Poldark (Original - UK) Season 1 Episode 2 Episode 2

Ross Poldark continues to rebuild his home and his life in Cornwall, but he faces new challenges in the second episode of Poldark. As Ross faces financial difficulties and hostility from local merchants, he must also confront his growing feelings for Demelza, the young servant girl he rescued from an abusive home. While Ross is determined to make a success of his copper mine, he faces opposition from wealthy landowners who seek to monopolize the market.

Ross's initial success in the copper mine encourages him to deepen his investment in the venture, even as he faces unforeseen obstacles. While he recruits more workers, he also faces the risk of mine collapses and setbacks. His neighbor and nemesis, George Warleggan, attempts to thwart Ross's efforts by taking out a loan from a French bank and purchasing all the available copper at inflated prices. Ross and his partner, the cheerful and knowledgeable miner Jim Carter, must find new buyers for their copper and keep their operation profitable despite Warleggan's interference.

As Ross struggles to assert his independence and build a better future, he also finds himself drawn to Demelza, the girl he plucked from poverty and a harsh upbringing. Despite their class differences, Ross is attracted to Demelza's beauty, spirit, and loyalty. However, he fears the disapproval of his family and society, and he struggles to resist his feelings for her even as she becomes increasingly indispensable to him in both his personal and professional life.

Meanwhile, Ross's cousin Francis, who is struggling to manage his own estate and placate his demanding and critical wife Elizabeth, becomes jealous of Ross's success and resentful of his friendship with Demelza. Francis's insecurity and bitterness lead him into a dangerous alliance with Warleggan, who offers him a way to regain his pride and financial security. Francis's decision to betray his family and his cousin sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation and reveals the darker side of his character.

Throughout the episode, the tensions between the haves and have-nots, the powerful and the powerless, and the old and the new ways of life in Cornwall are highlighted. Ross's determination to build a better future for himself and his community, even in the face of obstacles and opposition, is contrasted with the arrogance and greed of his rivals. The struggles of the miners, the farmers, and the servants are also depicted, as they seek to survive and thrive in a world that is changing rapidly and often cruelly.

Overall, the second episode of Poldark continues to build on the compelling characters and themes of the first episode, while introducing new conflicts, relationships, and challenges. Ross Poldark's journey towards success and happiness, and his struggle to reconcile his head and his heart, make for a fascinating and absorbing story that will keep viewers hooked.