S03.E09: Episode 9

[Glade]

Episode Synopsis: 

The Poldark family finds itself challenged on all fronts and threatened as never before.

[Pogojoco]

Ross is just so mean and dismissive to Demelza. It's kind of hard to watch. 

[Glade]

I really thought the aim of Morwennas sisters' scheme was to get evidence of her husband's adultery in order to get a divorce/annulment that would release her from this abusive marriage.  I'm less enthusiastic now seeing that it was just so that she could marry her library lover (who we saw interacting with George in another scene--unless the two actors just look alike...)  I hope she isn't actually pregnant with the vicar's child, because she/he will probably suffer for this knowledge and I doubt the sisters will ever be friends again. 

George blurted out a promise to rebuild Drake's smithy; I hope Elizabeth remembers and holds him to that, even though it was buried beneath their bigger issues.  And firing Tom Harry, as well!  Maybe on his way out of town he'll accidentally fall off a cliff. 

I guess most viewers are assumed to be U.K. citizens who will actually know/understand when the next parliamentary elections would be that Ross could run in.  But his news that the 'next time he's offered' he will take public office doesn't sound exciting enough to break up a riot. 

If there would have been enough room for Agatha to move into Nampara, then Ross/Demelza's children should have their own rooms/beds.   On that note, I'm really surprised that Verity never showed up after Agatha's death; she surely would have been on the invite list for her party, and equally shocked/devastated as Ross about her death and lack of tombstone, etc.

[Nash]

I think Rowella was playing the long game more or less from the off. I too wondered if that was Arthur with George. 

That wasn't a riot, it was a plot device! Seriously, I don't think it would have been a riot until a magistrate had "read the riot act" and handed the matter over to the troops. So Ross could have ended up on trial if he'd given the order to open fire. 

Youll notice that the militia wasnt drawn from the entire community and wasn't a nation under arms. 

[Jacks-Son]

9 hours ago, Glade said:

George blurted out a promise to rebuild Drake's smithy; I hope Elizabeth remembers and holds him to that, even though it was buried beneath their bigger issues.  And firing Tom Harry, as well!  Maybe on his way out of town he'll accidentally fall off a cliff. 

I've made my feelings known about Cudgel A.K.A. "The Brute", clear enough. Falling off of a cliff is still too lenient for an A-Hole like him to die. If there was ever an evolutionary need for carnivorous toads, I'd like some on hand when he's dropped into a pit of them.

I actually thought this was an excellent episode and a fine season finale. Kudos to the actors for delivering outstanding performances, especially Jack Farthing, Heida Reed, Eleanor Tomlinson, and Beatie Edney. All of them were exemplary in their performances. Jack Farthing nailed the sniveling coward George to a T. Heida Reed gave a forceful, convincing lying Eleanor Elizabeth believability. ("I swear I have never given myself to another man") Definitely NOT a lie. Eleanor Tomlinson, played a conflicted woman who wanted to be one man's true love for once. You could feel the sorrow and shame she felt for her decision when she cried in Ross' arms while they lay in bed. Finally, Beatie Edney, as Prudie, was simply superb in the worst role you could have, convincing a loving wife and mother to betray her vows and cheat on her husband just because she saw Ross kiss Elizabeth goodbye. That's all Ross did (this time) and those simple words by Prudie caused unimaginable pain and suffering by the two people she is supposed to care for. I hate her.

Slug-worth is not even "worth" a mention. While the actor is doing an excellent job of portraying the most loathsome creature around, I'm actually glad that his situation has finally caught up with him. I'm still not clear on Rowella's motives. Was she pregnant BEFORE she started with the Slug; IS she pregnant; if she's pregnant, is it the Slug's child. (Bleech!) Whatever, the sweet Morwenna is saved from her "Duty". (Damn, that's an UGLY way to put it)

And finally, yes Glade, you're right, Verity should have made an appearance to grieve Aunt Agatha's death. That's two, Debbie Horsfield has slipped up on. Geofrrey Charles' lack of a mention about his Comrade-in-Arms' death, and Verity's missing appearance. Why the HELL are there only NINE episodes??!!??

Edited August 7, 2017 by Jacks-Son
Oops! Wrong name

[Nash]

I think Verity is still in Lisbon....

It'll be interesting to see if George does make some kind of reparation and if tom Harry is simply written out. Jack Farthing acted his face off - showing the deep seated insecurities that drive his rivalry. Did you notice the nervous tic with his foot on the beach scene with Ross? Excellent acting. Don't forget that in part Ross created George - what may have been borderline bullying or exclusion in school was probably just a laugh for Ross while for George it was more evidence that his "betters" were his enemies. 

