹

Elspeth I would jump at the chance to be Ross's live in mistress if it meant I got to shag him every night

The morning after they slept together, Elizabeth tentatively starts to ask him 'What now...?' and Ross assures her he 'will think on it'.

So, quite naturally I think she waits to see what 'plan' he could come up with, for them to be together. I think she assumes they will somehow marry, as divorce though unusual, certainly wasn't impossible back then. Especially if you were 'gentry' like Ross. It would have been quite do-able to divorce Demelza, especially with her being so much below him, socially.

I did notice, that at no point did Ross actually say 'sorry'. But again, following the standards of the time, he wouldn't have expected his wife to openly hold him to account for his behaviour, nor would he expect to have to apologise, either.

He didn't apologies in the original either. He came home in a fuck of a bad mood and took it out on Demelza who'd been up all night crying. He was a complete bastard. But I still would have

Oh, Hell yeah...he could have slept with half of Cornwall, and I still so, so, so would...

Yes, that was a good episode - have to agree.

Way to go Demelza!

I've gone off Ross this series, tbh. I don't care how good looking AT is (honestly).

I've rather warmed to Dr Dwight on the other hand...He's far, far too good for the rather wooden Caroline.

I seem to remember in the book that there is a line about Elizabeth could not face going from Ross's caresses to George's. She is marrying George out of necessity and it is as if she needs distance from Ross to be able to face becoming George's wife.

Yup that Caroline's like a painted spoon.

I enjoyed it although didn't like the bit where men were basically lining up to rape Demelza really grim!

Am a bit concerned for Verity, she seems a bit fragile to give birth, am also thinking George will pack Elizabeths little boy off to boarding school or something....

Yes it was a bit grim the men outside Demelza's door!

I assume that scene had more humour in the book.

I love Verity and her practicality, never once reproaching Elizabeth for marrying George. (I imagine her surrounded by Disney birds). I also loved the big smile on Elizabeth's face once she was married and wealthy again. I hope she burned that old frock she seemed to live in for the last few episodes.
I may have a wrong set of values, but Elizabeth didn't suit genteel poverty!

Painted spoon

MaQueen - you just made me choke with laughter on my cake! A whole thread of "he's a rate but I would" and you're just took the biscuit.

I'll join the queue! I was late the party but fell for him as a dwarf in The Hobbit!!