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.

[Hadagutsful]

I thought last night's episode was brilliant. Was surprised to read this in the Radio Times review though:

"All the signs are that things will likely be a lot darker this series for him. As well as the trial, he will have to get used to the day-to-day difficulties of married life with Demelza and his clearly-suppressed feelings towards first love Elizabeth. There was a tenderly shot bedroom scene with Demelza; but after that he got up to chop wood, suggesting a certain lack of chivalry may have crept into their union."

A lack of chivalry? Leaving her sleeping in bed and going to chop the firewood? Seems pretty chivalrous to me... Or have I missed the point?? I haven't read the books but of course I know Ross still has feelings for Elizabeth.

[ElspethFlashman]

Was Warleggans Dad even in it last year?

I remember from the books the Dad was fairly measured and reasonable, so maybe he was ditched as a character in favour of the meaner and harder Uncle Carey.

I guess George doesn't need two older men as sounding boards.

[BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington]

Oh maybe it was his uncle in that case!

[BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington]

You're right, it's his Uncle Cary I meant.

[emotionsecho]

Who thinks it's silly to have the original Ross in it? I think it's a masterstroke and you can just tell he's enjoying every minute of it.

I do prefer the Francis from the original series though.

[DailyMailEthicalFail]

what happened at the very end of the episode pls?

my recorder switched off just as Ross refused George's hand when in the jail room???

[DailyMailEthicalFail]

Just to say Thanks to squoosh for pm'ing me the ending!

[ShelaghTurner]

No, I meant that Mammoth aren't silly and that their insistence on giving Robin Ellis a decent part is not just kindness, they know full well that the likes of me will watch to see him more than anything.

[emotionsecho]

Ah sorry Shelagh I misunderstood your post.

Both this and the original have their merits and I am enjoying comparing the characters some I prefer in this and others in the original.

[99littleducks]

Just watched poldark... phew! After all that he was found not guilty, even after admitting he was in the wrong

I'm feeling sorry for Demelza, looks like her and Ross don't want the same things. And why in earth is he flirting with Elizabeth in the preview of the next episode

[painbadger]

I thought it was dire. the Caroline Penvenan "actress" is so wooden - it sounded as if she was reading her lines from an autocue. There was no sense of why Ross was gound not guilty - we were led to believe that the judge would decide he was guilty and that anything else was an impossibility - but wait - there was a jury (why did Warleggan not try to rig it?) who quickly found Ross not guilty - why?? made no sense.

The pacing was wrong - all lingering shots - it is sub Mills and Boon. It was like watching paint (very prettily)dry.

[ElspethFlashman]

Yeah.... wasn't great really. Agree jury was never explained. It seemed Ross had hypnotised them with his bloody arrogant speech, "I'm going to the gallows, but fuck it".

All of his thinking about Demelza and brooding about her meant nothing. Tbh, I'm struggling to see any love there. It seems more like he fancies her, mainly. I don't know if that's what they're going for, but if AT is meant to be channelling Twoo Wuv then he's really not hitting the mark.

Bloke who's playing Francis is doing the best of the lot of them. He's an irritating character BUT he's so well played that I feel I understand him 100%.

[99littleducks]

Hmm yes there should have been some sort of explanation for the not guilty verdict. Now this court case is over hopefully it will pick up a bit.

[DailyMailEthicalFail]

For the first time I was irritated by this fab programme.

The whole 'strict judge / leafleting the crowd / Ross is doomed' stuff was then wrapped up in about 5 mins with a 6th form type speech and a reprieve. Not v realistic or satisfying at all.

Agree that Francis' character is being very well played.
Demelza is good too.
Elizabeth not well played and Caroline v irritating.

Just wish they'd cast George Osborne as Warleggan as he would be perfect!

[CeciliaMiddleton]

I agree they definitely cover too much in each episode, it's beginning to feel a bit game of thrones and getting quite silly I vaguely agree with this though it's a bit damning www.culturewhisper.com/r/article/spoiler_free_poldark_episode_2_season_2_review/7771

[Sunnymeg]

They would have done better to film the script from the trial in the original series, word for word, than the shambles of the last episode.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

I was looking forward to Demelza artfully charming the judge pre-trial but no they had to paint it very black and white and make George extra villainous for anyone watching who wasn't clear he's the baddie. But the suspense leading up to the Judd scene was good.

Also am a bit disappointed with Caroline's hair colour I admit but I thought she was bright and sparky and last night's episode suggested she could tease Dwight.

Actor playing Francis has the right sort of slightly petulant sulky air and if Elizabeth is hard to warm to, isn't she meant to be a little 'off' and aloof? Otherwise George would not be half so infatuated.

Still can't fathom how they cast that actor because I had an image of GW being hulking and physically intimidating beneath the veneer of smartness.

[meridithssister]

I would be more than happy if they renamed it 'Aiden Turner Rides A Horse In Cornwall With His Top Off Looking Moody'.
I haven't read the books but the storylines do seem rushed. It doesn't detract from my viewing pleasure though.

[ShelaghTurner]

George is described as having bull neck, solidly built. This bloke is a bit too dandified for me. And Caroline is still a disaster. I try not to dwell on the old series but the court scenes were a hundred times better in that series.

[ElspethFlashman]

George looks like he'd fall over if you coughed in him.

Though in fairness they couldn't have cast a more snobbish looking bloke.

[emotionsecho]

Sunnymeg I agree, I was also cross that they missed out the scene from the original where Francis makes his peace with Demelza outside the Court and brings her back in for the verdict, that was a pivotal scene to me as it was the start of the thawing of relations between Ross and Francis and the start of a relationship of mutual trust between Francis and Demelza.

Shelagh that physical description paints George even more in the role of grandson of a Blacksmith, the George from the original series wasn't what I would describe as solidly built but certainly not as dandified as the one in this series, although this one comes across as far more sly and manipulative.

Anyone remember or watch the original second series, I only ever watched it once as I hated it I think it had Christopher Biggins in it in as truly awful character. I only ever watch the original up to the end of the first series so I'm interested to see how this version takes it beyond that point.

[Destinysdaughter]

So can anyone who has read the books or seen the original series tell me why was he found NG by the jury?

Makes no sense!

[ShelaghTurner]

Christopher Biggins was super creepy

[emotionsecho]

Destiny in the original series it seemed to hang on the fact that Jud Painter changed his testimony and said he was the one who said the fateful words "Pickings for all", also Ross cross examined and made fools of a couple of the Prosecution witnesses, Dr Ennis gave a spirited defence and sparred beautifully with the Prosecution Barrister, Ross' Barrister also picked up on the fact that the Prosecution witnesses and Barrister had been 'bought' so he did a fair job of putting doubt in the minds of the Jury. Ross did do his "I make no apology" speech but it served to make him less of a revolutionary and more of a good Cornishman in the eyes of the Jury, and that along with the 'reasonable doubt' set up in the minds of the Jury (and to some extent the Judge) is what swayed it.

[emotionsecho]

Yes Shelagh his character was awful, I shudder remembering the storyline around him.