As the episode begins, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Ross (Aidan Turner) finally return home. They speak before sharing a kiss. Ross receives a letter telling him about Bannantine’s death. Ross is warned that he should distance himself from Ned Despard (Vincent Regan). He tells Ned about the drowning a short time later. They discuss the potential reason Ralph Hanson (Peter Sullivan) could be in town. Zacky (Tristan Sturrock) emerges from the mine and confirms that they have not blasted through yet. Ned explains that they needed to use more explosives.

Demelza takes apples to the young locals. She runs into Rosina (Amelia Clarkson) who is with Tommy. The scurvy has returned. Jacka Hoblyn (John Macneill) confronts Ross about putting his son to work in the mine. Ross refuses and suggests the boy isn’t old enough yet. The man intends to ask George for work. Meanwhile, George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) sees Elizabeth (Heida Reed) and tells Valentine (Woody Norman) that he needs to stop neglecting his studies. Drake (Harry Richardson) gets a visit from Tess (Sofia Oxenham). She gives him something that Demelza needs worked on.

Drake reminds Tess that his sister has a good heart. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have given Tess a second chance. Tess makes a comment about finding something better and she suggests a possible mate could be Sam (Tom York). Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) finds Dwight (Luke Norris) reading a letter. He tells her that they want him to run for head of the Royal Cornwall Infirmary but he doesn’t seem interested in leaving his patients behind. Ned runs into Ralph at the pub. They go back and forth before Ross is forced to escort Ned out. Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) visits Drake and learns that he has taken two apprentices.

He explains that he couldn’t let his son work in the mines. Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) arrives with Cecily (Lily Dodsworth-Evans) and interrupts the conversation. Cecily is confident that she will never let a man take away the freedom that she loves so much. Cary (Pip Torrens) checks on George who is resting in bed. George wakes up and imagines he sees Ross with Elizabeth. He grabs the gun and fires. Cary is not injured but he knows he has to do something immediately. Cary is forced to turn Ralph away for the time being. Demelza and the kids pass by a trespassing sign for the Trenwith property. Clowance (Wensdae Gibbons) seems a little too eager to jump the fence and explore the lands.

Tess tells Morwenna, Rosina, and Demelza about the local girls selling themselves for money. She also makes a comment about Demelza selling her body for a wedding ring from Ross. Demelza admits it is true. She knew what she was doing and Kitty (Kerri McLean) claims to have done the same with Ned. Cecily goes to her father and implores him to tell why they’re really in Truro. He refuses to tell her and doesn’t believe she needs to know. That night, Ross and Demelza speak about their first romantic tryst together. Demelza expresses her desire to help the kids of Truro read and write. The following day, Demelza tells the locals about her plans to help the local kids learn how to read and write.

Many of the locals aren’t interested in it. They want to make money right now. Kitty is harassed in the streets. Dwight tries to defend her but she insists it is not worth it so they continue on their way. Rosina and Tommy visit Morwenna and Drake later that night. Morwenna takes to the boy and tries to teach him how to read while he eats. The following day, Ross and Demelza attend an event at Dwight’s house. They’re surprised to see Ralph at the event. Lady Whitworth (Rebecca Front) listens to a man speak about the intelligence of the races. Dwight apologizes to Drake and Morwenna for Lady Whitworth being invited to the event. They say that it is okay and that they’ll be able to avoid her.

Cary arrives and begins making excuses for George’s absence. Morwenna approaches Lady Whitworth and asks to speak with her in private. She agrees. With help from Drake, Morwenna is able to learn a little more about her son. Lady Whitworth says that they never mention Morwenna around the boy. Ralph confronts Kitty. She tells him that she was sold to her husband so she wouldn’t have to sleep with Ralph. This leads to an argument between Ned and Ralph. Ross manages to convince Ned to leave without further conflict. Ross asks Ralph about the death of Bannantine. This eventually results in Ross hitting Ralph. Sam enters and tells them that there has been an accident at Wheal Plenty. We see that George is being put through unconventional treatments for his mental problems.

Jacka’s Arthur has been trapped in the mine with the others and the Warleggans do not intend to carry out a rescue mission. Valentine asks Bessie about going out but she ignores him. Ross and the others learn that Cary intends to close the mine without attempting a rescue. Ross and the others come up with a rescue plan of their own. Morwenna begins getting more young visitors who want to eat and learn to read and write. Jacka arrives later and tries to take Tommy home. He only stops when he learns that something is going on at the mine. Ned nearly dies during the rescue attempt but Ross saves him. Then, they extract as many people from the mine as possible. Arthur is saved.

Drake returns to Morwenna and tells her what he has done. He also tells her that she has a few more visitors waiting outside. George is put in restraints and tied to the bed. Dwight tells Demelza that Ned is reckless. He seems to be worried about Ross and what he might do in the future. Geoffrey and Cecily chat about Cecily’s mother before they spot Valentine in the distance. They take him with them before joining Ross and the others for celebrations. Valentine is finally able to play around with some real friends. Bessie unties George’s arm so he finishes the rest of it. Ralph encourages Cary to move forward as quickly as possible with the business arrangement.

George makes a run for it. He goes to the house and spots Ross with Valentine. Dwight spots him and gives chase. George nearly throws himself off the cliffs before Dwight stops him. George asks if anything could change if he had fallen. Dwight agrees to take him home. Cary knows he has problems on his hands when he spots Dwight and George through the window. Cary manages to sneak George back upstairs. The conventional doctor enters and speaks with Dwight about the treatment George has been put through. Dwight tries to tell Cary that the treatments are not going to help him at all. Ross, Geoffrey, and Cecily decide to take Valentine back home. During this time, Ralph and Cary end their conversation. Valentine enters and lets Cary know who brought him home.

Geoffrey and Cecily speak about Elizabeth while Ross speaks with Cary. Valentine lets it slip that his father is still at home. Ralph is surprised to see his daughter with Geoffrey and Ross. Ralph intends to take Cecily to Bristol where he has more business to attend to. Ross tries to convince Cary that George should pay for Geoffrey’s military training. Kitty and Demelza chat about James Creek. Kitty explains that Ned likes to talk about the war frequently. Cary hands the check to Geoffrey while Ralph leaves with Cecily. Valentine asks Geoffrey to come and visit him against. George watches it through the window as Ross tells Valentine that he can visit him again.

Demelza begins to wonder if it was her fault that Bannantine died. Ross tries to convince her otherwise. Ross admits that it worries him how volatile and impetuous Ned is. Demelza reminds him that he isn’t much better. Ross insists that Ned needs to hear it from someone else and not him.

 

Poldark Review

Boy, I was really starting to worry about Poldark. The first two episodes were slightly boring. Thankfully, this one was much better. It was a bit slow there in the beginning but it paid off in the end. The best storyline this season is easily George. Jack Farthing is showing just how good of an actor he is this season. I am concerned that he is going to end up killing someone soon enough. Only time will tell.

This episode scores a 7.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Poldark right now!