[Jacks-Son]

6 minutes ago, Nash said:

Did you notice the nervous tic with his foot on the beach scene with Ross? Excellent acting. Don't forget that in part Ross created George - what may have been borderline bullying or exclusion in school was probably just a laugh for Ross while for George it was more evidence that his "betters" were his enemies.

Yes, I noticed his foot seemed to stray to his left while Ross was walking away from him on the beach. I thought it was just the actor catching his balance on sand.  I liked Ross response to him while George was monologuing about Ross' betters needing him to protect their goods. His response that he believes, "Belief is a wonderful thing" (or something like that) was perfect if you think about it. It indicates that he knows Elizabeth fulfilled her part of the deception and that George is none the wiser (while still messing with his head). Hence the nervous tic.

You think George is partially the creation of Ross' bullying? Unless it was constant bullying, which it may have been considering George's obsession, I don't believe we are a product of mistreatment unless it was long term.

[Nash]

I'm not saying it's the only factor but I think it's contributory. 

It needn't  have been constant at all - just enough to embarrass and humiliate him in front of those he wanted to see him as an equal and Damage done. Ross had a reputation as a tearaway before joining the army and may have been a bit rough around the edges as a boy - especially with a probably socially awkward new arrival such as George. Your grandfather is a blacksmith, Revd Halse your teacher and Ross and Francis amble in with all the carelessness in the world. You'd be nervous and then the horseplay starts and you don't know how to deal with it - your family want you to be a gentleman so you try to rise above it - but the anger it leaves is immense. 

I think that in his nigh breakdown in his confrontation with Elizabeth, we saw George's real self - someone who wants acceptance (by both the woman he had loved - possibly as long as Ross - and Society). His problem is that he grasps at it so hard, he breaks it. I think he knew he was doing wrong when he found against the serving girl in court and he's lost for words when he's confronted over his voting record as an MP but he's in too deep to change. 

This is all based on Jack Farthings superb portrayal of George so it's all moot in real terms-  I saw the boot in the sand as a gesture - he may just have been about to fall over.

[nodorothyparker]

Leave it to Ross to have his big moment of clarity and decide on a whim to half assedly announce his candidacy for Parliament in a near riot with weapons drawn. Even better that that was apparently all it took to make all these people forget that 30 seconds before they'd been claiming they HAD to loot the grain storage or they'd starve RIGHT NOW.  "Oh, he's going to be a politician and run in a election we as nonproperty owners don't have a legal vote in anyway.  Well, I'm glad YOU had an epiphany.  That fixes everything!"

For as ridiculous as the show has made George at points with his Ross! Ross! Ross! obsession, Jack Farthing finished the season strong really selling me on how much of George's unrelenting awfulness is built over a foundation of pain and jealousy and of perpetually being, as at least one poster has astutely observed in previous threads, the kid with his nose pressed up against the window of the manor house.  He can't let go of any of it, which is why he was working himself into a frothing rage even in this episode over the frogs Ross likely didn't even remember until he was reminded of it.  He was practically vibrating from it in that beach confrontation, and at a couple of points throughout his facing down Elizabeth looked as if it hurt him to inhale.   I liked Elizabeth this episode probably the most I've ever liked her for finally forcing the issue and making the only reasonable choices she could, although it's hard not to think that had she been a little more forceful and less dithering and passive all the way along a whole lot of this could have been avoided.

My hate for the writing and handling of the entire Demelza situation and Prudie's part in it is such that it will have to be relegated to the book vs show thread.  I can still manage to be amused that Prudie apparently replaced Jud with Tholly as her partner in random day drinking though.

[LiveenLetLive]

As an enthusiastic Harry Potter fan who read all the books more than twice, I know the frustration of book vs film, I am happy that I haven't read the Poldark books and can enjoy the series for what it is. I watched the 70's version but that was so long ago I don't remember the storyline. I will miss this show until next year, although I don't really have any "burning" questions about what will happen, I will be interested to see opinions when the greater number of Americans get to see the season in about a month (I'm a Yank but use the means available to watch it online) at any rate, I was dissatisfied with Hugh, but think that it was the actor who bothered me most, I also find the Drake/Morwena romance touching, and look forward to seeing if the other cute Carne brother can tame his shrew, LOL.  I also loved the new assertive Elizabeth, I finally got a bit of a clue why so many men were drawn to her, inside the pretty package is a spine of steel. I also agree that Farthing was particularly strong this season--he makes George both horrible and pathetic, Osborn must have been a hoot to play and the actor made the most of the loathsome toad.

[LJones41]

Quote

You think George is partially the creation of Ross' bullying? Unless it was constant bullying, which it may have been considering George's obsession, I don't believe we are a product of mistreatment unless it was long term.

