Poldark fans were treated to an incredibly heated episode, with a whole range of emotions squeezed into the hour – most notable though, it seemed, were anger and disgust. It was time for the “rape” episode.
When Ross found out cousin-in-law Elizabeth had agreed to marry his “worst enemy” George Warleggan he went to see her – ordering Demelza to get out of his way as he did so.
Elizabeth explained that, in her view, marrying George was not disloyalty to Ross but loyalty to her son. She got close to him at one point, implying that if he wanted to he could do something to stop the marriage. And then… well, what happened next split opinion. Some felt the pair had consensual sex.
I've suddenly stopped liking Ross and Elizabeth #poldark
— alysha (@brokjnscene) October 23, 2016
And as for Elizabeth, she's a minx and knows just what she's doing #poldark
— Linda Sullivan MUA (@linderette) October 23, 2016
Yeah, she's really resisting that. An argument leading to sex. That's never happened before. #ThatWasRapeHow? #Poldark
— Sarah Kutschera (@NotSoWittyUN) October 23, 2016
I think that was Elizabeths plan all along. Accept George. Send Ross a note at night and wait in her bedroom for him. Not rape #Poldark
— Jennifer (@Jen_wales) October 23, 2016
While many saw what happened between them as rape.
Really disappointed #Poldark for doing the whole "rape oh wait she really wanted it" crap.
— Ros Street (@rosstreet) October 23, 2016
That was a super gross rape fantasy I never thought I'd see in this show. #Poldark
— ➵miggie with a g (@viceanglais) October 23, 2016
#Poldark surely in modern law that would be rape
— Catherine Chisnall (@catherinechisna) October 23, 2016
Looked a lot like rape to me Ross #Poldark
— Roberto (@Robertomorley) October 23, 2016
And some felt the show left it purposely ambiguous.
So confused. Was that meant to be a rape scene or consensual?? #Poldark
— emily 🤗 (@emilyyoous) October 23, 2016
Winston Graham’s son Andrew, a consultant to the show, said: “There is no ‘shock rape’ storyline in the novels. To say so is to misconstrue my father’s text.
“To be more precise – in the novel Warleggan the point of departure for the relevant scene is indeed consistent with the potential for rape. But what then actually happens is not described but is left entirely to one’s imagination. The only way to judge what my father intended is to read the novels as a whole. Doing so it becomes clear, from earlier scenes as well as from Elizabeth’s immediate reactions and later mixed emotions that what finally happened was consensual sex born of long-term love and longing. It was, as Aidan Turner has put it, ‘unfinished business emotionally.’”
Elizabeth doesn't understand girl code clearly… 😡 #Poldark
— Lauren Taylor (@LaurenTaylor_08) October 23, 2016
I may have to give up #Poldark. For all his moral posturing, he had sex with a woman who was saying no. I believe that's rape.
— Jane C (@magicpillsJC) October 23, 2016
Ross rode off to get home “before the household wakes” telling Elizabeth “he must think” about whatever happens next between them both when she inquired in the morning.
To viewers’ delight though Demelza did a lot of the thinking for him, knocking him to the ground with a right-hook after Ross told her “you must see I had no choice”.
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
Disappointed in Demelza more than Ross and Elizabeth. Did she forget there's an axe in the yard? #Poldark
— Gabi Gutteridge (@GabiMSmith) October 23, 2016
The dialogue was pretty epic.
"You must see I had no choice".
"Nor I".
👊 #Poldark pic.twitter.com/GwrInAfENj— BBC One (@BBCOne) October 23, 2016
Viewers also expressed what they wished might happen next for Demelza…
So next week Demelza gets together with Dwight and ride off happily into the sunset. Whole of UK cheers. #Poldark #teamdemelza
— Sooze (@LastInALongList) October 23, 2016
Speaking of Dr Dwight Enys, he and Caroline were officially broken off – with Caroline even requesting he never write to her again. Or in modern terms.
Caroline: “Dear Dwight, I am unfriending you on Facebook. Please never WhatsApp me, or my JAUNTY HAT again.” #Poldark #JauntyHat
— Jon Reed (@jonreed) October 23, 2016
Nobody was too fussed…
Me whenever I see Dwight Enys #Poldark pic.twitter.com/V8qbzYVSaD
— Lisa (@elle_ess) October 23, 2016
Until it became apparent that Dr Enys might be setting out to sea, taking his much-needed skills to the navy.
Another heart-wrenching moment came with the collapse of Ross’ mine, with two deaths and more injuries caused by “cost cutting”, according to George, who ran straight over to Elizabeth to inform her of the incident – leading to her accepting his proposal.
Shall we get timbers?
No, we don't need all that health a safety nonsense, this is olden times!
*Mine collapses.#Poldark— Rowan Coleman (@rowancoleman) October 23, 2016
Of course, that’s now the third life lost to the mine, and Ross was determined he wouldn’t be opening it again.
In the midst of it all Verity appeared, and Aunt Agatha yet again showed she was in tune with the people.
"Is that little Verity? Bring her to me THIS MINUTE!" Aunt Agatha loves Verity nearly as much as I do. #TeamVerity #Poldark
— Kate Marzillier (@marzillk) October 23, 2016
She wasn’t just there for show though, no, she came bearing big news. News of a baby!
Im so happy for Verity. She deserves to be happy amd have a family of her own #Poldark
— Autumn Girl 🍃🍂🍁 (@Natasha1295) October 23, 2016
VERITY HAS A PASTY IN THE OVEN!!! #Poldark
— Demelza-Rae Poldark (@amandarprescott) October 23, 2016
VERITY'S GOING TO HAVE A BABY AHHHHHHHH #Poldark
— A.Burr (@_AprilsLady) October 23, 2016
Literally everyone's reaction to verity right now #Poldark pic.twitter.com/Fj9gbFGlqQ
— DelythMairJones (@DelythJones93) October 23, 2016
Phew. Now that’s out the way, next week’s is definitely not one to miss…
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