Poldark

10 Best Episodes of Poldark

Britain is in the grip of a chilling recession... falling wages, rising prices, civil unrest - only the bankers are smiling. It's 1783 and Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to his beloved Cornwall to find his world in ruins: his father dead, the family mine long since closed, his house wrecked and his sweetheart pledged to marry his cousin. But Ross finds that hope and love can be found when you are least expecting it in the wild but beautiful Cornish landscape.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 08, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Poldark - S3E8

#15 - Episode 8 (Season 3 - Episode 8)

Ross is adamant George will lose in the election and determines to get a headstone made for Agatha's grave, something Trenwith has neglected. George, meanwhile, questions Dwight over Valentine's legitimacy and - paranoid and jealous - shuts himself to Elizabeth, as Rowella begins to seduce Osborne Whitworth and Demelza receives tokens of Hugh's affection. Sam continues to pine after Emma, as Dwight instructs Osborne to forego intercourse with Morwenna and Cary informs Lord Falmouth that the Warleggans will be opposing Falmouth in the election. Ross returns from his mine to discover Hugh Armitage at Nampara with Demelza - and this time Hugh's attention does not go unnoticed..

The episode was rated 7.93 from 812 votes.

Poldark - S5E6

#14 - Episode 6 (Season 5 - Episode 6)

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Ross throws himself into fighting for Ned’s liberty as George prepares to marry Cecily and finalise his deal with Hanson and Merceron. Geoffrey Charles is forced to make a desperate plan to elope with Cecily before the wedding, and Demelza uncovers a theft at the mine. While Drake and Morwenna enjoy wedded bliss at last, Sam’s growing attachment to Rosina comes under threat by Tess’s claim to seek a purer life. With Ned’s trial looming heavy and the odds stacked against them, Ross pleads for Dwight’s help in a daring attempt to save his friend.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 303 votes.

Poldark - S4E2

#13 - Episode 2 (Season 4 - Episode 2)

The Poldarks determine to get their relationship on track and the Enyses announce they're expecting a baby. Hugh's worsening health threatens his chance to stand in the election, and the prospect of him remaining in Cornwall adds pressure to the Poldarks' fragile marriage. At the Sawle Feast, Tom Harry challenges Sam to a wrestling match. When Emma offers herself as the prize, Sam accepts.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 492 votes.

Poldark - S2E6

#12 - Episode 6 (Season 2 - Episode 6)

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Ross tries to financially support Elizabeth in the wake of Francis's death, but George calls in Ross's debt. Demelza toils loyally to protect all at Nampara, and Dwight and Caroline continue to meet in secret.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 938 votes.

Poldark - S2E1

#11 - Episode 1 (Season 2 - Episode 1)

Ross prepares for his trial as Demelza and Elizabeth try to help his cause. George does everything in his power to harm Ross, Francis wrestles with his conscience, and Dwight clashes with an entitled heiress, Caroline Penvenen.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 1097 votes.

Poldark - S1E4

#10 - Episode 4 (Season 1 - Episode 4)

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News of Ross and Demelza's marriage spreads through the community, damaging Wheal Leisure's prospects. Demelza is filled with anxiety when Francis and Elizabeth invite the newlyweds to spend Christmas at Trenwith.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 895 votes.

Poldark - S2E7

#9 - Episode 7 (Season 2 - Episode 7)

Caroline convinces Dwight they must elope for a new life in Bat, as Ross sails with Trencrom to meet with Mark Daniel. Caroline is forced to pull her plan forward but it is threatened when Rosina dislocates her knee again. Dwight believes he can treat her and still rendezvous with Caroline; however, he and Demelza become suspicious that Charlie Kempthorne is the informant when they learn he has avoided the smuggling run. Dwight confronts Charlie, and a fight ensues. Demelza realises Ross will be walking into an ambush and attempts to warn the boat, but McNeil and his soldiers arrive at Nampara, leaving her under guard. Dwight incapacitates Charlie and escapes as Caroline sneaks out of Killewarren to meet him. Dwight attempts to warn Ross but is too late. Will Ross find a way to evade the soldiers? Having paid men to harass Trenwith with the aim of driving Elizabeth to him for protection, George arrives at her home and posts his men to guard Elizabeth, who is both shocked and grateful for George's attention. Dwight is released by the soldiers, but finds Caroline has already returned to London

The episode was rated 8.00 from 928 votes.