 

Why should George be blamed for being bullied by Ross?  Ross is obviously guilty.  And his reason for bullying George had to do with class bigotry.  Even as an adult, Ross has always looked down upon George for trying to rise within the class system . . . as if the latter had no right to do so without the benefit of some blue-blooded landowner.

 

 

On 8/6/2017 at 11:22 PM, Jacks-Son said:

hat's all Ross did (this time) and those simple words by Prudie caused unimaginable pain and suffering by the two people she is supposed to care for. I hate her.

Demelza is still guilty.  Just because Prudie told her about Ross and Elizabeth in the churchyard, does not mean that she should have a brief affair with Hugh Armitage.  Demelza could have taken the high road and refrain from sleeping with Hugh, like she did with Captain McNeil in Series Two.  She didn't.  She became an adulteress.  End of story.  I don't hate Demelza or Prudie.  But if one is going to hate someone for what happened, then hate Demelza and Hugh.

[IntoTheMystic]

On 8/7/2017 at 1:22 AM, Glade said:

 

If there would have been enough room for Agatha to move into Nampara, then Ross/Demelza's children should have their own rooms/beds.   On that note, I'm really surprised that Verity never showed up after Agatha's death; she surely would have been on the invite list for her party, and equally shocked/devastated as Ross about her death and lack of tombstone, etc.

 

I kind of view the kids sharing a bed in the parent's room as Demelza wanting to keep them as close as possible after what happened to Julia. She probably feels like she went to sleep and woke up too late to even attend her baby's funeral.

I agree about Verity. I'd love to see her smack the tar out of George for what he did to her aunt. :(

[Glade]

17 hours ago, IntoTheMystic said:

I kind of view the kids sharing a bed in the parent's room as Demelza wanting to keep them as close as possible after what happened to Julia. She probably feels like she went to sleep and woke up too late to even attend her baby's funeral.

I don't think the bed they were sleeping in was actually inside Ross/Demelza's bedroom--if the kids and Demelza's dog were in the room during every one of their late night arguments, I'm sure we'd know about it.

[Glade]

Talking about this version of the show only, we've seen things like during Ross/Demelza's seperation last year, Ross was sleeping in a bed awkwardly setup in their library, not in the spare/guest bedrooms they supposedly have, and now the two kids are seen to be sharing a bedroom/bed...which to me implies that they are house poor, which is at odds with plot points like guests staying over sometimes or them inviting Agatha to live with them, and even the exterior shot of how big their house is supposed to be.  I find it incongruous. .

Edited August 26, 2017 by Glade
this post was in reply to something that's been moved to books vs show thread..

[rebecca dewinter]

On 8/7/2017 at 2:56 AM, Nash said:

I think Verity is still in Lisbon....

It'll be interesting to see if George does make some kind of reparation and if tom Harry is simply written out. Jack Farthing acted his face off - showing the deep seated insecurities that drive his rivalry. Did you notice the nervous tic with his foot on the beach scene with Ross? Excellent acting. Don't forget that in part Ross created George - what may have been borderline bullying or exclusion in school was probably just a laugh for Ross while for George it was more evidence that his "betters" were his enemies. 

I mean, I guess Ross created George in the way that James Potter "created" Snape. I'm sure bullying has a great effect on a child and how they grow up, but I don't think it's fair to lay everything at the feet of a childhood bully or to blame a child for how an adult behaves. George is a rather tragic villain though and for all his over the top evil schemes re: Ross and his overall attempts to screw over poor people, it's hard not to feel a little sorry for him when there's such an inferiority complex and vulnerability to everything he does. Throughout the season, he's tried to gain favor among the upper crust, only to find that Ross gets it without even trying! Ross just stumbles into fame and admiration because he was trying to rescue his friend and accidentally rescued another important person. 

And then you have George and Elizabeth. Per Ross in the church, George has always loved Elizabeth (or whatever his version of love is). I don't think we really have much of a history of these characters pre-Ross going to war, but Elizabeth probably couldn't care less about anyone except Ross during that time. And now George finally has one thing over Ross, only to have it all undermined with the possibility that their baby was actually fathered by Ross. 

We've seen Ross's effect on Francis and how it led to his downfall. In some ways, I feel like this series is less about Ross Poldark than it is about the effect he has on everyone else around him. He's really more a deconstruction of a "great man" archetype. 

[Neurochick]

I can’t feel sorry for George.  Sometimes life sucks, sometimes shit is unfair, it’s no excuse to be a prick.

[dubbel zout]

On 8/7/2017 at 1:22 AM, Glade said:

If there would have been enough room for Agatha to move into Nampara, then Ross/Demelza's children should have their own rooms/beds. 

I thought there was enough room, but Agatha wanted to stay in her family home—the better to annoy George.

On 8/7/2017 at 2:22 AM, Jacks-Son said:

Why the HELL are there only NINE episodes??!!??

