Poldark

My spouse and I have long been fans of the Poldark novels by Winston Graham, and of the 1970's TV series. We absolutely loved seasons 1-4 of this new adaptation. The scripts were faithful (in most particulars) to the books, and everything about the production was excellent: casting, directing, acting, music, locations, sets, costumes...everything! After a season or two, we had high hopes that this series would continue through adaptations of all 12 novels, the last 4 of which have never been filmed. After Season 4...well, we could not have been more disappointed with Season 5. I don't see how this season's opening title sequence can still carry the subheading "based on the novels by Winston Graham." The story line is completely off the books and off the rails. Characters act in ways that Winston Graham's creations would never have behaved. Much of the plot is implausible. There are far too many villains: a huge percentage of the screen time is spent with despicable people plotting and carrying out nefarious deeds; this quickly loses entertainment value and becomes tiresome. The last few minutes of the last episode are spent in a mad scramble to turn everything around and catch everything up to a point from which the rest of the novels could actually have proceeded. This whole season is completely ludicrous and unenjoyable to watch. If those responsible for this series weren't going to continue adapting the novels, they should have stopped at the end of Season 4.

Loved the show and was eagerly awaiting for Season 5. Totally disappointed. Perhaps should of finished with Season 4 cause it just ran right off the rails.

I use IMDB all the time to look at reviews but I never leave them. I signed up for an account just so I could rate this series BECAUSE IT IS THAT AWESOME. The only thing that I wish was different is that there were more episodes in a season. Ross Poldark is one of my favorite characters of all time. I can't say enough about how good this show is and everyone involved deserves accolades from the actors to the producers and writers and costume and set designers. The filmography is spectacular. I hope there are many more seasons to come (preferably with more episodes in each season). I also would love to see more television like this. I love historical fiction but a lot of television includes way too much violence, rape, and heroes with extremely confusing and questionable ethics. I like how the characters are flawed and realistic, but still recognizably noble and heroic. There are underlying messages about humanity's flaws and how we do suffer the consequences of our actions but also the value of love, forgiveness, and compassion is emphasized.

Quite good, unexpectedly good even. Comment coming from an original Poldark series fan (the second season of which I recently viewed again).

Considering the competition, the series start is very promising, hopefully they will keep it this way. Aidan Turner looks to be really on a par with Robin Ellis - which is astounding. A different approach but with essential nuances kept intact.

Goes without saying the scenery benefits from 40 ears distance and vastly superior technical possibilities (probably with a bigger budget also, relatively speaking), yet the atmosphere of the place the 1975 Poldark created can be immediately rediscovered.

The cast is alright, some pluses, some minuses for the corresponding characters in the Poldark of yore (I like a lot the new Prudie!).

Looking forward for the next episodes. The new Poldark might prove to be a hit and stand up along with the formidable old one in future's references. We'll be watching.

I too am a huge fan of the Winston Graham novels and especially the original Poldark series that I watched as a young girl. I was a bit skeptical that they could remake such a classic but I am pleasantly surprised and how much I am loving this show so far. Aidan portrays Ross Poldark so well and is hot hot hot to say the least. The girl who plays Demelza (sorry her name escapes me at present) is great. I remember her from The White Queen mini-series and was impressed with her then. I was totally enthralled from beginning to end. The chemistry between Ross & Demelza is amazing, just how it should be. This series is well casted and well written. I am hooked! Hope it is around for a long long time. I am definitely a fan.