May 21, 2020
Push Him Off the Damn Cliff!!!
So I just finished watching Poldark for the first time. I know, I know… for someone who loves period dramas, I am very behind. But by the 3rd season, I was so over it and really only kept watching because my mom kept texting me about it and I really cared about Morwenna and her storyline. Full disclosure: no, I have not read the books yet. I hear they’re better, but I currently don’t have the time to commit to a 12 part series, even though that sounds like a dream. For now, this quick and opinionated post is only about the PBS Masterpiece series.
Quick background: I love period dramas. Downton Abbey was my jammm, I’m a subscriber to PBS Masterpiece on Amazon, and I’m a huge Jane Austen nerd. I even bought nightgowns that look suspiciously like the ones women wore in that time period… and actually wear them to bed!
So when my best friend (shout out Keila!) talked about Poldark and we went into quarantine, I thought, “Now is the time to start watching it!” I watched the first episode and loved it, recommended it to my mom who immediately watched it and was suddenly three seasons ahead of me??
But Jesus Christ — are all the men in this show just absolutely terrible, or is it just me? I had zero interest in Ross as a love interest and I truly didn’t believe he cared for Demelza or her wellbeing whatsoever. Honestly, the only man who respected his marriage vows was George, and who saw that coming? And it wasn’t even about Ross cheating on Demelza (I’ll get to that in a minute) it was about his inherent disregard for his safety and a lack of thought of his family whenever he did something crazy. I would kill my husband if he sailed to France to break his best friend out of jail during the revolution. Like what?! Yes, Dr. Enys is hot af and should definitely continue to be in this series, but Ross. You can’t just do these things without regard to your wife and two children!
Demelza is tough, she’s one of my favorite period drama characters because of her tenacity and level-headedness. So clearly she’s the only one who could have ever been Ross’ wife (I’m looking at you, Elizabeth). But at the same time, I kept waiting for her to just push him off the damn cliff already!!! We know you can handle it all yourself Demelza, you don’t need Ross, clearly! He leaves you alone all the time to fend for yourself, you never know where he is or what he’s actually doing, is he safe, is he alive, etc. and you make it okay on your own with the children. LEAVE THE MAN!
Yes, I know. Ross was fighting for the rights of the poor and underserved in his community, which was super awesome to see. He barely had enough money himself but he constantly put what he had back into the mine in order to keep it going for his workers. He was basically giving the middle finger to the middle and upper class who he belonged to as well by birth, but not by spirit. So okay, point for you Mr. Poldark.
I put up with him until the very end of season two where he cheats on Demelza. But not only did he cheat, he’s a rapist. His sexual encounter with Elizabeth was clearly not consensual. He storms into her room, upset and angry that she’s marrying his “worst enemy” (come on, are you a child?!) and pushes her on her bed when she says, “You wouldn’t dare.”
Ummm excuse me, PBS Masterpiece and Mr. Winston Graham. What were you thinking?! You literally made your titular character a rapist when it could have been easily avoided with some better dialogue (maybe some consent on Elizabeth’s part) and body language. I cannot believe that an episode that came out in 2016 could not adjust an already tragic scene to eliminate the ambiguity of whether or not Elizabeth consented (which I don’t think she did, but I guess people are up in the air about it).
Here are the lines from the book, Warleggan (captured on RadioTimes article about this scene):
“He kissed her. She turned her face away but could not get it far enough around to avoid him.
Her eyes were lit with anger. He’d never seen her like it and he found pleasure in it.
‘This is contemptible! I shouldn’t have believed it of you! To force yourself. To insult me.’
‘I don’t like this marriage to George, Elizabeth. I should be glad of your assurance that you’ll not go through with it.’
‘I love George to distraction and shall marry him next week.’
He caught her again, and this time began to kiss her with intense passion.
She smacked his face so he pinioned her arm.
‘You treat me — like a slut.’
‘It’s time you were so treated.’
‘Let me go Ross! You’re hateful, horrible!’
‘Shall you marry him?’
‘Don’t! I’ll scream! Oh, God, Ross. Please. Tomorrow…’
…
‘Ross, you can’t intend. Stop! Stop, I tell you.’
But he took no further notice. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.”
___
So yeah, that sounds like she didn’t consent.
And then afterwards, every time Ross and Demelza talk about it, he admits he slept with Elizabeth but brushes it off as if he had to do it to get it out of his system. What wife would truly put up with that, as well as his constant interest in Elizabeth and what/how she’s doing.
Yes, the show is beautifully done and the scenes of the cliffs with the waves crashing behind them were gorgeous. But I cannot condone a show that allows their main character to rape a longtime friend/love interest without any backlash by his wife, family, and Elizabeth herself. Even though the show is depicting a different time, we’re watching it today and we want to see characters stand up for themselves while others realize the consequences of their actions.
What are your thoughts?
