Poldark

BBC1

****

NO more of Ross’s smouldering peepers, farewell the soft tumble of Demelza’s titian curls. As for topless scything, you will have had your tea on that front. Yes, the final series of Poldark has begun.

T’int right, t’int fair, as working folk are wont to say in 18th-century Cornwall, but to quote their 21st century New Jersey counterparts in The Sopranos, whadd’ya gonna do?

There are five of Winston Graham’s novels remaining, so it is possible Poldark could come back at some point. But this, the fifth series, is being billed as the last hurrah so viewers should act accordingly.

There was not a dry eye in the house when season four ended with the death of poor Elizabeth, and her absence loomed large as the new run began. Elizabeth had left behind a baby daughter, Ursula, an infant son Valentine (aka Ross’s mini-me), and a grieving second husband, the otherwise dastardly George Warleggan. His heart ached for Elizabeth, so much so he imagined she was still around.

READ MORE: Aidan Turner on saying goodbye

Ross (Aidan Turner) opted to express his grief at the loss of his first love by bringing home a bucket of fish for his forever squeeze, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson). Each to his own.

Soon, another task came along to take Ross’s mind off his troubles. His commander in the American revolutionary war, Ned Despard, who saved Ross’s life, had been slung in jail at the behest of a rich mahogany trader. Ned’s “crime” had been giving out land to the poor in British Honduras.

Ned’s wife, Kitty, a former slave, wanted to know if Ross would help? Try stopping him. As Demelza told her husband, “You must always be battling for some cause or other,” which made him sound like a Cornish Citizen Smith.

Mahogany man – he wasn’t made of mahogany, he sold it – happened to be in London and came to see George to talk business. With him was his beautiful daughter Cecily. Unlike her father, Cecily was all for the workers but she was keeping that quiet, for now.

It being 1800, there was lots of talk about what the new century would bring, and the pressing need to abolish the evil of slavery. Ross had a feeling in his waters, and it was not good. “There’s a strange mood abroad. I sometimes wonder who can be trusted.” Not mahogany man, for a start.

Another to keep an eye on was gobby Tess Treggiden, who Demelza took on as a farmhand out of the goodness of her heart. There was not much kindness shown to Demelza by the person who tried to burn her house down. Just as well good old Garrick the dog was around to raise the alarm with some spirited woofing. In a perfect Cornish accent, too. Three cheers for doggy RADA.

READ MORE: Meet the villain of Poldark

By episode end, plots were afoot, Demelza was hurtling towards London, and Ross was having clipped conversations with a strange man called Wickham who had a whiff of His Majesty’s secret service about him.

The hubble, bubble, toil and trouble is coming along nicely. Savour every minute: just seven more Sundays to go.