7 Reasons You Should Be Watching PBS's Poldark
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This Summer, PBS's Poldark is my new jam. It's got all the winning qualities of a Summer TV stunner — that is, it's a pretty show with pretty people in it. Poldark follows Ross Poldark, a hot dude from a decent family who has been away warring in the Revolutionary War. When he returns to Cornwall, everyone is all, "I thought you were dead!" and also, "Your father died and left you in terrible debt and your estate is in ruins!" so Poldark goes about rebuilding his life. I pretty much only care about shows that take place in the 18th century and old 30 Rock episodes, so Poldark's gorgeous scenery and British accents are exactly what I need while I'm violently sweating through the Summer. Sure, it might be "just" a serviceable old-timey drama, but it's the serviceable old-timey drama I hold nearest and dearest to my heart. Here's why.
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Ross Poldark's Hair
Ross Poldark, as played by Aidan Turner, has big amazing hair that is presumably filled with secrets and also longing. I love an actor in extensions, and Aidan Turner brings it so, SO hard.
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It’s Beautifully Filmed
All the drama takes place in Cornwall in the UK, and the scenery is top-notch. There’s the roaring sea, the rolling countryside, and most importantly, Poldark himself.
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For Real: Aidan Turner Is a Bona Fide Dream Boat
He does old-timey things with his shirt off, because he cares, and also for the female gaze. He’s also supernoble, pays no heed to the whims of the upper class, and doesn’t care about having money (he kind of should though, because he’s superpoor). Swoon-worthy though, right?
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It’s Basically a Soap Opera
There’s mine drama, which isn’t the most fun, but it’s relevant to the time period. Also there’s this whole thing where the girl Poldark was in love with up and married his snooze-worthy cousin. And there are kitchen wenches, sea captains, and prostitutes. The 18th century was crazy, guys.
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There’s a Lot of Pining
Old-timey pining is the best kind of pining. Also, all of this pining is usually immediately resolved — someone is married off, someone ends up in jail, or someone just up and dies. It’s great.
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The Ladies Bring It, Too
Sure, Poldark is the main dude about town; but his ex-fiancée, Elizabeth, cousin Verity, and kitchen-wench-turned-bad-b*tch wife Demelza are all whip smart, loyal, and strong — not just for Poldark’s benefit, but for each other, too. Also Demelza can wear the hell out of a traveling cloak.
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It’s a Slow Burn — but Not Like, Too Slow
Much like Outlander did before its insane second half, Poldark makes you wait a few episodes until revealing inevitable pairings — like Poldark and Demelza. It’s like, you know it’s going to happen, but Poldark makes you wait. Once things kick off though, they keep going; there are often spans of months from episode to episode, which keeps the story itself from lagging.