Poldark Series 2, Episode 6: Recap and Review

It's six weeks to Christmas. Trenwith is cold and Ross, keen to support grieving widow Elizabeth, fiddles with damp wood in her fireplace.

His attentiveness does not go unobserved. Staring out to sea, Demelza too grieves the loss of her marriage.

"I've a suspicion he'd think he is more than fulfilling his duty towards Elizabeth," says she to Verity. "Ross never tells me what goes on in his meetings with her, and I never ask him."

Whatever it is, it's clearly worth the gusty gallop. "I'm trustee of my son's shares in Wheal Grace," says Elizabeth, "which is why Ross brings me weekly reports."

"Sometimes twice-weekly," says Aunt Agatha, who notices everything. She's not bad for 95 and she knows it. "What do you think of that?" she asks George.

"I think it's high-time the coffin maker started taking measurements," says he. Those scenes where she pretends to be deaf and he speaks his mind are brilliant – and creepy.

A coffin is needed on the beach too because – ooh! – a body has washed ashore. Exciting. No one knows who it is but it's probably from a wreck along the coast. Which is just as well as Enys happens to have a saw in his bag – as every good doctor should – and he wastes no time in making good use of it. He hacks off the man's leg and takes it home.

This is because Carry On-named Rosina Hoblyn is still hobbling and Enys wants to put a stop to it. By dissecting the leg, he works out how to cure Rosina of her lameness.

"'t is a miracle!" says Rosina.

"Basic anatomy," says Enys.

No doubt that is something that Caroline would like a bit of too. On her way back from London she encounters Ross, who tells her of Enys' miraculous act. "How was it done?" she asks.

"No doubt Doctor Enys will enlighten you," says Ross.

Lucky her. But Caroline's 'enlightenment' at the hands of Enys is something that also concerns her uncle, Ray Penvenan. Fond of vigorous riding, Caroline and the dishy doctor carry out their courtship in a series of impromptu horse races on the beach. They're in full-view of everyone and Uncle Ray isn't best pleased.

"To ride far and unattended in the company of a young man of eligible years is to invite comment of an unsavoury nature," he admonishes.

Jolly good. But Uncle Ray doesn't stop there. He thinks Dr Enys is only after Caroline's money. In an attempt to put him off her, he tells him that her inheritance only amounts to £6,000.

It has the opposite effect. Caroline's fortune is less than Enys thought and it gives him good cheer. Now he doesn't feel so below her. "A penniless doctor could wed such a fortune," says he, "yet not be eclipsed by it."

Over to another unconventional couple. Crashing waves and rugged rocks tell us Ross and Demelza's marriage is under pressure. If only they could find copper at Wheal Grace, it would solve all Ross' problems. But the samples Francis found before he drowned only contained fool's copper, so they are back to square one.

Not only that, but the Warleggans, who have acquired Ross' £1400 Wonga loan, require payment the day after Christmas. Cutting a risky deal with Trencrom, Ross lets him store smuggled goods at Nampara in exchange for tracking down Mark Daniel – remember him? – who may know where to find copper near Wheal Grace.

Demelza is furious and it all makes for a dreary Christmas chez Poldark. It's not much better at Trenwith, where Elizabeth gives Aunt Agatha smellies ("Do I require a fumigant? Francis always knew what I liked: brandy, port and canary, preferably all three!"). Poor Demelza, on the other hand, gets nothing from Ross.

Yet. The best things always come to those who wait. Caroline anonymously pays off Ross' debt, enabling Ross to out-manoeuvre the Warleggans.

Victory is sweet, as is Ross' relief, which he expresses via his Christmas present to Demelza. Fine stockings. Smuggled? Who cares?

"They're so fine, when would I ever wear them?" says Demelza. He demonstrates by putting them on her there and then.

It's genuinely erotic. This is more like it: a decent love scene for once. Methinks this is the real reason why Ross inspires such jealousy in the menfolk of Poldarkland.

Men of the world take note: that's how you give your wife a Christmas present. This scene should be required viewing.