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.

[Sunnymeg]

That speech to Demelza came across as 'now I've slept with Elizabeth I know that you are better in bed' I didn't like it at all. Also did the trailer for series 3 mean anything to anyone that doesn't know the story? Very odd.

[ShelaghTurner]

Was scandalised at Caroline whisking Dwight off to the sack! That certainly didn't happen in the book!

[LeafCollection]

I wish they had followed the book for the last scenes. Rather than drag out the court case over two episodes they should have done two episodes covering Dwight and Caroline reunion and a lengthier reconciliation scene for R and D

[phoebemac]

I agree Leaf. I'm sad they didn't because the book's last line is so lovely.

[ShelaghTurner]

The last few chapters of Warleggan are wonderful. I thought they might make more of an attempt to follow the book this ep but it wasn't even Christmas.

[TheHiphopopotamus]

Having trouble with the idea that Caroline would risk her reputation and fortune to a) meet with (and snog!) Dr Ennis in a pub and b) have a night of passion. Did they wed

When Caroline was hugging her uncle, she had a bit of string tied around her finger which I took to be an engagement (st)ring, but perhaps was wedding?

[ballsdeep]

What's the last line?

[JedRambosteen]

Ah, thanks Hipho.

[TheHiphopopotamus]

What is the last line in the book?

Agree they spent far too long fannying about with court cases and mines and legalities etc. which, although essential to the plot, have been tedious in the extreme.

This series only really picked up in the last 3 or 4 episodes when they started concentrating on the relationships between the main characters again.

Have to say, I haven't read the later books, but I'm looking forward to the next series. I enjoyed the trailer at the end.

[phoebemac]

In the book it's Christmas Eve and Demelza is about to leave Ross, but then there's a sort of domestic crisis when a beer keg explodes. When they’ve dealt with it Ross persuades Demelza back into the house and gives her a brooch and necklace that he intended to be her Christmas present (and to replace the brooch they had to sell when they were in dire straits) . She laments the fact that she hasn't a Christmas gift for him. He says "it's nearly twelve, let us sit up awhile and call it Christmas tonight."

If you google that last line you can read the ending on google books,

[LeafCollection]

I feel in the tv series they have tried to portray Demelza as a strong feminist, "she ain't takin no shit from her man" type. I thought the way she is going, I may hear Beyonce's "Independent Woman" in the background
Even her line about being fierce and proud and true was a bit . I think it's just to appeal to today's generation and to get a fan base around Demelza.

Whereas in the book she is distraught of course by Ross's affair, but they keep things going quietly with barely any mention of Elizabeth or the affair. Even when she brings up Captain McNeil to Ross, it is with much sorrow and regret rather than the "in your face, Ross" way she did in this episode. I think she is coming across as slightly bitter and cruel towards Ross on tv.

I wish they had stuck with that ending phoebemac!

Having said all that I still love the show and can't wait gie series 3!

[TheHiphopopotamus]

I've loved Demelza in the last few eps. Don't care if it was historically accurate or true to the book. Ross has been a complete shit to her. He deserved everything he got. The punch was ace.

[TabithaBethia]

Loved it. So much better than 'Warleggen'. Nice and snippy.

I don't remember in the book the gubbens about the rioting Jud and Demelza trying to save them?

And did anyone else find else go bright red in their faces at the cringo 3-way convo with Enys Caroline and Ross in the pub about Things That Matter.

Series 3 phnarr

[SailingThroughTime]

I don't know why she didn't ask Elizabeth whose baby it was when George was crowing at the dinner table. It's not as if she likes any of the 3 at that point and has already decided to go back to her father.
But I haven't read the books.

[PoldarksBreeches]

It looked like it hadn't crossed Elizabeth's mind that the baby could be ross's. Bit unlikely?

[TwoDrifters]

I understand that when you adapt 12 novels for television, due to timing constraints, some events and even characters will have to be omitted (Nicholas Warleggan, John and Jane Gimlett etc.)

But why on earth would you start inventing and inserting new events? Jud leading the miners to revolt against Trenwith? Demelza hastening to warn George and Elizabeth?! Ross attempting to re-enlist in the army?!! Caroline sleeping with Dwight?!!!

Just why?!

[myfavouritecolourispurple]

I had a problem with all the inconsistencies with the book. I don't remember the riot. I don't remember Demelza meeting Elizabeth and telling her that she hated her. I don't remember Ross nearly joining up. And I don't remember Aunt Agatha knowing anything about Ross and the baby possibly being his until the baby is actually born and she says it was a full term child despite being born "early" (in next book).

And then there were bits that were missed eg Ross says he's annoyed that Demelza has effectively thrown herself at the first man who offered and she says "not the first Ross, at least the fourth". I would have definitely used that line!

The first series was much truer to the books and better for it.

[ShelaghTurner]

I had to laugh at Jud leading the mob! Jud? Who could barely be arsed to shift himself at the best of times and who was led by the bottle? Not a chance.

[beguilingeyes]

I think I'm going to swerve the next series. I don't want those people in my head. I'll stick with the books and the old series. DHs dialogue is awful when she's not paraphrasing WG.

[LeafCollection]

Yes definitely agree about adding random events in that add nothing to the story.

Why would Demelza warn the Warleggan - they don't give a shit about her or her family, she lost her child due to Elizabeth and nearly her husband too, but she comes to warn them for Geoffrey Charles' sake.

Oh Jud and Prude caring about Demelza enough to start a riot was definitely sweet but out of character for sure.

Oh theHiphopotamus Demelza's punch was the highlight of the series for sure and I loved her fiestiness and great putdowns! However, in my opinion, in this episode her prolonged anger and continued open hostility to Ross did take away from her character. I think when they do reconcile it's meant to be after a lentghy period. Doesn't seem like it in on tv though. Historically, she would have had little choice but to stick with her husband, it was the reality for all women then. Whether rich with a husband whoring or poor with a husband going to his first love.

[Dulra]

I don't remember ross going to enlist in army but I do remember all the tensions between the villagers and trenwith when George starts fencing in his land and denying them walk through access which they had always had. I also remember an ugly scene between demelza and George's thugs and I think George as well where they bully and threaten her for crossing over land. From what I remember ross hears about it and confronts George about it and Elizabeth was fuming with George over it. I do think there was a riot from the villagers to trenwith not sure it was led by Jud though.
I don't think there was any hint of the baby not being George's until aunt Agatha's speculating to George after the baby was born.

I did enjoy this series and will watch the next

[ShelaghTurner]

Demelza was on her way to take tea with....can't remember, the Trevaunances or some such and she shortcuts over Warleggan land. Garrick had come with her for the walk and had gone on ahead. She heard a gunshot and George's thugs had shot him. George turns up and is civil but yells her in no uncertain terms to get off his land. Ross returns and hears all about it and goes off to see to George.

[ShelaghTurner]

*tells her

[MiniCooperLover]

Agatha is right, Elizabeth made a pact with the devil ... did feel a bit sorry about Jeffrey Charles and Harrow though

[PollyPerky]

It's always a mistake to compare novels with TV productions. They are never identical and don't set out to be. I've not read Poldark but am enjoying it for what it is. I'm old enough to half remember the first TV series but that's not relevant either.

I suspect Eliz could have overlooked the fact it could be Ross' child for all kinds of reasons. Being scientific, in those days when women were malnourished, or under stress as she was, their periods might be irregular, so she could have simply missed a few and never even thought she was pregnant.

I don't like the fact that people are applauding Demelza for domestic violence and the reality is that a woman of her size would be unlikely to floor a man the size of Ross with a punch.