Hyla

I wondered that too - but was the first grenade muffled because it detonated underwater? I wish Nicky had at least tried to grab the kid and throw him in or had abandoned ship in the kid's direction. I agree with the quote above that said the irony of that was that the boy was reaching Nicky - maybe if they had both gotten to shore safely Nicky would have been more at peace and open to being helped. I don't blame Jack for cutting off Nicky. He suffered a lot to bring Nicky back. And it was more than an accident what happened on the boat. It was equivalent to a drunk and high individual taking somebody else's eight year old without permission and putting them in the front seat without a seatbelt and then speeding down the highway. He didn't mean for the kid to die - but the kid shouldn't have been in that boat in the first place. I think once away from the war Nicky could maybe have gotten his act together with Jack's help - but Jack just didn't have anything left to give him. The Big Three and Rebecca might be confused and hurt knowing their dad not only lied about his brother being dead but also allowed him to languish and suffer without reaching out to help him. But, that was Jack's decision to put the war and his dysfunctional family behind him and create a life as perfect as he could make it for Rebecca and his kids. He struggled with his demons and alcoholism and financial worries enough already. The burden was already weighing heavy on his already weak heart. If he'd opened the door a crack for his brother it might have blown wide open and brought all that trauma and pain with it taking down him and his family with it. He couldn't risk that. It's too bad for Nicky - and he's suffered for the last 40 years. I'm looking forward to seeing his healing in the next few episodes. Also, I like the flashback parts the best. I want to see more about Jack and Nicky's childhood and how their father went from the loving family man when Nicky was born to the father they both couldn't stand to be around.

I was wondering about that too. It was after Dr. Enys found the bottle, so I thought he must have told George what had happened. But, I think you're right that he may have been blaming the feud between himself and Ross for contributing to her plight. (Of course, as others have said above, it was his nasty behavior towards and withdrawal from Valentine that were causing the most stress on their marriage. Would a better man than George (pretty much anyone since he is among the worst of the worst) have been able to maintain a happy family in that era if his suspicians had been confirmed? Would Elizabeth have had to go to equal lengths to protect Valentine from Ross if the situation had been reversed?) I love how Elizabeth was at least able to buy harmony between George and her two younger children. The scene where Valentine took his father's hand and then when they were standing together by the grave implied they would be close in their shared grief and memories for a time. And of course George will dote on little Ursula. Without Elizabeth to reign him in any longer, George is going to be very dangerous indeed in both large and extremely petty ways. I thought it was strange he wasn't at his mother's graveside with George and Valentine. Naming Elizabeth a Poldark I think was meant to be the ultimate compliment by Verity - that she was all that was grand and good and noble in their opinion. Though, I agree it doesn't make much sense

I have a clearer memory of the book than the show. But, I'm fairly sure Roger in the show talks about being adopted by Reverend Wakefield but going back to his birth father's surname MacKenzie. I can't recall a particular scene where Claire realizes he's Dougal MacKenzie's great-grandson. Was the conundrum where they have to stop Geillis Duncan from going through the stones so she isn't burnt as a witch - but if they do prevent her then Roger will never be born brought up in the show? In the book Claire and Dougal have a conversation and he tells her he placed his and Geillis's son with a couple with the surname MacKenzie who had just lost their baby less than a year previously. Claire refers to that child as the Changling - since he was switched into the new identity. Reverend Wakefield has a family tree he made for Roger that Claire sees and recognizes the couple's name and the date is about right - so that and Roger's having Geillis Duncan's intense green eyes clues her in to who he is.

I hated Roger soooooooo much when I read Voyager last fall and Drums of Autumn did not redeem him for me. He's such a controlling, condescending, self-centered bastard and I did not care for his relationship with Brianna most of the time. (He has some redeeming moments - but, overall Brianna needs to get away from him immediately!) The only thing that kept me interested in the character was that the author must be characterizing him that way on purpose since he is supposed to be Dougal Mackenzie's 7 times great-grandson or something. He's just as bone-headed, impulsive and dismissive as his ancestor and seems to bring back the foil to Jaimie that was lost when he killed his uncle. I really, really like Richard Rankin's portrayal though and think they'll go with a softer, more likable version for the show. I am glad they kept in the conflict brought on by the different backgrounds. The minister's son from more conservative Scotland versus Brianna's Civil Rights Era university student raised by progressive parents in the U.S. It will be interesting to see how they resolve their relationship issues as the story progresses. What I most want to see going into this season (other than Brianna and Jamie meeting) is Brianna's attitudes to 18th century realities contrasted against those of her WWII era mother and biological father. I thought she adapted way too easily in the book. I found Brianna and Roger's scenes in the show more engaging than Claire and Jamie's peril of the week. As always the costumes, sets, props and scenery were top notch!