Because the first episode was two hours.

On 8/16/2017 at 11:00 AM, LJones41 said:

Even as an adult, Ross has always looked down upon George for trying to rise within the class system . . . as if the latter had no right to do so without the benefit of some blue-blooded landowner.

It's not so much that George is trying to rise within the class system, it's that he's going about it in the worst possible way: toadying to the aristocracy, pushing too hard to get what he wants, ignoring signs of unrest. It doesn't help that George is ashamed of where he comes from.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Well, tonight was a nice surprise-the finale aired at 10:00. When the show usually airs on Sundays at 9:00.

Though there were some solid performances, I still LOATHE George, and am enraged that instead of going after that murderous brute, Tom, to give him a taste of his own medicine and throwing him down the cliff, they go and get their grain. Couldn’t they have done that after beating the shit out of him????

Man, I really thought Morwella’s sister was there to help her. And yup, it’s the same librarian from last episode.

I am most disappointed in Demelza. And her cheating on Ross wasn’t because... no wait, it was because of what Prudie saw and told her. So did the show expect me to feel for that disloyal ungrateful wench? Was she feeling guilty? Nah, couldn’t be that; she relished in her attempts to get Demelza to cheat and Ross’s kiss to Elizabeth was her trump card.???

 But Demelza is a grown woman and she didn’t have to do what she did. And I’m not sure how I feel about Ross comforting Demelza at the end. Some would say he did suggest she could go and find someone else to be her hero. ??

A very dissatisfying season for me. I suppose it would have been redundant to have the tenants go and attack Trenwith again.

[Arwen Evenstar]

On 11/14/2017 at 10:32 PM, GHScorpiosRule said:

A very dissatisfying season for me. I suppose it would have been redundant to have the tenants go and attack Trenwith again.

If they would all rally and stuff toads down George’s prissy britches, I’d watch that on a loop all day long! Hope that sniveling toady gets his comeuppance soon.

[GHScorpiosRule]

It just seems to me that now that it appears George and Elizabeth will be...content, that automatically means that Ross and Demelza should be miserable.

[rebecca dewinter]

5 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

It just seems to me that now that it appears George and Elizabeth will be...content, that automatically means that Ross and Demelza should be miserable.

I don't know if I'd call George and Elizabeth content. It's all still based on a lie and there's still a seam of doubt running through George at the end when he meets Ross at the beach. 

[Jacks-Son]

1 hour ago, rebecca dewinter said:

I don't know if I'd call George and Elizabeth content. It's all still based on a lie and there's still a seam of doubt running through George at the end when he meets Ross at the beach. 

It's my belief that George's doubt was deliberately sewn by Ross as a payback for the smug ass expression and words from George on the beach. IIRC, Ross simply said, "Belief is a wonderful thing". (or something to that effect) Translation: "Yeah, Dawg, keep believing the shit that Elizabeth told you, like a good little boy!".  Ross/Elizabeth 1000, George 0. Game, set, match!

[voiceover]

“Ross is...my savior and friend.” 

Eeeuuyyyeeeuuwwwww!!!  Ross, dude — look to your enemies; your friends are screwing your wife.

[HoodlumSheep]

Well. The end of another season. Probably my least favorite by far. There's like, maybe 3 likable people left on this show. 

So much gagging this episode. So much. Almost everyone is so awful on this show at this point.

Well, Demelza's dead to me, just like 95% of the rest of the characters already. The way they presented her character this season was not good. She just came off as disgruntled because she was being ignored, which made the her even more unlikable considering ross was actually a very busy man this season so him not having a whole lot of time to spend with demelza actually made sense. He wasn't spending all of his time chasing after elizabeth or antagonizing george like last season. He was trying to help the village and rescue dwight and trying to keep the peace. And the fact that she chose to do the deed with that teeny bopper-looking wannabe poet. :(

Gagging when lover boy started rambling about ross being a friend and savior...but he's totally cool with cheating with ross' wife. Okay. Can he be pushed off a cliff along with george's brute minion? Prudie as well at this point.

Did i miss the reason why the pirate guy was leading the angry mob? Is he just the currently designated mob leader for the village?

Dang. That scene where elizabeth went off on george was spectacular. Wonderful acting. I actually felt a little bad for george, considering she's lying. 

Actually, dare i say Elizabeth was kind of the mvp this episode? Pretty great acting from Heida Reed. Elizabeth showed some real backbone this episode. She took time to listen to drake, she told george to dismiss what's-his-face, she defended her decision to have jeffy boy visiting the house, basically told george to knock it off with his ross obsession and then when she finally went off on george and hopefully put to rest his suspicions (even though she was lying). Bravo.

Morwenna's sister is such a conniving witch. Uuurgghhhh how old is she again?

