Poldark Season 5: Unveiling the Explosive Truth Behind its Abrupt Finale

Summary

Poldark season 5 packed years' worth of excitement into its final episodes, but ended abruptly without fully exploring the expanded universe seen in the books.

The historical TV show, often overlooked, garnered critical acclaim for its captivating blend of romance, action, and intrigue, captivating viewers throughout. Ross assumes the role of a government spy, confronting a French invasion and ultimately thwarting it with the assistance of Demelza. However, the series concludes with an ambiguous ending, leaving fans uncertain about the prospects of a revival or spinoff.

Poldark season 5 concluded the historical drama with a thrilling final eight episodes that condensed several years' worth of excitement into its storyline. The series is set in England during the early 19th century and follows Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) upon his return from the American Revolutionary War, only to discover that his once carefully planned life has fallen into disarray. Based on Winston Graham's novels, Poldark not only drew inspiration from the books but also expanded upon and enriched the epic tale that Graham initiated in the 1940s.

During its five-season run, Poldark garnered critical acclaim and even achieved a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its outstanding third year. Despite its esteemed reputation and wide popularity, season 5 marked the conclusion of Poldark, leaving many viewers perplexed with its abrupt ending. Graham's novels still offered a wealth of untapped storytelling possibilities, yet the series ended without fully exploring the vast universe presented in the books. Nonetheless, this underappreciated historical TV show pulled no punches in its final season, delivering a captivating blend of romance, action, and intrigue that had consistently captivated audiences throughout its well-received run.

"Episode 1" (S5 E1)

Season 4 concluded with Elizabeth's tragic death due to childbirth complications and Ross' strained relationship with Demelza. However, a significant time jump takes us to the beginning of 1800, where Ross and Demelza have seemingly reconciled and regained stability. George, on the other hand, is emotionally distressed following Elizabeth's demise, leading him into a downward spiral. Additionally, protests arise among the unemployed villagers, prompting Demelza to take action.

Ross learns that his former commander, Ned Despard, has been unjustly accused and decides to rescue him, no matter the cost. George, in his despair, finds solace in businessman Ralph Hanson, one of the individuals responsible for Despard's imprisonment. As we flash forward, we discover that Drake and Morwenna are now married, but face challenges in their intimacy. The episode concludes with a shocking twist when Ross foils an assassination plot against the King, resulting in his recruitment as a government spy.

"Episode 2" (S5 E2)

"Episode 3" (S5 E3)

Poldark shows, like Poldark season 5, episode 2, excel in generating tension. In this particular episode, the entire group travels to London, introducing greater complexity to the storyline. Demelza takes action to clear Ned Despard's name by distributing a pamphlet about him, which angers Ross' new spy network. Ross meets with Ned's former colleague, Bannantine (Norman Bowman), who reveals that Ned's troubles are connected to the spies. Dwight Enys, in the midst of delivering a lecture on mental illness, is unexpectedly recruited to aid in the defense of the man who attempted to assassinate the King. To conclude, Bannantine is found dead under mysterious circumstances after a meeting with a secretive spy who wields a hawk.

After their troubled time in London, the Poldark family returns to Cornwall accompanied by Ned and his wife Kitty (Kerri McLean) with the hope of maintaining a low profile. Unfortunately, Kitty faces discrimination due to her darker skin and marriage to Ned, a white man, when she is rejected by the so-called "polite society." A party, organized to introduce Kitty to the people of Cornwall, is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Hanson, continuing to cause trouble for the Despards. When a cave-in occurs at one of George's mines, Ross and Ned step forward to rescue the miners. However, Ned's erratic behavior results in the unnecessary loss of a few lives.

"Episode 4" (S5 E4)

Leaving behind many of Poldark's perfect romance storylines, episode 4 of Poldark season 5 delves deeper into the ongoing saga of Ned Despard and his forced departure from Honduras. The newfound friendship between Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) and Cecily (Lily Dodsworth-Evans) is perilously threatened as Cecily's father, Hanson, continues his scheming in the shadows, determined to bring down Ned and now Ross as well. Morwenna and Drake's relationship faces further strain as Morwenna starts sneaking out of the house at night. Meanwhile, Demelza remains committed to improving the lives of the community, but unbeknownst to her, Hanson is secretly plotting with the disgruntled locals to dismantle the Poldark family and the Despards.

"Episode 5" (S5 E5)

Despite their initial displeasure with London, Ross and Ned decide to make a return trip, holding onto the hope that Ned can finally go back to Honduras. However, George's influence over Hanson leads to a troubling development: George delivers a pro-slavery speech before parliament, directly contradicting Ross' beliefs. Adding to the complexities, the abrupt transition from gold to paper currency at the local bank causes tension among the workers, placing Demelza in a difficult position. Exploiting the workers' anger, Hanson seizes the opportunity to further his own agenda. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Charles and Cecily choose to marry, but they encounter fierce opposition from Cecily's father and George, who have their own alternate plans in mind.

"Episode 6" (S5 E6)

Though Bridgerton takes a more anachronistic approach to storytelling, Poldark stands out because it incorporates real-life history in a more authentic way. In Poldark season 5, episode 6, Ned finds himself in desperate need of Ross' assistance after being arrested. He turns to Dwight for help, relying on his expertise. Meanwhile, on the eve of her wedding to George, Cecily plans to elope with Geoffrey Charles. Drake and Morwenna, after a heart-to-heart, finally consummate their marriage. However, Ned receives a severe sentence of being drawn, quartered, and hanged. Fortunately, Dwight and Ross are able to have the punishment reduced to a simple hanging. Nevertheless, Ross is unexpectedly attacked and left for dead.

"Episode 7" (S5 E7)

Upon discovering a troubling secret within the mine, Ross is faced with the imminent threat of a secret invasion by the French. Determined to confront Hanson, Ross travels to London, but his reputation has been tarnished due to his unwavering defense of Ned. However, Geoffrey Charles manages to free Cecily, who seeks refuge with Ross, as he promises to help the young couple flee to America for safety. In the midst of these events, Kitty, recently widowed, decides to join them on their journey. As they rendezvous with the ship, Cecily informs Geoffrey Charles that she must depart with Kitty, leaving him behind. Meanwhile, Ross appears to align himself with the French invasion force.

"Episode 8" (S5 E8)

The final episode of Poldark did not disappoint in terms of thrilling action. With the threat of a French invasion looming, Ross appears to betray Demelza by joining forces with the invaders. However, Ross later confides in Dwight that he is actually working as a double agent, attempting to gather vital information to foil the invasion. Unfortunately, Hanson's spies intercept Ross's message, leading to his exposure as a traitor to the French cause. Learning the truth, Demelza cleverly tricks the French commander into a sword fight with Ross.

Tensions rise as Hanson plans to kill Ross with a gun, but George intervenes, killing the French commander and seriously injuring Hanson. The French invasion is successfully thwarted, yet George and Ross remain enemies despite their temporary collaboration. Ross's life as a spy is far from over, and just before he sets sail with Dwight on a new adventure, it is revealed that Demelza is expecting a child.

Why Poldark Ended So Abruptly After Season 5

The novel series still had many untold stories, but Poldark season 5 abruptly ended the show. The creators intended for Poldark to have a memorable ending, but instead, the non-conclusive conclusion left viewers with mixed feelings. Despite series star Aiden Turner acknowledging that it didn't feel like an ending, episode 8 of season 5 provided the only closure for fans. Although the series ended in 2019, there have been no updates on any potential revival or spinoff series.