A legitimate heir that's his own blood and not that of his greatest enemy. The Warleggans have been expending every effort from the beginning to raise their family and their name to greater wealth and station. That they've produced a fourth generation Warleggan who is actually a Poldark is the worst possible revenge Ross could have on all their scheming. I would say George isn't overreacting or being petulant at all when he protests Ross's having stolen the potential life of his flesh and blood heir by keeping Elizabeth unavoidedly occupied during the early years of their marriage.

What a finale! This was such an engrossing episode. Elizabeth will be missed - she died so young and lost out on so much life. She was vibrant and complex and intelligent and the show will be far less interesting without her. It is so tragic how each of the men in the opening sequence contributed to her misfortune. Francis by making the family destitute, George with his jealousy, and Ross most egregiously of all for forcing an illegitimate child on her that roused all that jealousy. She risked everything to protect her living child and got that brief moment of happiness where she thought she'd escaped with the baby and herself intact as well. She could have had a long contented life having won that peace with George. I kind of hope to see Valentine grow up to challenge Ross to a duel. (Ross will of course throw away his shot - but I hope Valentine doesn't for the sake of his mother) I don't know why, but I find Morwenna and Drake very endearing and am glad they found happiness. (Though it did seem a bit soon after Elizabeth's death). It seems Morwenna is already coming around to Drake and hope their future will be bright! Loved Nana Poldark in the opening scene with her tarot cards!

Thanks for that :) If I ever watch the episodes through again it will have to be the British version through Amazon then. Character moments make the show for me especially when they are irrelevant to plot.

I absolutely adored this episode! The plot advanced so much and every character had something to do! I especially enjoyed the choreography of the infirmary scene with the focus shifting rapidly between the different character interactions to tell the story. I loved where Ross and Demelza were as well. That's what I want to see - an established couple and the community they are supporting all around them. I'm glad Caroline was able to go back to Dwight and I hope she feels brave enough to risk another child. If she had decided to be estranged from him forever due to feeling she'd failed him and herself and especially Sarah by not being able to provide her child with strength and viability that would have been understandable. But, they made such a loving family. I hope they try again! I also felt for Morwenna and less so for Drake. I can see where he couldn't just move on and find happiness elsewhere knowing how much Morwenna has suffered after sacrificing herself to keep him out of prison. If only he could sweep her away from all of her miseries, but they are both so constrained by the world they live in. And poor Morwenna, betrayed by everyone in her life. I think it's to be expected that a gently reared lady, protected and sheltered all her life, would be irrevocably scarred not only by the unexpected reality of her husband's abusive demands but also by the complicity of everyone around her who knew about what she didn't. Dwight is the second person she's tried to open up to - describing her experiences as being violated - I wonder if those attempts to be heard will get her committed. Ross meeting Valentine was so sweet and so wrong. He never should have been risking Elizabeth's well being by being anywhere near Trenwith, but Valentine is so like him and having to grow up without a biological father who would understand him is so sad. Damn Ross for putting Elizabeth in that impossible position in the first place. It's created so much anxiety for her in her attempts to protect herself, her sons, and the people of Trenwith as much as she's able. It also casts a shadow over her newest child, especially if she's going to try for another eight month baby. Looking forward to next week's episode - hope it's paced like this one! Please do! Anything not plot related risks being cut, no matter how good. Some of my absolute favorite scenes have been deleted ones :(

They do need to bring back Verity. Glad creepy Hugh is dead. I hope Demelza doesn't feel guilty since she wasn't able to promise him the hope of love that he implied would save his life. With everything Dwight was saying about Hugh missing something essential that would give him the will to live was the viewer supposed to think he'd died for lack of love from Demelza? I hope that's not where they're going with her story. Finally, Ross steps up and takes responsibility! And George loses the power and prestige he was crowing about for so long. But, poor Elizabeth! She was relying on that gig to distract from Valentine's questionable parentage. I suppose it is in Elizabeth's best interest to have a second child by George, but he's not that much better than Ozzie. Are Ozzie and Rowella going to pick up where they left off? Well, as long as that keeps him away from Morwenna. (Still want to see her with Drake). Emma was saying that no man had touched her. Because that used to matter then. I don't know if Sam believed her though since he started talking more about her soul.

