Season One
2015
Television: ITV/PBS
Starring Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson
Ross Poldark returns home after American Revolutionary War and rebuilds his life with a new business venture, making new enemies and finding a new love where he least expects it. [IMDb]
It's been 40 years (yes, 40 years) since the last episodic adaptation of Poldark, which would make it high time for a retelling. This sweeping drama, set in the wild coastal region of Cornwall, England, centers on the often unjustly maligned Ross Poldark (played by Aidan Turner, The Hobbit). Poldark returns from the Revolutionary War, scarred but very much alive -- much to the surprise of his rather unfeeling relations. From the series onset, it's clear Ross hasn't returned to a life much worth living. His nearly bankrupt father has died, leaving him the family's decrepit estate (what's left of it anyway). Even if he had the financial prowess to run his father's copper mine, he doesn't have the experience or know-how to pull it off -- and his uncle is too worried Ross will serve as competition to aid him in any meaningful way. And, to add insult to injury, his sweetheart, believing him to be dead, engaged herself to his cousin. Some homecoming.
That's just the first episode of eight, in which we follow the trials (literally) and tribulations (literally) of Ross Poldark. Throughout the series, Ross has more downs than ups -- but surely one of those ups is his most unlikely (and mildly scandalous) pairing with a young local woman whom he rescues from familial abuse and obscurity to become servant in his household. Ross' heart is still very much broken by his first love Elizabeth -- and there are times when he precariously tiptoes on the edge of indiscretion by seeking out her love although she's become his cousin Francis' wife. Even when he becomes involved with Demelza, his servant, there are moments when he can't quite commit to his slapdash marriage out of the memory of what might have been with Elizabeth. That changes, however, much to the relief of Poldark viewers.
Demelza (played by Eleanor Tomlinson) is the definition of goodness -- albeit rough around the edges due to her unfortunate upbringing. With the help of Ross' cousin Verite, Demelza learns the proper etiquette of the age, while still maintaining her unique spark. (And, in turn, Demelza returns the favor by making it possible for Verite to loose the shackles of familial servitude to find true love.) Over time, Ross sees how devoted and genuinely good is the wife he didn't mean to marry, he realizes the luck in his impetuous decision, and is grateful for it. Together, they welcome a daughter -- and all seems as it should be.
But, of course, that is far from the case. With every attempt at making good, some form of mischief or misfortune ensues to make the Poldarks miserable. Be it Ross' failed character testimonial during the trial for poor Jim, who is thrown in prison for poaching. Or, being undermined by his cousin and the instigating moneylenders Warleggan who collaborate to ensure that Ross' family mine Wheal Leisure fails at profiting. And, let's not forget the worst of it all: the payback for Demelza's valiantly nursing her cousins-in-law back to health -- only to become inflicted with their sickness, which leads to the loss of her daughter's life. The season ends with Ross being hauled away by the Queen's Rangers for the charge of pillaging the cargo of the wrecked Warleggan's ship, which washed up on his coastline. It seems the Poldarks will never know peace or happiness.
On the whole, though utterly gut-wrenching, Poldark is a fine period drama that ticks all the boxes. Characters well portrayed by its cast, engrossing plots and subplots, wonderful scenery, excellent set direction, and beautiful costume design. At its finest, Poldark is high-quality drama -- tension-filled scenes, unpredictable outcomes, and lovely romance. At its worst, it can be accused of being mildly soapy -- but that's quickly overcome by its production value on all aforementioned points.
Season Two of Poldark is currently filming and set for a 2016 release.
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