TV on DVD

Poldark stokes the embers of historical romance redux

Poldark, Season 1
Poldark, Season 1

What is it? Poldark, Season 1, eight episodes on three discs from PBS

How much? $44.99

When? Now

What is Poldark? Not what. Who.

Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) is a bit of a family black sheep, known for gambling, drinking and brawling. After a stint in the British army fighting in the American Revolution, Ross returns home to the coast of Cornwall. It's not exactly a happy homecoming.

His father is dead and his estate and copper mine are in ruins. His father's slovenly servants, Jud and Prudie Paynter (Philip Davis and Beatie Edney), have let the house and lands deteriorate. In fact, the whole region is in tatters, financially ruined by recession.

To make matter worse, he discovers that his girlfriend, the proper, ladylike Elizabeth (Heida Reed), is about to marry his more "respectable" cousin, Francis (Kyle Soller).

Rather than wallow, Ross gets to work, determined to get his mine working again to help the loyal locals. As for Elizabeth and Francis, he does his best to employ the stiff upper lip, though Francis is obviously insecure (though not unfriendly) and a guilt-ridden Elizabeth can't seem to keep out of Ross' orbit.

Ross may be upper class, but he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and he's happy to pitch in whether it's in the mines or unloading a haul of fish. He doesn't care much about conventions and expectations.

He also gets more than he bargained for when he rescues a fiery, lower-class waif named Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), taking her in as his kitchen maid, and, eventually, marrying her, to the shock and horror of society. His main steadfast support comes from his kind-hearted "spinster" cousin, Verity (Ruby Bentall).

Over the course of the season, Ross and his friends and family struggle against unscrupulous business rivals like the Warleggans and against their own twisting and turning romantic relationships as they try to save their homeland from ruin.

How is it? Lush, romantic, it's an 18th-century soap opera.

Based on novels by Winston Graham, this isn't the first time Poldark has been on the small screen. The 1970s version was a phenomenon when it aired on Masterpiece. No doubt, BBC and PBS are hoping for magic to strike again.

Turner (Being Human) is dark, brooding and attractive as Ross and Tomlinson is a feisty, vulnerable Demelza. All the other roles are well-played too, but the main star may be the cinematography. The series was filmed on the rugged Cornwall coast and it's hauntingly beautiful.

It would be an acceptable substitute for those suffering Downton Abbey withdrawals.

Are there extras? There are three short features on the series, the character of Ross and the three main women in his life. There's also a commentary on the first episode.

New this week: Ancient Aliens, Season 7; Looking, Season 2.

Next week: Helix, Season 2; Mama's Family, Mama's Favorites, Season 6; Mystery Science Theater 3000, XXXIII.

Style on 07/19/2015

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