And dang. Morwenna. Glad that whitworth at least seemed horrified at what she threatened to do to the baby. The chynoweth girls really showed some backbone this episode. 

Edited November 20, 2017 by HoodlumSheep

[Jacks-Son]

Die, Hugh, please die already.

[Jacks-Son]

2 minutes ago, HoodlumSheep said:

Gagging when lover boy started rambling about ross being a friend and savior...but he's totally cool with cheating with ross' wife. Okay. Can he be pushed off a cliff along with george's brute minion? Prudie as well at this point.

So much of this.  I've been calling for Cudgel's death (George's henchman) ever since he made his appearance and with the exact same fate, a violent shove off of a cliff. (preferably into the sea with carnivorous amphibians). As I've said before, Prudie should just STFU!!!

[ComeWhatMay]

Tom Harry & Osborne both need to die. 

Ross is slow on the uptake, to his & others detriment. Leave it to him to have an epiphany on the cusp of a riot. Next time, just listen to Demelza, Ross. 

But will Ross, now that there is the unspeakable between Ross & Demelza as there is with George & Elizabeth? 

George looked like utter Hell on the beach. Farthing’s portrayal has made me root for George to turn himself around. Something that bothered me: Ross laughed with Demelza & Drake when reminded about putting the toads down George’s pants. I didn’t care for it. Ross knows the damage it did. 

Prudie at the kitchen table with Ross reminded me of the dying Agatha with Elizabeth. Both realized they should have kept their mouths shut. Demelza’s tit for tat with Hugh just made her feel like crap. It’s not who she is. 

[Jacks-Son]

31 minutes ago, ComeWhatMay said:

Demelza’s tit for tat with Hugh just made her feel like crap. It’s not who she is. 

That's what I felt. I think she realized that while it may have been thrilling to be romanced by that fool, HA, it was not worth the risk to her marriage and family. To me, she looked ashamed and felt guilt. It was so unlike Demelza. Others have said that she just wanted to be pursued and romanced for once in her life, and I can understand that; however in his inept way, Ross has pursued her and romanced her. He's just a f'ing klutz at it. His imaginary speech with Demelza should have been voiced out loud. It's like he thinks he said it without realizing that he didn't. It would have been perfect if he just said it to her IRL.

 

37 minutes ago, ComeWhatMay said:

Tom Harry & Osborne both need to die.

I second that!!

[ScoobieDoobs]

So Sir Francis has some "buyer's remorse" in supporting his second choice, Georgie, eh?  Such familiar themes & just when I was taking a break from political shows.

So Ross goes to Cornwall beach, looking for Demelza . . . and finds Georgie all by himself & red-eyed from obvious crying?  Contrived set-up much?  And would George ever let himself be seen that way by anyone -- least of all Ross?

The winner of this ep goes to Elizabeth -- and Heida, who reminded us what a good actress she is.  Have we ever seen Elizabeth so forceful & strong with anyone?  Certainly not with George.  Very nice to see.  And it was nice to see Morwenna finally stand up for herself to that toad/fool.

Eh, Prudie, STFU, will ya?

Oh Demelza, tell me you really didn't diddle around with silly-looking kid.  Good grief, really?

Edited November 20, 2017 by ScoobieDoobs

[magdalene]

I have to give it to Elizabeth - she played it exactly right with George. And technically she spoke the truth about "giving herself" only to Francis and George.

The final scene with Demelza and Ross gave me some hope for their marriage. Not that any grand romance can be revived, but that they can come through this, and that their relationship can get stronger and endure.

I think Demelza intended to sleep with Hugh because she felt betrayed by Ross once again but in the end she mostly did it out of pity for a young man going blind. I don't blame her and I don't dislike her.   And I almost liked Ross there at the end when he showed some humility and insecurity.

How I wish the vicar would just die.

[JudyObscure]

That just wasn't the Demelza I know and love and I thought Prudie was better than that, too.

I was so glad to see Elizabeth finally take charge of her family.  She managed to turn Francis around and I think she can do it with George.  George lacks the basic decency that Francis had, but I still think he is capable of change. I've always believed he loved her and that his proposal to her was not just about taking something that Ross wanted. It was shocking to see Elizabeth lie on the Bible, but I'm pretty sure that's what she was doing. *

Maybe it's due to the superior acting, but I'm now more invested in the Warleggan's story than the Poldark's.

*My husband just said Elizabeth didn't lie, that her wording was that she hadn't given herself to anyone but Francis and George. Given being the operative word.

[Neurochick]

12 hours ago, Jacks-Son said:

It's my belief that George's doubt was deliberately sewn by Ross as a payback for the smug ass expression and words from George on the beach. IIRC, Ross simply said, "Belief is a wonderful thing". (or something to that effect) Translation: "Yeah, Dawg, keep believing the shit that Elizabeth told you, like a good little boy!".  Ross/Elizabeth 1000, George 0. Game, set, match!

