Ep 7. Episode 7

After a tumultuous previous episode, where emotions ran high and relationships strained to the breaking point, Poldark is back with a seventh installment that promises to be no less eventful. In this episode, we see Ross continue to struggle with the ramifications of his past actions, complicated further by his present circumstances. Meanwhile, the other residents of Cornwall deal with their own challenges, whether it be financial ruin, heartbreak, or the looming threat of war.

One of the central storylines of this episode revolves around Ross's ongoing feud with the Warleggans. With his finances in shambles and his mine on the brink of collapse, Ross finds himself in a particularly vulnerable position. However, he refuses to back down and continues to fight tooth and nail against George Warleggan, determined to protect his family and his land at all costs. As tensions mount and the stakes are raised higher than ever before, Ross finds himself forced to make some tough decisions that will have long-reaching consequences for both himself and those he loves.

Meanwhile, Demelza is struggling to come to terms with the fact that her husband is once again at odds with his former best friend, Francis. As tensions between the two men continue to escalate, Demelza finds herself caught in the middle, torn between her loyalty to her husband and her desire to maintain a peaceful home life. Adding to her stress is the fact that she has also been grappling with her own complicated feelings towards Captain McNeil, who makes a surprise reappearance in this episode.

As if all of that weren't enough, we also see the arrival of a new character in the form of Drake Carne, Joe's brother. Drake is a charming and somewhat reckless young man who immediately captures the attention of Demelza, much to Ross's chagrin. However, there is more to Drake than meets the eye, and his presence in Cornwall is sure to have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.

One of the most compelling aspects of this episode is the way in which it delves deeper into the personal lives of some of the characters. We get to see more of Francis's struggles with addiction and his relationships with his wife and son, as well as Dwight Enys's ongoing battle with his own demons. These moments of vulnerability and introspection are a welcome change of pace from the more action-packed scenes and help to round out the characters in a meaningful way.

Of course, it wouldn't be Poldark without its fair share of romantic drama, and this episode certainly delivers on that front as well. From Ross and Demelza's ongoing struggles to the budding relationship between Drake and Morwenna, there is plenty of love (and heartbreak) to go around. Even some of the secondary characters, like Verity and her husband, have their own romantic subplot that adds an extra layer of complexity to the overall narrative.

Overall, Episode 7 of Poldark's second season is a tense and emotionally charged installment that sets the stage for the rest of the season. With relationships strained to their breaking point and the looming threat of war on the horizon, it is clear that things are only going to get more intense from here on out. Nonetheless, there are also moments of hope and redemption sprinkled throughout, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is still room for love and compassion.