Halse v Poldark–round one!

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Halse v Poldark–round one!

March 22, 2015 by Robin Ellis

The stage is set, the ring is built and only hours to go before the bell sounds.

Bare knuckled it maybe–this is the 18th century–but not bare chested; in tonight’s confrontation the players have agreed to keep their shirts on–at least in the physical sense.

(One might imagine that this is both a relief and a disappointment, depending which side you’re putting your money on).

The director trying unsuccessfully to persuade Dr Halse to take his shirt off..

The gloves are off and Ross doesn’t pull any punches regarding his thoughts on the justice system operating in Cornwall.

And of this particular administer of “justice” he has painful memories.

The Rev. Dr. Halse was headmaster of Truro Grammar School and administered justice in the form of thrashing frequently on the person across the court from him today.

So there’s baggage and backstory to tonight’s confrontation.

There’s also a distinct feeling of deja-vu—as though somehow we’ve been through this movie before.

It all feels faintly familiar—certainly for one of the parties….

Anyway–seconds out and let the best man win

Jim Carter looks a little too trusting…

Posted in other sides to this life, Poldark | 42 Comments

42 Responses

on March 22, 2015 at 9:12 am | Reply Linda Antrobus

So looking forward to tonight .Let the good times roll Such a good picture of you both. So get out the wine and you and Meredith enjoy
on March 22, 2015 at 9:35 am | Reply Linda Allison

You don’t have to take your shirt off to be gorgeous Robin, just you is all it needs xx

Sent from my iPhone
on March 22, 2015 at 10:32 am | Reply Rosemary Dun

Can’t wait!
on March 22, 2015 at 10:52 am | Reply Sally z

Really looking forward to tonight, will be great to see both Ross Poldark’s on the screen together, past and present. Am really loving this series, best programme on television at the moment. Wonderful that you are still a part of it.
on March 22, 2015 at 11:07 am | Reply Helen from Australia

Heaven knows when we will get the new series down here. There has been no mention of it at all so I think I will have to contact the ABC as they had the original series (a couple of times). I hope the ratings are good. I have heard that the DVD will be out very soon so may be I will have to see that first if I can get hold of a copy. Cheers Helen
on March 22, 2015 at 11:38 am | Reply Mary Pirog

Love the photo of you and “Jim Carter”
on March 22, 2015 at 12:29 pm | Reply Marie

Robin, it is such a treat to have your witty, poignant and gracious commentary on the new series. I was not inclined to watch it, when it has already been done as well as possible. But I have to admit, your cheerful embrace of the project, not to mention your participation in it, is winning me over. You share your many talents with such a generosity of spirit, you truly are an inspiration.
- on March 22, 2015 at 12:37 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thank you, Marie.
on March 22, 2015 at 3:23 pm | Reply suec0207

Really looking forward to tonight’s episode, it’ll be great to see you on tv again! I agree you don’t need to take your shirt off to be lovely but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate Aidan’ s many attributes!!!

sx
on March 22, 2015 at 3:31 pm | Reply Sue

Hi Robin, There will never be another Ross and Demelza for me, so I just couldn’t bring myself to watch this new series, but as you’re in it tonight Robin have made an exception-lol.

Will be buying your cookbook as my husband like you has
Diabetes, and am hoping one day to come on one of your cookery courses.

It is truly lovely that you seem such a warm and nice ‘human being’ and have a genuine liking for your followers and enjoy interacting with them.

Thank you for giving me and so many others hours of wonderful pleasure watching Poldark.