That is exactly what happened.  George wants to believe everything is okay, but it really isn't. 

BTW, I don't hate Demelza and I don't get the hate.  I think the problem is that the actress looks older than Demelza is supposed to be.  Remember, she was very, very young when Ross married her.  The thing about the show is that you don't get the inner workings of people's minds the way you do in the books.

BTW, I just finished all of the books and I really enjoyed them.  If anybody really, really needs to be spoiled, send me a PM because I don't want to spoil anything here.  I will say that this season seemed shorter because though they covered one book, the covered only half of a shorter book.

Edited November 20, 2017 by Neurochick

[dubbel zout]

11 hours ago, ScoobieDoobs said:

So Sir Francis has some "buyer's remorse" in supporting his second choice, Georgie, eh? 

I can't feel sorry for Sir Francis. Does he not know George at all?

9 hours ago, magdalene said:

I have to give it to Elizabeth - she played it exactly right with George. And technically she spoke the truth about "giving herself" only to Francis and George.

That was a really good scene. Finally she tells George to fish or cut bait, as it were, with his Ross obsession. Her threatening to leave with both of her sons was an excellent ultimatum, as you know she would have done it. I also liked that she made George swear, too. Nice to see Elizabeth rouse herself from her laudanum stupor and get some backbone.

Speaking of a laudanum stupor, Morwenna showed some backbone, too. To threaten to kill her son? Yowza. Way to cut Whitworth to the bone. Morwella alternately impressed and repelled me. Girl has some serious guts to blackmail Whitworth, but the way she went about it is so, so gross.

15 hours ago, Jacks-Son said:

It's my belief that George's doubt was deliberately sewn by Ross as a payback for the smug ass expression and words from George on the beach.

George had doubts about Elizabeth and Ross from the moment he learned they had been in a relationship. Not to mention George's crippling social insecurities in general. He needs no help from anyone. That said, Ross isn't above sticking in the knife when he wants to.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Just to be clear, I don't hate Demelza. I'm just very disappointed in her. And in the show, because as someone explained in one of the other episode threads, in condensing the books, the writers of the show, did a shoddy job of explaining the whiplash of Ross and Demelza being happy, at odds, happy, distant.

I'm not sure why PBS in my area aired the finale two days after episode eight, and it didn't air last night, so I'm glad I got to see the finale. But not sad to see the season end, as if was very disappointing. I wonder, if the actor who plays Prudie's husband--blanking on the name again--if his movie schedule will allow him to return next season.

[rebecca dewinter]

Demelza's character in a bit of a mess right now. I'm not sure how we're supposed to root for this marriage, like I guess this is why most period dramas end with a wedding or with someone dying. The marriage stuff is not fun lol.

[taanja]

20 hours ago, Jacks-Son said:

It's my belief that George's doubt was deliberately sewn by Ross as a payback for the smug ass expression and words from George on the beach. IIRC, Ross simply said, "Belief is a wonderful thing". (or something to that effect) Translation: "Yeah, Dawg, keep believing the shit that Elizabeth told you, like a good little boy!".  Ross/Elizabeth 1000, George 0. Game, set, match!

I thought Ross's words had a double meaning-- he had just discovered Demelza is cheating on him with dude (what's his name) --- Ross was saying that to himself as well as George. "belief is a wonderful thing"-- until you know the truth.

Good episode. My problem is I watch Outlander first then I turn to Poldark and I have to keep reminding myself that there is no time travel. No knowledge of the future. They are on the precipice of the industrial revolution and all that metal they find in the mine that they think is worthless is going to be worth a fortune in just a few years...

Oh and I loved Demelza coming home late as shit! and doing the walk of shame but crawling right in bed with Ross. And Ross knows he can't really say anything cuz-- Elizabeth--- so they are where they are. I really liked that scene. Nicely done.

[Jacks-Son]

8 minutes ago, taanja said:

Oh and I loved Demelza coming home late as shit! and doing the walk of shame but crawling right in bed with Ross. And Ross knows he can't really say anything cuz-- Elizabeth--- so they are where they are. I really liked that scene. Nicely done.

IIFC, she crawled into bed with Ross and he just held her. I liked that he had no choice but to accept it and comfort her. Yes, it was nicely done. No recriminations, no shouting. Very un-Ross like, but once in awhile, Ross does rise to the occasion. Not often enough, but at least he does it.

Now, Prudie, she should get the full brunt of Ross' ire for leading Demelza to believe that there was anything more than just a goodby kiss between Ross and Elizabeth.

