Poldark season 3 episode 3 review: Is Dwight alive? Demelza’s decision
In Cornwall, George was in the process of taking quite a victory lap after getting his appointment to be Magister. He felt as though he was instantly awesome and wanted everyone to know it. However, his treatment of those in the town, and in turn his treatment of her, has put Elizabeth on age. She wasn’t exactly interested in seeing him take the oath and put on that fancy wig. It took very little time for it to be clear that George as a justice was just as terrible as George without the honor.
While all of this was going on, Elizabeth sulked over her present condition (which continued to include Morwenna’s presence in her life), we saw in turn Caroline and Elizabeth bonding over the fact that both of their husbands were away. Caroline was at one point so desperate to learn of Dr. Enys’ fate that she approached George hoping for answers.
Demelza’s brothers, meanwhile, decided to take it upon themselves to try and resolve matters between George and Ross, visiting Trenwith in order to figure it out. Obviously, this was good news for Drake to get closer to Morwenna. Yet, this snowballed out of control. The plan to be granted land for a Methodist meeting gallery started to get a tad crazier when George connected that Sam Carne was Demelza’s brother and this was all a part of some elaborate / crazy Ross scheme.
Here is the irony: This was just as much a scheme against George as anything, since the end result of this was George and Elizabeth opting to move with Valentine away from Trenwith. All of a sudden, Drake has unlimited opportunities to spend with Morwenna and Geoffrey. Cue the scenes of the two parties running around on the beach with Drake. It’s pretty clear now that Morwenna and Drake are into each other, as if there was any doubt from the moment that the two of them first met. Despite this being a predictable romance, there is something so delightful and charming about it.
As for the brothers, they eventually found a church of their own when it comes to Ross’ storehouse. Maybe he wouldn’t love the idea, but clearly Demelza didn’t love the fact that Ross was staying away so long (or that he left in the first place).
Ross in France
After decided to search for Dwight in assist the cause in France, our title hero began a rather exciting journey. This included him seeing some horrors on the streets and him being hot on. (Hey, Ross was faithful this time!)
Unfortunately, Ross had to spend much of his time in the country defending himself, and that wasn’t enough to keep himself from being questioned at length and in trouble from local law enforcement. Ross found himself in yet another dangerous predicament that he had to escape from, which is a further reminder that Demelza is often right about him going on these adventures.
The good news is rather simple: Along the way during this journey, he discovered that Dwight was alive! After returning, he went and told the good news to Caroline. The bad news is that Dwight isn’t exactly in the place position to survive.
Final Verdict
This was an episode that was about a search, about some frustration, and about finding new homes. It also had a lovely Ross / Demelza reunion. We did enjoy the scenes in Cornwall more than the scenes in France, mostly because it was clear that he would be making it back. (How awesome was Demelza putting Ross in his place near the end of the episode?)
All in all, another fantastic journey into the Poldark world from start to finish. Grade: B+.
What lies ahead on Poldark season 3 episode 4?
If you head over to the link here, you can get some further news right now on the show’s future! (Photo: BBC.)
ctrent29
June 28, 2017 @ 2:50 pm
This episode was a damn travesty. Debbie Horsfield isn’t adapting “The Black Moon”. She is remaking the damn novel with her own massive and unnecesary changes. Elizabeth was never that upset over her marriage to George. Not at this point. Nor did she ever turned to alcohol or drugs to “drown” in her sorrows. One last thing . . . she was never cold to either of her sons. And in the novel, she was more jealous of Geoffrey Charles’ friendship with Drake than with Morwenna. But she put up with it, because she saw that it made Geoffrey Charles happy. These changes to Elizabeth’s character are almost as bad as Horsfield’s hamfisted attempt to transform Ross’ rape of Elizabeth into consenual sex.
By the way, Demelza had no right to allow her brothers to use the barn on the Nampara estate in the first place. She was never thrilled with or supportive of Sam’s attempt to establish a Methodist church in the area. Neither was Ross. Also . . . Dwight and Caroline got married in the 1976 novel, “The Four Swans” – after his return from France. And they had a big wedding ceremony and reception, not a private wedding.
It’s one hting to make a few changes here and there when adapting a novel. It’s another to completely rewrite it with unnecessary changes, especially a first-rate novel like “The Black Moon”, which was regarded as one of Winston Graham’s better additions to the saga.
This episode was a travesty. Season 3 is proving to be a travesty.
Sara
June 28, 2017 @ 9:58 pm
I think they make the changes to “spicy” things up a little bit because “The Black Moon” would be hard to translate into the screen the way it was written IMO. Not much if anything happens in this book until Ross goes with his rescue mission to France, and tv series format demands more action/adventure or at least some tension to keep people engaged.
That some of those changes are questionable is a different matter. I agree about Elisabeth though, with one exception – the book makes it quite clear IMO that she didn’t love Valentine as much as she loved her first born.
I like what they are doing with Morwenna/Drake/Geoffrey Charles here though. In book Morwenna has zero personality but the the actress’ charm make her quite captivating on screen.