User Reviews

I really enjoyed the first episode. The production was good, the story interesting - perhaps a bit slow on explaining the characters, but the story seems pretty fast paced, seeing how the first episode seemed to stretch over several weeks if not months. But I did have one major issue with this first episode, and I have a suggestion for the people who make this show: Take whom ever thought it was a good idea, be it a writer or producer, to have the Elizabeth character change her mind 3 times on the same issue within one episode, and shoot them. I get it, she is conflicted, but that is seriously poor writing. The show's writers are not doing it's female characters justice. I think the maid worked well, but the rest seemed a bit stereotypical.

The dashing Ross Poldark returns from fighting the Americans in the Revolutionary War. He is seriously wounded while fighting in Virginia at the close of the war. Upon his return to Cornwall, he claims that Britain fought on the wrong side!

This beautifully photographed first episode establishes that Ross's legacy is in danger. The mines are not producing and the land is fallow. The fussy uncle of Ross tries to pay him off and send him packing to London to try a new profession such as the law. Uncle Charles recognizes that his pampered son Francis has just married Elizabeth Chynoweth, the love of Ross's life.

Ross takes in a poor abused waif, Demelza Carne, and her dog Darwin with "crawlers." When he gives her a shampoo, she is transformed Cinderella-like into siren. Ross fights off Demelza's abusive father when he comes to reclaim her. Ross's hired hands do the same to the thugs of Illugan. Will Demelze be a kitchen wench or possibly the new Mrs. Podark?

The tension between Ross and Elizabeth is apparent throughout the program. In the closing scene, Elizabeth makes a special trip to urge Ross to stay on his family holdings in Cornwall. It is clear that Elizabeth is not "disinterested." In the final dramatic moment, Ross asserts that he wishes to remain true to his "inheritance."