Poldark has had a problem lurking in the source material from day one—a scene in book three where by any modern understanding of the concept, the protagonist appears to rape Elizabeth, the woman who married his cousin instead of waiting for him to return. Radio Times explains that in the original, Ross breaks into her home via the basement and confronts her over her remarriage plans. They argue, and then:
He caught her again, and this time began to kiss her with intense passion.
She smacked his face so he pinioned her arm.
‘You treat me – like a slut.’
‘It’s time you were so treated.’
It concludes with the exchange: “‘Ross, you can’t intend. Stop! Stop, I tell you.’ But he took no further notice. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.” It cuts off here, but apparently she later remembers the experience as involving “caresses”—so, basically, like that infamous late-night staircase scene from Gone With the Wind.
In advance of Season 2, people associated with the modern production talked about the changes that they’d made to the scene, leaving many of us to expect they’d updated it to reflect our current culture. Adrian Turner, for instance, said that: “He goes to talk. He doesn’t go to commit a crime. They talk and it seems like there is still this spark between them, this unfinished business emotionally,” and, “Certainly, that’s how Ross feels. He doesn’t force himself upon her.” Which made it sound like they’d consensually fall into bed together—making Ross a cheater, but not a rapist.
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