History Series / Poldark

* AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits: Ross believes it's vital for a mine owner's wife to get to know his business in case he should be called away, and to be familiar and kind to the people who work there; accordingly, Demelza is a fixture at his mines and a favorite among the workers. Francis doesn't share this view, believing Elizabeth's early curiosity about the Grambler mine isn't "ladylike."

* DescriptionCut: George tries to convince Morwenna that Whitworth is pining away in despair while she puts off answering his marriage proposal. [[spoiler:Cut to Whitworth groaning with pleasure as he sucks the local prostitute's toes.]]

* WorstWeddingEver: [[spoiler:Moments before the [[ArrangedMarriage arranged wedding]] between the then-widowed George and Cecily Hanson, Geoffrey Charles [[WhamLine drops the bomb]] that Elizabeth truly loved Ross and only married George [[TooDesperateToBePicky to escape poverty]]. The priest tries to keep things moving, only for Cecily to [[SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace speak now]] and drop a second bomb: that she is [[AnguishedDeclarationOfLove in love with Geoffrey Charles]] and has already slept with him, which would make the paternity of any child she conceived [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe immediately doubtful]]. This sends [[OhNoNotAgain an infuriated George]] out of the church and earns the two lovers a promise of Ralph Hanson's wrath--[[IRegretNothing which Cecily doesn't seem too concerned about]].]]

* WorstWeddingEver: [[spoiler:Moments before the [[ArrangedMarriage arranged wedding]] between the then-widowed George and Cecily Hanson, Geoffrey Charles [[WhamLine drops the bomb]] that Elizabeth truly loved Ross and only married George [[TooDesperateToBePicky to escape poverty]]. The priest tries to keep things moving, only for Cecily to [[SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace speak now]] and drop a second bomb: that she is [[AnguishedDeclarationOfLove in love with Geoffrey Charles]] and has already slept with him, which would make the paternity of any child she conceived [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe immediately doubtful]]. This sends an infuriated George out of the church and earns the two lovers a promise of Ralph Hanson's wrath--[[IRegretNothing which Cecily doesn't seem too concerned about]].]]

* WorstWeddingEver: [[spoiler:Moments before the [[ArrangedMarriage arranged wedding]] between the then-widowed George and Cecily Hanson, Geoffrey Charles [[WhamLine drops the bomb]] that Elizabeth truly loved Ross and only married George [[TooDesperateToBePicky to escape poverty]]. The priest tries to keep things moving, only for Cecily to [[SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace speak now]] and drop a second bomb: that she is [[AnguishedDeclarationOfLove in love with Geoffrey Charles]] and has already slept with him, which would make the paternity of any child she conceived [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe immediately doubtful]]. This sends an infuriated George out of the church and earns the two lovers a promise of Ralph Hanson's wrath.]]

* WorstWeddingEver: [[spoiler:Moments before the [[ArrangedMarriage arranged wedding]] between the then-widowed George and Cecily Hanson, Geoffrey Charles [[WhamLine drops the bomb]] that Elizabeth truly loved Ross and only married George [[TooDesperateToBePicky to escape poverty]]. The priest tries to keep things moving, only for Cecily to [[SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace speak now]] and drop a second bomb: that she is [[AnguishedDeclarationOfLove in love with Geoffrey Charles]] and has already slept with him, which would make the paternity of any child they had together [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe immediately doubtful]]. This sends an infuriated George out of the church and earns the two lovers a promise of Ralph Hanson's wrath.]]

* ItRunsInTheFamily: Much is made of "the curse of the Poldarks" of being stubborn and hotheaded.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: You'd think George would figure out at some point exactly why the upper-class folk of Cornwall don't take him seriously. Not even having it explained to his face seems to make much difference:
-->'''Agatha:''' Boys can be cruel, especially to one who gives himself airs.\\
'''George:''' As your nephews never ceased to remind me.\\
'''Agatha:''' Georgie, it was not your grandfather they mocked. It was your pitiful attempts to deny him.

* RemakeCameo: Ross Poldark encounters a very severe judge on a few occasions. The judge is played by Robin Ellis, who played Poldark in the 1970s version! Even better, both Ellis and Aidan Turner were aware of it, and when Turner was unsure of his delivery of Poldark's TheReasonYouSuckSpeech during their first encounter, Ellis gave him a wink of approval.

* DeathByAdaptation: [[spoiler:Merceron dies a little over 30 years before he died in real life.]]

* MistreatmentInducedBetrayal: After Ned had been executed and he himself thrown under the bus, Ross is able to convince the French he can be of use to the Republic. [[spoiler:Subverted; he's actually serving as a double agent, protecting his country from its enemies without as well as within.]]

* ForegoneConclusion: Despard is effectively doomed by history.

* BlackCapOfDeath: Averted. For some odd reason, Justice Lister doesn't bother with it when condemning a convicted revolutionary to the gallows.

** Caroline and Dwight in Season 3[[spoiler: during his time in the Navy]].

* RegencyEngland: Albeit (largely) in a far corner of the kingdom, and in somewhat {{Gothic}} mode.

** Ray Penvenen is not amused to see Caroline riding with "penniless country-doctor" Dwight Enys instead of marrying someone of her own wealth and standing.

* LawOfInversePaternity: It would be better for everyone involved if [[spoiler: Elizabeth's baby was her new husband George's]]. Naturally, [[spoiler:it's Ross's]].