Poldark

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Tonight we sat together in a darkened room, and watched. 

It was Poldark. Interesting, but strange. There was only one episode and when it was finished, we suddenly realized that now we would have to wait for the next. I, who am used to binge-watching episodes of a variety of series, do not wish to wait. But wait I must.

In the room with us was an 11 year old Chicagoan whose interest was peaked right from the start. This was not your usual 11 year old, I promise you. She was more intelligent and funny than any middle schooler I ever taught, and she absorbed more than I did of the plot points and set pieces. Perhaps Illinois is not altogether a bad place.

At first we were all drawn in by the opening scenes of outstanding Cornwellian beauty (you should just have seen the cliffs!). But soon we became distracted by the charm of the lead actor, which is completely understandable (you should have just seen Aiden Turner as Captain Ross Poldark!). He played opposite a beautiful girl whom he had apparently loved, and then lost. This lost and lovely girl had somehow blundered her way toward a rather dweebish character whom none of us could believe she would choose. Sometimes there is just no accounting for taste.

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Of utmost importance, though, is the fact that the series is filmed in Cornwall - the most delightful place in this wide world. If the acting had been insipid and uninspiring, it wouldn't have mattered because everywhere you looked there was Cornwall. And all you really need is Cornwall...with perhaps a scone or two thrown in. 

But the actors were neither insipid nor uninspiring and were completely top drawer (except, perhaps, for the Dweeb). Just when I thought we had run out of smashing British television series with superior talent and dazzlingly good looks, out comes Poldark to surprise us once again. And I really do think you should make an immediate dash for the television, or the computer, or the smartphone, and look for it on BBC1. Or PBS Masterpiece Theatre. 

And do yourself a favor, will you? Watch it with an 11-year-old.

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24728083@N08/2332527397">World Heritage</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51458030@N08/9446520903">Hobbit Q&A</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>