So is the whole if you don't sleep with me again I will die line. I don't see any hint of romance in it at all. This guy is just gross and manipulative. I thought she was still there standing to the left of the screen during the tea. I hope they call back to that too! Jeffrey Charles at least should be loyal to her. I hope she has passed her legacy on :)

That was a difficult scene to watch. Especially when Ross leapt into his last minute speech and Zacky seemed to dare to hope his son might be spared. Kinda figured one was getting the follow through though and it wouldn't be either of the Carne brothers. And then he's walking through the town with Dwight after that awful hanging and he still seems to be on the fence about it. His neighbors are suffering and dying and he could have been doing something about it all along if he'd just give up that righteous, uncompromising ideal of himself. I can't stand Hugh. Not only is the poetry bad but he comes across as manipulative and completely self absorbed. Maybe when he first got out of the French prison and saw Demelza on the shore his feelings were kind of understandable, but at this point, I don't see anything romantic there at all. Is his blindness also supposed to be a metaphor? He doesn't seem to see her at all, or have any regards for her marriage or young children. At least Caroline and Dwight seem to have a healthy relationship in a good place. I'm most invested in them and in Morwenna and Drake realizing they absolutely need to run away together.

That's so true! The first half of season one was very well put together. It was gorgeous and immersive and was competently telling the story it was trying to tell. The show never really achieved that quality again in later arcs. I enjoyed the time in France for the exploration of that culture and the new characters introduced. But, all the shenanigans to stop the rebellion didn't work for me and they had lost me plot wise during the second half when they were trying to win a war they had already crippled and that they had to have known was doomed to failure. She's been awful to Claire and she left her sweet little sister to live alone with their crazy mother, but I do admire how fearlessly she stood up to her stead-father. And the casting is amazing in how much she looks like Leoghaire. I can't imagine them resisting the temptation. I don't know how historically accurate raids on coastal towns by wild Indians would be at this stage of colonization, but, I don't imagine that would stop them! I found this episode's dance scene stereotypically dubious in that they felt they had to incorporate the frenzied murder of a chicken and some guy who showed up looking for his sister. They don't seem to be afraid of controversial depictions of minorities if drama or interesting visuals can be made. If her persuasion skills are yelling in people's faces and hitting them with her parasol until they see and do things her way, then she will be just as successful. Ugh, I don't want to either! But, I would like a scene where they are reading Common Sense and debating the issues of the day as they figure out where they fit into the movement. No! I want to see Lord John again, but I don't want to see him and Jamie face off across a battlefield with echoes of his last fight with BJR. (I have to confess, Claire has been irritating me with all her humorless agitating and suicidally stupid decisions - in that scene I really was preferring Jamie and kind, calm, rational John Grey as the power couple.) Geillis made a much more interesting villain than equal opportunist rapist BJR. It's a shame she won't be showing up again with even more out there prophesies. They were all terrible spies in Turn! - it was an insult to the real-life Culper Ring. But, I was in love with that show as a period piece set during one of my favorite eras. I could see Setauket as a real place and I liked the characters and their soap opera level dramas. Thanks for working that out! Doesn't she also travel from 1968 to about 1765? So, she'll be 60 when the Revolution hits and Jamie will be 55. Murtaugh, if he's still around will be at least 20 years older than that. (Still want him to show up though!)

I'd say Claire's going back in time had an impact on Jamie and other people who met her. Everything she did in the past changed things from what they would have been otherwise. Claire just isn't aware of a timeline where she didn't already impact history. Instead of thinking of it as closed loop, I wonder if Claire would think of it as fate or destiny. I would hope after her experience that she would go and read some science fiction. I don't think Claire remembered enough about the details of the battles to be of any help at all. I think the big victory was Prestopans, but Claire had always remembered that as a victory. She may have played a role in helping to get the local who knew the path through the bog to the high command, but he may have found his way there anyway. I read some online summaries of how the real life battles were supposed to have played out after season two. What would have been really helpful for Claire to have remembered was the outcome of the planned ambush on the eve of Culloden. If she had just told Jamie to go with Prince Charlie's half of the ambush that night maybe they wouldn't have gotten lost and retreated back to Culloden Moor. It is more interesting if there is the danger that they might harm the cause or if there's the implication that their presence is needed to save it. Maybe they aren't committed to the closed loop model, but they also haven't shown where time travelling has changed history by presenting any alternative timelines. Even if the actress playing Brianna had never been introduced, using Claire and Jamie's daughter and the reason they were separated for 20 years as the prophesied victim is a way to justify Claire killing Geillis to the viewers. It was a quick intro to Geillis and her evil plan just to resolve it so soon. I wonder if a build up earlier in the arc would have worked better. Me too. Also I would have changed scenes to make Claire less enragingly stupid. Especially the episodes where Claire jumps off the British ship and does not swim towards the port lights the goat lady was pointing to and the one where she tells everyone to stay below then goes out to stagger across the deck trying to get Jamie's attention when he's obviously busy steering the ship.