Edited November 20, 2017 by Jacks-Son

[taanja]

4 minutes ago, Jacks-Son said:

IIFC, she crawled into bed with Ross and he just held her. I liked that he had no choice but to accept it and comfort her. Yes, it was nicely done. No recriminations, no shouting. Very un-Ross like, but once in awhile, Ross does rise to the occasion. Not often enough, but at least he does it.

Now, Prudie, she should get the full brunt of Ross' ire for leading Demelza to believe that there was anything more than just a goodby kiss between Ross and Elizabeth.

Prudie is one of my favorite characters. and the cheating is on Demelza. She knows she is married with children -- yet she still chose to cheat.  No one to blame but herself.

[LJones41]

Both Ross and Demelza deserved to be regarded with shame.  What Ross had done to Elizabeth was ugly and disgusting.  What Demelza had done with Hugh was stupid and immature.  

[Meredith Quill]

4 hours ago, Jacks-Son said:

Now, Prudie, she should get the full brunt of Ross' ire for leading Demelza to believe that there was anything more than just a goodby kiss between Ross and Elizabeth.

If my SO cheated on me (let alone got her pregnant) with his first love or anyone for that matter but esp a first love...the very least I would expect is for him never to even so much as look in her direction/speak to her again unless he absolutely had to. Farewell kisses all over her face?! - WTF, nope, not having it. Talk about add insult to injury.

2 hours ago, LJones41 said:

Both Ross and Demelza deserved to be regarded with shame.  What Ross had done to Elizabeth was ugly and disgusting.  What Demelza had done with Hugh was stupid and immature.  

They both have acted horribly and stupidly/selfishly, but in the great scheme of things I think it a far worse 'crime' to pass off another man's child as your husband's. No matter how anyone slices it - that is wrong on every level and an utterly despicable thing to do. Nobody deserves that; the end does not justify the means.

[Jacks-Son]

8 hours ago, taanja said:

Prudie is one of my favorite characters. and the cheating is on Demelza. She knows she is married with children -- yet she still chose to cheat.  No one to blame but herself.

Well, you and I disagree, that's all. IMHO, Prudie led Demelza to believe that Ross was cheating on her behind her back when nothing of the sort happened. They were simply saying goodbye to each other. Prudie was the one saying "what's good for the goose" and "there's no reason why you shouldn't get a piece of that young man". Yes, Demelza was the one that cheated, but honestly, if Prudie had simply said she saw Ross and Elizabeth saying their final goodbyes, do you think Demelza would have still cheated?

[Meredith Quill]

3 hours ago, Jacks-Son said:

Well, you and I disagree, that's all. IMHO, Prudie led Demelza to believe that Ross was cheating on her behind her back when nothing of the sort happened. They were simply saying goodbye to each other. Prudie was the one saying "what's good for the goose" and "there's no reason why you shouldn't get a piece of that young man". Yes, Demelza was the one that cheated, but honestly, if Prudie had simply said she saw Ross and Elizabeth saying their final goodbyes, do you think Demelza would have still cheated?

To be fair, we can't be in Prudie's head - how could she have known it was their final goodbyes? She was too far away to hear their conversation and only saw what she saw. Also, putting myself in Demelza's position - regardless I'd still be absolutely bloody furious (see my earlier post). Suffice to say something, something fury and women scorned...

As for Demelza - two wrongs do not make a right, but whoever said the human heart was logical? The human heart in conflict with itself always makes for the most compelling stories. We all know what the 'right thing to do' is but humans aren't robots and sometimes we act out of hurt and want to hurt back - for ill or good that's the human condition.

[Jacks-Son]

4 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

To be fair, we can't be in Prudie's head - how could she have known it was their final goodbyes? She was too far away to hear their conversation and only saw what she saw. Also, putting myself in Demelza's position - regardless I'd still be absolutely bloody furious (see my earlier post). Suffice to say something, something fury and women scorned...

Yes, she was too far away, but ASSUMED she knew what was going on.  Why not just shut your mouth until you actually KNOW what's going on? Anyway, it's all contrived drama. To me, Prudie owes her livelihood to Ross and Demelza and for all her "T'int right, T'int fair, T'int proper!" mantra from Judd, she's just a rumor monger against her employers. Sorry Prudie, but you need to follow Judd out the door.

[Meredith Quill]

39 minutes ago, Jacks-Son said:

Yes, she was too far away, but ASSUMED she knew what was going on.  Why not just shut your mouth until you actually KNOW what's going on? Anyway, it's all contrived drama. To me, Prudie owes her livelihood to Ross and Demelza and for all her "T'int right, T'int fair, T'int proper!" mantra from Judd, she's just a rumor monger against her employers. Sorry Prudie, but you need to follow Judd out the door.

Because that's what people do; jump to the worst conclusion. It's why gossip columns are so popular.

