Poldark Series 1, Episode 3: Recap and Review

Months have passed but it is always sunny in Poldarkland. Everything is blooming, including Elizabeth. Having announced her pregnancy she is now heavy with child, and due to give birth at any minute.

But first it is the official opening of Wheal Leisure, and Ross makes a passionate speech. Demelza, his groupie, is cheering him on in the front row. "Are the rumours true, do you think?" asks Warleggan senior. "He's a damned fool if they're not," replies the ominously-named Dr Choake.

But before anyone has the chance to speculate further, Elizabeth gives birth, aided by Dr Choake, in a scene that must rank as one of the quietest on-screen labours ever. "Today is a proud day for the PolDARKS!" barks Old Man Poldark at the christening. But the excitement of a new baby grandson is too much, and he keels over.

"On a Christening day! And a child named after him!" remarks Aunt Agatha. 'Tis a sign, mark my words." Ah, nothing gets past her, does it? Not even the obvious. Does she not know that screen births are always accompanied by a death? But Old Man Poldark isn't a goner yet, and is hanging in there to tell Francis to get his finger out and make sure Ross doesn't poach all their miners with better pay.

Still at the christening, Warleggan continues to note Ross's over-developed social conscience. "Perhaps if you fraternised less with the lower classes you'd feel their woes less keenly," he tells Ross. As if that wasn't enough, Ross then overhears the Teague women gossiping with Elizabeth's mother about Demelza the 'hussy' and her scarlet cloak. Cue a spectacular huff as Ross storms out once again to mount his horse for yet another mighty gallop along the cliff edge.

Little do the Teague women know what Demelza knows, which is that the way to a man's heart is not with nancy syllabubs, but proper Man Food. Her curtsies may be wonky, but not only has Demelza been busy honing her housework and cookery skills, it also turns out that she has a gift for mind-reading, knowing exactly what Ross wants when he wants it. And right now, it's a pie.

And what a pie. In fact, I'd wager this pie is probably the most perfect-looking pie ever to be seen on screen (yeah, take that, Mary Berry).

Meanwhile, Francis tries to get his leg over with Elizabeth, who is still weak from childbirth. Give it a rest, man! But he knows something is up (ahem) with her and Ross, and is jealous and insecure. Which makes you wonder: if Ross and Elizabeth upset him so much, why does he keep leaving them alone together like pedigree dogs? 

Speaking of which, time for some more inter-class pollination. While weak-willed Francis falls for the charms of the nice lady who frequents the inn, Demelza too goes off-piste, poking her nose where she really shouldn't, in Ross' library. It is here among his private things she finds a beautiful blue-green silk gown, which shimmers like the sea.

Why Ross would be the possessor of ladies' clothing is anyone's guess, and it is never explained. However, by putting it on not only is Demelza trying on a new dress, but also engaging in some serious symbolism, trying on a new class. When Ross comes home and catches her in it he orders her to take it off, but of course she can't: "It unfastens down the back." Apart from begging the question of how on earth she got it done up in the first place, it is clear that her inability to take off the dress means she's now one of his kind.

What's known can't be unknown. Or perhaps it was merely a clever ruse? In any case, the allure of a redhead in a green dress is too much for Ross. As if self-consciously trying to resist the term 'bodice-ripping', he gets her out of it. What was that Warleggan said about fraternising? Considering how gorgeous these two leads are, there was a distinct lack of chemistry in this seduction scene that was strangely shot from the shoulders up, and which also felt rushed.

We have to wait until a few scenes later before we see any skin. Last week Captain Blamey showed us his mast, this time we get to see Ross's scythe as he makes hay in the meadow. This is sweaty work, so out with the stick-on hairy chest and gravy browning, which makes Ross's six-pack strangely reminiscent of Demelza's pie. I know which I'd rather sink my teeth into. Aidan Turner may be an Adonis but next to such a staid love scene, this topless hay-making bit came across as gratuitous. After Pride and Prejudice, though, where else is there to go but with a now-obligatory topless Men's Health magazine cover shot?

Still, at least it's sunny so there's plenty of grass for Demelza to roll around and hide in as she gazes dreamily at Ross hard at work in the field. In these long hot days lust hangs in the air between them, and when Elizabeth pays a call she knows exactly what they've been up to. In one of the most artful and subtle scenes yet it is newly-picked cornflowers that remind Demelza she is not a lady like Elizabeth, and that Ross' house is no place for her after all.

Off she goes back to her father, who as a born-again Christian wants to rescue her from temptation and sin. But it's not long before once again Ross chases her along the cliff edge, and in a case of pies and wedded bliss, brings her back and marries her forthwith.

Well, I didn't see that one coming. Was it the dress, or the pie? I'll wager the pie. Mmm, pies...