God bless you. X
- on March 22, 2015 at 4:08 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks Sue–hope to see here one day and hope your husband is doing OK.
on March 22, 2015 at 3:47 pm | Reply Andie Lather

As you know, here in the USA we won’t see the new Poldark series for a bit, but I have to say there is nothing like the original in my book! Your Ross Poldark will always be “the one” for me!
- on March 22, 2015 at 4:08 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks Andie.
- on March 22, 2015 at 5:24 pm | Reply Dianne P
  
  Andie, Go to
  http://www.tvids.net/watch837/Poldark/season-01-episode-01-Episode-1
on March 22, 2015 at 4:50 pm | Reply Sallie

Hi Robin,
Just seen the trailer for tonight’s show and will be watching with anticipation. Love the Reverend’s sarcastically raised eyebrow at the end of the clip.
I recently dug out an old and very tatty recipe book that belonged to my mother, obviously well used during and after the war until the end of rationing, and beyond. It is called “They can’t ration these” by Vicomte de Mauduit. My copy was published in 1940 and has a foreword by David Lloyd George. The author was from an old French aristocratic family. I wonder if you have seen the book (perhaps you also have a copy inherited from your own mother)?
If you haven’t come across it it is worth a read- maybe ignoring recipes for hedgehog pate (don’t tell Harry about that!), rook pie – “clean, draw and skin your rook”-, baked snipe, roast cygnet and grilled squirrel. There are unusual recipes though for nettle, sorrel, cardoons, yarrow, carrageen, various squashes and young bracken and hop shoots.
Should Reverend Halse feel the need he could even find out how to make black ink from oak galls, in order to sign death warrants for poachers.
The book, which has I think been reprinted, gives a real sense of bygone times and the challenges faced by wartime housewives, yet is interesting to the modern healthy eating forager.
With purrs from my large cat family to yours. (One cat was hoping for a recipe for shrew gratin, but luckily it wasn’t there! She hid the shrew under the fridge for future reference.)
Sallie
- on March 22, 2015 at 5:24 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Lovely account Sallie–thank you. My mother didn’t have a copy but she did paste recipe cuttings in a big foolscap notebook which I wish I still have.
  We didn’t stretch to rook or hedgehog in North london though she might have thought about squirrel when times were hard!
on March 22, 2015 at 5:23 pm | Reply Dianne P

Hi, Robin,
I must say this may be the only time I won’t be rooting for your character, haha, but I will still be enjoying your performance, I’m sure!! Saw the previews already…and you/Halse are so calm and frustratingly soft-spoken in the face of the situation that we may want to slap you–but only lightly, of course!! 🙂 Can’t wait to see the whole scene!!
Cheers & HUGS!!
Dianne
PS: Keep it under your hat, but for everyone not in the UK, I stumbled onto a link to watch the episodes online … http://www.tvids.net/watch837/Poldark/season-01-episode-01-Episode-1
on March 22, 2015 at 6:34 pm | Reply Martina

It’s great that it can also be seen outside of the UK on BBC One (http://www.filmon.com/tv/live). Although I couldn’t understand each dialogue. Intro/music and scenery shots are great and some actors have been chosen very well. Yes, it’s different from the original series, but that’s not a negative thing. I’m looking forward seeing you in this tonight.
on March 22, 2015 at 6:48 pm | Reply Judy Spagnola

Love these updates. Keep them coming wish the USA had it sooner
on March 22, 2015 at 8:34 pm | Reply shawdiane

Thank you for sharing; so nice to see the Poldarks together. My Facebook friends are going wild about you & the new Poldark & you are coming out TOP’s every time. To those of us who have seen your Poldark & this is the majority – you ‘are’ still Ross. For me you & Angharad Rees were perfect together & shone on screen as she was born to play Mrs Poldark. Her recent passing was a shock & very sad.

Diane

🍀Shawdiane

>
- on March 22, 2015 at 9:15 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Diane.
on March 22, 2015 at 9:15 pm | Reply Fiona Cortland

Just look at those legs!!!
on March 23, 2015 at 5:24 am | Reply Tina

Hi Robin,

I saw episode 3 last night with the Rev Halse in full swing. So strange to hear your voice address Aidan Turner as “Mr Poldark” and so chillingly dismiss the pleas for mercy. A brilliant scene. The photos you posted here are great too, thank you.