If someone sees a friend's husband/wife having dinner with another, the instant conclusion isn't 'clearly just two friends having a nice time' - that tiny voice inside wonders 'Who dafuq is that?' then makes all kinds of scenarios up in their head about it in the space of a few seconds. People are always ready to suspect/believe the worst, it's a sad fact of life.

Given Ross' history, Prudie can kinda be forgiven for assuming the worst. Now whether she should have told Demelza and encouraged her to go tit for tat - I agree that wasn't the wisest course of action - but at the end of the day she feels more kinship with Demelza for various reasons. I don't believe she acted out of spite, rather out of a misguided sense of solidarity and wanting to support Demelza who, in Prudie's mind, has been wronged by Ross yet again. 

I think all three have to take some blame to a larger or lesser extent; Ross for cheating and then not shunning Elizabeth out of respect for his wife. Prudie for jumping (understandably) to the wrong conclusion then giving Demelza misguided bad advice about it. Demelza for allowing her emotions to rule her head and instead of confronting Ross, playing tit for tat.

[afd]

On 8/16/2017 at 11:00 AM, LJones41 said:

 

Why should George be blamed for being bullied by Ross?  Ross is obviously guilty.  And his reason for bullying George had to do with class bigotry.  Even as an adult, Ross has always looked down upon George for trying to rise within the class system . . . as if the latter had no right to do so without the benefit of some blue-blooded landowner.

 

 

Demelza is still guilty.  Just because Prudie told her about Ross and Elizabeth in the churchyard, does not mean that she should have a brief affair with Hugh Armitage.  Demelza could have taken the high road and refrain from sleeping with Hugh, like she did with Captain McNeil in Series Two.  She didn't.  She became an adulteress.  End of story.  I don't hate Demelza or Prudie.  But if one is going to hate someone for what happened, then hate Demelza and Hugh.

Is it just me or is there just way too much adultery going on in this season?

[dubbel zout]

The show is a soap, basically.

[Anothermi]

16 hours ago, SilverStormm said:

To be fair, we can't be in Prudie's head - how could she have known it was their final goodbyes? She was too far away to hear their conversation and only saw what she saw. Also, putting myself in Demelza's position - regardless I'd still be absolutely bloody furious (see my earlier post). Suffice to say something, something fury and women scorned...

As for Demelza - two wrongs do not make a right, but whoever said the human heart was logical? The human heart in conflict with itself always makes for the most compelling stories. We all know what the 'right thing to do' is but humans aren't robots and sometimes we act out of hurt and want to hurt back - for ill or good that's the human condition.

 

16 hours ago, SilverStormm said:

Because that's what people do; jump to the worst conclusion. It's why gossip columns are so popular.

If someone sees a friend's husband/wife having dinner with another, the instant conclusion isn't 'clearly just two friends having a nice time' - that tiny voice inside wonders 'Who dafuq is that?' then makes all kinds of scenarios up in their head about it in the space of a few seconds. People are always ready to suspect/believe the worst, it's a sad fact of life.

Given Ross' history, Prudie can kinda be forgiven for assuming the worst. Now whether she should have told Demelza and encouraged her to go tit for tat - I agree that wasn't the wisest course of action - but at the end of the day she feels more kinship with Demelza for various reasons. I don't believe she acted out of spite, rather out of a misguided sense of solidarity and wanting to support Demelza who, in Prudie's mind, has been wronged by Ross yet again. 

I think all three have to take some blame to a larger or lesser extent; Ross for cheating and then not shunning Elizabeth out of respect for his wife. Prudie for jumping (understandably) to the wrong conclusion then giving Demelza misguided bad advice about it. Demelza for allowing her emotions to rule her head and instead of confronting Ross, playing tit for tat.

Thanks @SilverStormm for saving me a lot of typing. Agree with all your points. 

Now I just have to ask Dr. Google how to unlink a cyber mind-meld.

[Meredith Quill]

5 hours ago, Anothermi said:

Now I just have to ask Dr. Google how to unlink a cyber mind-meld.

Assimilation has begun - resistance is futile.

[LJones41]

Quote

Leave it to Ross to have his big moment of clarity and decide on a whim to half assedly announce his candidacy for Parliament in a near riot with weapons drawn. Even better that that was apparently all it took to make all these people forget that 30 seconds before they'd been claiming they HAD to loot the grain storage or they'd starve RIGHT NOW.  "Oh, he's going to be a politician and run in a election we as nonproperty owners don't have a legal vote in anyway.  Well, I'm glad YOU had an epiphany.  That fixes everything!"

 

Did Horsfield change the scene in which Ross and a group of militia had arrested the guy who had led the grain riots in the area?

Edited March 6, 2018 by LJones41