'Poldark' season 3 episode 8 recap and review: Secrets of the heart

While political ambitions and the welfare of the people served as backdrop in episode 8 of “Poldark” season 3, the main theme throughout were the secrets in the hearts of major characters. The plot focused on the sanctity of marriage and the yearning to love another. The following article contains spoilers.

George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) has been cold towards Elizabeth (Heida Reed) and “their” son since Aunt Agatha (Caroline Blakiston) told him that the boy’s father is someone else. Despite his suspicions, George has no way of being certain about being the father of Valentine.

So the restless man goes to see Dwight Enys (Luke Norris) to get a sort of proof. The doctor assures the banker and magistrate that there was nothing abnormal about the boy at birth, but regarding the father, he couldn’t say anything with certainty.

George focuses on the election, which he wins with relative ease. Lord Falmouth’s (James Wilby) last-minute efforts of threats and intimidation fail to sway voters. After his victory, George prepares to go to London alone, leaving Elizabeth and the baby back in the estate.

Meanwhile, the bond between Hugh Armitage (Josh Whitehouse) and Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) grows too strong. Ross (Aidan Turner), who has been distracted with all that has been going on, finally comes to know of the mutual attraction.

Demelza confesses to her husband her wild thoughts of wanting to spend a day with another man who loves her dearly. Ross asks her if she and this “man” will be satisfied with that. Demelza believes she will be satisfied. She assures him that he, as her husband, still has her heart. The miner, however, is not sure; he tells her about the time she looked at him the way she now looks at Hugh. Demelza asks him to be patient with her, just as she was patient with him.

Ross also has a heart-to-heart conversation with Elizabeth. She tells him of her husband’s suspicions. The miner assures her that George loves her too much to let these suspicions come in the way, adding that she should convince her husband.

The other marriage in jeopardy is that of Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) and Reverend Osborne Whitworth (Christian Brassington). The young lady gives birth to a child, but her husband doesn’t stop exercising his conjugal rights despite her health condition. That’s when her sister, Roswella Chynoweth (Esme Coy), steps in and has an affair with Whitworth.