Poldark season 4 episode 3 review: Good casting, weird plotting

This week’s episode of Poldark seems a bit haphazard in quality compared to the first two, especially due to the number of plots it tires to handle.

For once, Poldark doesn’t skip ahead and just expect viewers to figure out about what time it is. Instead, letters between Ross and Demelza cover the passage of time quite adeptly, interspersed with shots of Demelza and Ross both working — and Ross making a speech about worrying about child labor.

There’s actually a legitimately lovely mixture of shots and music as Ross goes to some of the pleasure gardens in London to meet up with Geoffrey Charles. It all calls up a feeling of enchantment while also drawing a sharp comparison between the glamour and Ross’ somewhat plain clothing. Unfortunately, it starts to go downhill quickly.

Fortunately, it’s not as though Ross and Demelza spend the entire episode apart: an issue in the mine calls him back home, at least temporarily. However, Poldark doesn’t make his return particularly sweet, which actually works as a better character moment overall.

Instead, they have to talk it out, with Demelza pointing out that as per usual, he’s been a bit of a fool in thinking he knows what she feels and what she’s spent the time apart feeling. (Hint: it’s not caring about Hugh, Ross.) The lesson probably won’t take, but it’s an effort, at least.

But Ross’ efforts in other areas, like his mine, seem like they could bear fruit thematically. It’s a bit overdone, with one of the miners flat-out calling him an “outsider,” but the idea is that Ross has always been essentially part of Cornwall in a way that even George has not been. Even if he tries to spend time getting back into the mine, as he does by trying to open up new workings, he even says himself that it’ll only be three months before he has to go back. Fighting on Tholly’s behalf fixes things up, but again, it’s hard to see how this won’t keep happening over and over.

It’s the same with Ross going to visit Trenwith and Elizabeth after the fight. There’s no point to it other than to get them to talk to each other, put Monk Adderley (more on him in a moment) on Ross’ radar, and make Demelza cranky at Ross.

Ultimately, this week’s entire episode seems to revolve around characters coming back or making sudden appearances. For example, Verity is back for this episode — with no real explanation other than just to pay a visit.

Reverend Whitworth’s mother also bursts in on Morwenna and is somehow worse than Whitworth! Morwenna’s sister, Rowella, also basically seduces more money out of Whitworth.

Moreover, Sarah’s born in about 30 seconds, and she doesn’t even last an episode before Dwight notices something wrong with her. It honestly seems a bit haphazard and scattered all around, even though these women all play a purpose in individual storylines.

Finally, we also meet Monk. If there’s any character who looks like he’s going to play a big role, it’s him. He’s George’s new political friend, and even just the casting seems excellent, as Max Bennett radiates just a hint of serpentine menace.

At the end of the day, this episode doesn’t feel like it hits quite as strongly. It’s setting things up, but it’s setting so many things up that it’s hard to process them.

Additional thoughts:

• Pay attention to how much Ross talks of his age. Remember, it’s at least 1797 at this point — and Ross came home after the War of Independence.
• Demelza also starts to set Drake up with Rosina, but it’s hilarious that everyone also calls her out on it.
• Ross buys Demelza one of the standard “I’m sorry” gifts: really pretty jewelry. Then they rechristen the kitchen table. That’s the kind of note to end an episode on, right?

Poldark season 4 airs Sundays on PBS.