I have to say that I am enjoying the new Poldark, despite all my reservations, But you will always, always be Ross for me,

Tina
- on March 23, 2015 at 7:13 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Tina–appreciate it.
on March 23, 2015 at 5:44 am | Reply shirley lane

Your voice is so distinctive…….you were great!!!!
I’m loving the new series. Memories of sunday nights 40 years ago when I was a young innocent woman!!! Thank you for some great television. We still have the best in the world.
- on March 23, 2015 at 7:13 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  So glad you are enjoying it, Shirley.
on March 23, 2015 at 2:04 pm | Reply Jane Sarson-Royal

Really enjoyed last nights Poldark. I wonder why!!!!!! Excellent performance.
- on March 23, 2015 at 3:24 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Jane.
on March 23, 2015 at 5:41 pm | Reply Sue Andrews.

Hi Robin,

I totally agree with Sue’s comment 22 March, there is only one Ross and only one Demelza. Thoroughly enjoyed your part in Sunday’s episode.

Sue
- on March 23, 2015 at 6:01 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thank you, Sue.
on March 23, 2015 at 8:15 pm | Reply elaineward

Oh Robin you sent shivers down my spine,last night that voice of yours, you were great. Enjoying the program so far,but there is only.one Ross and Demelza
that way you looked at each other no words were needed between you you just knew each other so well.So Aiden and Elenora are better than nothing, but you were and always will be the best
- on March 23, 2015 at 9:37 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks for that Elaine. I’m glad you are enjoying it–me too.
on March 23, 2015 at 11:13 pm | Reply Ant

Seems like I”m in the minority here……..a bloke !!

Really enjoyed your performance last night Robin, a shame we haven’t seen so much of you in other TV dramas. Our loss, you certainly appear to be living the life. Good for you.

The new Poldark is brilliant but we (my wife and I) have a good giggle counting how many times Aiden has to ride backwards and forwards across the cliff top during each episode.

I was only a kid of 10 when you graced our screens with your performance as RP but I have very vivid memories of the show – Angharad was perfect in the role of Demelza – what 10 yr old wasn’t going to be totally blown away by her?

The production style was very different back then, very gritty and shot much closer in. It gave the show a different intensity that the new show doesn’t quite match.

BTW, I’d be intregued to know if you still hanker after ‘gralefrit’ 🙂
All the very best
on March 23, 2015 at 11:29 pm | Reply Ant

Ha – guess that’ll teach me to research before posting!
You were in quite a lot of things – guess I used to go out more before the kids arrived 😉

Weirdly, hadn’t realised we share the same Christian name and (assuming the Internet is correct)’ we were both born in Ipswich!
- on March 24, 2015 at 7:09 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  My dad was Anthony so they called me Robin from the start–never found out why my initials stayed that way round–(A R).
  Ipswich yes–for three months–Dad was in the RAF–go Blues (Tractor Boys–I’m told)–I’ve always supported Ipswich Town.
  Having done some research! I see that the ingredients of gralefrits–every one–are not suitable for me–so no!
on March 24, 2015 at 3:09 am | Reply Betsy Hovey

Oh Reverend Halse, how could you send Jim Carter to prison! How could you be so cold-hearted!

I’m enjoying seeing another interpretation of Winston Graham’s novels, which I read many years ago on a small farm in Iowa. You were amazing in the first version and so convincing in this one. It’s a pleasure to read about your experiences then and now. Thank you!
- on March 24, 2015 at 7:00 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks Betsy, I think you could see I was enjoying myself!
on March 24, 2015 at 12:58 pm | Reply Nicola Williams

I loved that episode, and have bought the original series on DVD (I previously had it on VHS), so I am watching and enjoying both series old and new.x
on March 24, 2015 at 4:42 pm | Reply annalisa

I saw today the third episode, it was strange to see two Ross in comparison, but very pleasant. however the Ross of my heart only you!
on March 29, 2015 at 4:07 pm | Reply ali

Refresh my dreadful memory did you remove your shirt in the original?
- on March 30, 2015 at 6:53 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Not often, Ali!
on March 31, 2015 at 4:10 pm | Reply Alison

No they were more modest times I suppose. If a good looking guy removed a sock it made the papers next day.