The characters don't know it's a closed loop, so they're still risking everything with the goal of changing history. And they still have free will so what they do still has an impact, just not necessarily the intended one. I thought for sure that truth telling tea was going to be used on Claire and it was going to come out that she and Jamie had worked to defund Prince Charlie's cause at the same time Geillis was diverting funds from her wealthy Scottish husband - so both their efforts cancelled each other out. Also, I thought the showdown that resulted in Geillis's murder would be triggered by Claire, having drunk the tea, telling her all about how Dougal really died! There's still drama, just not of the kind that requires the authors to come up with an alternate timeline when the character's succeed in changing the past. I think just to reference a character who'd have some resonance with the viewer and to raise the stakes so Claire would have a believable reason to kill Geillis. The prophecy, the gemstones and the treasure box were all WTF plot points to me.

I was worried about Jamie, Ian, Fergus and Marsali too. This show is equal opportunity in torturing it's characters in the worst ways. Maybe considering where they are they will explore other sources of danger and drama next season. Oh, definitely Thomas Paine! And I hope Jamie goes back into printing, deciding that the better weapon is the written word. And Common Sense and other seditious materials should definitely play a huge role as they meet people and have another chance to bring a nation out from under British rule (successfully this time). I wonder if she might decide she can improve on the movement. Wouldn't America be better if they'd abolished slavery in the beginning or respected Native American land rights or listened to Abigail Adams and enshrined equal rights for woman in the constitution? I don't mean that I want to watch them being essential to the winning of the war. I just mean the outcome is set so no matter how much trouble they get into they aren't going to change things. For instance if Claire distracts Jamie while he's trying to haul cannon up a slope and they end up losing one the battle would have already been recorded as having been won or lost with the exact number of cannon they end up with. So, their actions contribute to what happens but not necessarily good or significant things. Since they showed in the very first episode of season 2 that Claire and Jamie were unable to change the outcome of the Rising, it might have been interesting to drop hints along they way that history was going along exactly as Claire knew it had, and all their attempts were doomed because they were in a closed loop. I hope not! It was an incredibly stupid prophecy. The only reason Geillis can possibly care about the idea of a new Scottish king after everything she failed to change so far is because she is insane. She's from 1968, she knows there never was another rising that went anywhere and she knows monarchies lose all significance in the 20th century. Was she going to drag Brianna back to the 18th century to kill her? And the sacrifice would inspire Charles Stuart to try to take Scotland again? What was Geillis doing in Jamaica anyway? If she's so interested in the Stuart line she should be in France or Italy. It's consistent enough for me that while Claire thought it was good-bye forever Brianna may not want to live out the rest of her life without trying to see her mother again. Besides that, she knows the location of a time travelling portal! Why wouldn't she want to try that out at least once, even if she didn't have someone she wanted to visit? I'd also buy she saw her mother's name in Revolutionary War era documents and thinking she's going to interfere too much with history goes back to prevent her from doing so. I hope so! Though he'd have to have survived into his 70's in order for that to happen. Maybe he met an Ellen and they'll meet his kids? Have they ever shown that Claire was able to change history? They've shown she had a role to play impacting history, but nothing to say she had altered events away from her timeline. Proof to me would be if Frank or the Reverend Wakefield had mentioned the Duke of Sandringham being murdered and beheaded in his own home by a notorious Scottish outlaw before she went back. That event at least seemed to have been a direct consequence of Claire's having gone back to the 18th Century. Other things, like St. Germaine poisoning might have been inevitable - the king would have just had someone else in the poisoner's role. I trust the plot armor mentioned above to keep Jamie safely with Claire until the end if the series. It's the theme of the show they always save each other, the more last minute the better!