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| Poldark - 2015 |
For this installment of TV Tuesday, we bring you the first episode of that epic saga "Poldark", a show that sees Ross Poldark returning to England from America after the British defeat in the Revolutionary War. Upon his return, Ross finds that his entire world has changed.
The episode's cast includes Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Heida Reed, Ruby Bentall, Jack Farthing, Beatie Edney, Caroline Blakiston, Kyle Soller, Phil Davis, Warren Clarke, Pip Torrens, Harriet Ballard, and Tristan Sturrock.
Captain Ross Poldark returns home to Cornwall after the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War. After learning that his father is dead, Ross's first stop is the Poldark family home, Trenwith.
After happily greeting his family and his old flame Elizabeth, Ross is shocked to discover that she is engaged to his cousin Francis.
Everybody thought that Ross died in the war, and none is more surprised at his return than Elizabeth, who still harbors feelings for Ross.
Later that night, Ross returns to his father's home (now his) and discovers that it has fallen into extreme disrepair. Farm animals roam freely through it, and the servants are sleeping in his bedroom.
Jud and Prudie are a bit unhappy about having a master at home again. Ross puts his foot down and has them clean up the mess, letting them know of his extreme displeasure at the way they let the house fall apart.
Ross walks the property (called Nampara) and takes stock of what needs doing.
He decides to take a ride to clear his head, and he ends up at the churchyard to pay his respects at his father's grave.
Elsewhere in Cornwall, the news of Ross's return has spread. George Warleggan, an old school acquaintance, has risen considerably in the days since he knew Ross. And he tries to take every advantage of seeing Ross brought down.
After finding out that his father left no money, Ross returns home and tells Jud and Prudie that they've got to pull together, because anything they have will be by the sweat of their own hands. If they want Nampara to be a success, they will have to work for it. All of them.
Painfully, Ross attends Francis and Elizabeth's wedding, alongside his cousin (and Francis's sister) Verity. He's particularly hurt that he's had no opportunity to talk with Elizabeth himself.
He gets the chance to speak with her at the reception, but nothing is resolved and much is left unsaid.
Ross's Great-Aunt Agatha looks over her fortune cards later that evening. Verity asks her if it's still a good day for Poldarks. Agatha replies, "The dark
Poldark? Or the fair? The stronger rises as the weaker falls. For all is fair in love and war."
Francis and Verity's father, Charles, is sufficiently unnerved by Agatha's prophecies and predictions to begin forming a plan in his mind.
He has a talk with his nephew (Ross) and mentions that there is nothing left for him in Cornwall and advises him to leave the county.
While out buying provisions with Jud and Prudie one day, Ross comes across some ruffians treating someone badly. The person, a girl named Demelza, was defending her dog, which had been put in a dog fight. Ross puts a stop to the foolishness with one authoritative crack of his whip.
Having no place to go, Demelza (and her dog Garrick) is taken by Ross to be employed as a kitchen maid at Nampara. Demelza is grateful, as she does not want to return to the home she ran away from.
At Nampara, Demelza flourishes, and she revels in her chance at a new life.
Ross goes to Trenwith and has it out with Elizabeth. She refuses to acknowledge her feelings for him. "How can you come to me now and ask me things you know I can't answer?" she asks.
After Ross gets in a fight defending Demelza, his friends come to his aid. They tell him that's what friends are for. They also know that he has a copper mine that has come to him in his inheritance. They tell him that once he decides to open it, they'll be there for him then, too.
After he finds Demelza (who ran away after the scuffle), he returns home. On the way, he meets Elizabeth, who overheard from her father-in-law that Ross was "invited" to leave Cornwall. She tells him that his place and the things that he loves are there and that he shouldn't leave. Ross tells her that he's staying. She watches him ride off with Demelza in the direction of Nampara.
Cast rundown:
Aidan Turner...........................Ross Poldark
Eleanor Tomlinson...................Demelza Carne
Heida Reed.............................Elizabeth Poldark
Ruby Bentall...........................Verity Poldark
Jack Farthing..........................George Warleggan
Beatie Edney..........................Prudie Paynter
Caroline Blakiston...................Aunt Agatha Poldark
Kyle Soller..............................Francis Poldark
Phil Davis...............................Jud Paynter
Warren Clarke.........................Charles Poldark
Pip Torrens.............................Cary Warleggan
Harriet Ballard.........................Ruth Teague
Tristan Sturrock.......................Zacky Martin
And that's it for Poldark. It's probably one of the most beautifully filmed shows I've ever seen. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, and the Cornwall coast is perfect for the setting of this story.
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