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!
As Elizabeth becomes more ambivalent about Valentine, George courts Sir Francis Basset for the vacant magistracy position. Ross is reintroduced to Tholly Tregirls, an old friend of his father's and a ne'er-do-well who has returned to area. Verity returns to Trenwith, awaiting word from her husband, Andrew, whose ship is en route to Lisbon, while Elizabeth feels the sting of Morwenna and Geoffrey Charles's connection.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 856 votes.
Demelza gives birth and resolves to help Verity reconcile with Captain Blamey. Ross welcomes old friend Dr Dwight Enys to Cornwall. Francis' persistent gambling threatens the security of all he holds dear.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 852 votes.
The Poldarks look forward to life together in peace, but a plea from his old army colonel, Ned Despard, compels Ross to the capital. Arriving in London, he finds a city gripped with paranoia, and is determined to save Ned from the conspiracy that imprisoned him. As Demelza manages their affairs in Cornwall she encounters disenchantment and a new opponent, Tess. Meanwhile, George struggles to engage with the world after Elizabeth’s death, but enters into an alliance with the merchant behind Ned’s imprisonment, Ralph Hanson, who is involved in the slave trade.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 357 votes.
Ross is reunited with his family at home, but tragedy strikes in Cornwall. Dwight tells Caroline some devastating news about Sarah. Ossie is seen visiting Rowella by her husband Arthur, who grows suspicious. Emma returns to give Sam her answer, whilst Drake is persuaded into courting Rosina.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 451 votes.
Demelza and the children join Ross in London, but his dogged pursuit of Ned’s vindication finds them caught in a dangerous web. An ennobled George pursues the fruits of his new alliance, but his lingering grief has unexpected consequences. As Ned confronts the man responsible for his downfall, Demelza fears they are entangled with forces beyond their control, and Dwight’s expertise on insanity unwittingly place him and his friends on shaky ground. Meanwhile, Drake and Morwenna continue tentative steps forward in their relationship, Valentine’s spirit grows wilful in neglect, and Geoffrey Charles learns he must tread carefully if he’s to gain Cecily’s father’s favour. Ross tries to find a man who may hold the key to clearing Ned’s name, but in championing Ned’s cause, Ross finds himself in a compromising situation that will shadow him wherever he goes.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 326 votes.
Ross resolves to reopen his family mine with Francis. Demelza struggles to fit in at Nampara. Verity makes an unsuitable match, leading to a feud between Ross and Charles, which ends in a violent showdown.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 957 votes.
Francis wrongly blames Ross for helping Verity elope with Andrew Blamey. Mark suspects Dwight and Keren of having an affair, starting a chain of events which will have tragic consequences and threatens the safety of everyone at Nampara.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 785 votes.
Ross is ordered to leave Roscoff under threat of execution. He travels with Tholly to meet his contact in France, but finds information about Dwight's fate comes at a high price. Sam leads a congregation of methodists in protest outside the church - only to face broken promises from George, who revokes their lease on the meeting house, which leads them to turn to Elizabeth for help. Geoffrey Charles has some words of advice for Drake, who has shared a moment of intimacy on the beach with Morwenna.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 847 votes.
Ross faces the challenge of Parliament and the Warleggans refuse to accept defeat. In Cornwall, Demelza contends with a failing mine and fixing Drake's broken heart. Dwight and Caroline welcome a baby daughter. Ossie meanwhile tends to a dying parishioner and George hosts an extravagant party at Trenwith.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 476 votes.
Cornwall in England, towards the end of the eighteenth century. Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to find his beloved, but finds only one world in ruins: his father died, the family mine closed and his companion committed to marry his cousin. Fortunately for Poldark, nothing is lost...
The episode was rated 7.63 from 1130 votes.
