Things haven’t been going well for Cornwall’s Ross Poldark recently.
BBC 1′s hit 19th-century drama began on Sunday night with the protagonist down on his luck in both business and love: profits dwindling to nothing in his mining company and a bitter dispute raging with wife Demelza over a recent affair.
Last week’s episode sparked outrage when viewers complained to Ofcom and the BBC over a forceful love scene, that some described as a rape due to the lead character’s insistence despite his old sweetheart Elizabeth’s refusal to consent.
This week set itself against the backdrop of the aftermath: Demelza full of rage at her husband’s adultery, and Elizabeth torn between the duty to her fiance George Warleggan and her old flame, Poldark.
Still bearing the nasty black eye from an impassioned slap by Demelza in the last episode, viewers were less than sympathetic to his dire financial woes – especially after expressing surprise at her lack of understanding over the affair.
Quite shocked this evening when, after Demelza had punched Ross to the floor, my Mum chipped in with "now stamp on his balls!" 🙈#Poldark
— 🍁🍂 Lorna Hook 🐿 (@LornaHook) October 23, 2016
Seeing Demelza punch Ross all over in the recap is the most satisfying thing I've ever seen. Again. #poldark
— M. A. Phipps (@authormaphipps) October 30, 2016
That might not have been the wisest response.
What did ross really think Demelza would be okay with him cheating. Idiot #poldark
— KC/ST/RD/BC (@ClarkeBellamy3) October 30, 2016
After those last few words from Ross, my hope for the rest of the episode is that his mine collapses on top of him #Poldark
— Claire Chesser (@ClaireChesser) October 30, 2016
Ross. Oh Ross. STOP TALKING #poldarkparty #poldark
— яє∂ ѕαиgяє (@Red_Sangre) October 30, 2016
Demelza responded by contemplating – and very nearly following through with – an affair of her own, only to back out at the last minute.
And with a change of fortune for the mining business, it might seem as if things are looking up for the calamitous Cornwallian after all.
I deeply hate every single male character in this show (except Dwight Enys, he can stay) #Poldark
— Shayane ✨ (@kardashayane) October 30, 2016
Not so, it would seem. Enraged by his inaction since the affair, Elizabeth only went and married George Warleggan after all.
It’s looking bleak indeed for Poldark down in the West Country. But one thing’s certain – viewers just can’t get enough.
You know it's been a great episode of 'Poldark' when you wander your house muttering curse words & hitting random things #poldark #wtfRoss
— яє∂ ѕαиgяє (@Red_Sangre) October 30, 2016
