The Angry Tide brings some resolutions to the problems featured in The Four Swans and presents some new ones to ponder. So here's the short of it:
Ross and Demelza are trying to overcome the strain in their relationship in the aftermath of her infidelity. Ross is elected to Parliament and spends quite a bit of time away from home. Jeremy and Clowance are healthy and still bring delight into their parents lives.
Dwight and Caroline have a baby girl, who sadly does not survive beyond a few months due to a heart problem. Losing little Sarah sends Caroline off to London to get away from the heartbreak. She tells Dwight she needs to get away and does not want him to come with her.
The odious Reverend Ossie finds a way to foil Morwenna's threat that has been keeping her from having sex with him. He forces her back to his bed and at the same time starts slipping around with her sister again. The horny bastard. Anyway, Rowella's husband sees Ossie fondling Rowella's feet as she lies naked on the bed and ends up following him as he leaves and kills him! Luckily, it looks like an accident, so he gets away with it. Drake was about to marry a sweet girl named Rosina when he finds out Morwenna is a widow. Rosina releases him from his marriage promise and he goes to see his true love but she is crazed from having to be a proper wife to Ossie and is pregnant. She sends Drake packing, which breaks his heart all over again.
Caroline wants Ross to bring Demelza to London, which he does. They have a wonderful time, growing closer and beginning to feel like that time before they failed to keep their marriage vows, he with Elizabeth and she with Hugh. There is a delightful passage that features antics in the bedroom at the Inn that I know all us Maidens will want to see!!
It is in London that we meet the detestable and unctuous Monk Adderley who makes a bet with George that he can get into Demelza's knickers and proceeds to pursue her. She does not like him but doesn't tell him to leave her be for various reasons. Ross is jealous and it is apparent he has not really gotten back to trusting Demelza. Monk provokes Ross by taking his seat while at a debate in Parliament. Ross embarrasses him, so he sends a note challenging him to a duel. Ross wants to kill him just for the way he looks at Demelza and accepts - all in secret since it's against the law. They both get hit, Ross survives his wound, Monk does not. Caroline and Dwight get back together.
Meanwhile Morwenna loses the baby, through no fault of her own, and shows up at Drake's shop. They reconcile with the understanding that she can't stand to be touched. Drake agrees to this and they get married.
Elizabeth is pregnant - this time for sure it is George's baby. They are getting along well, George buys a seat in Parliament and plans to get himself knighted. Elizabeth approves of this and sees herself as Lady Warleggan. Then the proverbial sh*t hits the fan when Geoffrey Charles observes quite loudly and with great merriment that Valentine looks just like his Uncle Ross ! Oh-oh. Elizabeth is horrified. George is outraged. Elizabeth decides to visit a Dr. who can help her with the baby that's on the way - he gives her a potion that will make the baby be born early, but not without some risks. She thinks if the baby comes early as Valentine did, George will believe her claim that he IS the father of their son. She has a heart-to-heart conversation with George about how he let Aunt Agatha's vengeful last words ruin his marriage and his life. He knows this is true and actually has regrets. Baby girl Ursula comes early as planned, however there are complications and Elizabeth dies a horrible painful death. George is devastated but not nearly as much as Ross is. I really hope the show gets as far as this, because I want to see Aidan do this scene. I can see it in my head already.
I have the DVD of the 1975 version of Poldark and have only 3 more episodes to go for season one. I have some thoughts about it and will post them soon.
Ross kept insisting that Elizabeth had consented. She never did.
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