Admittedly, not everything on television interests me. Love the detective and period drama shows, and still get much enjoyment from animation and some cookery shows, but daytime television is often littered with talk shows and evening stuff often variable soap-operas and incredibly trashy reality shows with only two exceptions.
'Poldark' interested me immediately, and right from minute one of the first episode this reviewer was absolutely hooked. There are minor flaws. Occasionally the pacing is a little off, occasionally dull and also occasionally the story can feel jumpy and rushed. Phil Davis' Jud is also played a little too straight for my liking for a character who is very funny in the books, of which the series does a laudable and actually great job adapting.
Minor flaws aside, 'Poldark' is a great and often magnificent series. And is it one of 2015 television's highlights? Yes, bar none. The series looks great and very evocative, particularly standing out is how beautifully shot it is, the Cornish scenery which ranges from the splendid to the exquisite and very striking and evocative costumes and attention to detail. The music is suitably haunting and melancholic and only used when it's needed, not being intrusive or being so spare that it's forgettable.
Writing is thoughtful and often very rich, and story-wise much it is very well paced and the drama is constantly compelling, with many harrowing and poignant dramatic parts that are too many to list. The characters are richly developed and compellingly real, the heroes are not too virtuous and actually have flaws and the villains are not stock or one-note.
Regarding the acting, that is fantastic pretty much all round with minor reservations only relating to Davis. Aiden Turner smoulders in his sex appeal and provides a haunted and brooding characterisation in the title role that is commanding and heartfelt. He shares sizzling chemistry with Eleanor Tomlinson's very touching and spirited Demelza.
In summary, not much else to add to what has been said already so well. Thoroughly enjoyed the series and it was a refreshing change to most of the shows airing now. There is even a second series due to be aired in a couple of weeks which is very much eagerly awaited. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Poldark' interested me immediately, and right from minute one of the first episode this reviewer was absolutely hooked. There are minor flaws. Occasionally the pacing is a little off, occasionally dull and also occasionally the story can feel jumpy and rushed. Phil Davis' Jud is also played a little too straight for my liking for a character who is very funny in the books, of which the series does a laudable and actually great job adapting.
Minor flaws aside, 'Poldark' is a great and often magnificent series. And is it one of 2015 television's highlights? Yes, bar none. The series looks great and very evocative, particularly standing out is how beautifully shot it is, the Cornish scenery which ranges from the splendid to the exquisite and very striking and evocative costumes and attention to detail. The music is suitably haunting and melancholic and only used when it's needed, not being intrusive or being so spare that it's forgettable.
Writing is thoughtful and often very rich, and story-wise much it is very well paced and the drama is constantly compelling, with many harrowing and poignant dramatic parts that are too many to list. The characters are richly developed and compellingly real, the heroes are not too virtuous and actually have flaws and the villains are not stock or one-note.
Regarding the acting, that is fantastic pretty much all round with minor reservations only relating to Davis. Aiden Turner smoulders in his sex appeal and provides a haunted and brooding characterisation in the title role that is commanding and heartfelt. He shares sizzling chemistry with Eleanor Tomlinson's very touching and spirited Demelza.
In summary, not much else to add to what has been said already so well. Thoroughly enjoyed the series and it was a refreshing change to most of the shows airing now. There is even a second series due to be aired in a couple of weeks which is very much eagerly awaited. 9/10 Bethany Cox