Poldark Series 1, Episode 2: Recap and Review

How lucky the Poldark servants are. What wouldn't I give to be dosed with one of Verity's possets when I'm ill, posset-making for ill servants being one of the consolations of advanced spinsterhood. At 25 Verity more than qualifies and is, according to her father, "easy prey" to dubious suitors.

Enter handsome Captain Andrew Blamey, who offers a way out by wooing Verity with nautical talk at a party. "A mizzen mast, you say?" she enquires, inspecting his diagram.

"Which is part square-rigged and carries a gaff. And a spanker boom."

But before Verity has a chance to explore his rigging, doubt is cast on Blamey's intentions when the glowering sky signifies something is afoot. After nearly drowning last week when Ross pushed him in a flooded mine, this week Francis is shot in the neck after challenging Blamey to a duel in defence of the family honour.

And so Verity has to say goodbye to Blamey – her love – forever doomed to spinning, baking, making preserves and gathering hens' eggs.

Like Verity, Elizabeth too has to go without the man she really wants as she mopes about the garden or gazes out the window while enduring Francis' unwanted advances. Speaking of whom, one wonders what near-death experience is next in store for him. Plank-walking?

In any case a few possets are bound to be in order. Or perhaps a sweet curdled milk dish, courtesy of Ruth Teague? "One only has to taste her syllabubs to know their succulence," extols her mother.

But Ross Poldark is immune to such delights. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Not only does he furrow his brow poring over diagrams working out how to make a go of resurrecting Wheal Leisure, but he also has to endure snake-in-the-grass banker George Warleggan pouring poison in Francis' ears regarding Ross' intentions towards Elizabeth.

George's antics jeopardise Francis' support of the Wheal Leisure enterprise, so Ross has to inspire the investors himself. He's so busy with that, jumping on and off his horse for breezy gallops along the cliff edge, and fighting off ladies at dances, he has no time to shave.

"We can show you what a woman's touch can do in a home," continues Ruth Teague's mother. But Ross knows that already. After a gossip-worthy cotillion with Elizabeth at the party, ardour needs to be cooled. The allure of the nice lady with the bright make-up (of which there seems to be only one in this parish) is too much to resist.

It was only a matter of time before Ross got his kit off, but not in this scene. Those hoping for the full Kevin Costner shot will be disappointed with the bathing scene, too. What was that in the distance? There, in the sea. Was it a seal? I couldn't tell. No one goes in the sea to wash, surely?

Catching sight of Ross bathing while gathering flowers, perhaps Demelza managed to get a better view. Her transformation into Tori Amos continues. She's already been singing to her dog, and now she's sat at the piano and placed her fingers on the keys while looking around Ross' study.

We'll have her playing it before the series is out. After all this talk of possets, syllabubs and spanker booms, all I need now is for someone to say "I dislike the cut of his jib" and I'll be one happy woman.