At the start of the episode, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) tells the locals that Ross (Aidan Turner) has donated them land for the school. Next, Ross speaks out for Ned (Vincent Regan) among the other politicians. He pleads with them to release his friend from prison. Once the day ends, he writes a letter to Demelza about it. After that, Ross pays a visit to William Wickham (Anthony Calf) and sees if there is anything he can do for Ned. Cary (Pip Torrens) speaks with George (Jack Farthing) about the slave trade. George admits that he doesn’t have an opinion on it but he is happy that Ross and Ned will be dealt with soon enough.

Cecily (Lily Dodsworth-Evans) goes to her father (Peter Sullivan) and tells him the truth about Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise). Ralph doesn’t want his daughter to throw away everything on a disgraced and penniless boy. We jump forward in time again. Demelza gets the girls up and rushes them to get ready for their lessons with Morwenna (Ellise Chappell). Morwenna and Drake (Harry Richardson) are show in bed together. Morwenna’s attitude has changed completely and she agrees to stay in bed with him a little longer. Zacky Martin (Tristan Sturrock) goes to Demelza and tells her that someone has been stealing their ore.

After that, we see that Rosina (Amelia Clarkson) and Sam Carne (Tom York) are beginning to develop a relationship. Kitty (Kerri McLean) and Ross visit Ned at the jail. Ned seems to be in good spirits. George and Cary speak about Ned’s upcoming trial. George has found a way to rig the jury to ensure they get a guilty verdict against Ned. When Cary asks who is going to administer it, Joseph Merceron (Tim Dutton) steps inside. Cecily meets Geoffrey and she is follow by spies. They agree that they have no choice so they put their plan into action. Dwight (Luke Norris) speaks with Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) about Ross and his friendship with Ned. Dwight believes Ross is going to get himself into trouble.

He is worried that whoever set Ned up was clever so clearing him will not be easy. Ross and Kitty join them seconds later. They speak about their inability to prevent the actions of those that have set up Ned. Ross speaks with Joseph about the situation. Sam and Rosina continue hanging out frequently. Tess (Sofia Oxenham) notices and decides to cause trouble for the couple. Drake tries to teach his brother his trade. Then, they begin speaking about Rosina and Drake tries to convince him to ask for her hand in marriage. Tess confronts him and asks if there is hope for sinners. She is putting her plan into action. George learns about Cecily and Geoffrey so he decides to do something about it.

Kitty visits Ned and gives him a sack which contains his uniform. George meets with Ralph and tells him that he wants the marriage moved up. Cecily learns about it a few moments later. Next, the audience floods the courtroom for Ned’s trial. It goes back and forth. A man is brought forth to speak out against Ned despite Ned and Ross note remembering him. Ross and Dwight speak for Ned. The jury leaves and the wait beings. During this time, Demelza tells Drake about the theft at the mine and that she wishes Ross was with her. She follows Jacka and watches him load bags into a boat. She is chased away without being identified.

Demelza goes to Zacky and Drake. She tells them about Jacke and believes he might be stealing their ore. However, they’re not sure they should approach them without just cause. They agree to watch and wait so they can catch them in the act. They do not believe Rosina is involved. Dwight speaks about the head trauma Ned experienced in the war. He tries to convince the jury that Ned should be released for having delusions or insanity. Cecily learns that the plan has been put in place so they can escape. The jury returns and Ned is sentenced to hanging. He will be hung but not killed before his belly is split open and his head is chopped off.

That night, Ross tries to convince Dwight to help him break Ned out of jail. Dwight doesn’t want to go along with it but Caroline convinces him to do so. They get inside of the jail easy and prepare to escape. There is just one slight problem. Ned doesn’t want to go. He decides that he is going to stay behind and take the punishment. Geoffrey and Cecily attempt to flee together. However, they’re stopped and brought back to town. Ned tells Ross to go and finished what he could not before leaving Ross behind. Joseph inspects the hangman’s noose before the execution of Ned.

Valentine tells Ross that Cary told him he was going to have a new mama. George corrects him and reminds him that Elizabeth can never be replaced. Kitty is allowed to spend some time with Ned and he learns about her pregnancy. Geoffrey and Cecily are forced into the chapel where George is set to marry her. Geoffrey tries to convince them to stop the wedding. It doesn’t work. The crowd begins arriving for the execution. The execution ceremony and the wedding ceremony continue simultaneously. Cecily stops the wedding and tells George that she slept with Geoffrey. If they have a baby, he will always have to wonder if it is his. This convinces him to stop the wedding. He leaves. Ralph warns Cecily that she is going to regret her actions.

Ned is allowed to speak to the audience so he tells everyone that he is innocence. A note arrives. Ned has not been pardoned. His punishment has been reduced and he will only be hung until he is dead. That happens a short time later. George returns home and tells Cary that there will be no other female. Joseph meets with Ross as he gets Ned’s items from the cell. Ralph tells him that justice has been done and hell awaits. Ross makes a bad comment about the governor of the prison only to learn that it is Joseph. George eats alone. Ross decides to return home. We see that Tess has managed to convince Sam to spend time with her. Drake, Demelza and Prudie (Beatie Edney) are worried about Sam.

Demelza is surprised to see Ross and shocked by Ned’s execution. Demelza tells Ross that he should weep for his friend. When she leaves, he does. Seconds later, he is knocked out. He wakes up deep in a mine or cave and the episode ends.

 

Poldark Review

This season of Poldark hasn’t impressed me in the least. I want to like it but I just can’t be bothered with it. I have fallen out of love with Ross and am now siding with George. Am I the only one? Should I pray my sins away or have the writers made Ross far less likable? I know that George is a bad person too but I can tolerate him much better than Ross. I am glad that Ned has finally stepped off the stage. I hope that improves things. I didn’t mind Kitty but Ned was reckless and annoying. This is the final season and we only have a few episodes left.

I feel like the final season here is going to put a damper on the entire show. Unfortunately, I am not sure that the season can be saved at this point. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Poldark before you go!