Poldark - S2E2

#8 - Episode 2 (Season 2 - Episode 2)

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As the election leads to rioting, Elizabeth goes to Bodmin herself. Demelza tries to influence the case by making a personal appeal to the judge, but George has a number of tricks up his sleeve as the day of the trial arrives.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 1021 votes.

Poldark - S1E8

#7 - Episode 8 (Season 1 - Episode 8)

George expands the Warleggan empire, launching a new ship and bankrupting Carnmore. Ross blames Francis, but when Francis and Elizabeth fall sick with a life-threatening illness, Demelza risks her own life to save them.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 825 votes.

Poldark - S2E5

#6 - Episode 5 (Season 2 - Episode 5)

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An informant in the smuggling ring poses a serious threat to all. George buys Ross's debt to finally crush him. Caroline returns to Cornwall to make an announcement.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 974 votes.

Poldark - S3E5

#5 - Episode 5 (Season 3 - Episode 5)

The French Royalists plan an invasion, which Caroline hopes will lead to Dwight's release. However, Ross is convinced this will only make matters worse, and recruits a band of allies, including Tholly, Zacky, Drake and Henshawe, to help him free Dwight from prison. George schemes to further his political ambitions, and when he learns of Ross' plan, he uses it as a means to discredit his rival, accusing him of recklessness - a charge that may prove true when the rescue mission proves to have fatal consequences.

The episode was rated 8.09 from 828 votes.

Poldark - S5E8

#4 - Episode 8 (Season 5 - Episode 8)

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Several months have passed as Ross gets in deeper with the French invasion force as they prepare to welcome their leader, General Toussaint. However, Ross's belief in the need for secrecy revives old insecurities and risks his friends, his marriage and his life. Meanwhile, Morwenna and Drake are ready to welcome their baby, and George stumbles on the means to undo Ross once and for all with the help of Merceron and Hanson. With their lives are on the line, Ross and his friends must launch their most daring plan yet, to save themselves and the country from enemies both at home and abroad.

The episode was rated 8.09 from 285 votes.

Poldark - S3E9

#3 - Episode 9 (Season 3 - Episode 9)

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

The episode was rated 8.11 from 771 votes.

Poldark - S2E10

#2 - Episode 10 (Season 2 - Episode 10)

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Elizabeth tells George that she is carrying his child and George continues to mark his territory by erecting fences around Trenwith, denying commoners passage across his property. Dwight learns of Caroline's new engagement and enlists in the navy. Ross decides he must mend the rift between Caroline and Dwight before it is too late. Ross is called to Trenwith by George, suspicious that the purchase of Geoffrey Charles' share in the mine was fraudulent. Pascoe reveals to Ross that George will seek to bankrupt him through court proceedings. Demelza is assaulted for trespassing on Warleggan land provoking the villagers to march on Trenwith with vengeance in mind - will Ross be able to disband the mob? Elizabeth, meanwhile, is forced to face the possibility that her pregnancy might not, in fact, be the result of her union with George.

The episode was rated 8.21 from 905 votes.

Poldark - S4E8

#1 - Episode 8 (Season 4 - Episode 8)

Elizabeth obtains a tonic designed to induce an early labour, she hopes to persuade George that Valentine is his child once and for all, but the Warleggan's rift is plain as they return to Cornwall. Ross returns to Cornwall to mend things with Demelza, while Demelza helps Morwenna and Drake build a future.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 458 votes.

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