Season five of Poldark marks the last-ever series of the BBC period drama. The final outing wasn’t an adaptation of the Winston Graham novels like its predecessors but instead focused on the 11 years between the seventh book (The Angry Tide) and the eighth instalment (The Stranger from the Sea). So, the ending was something of a mystery for fans who’d read the books. Express.co.uk has put together a brief rundown of the main plot points from the Poldark season five finale.
What happened at the end of Poldark?
Ross poses as a French spy
Ross posed as a spy for the French in a bid to save his skin and even appeared to be cosying up to Tess Tregidden (Sofia Oxenham).
He refused to tell his wife Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) about his subterfuge when she confronted him after following him to the closed Wheal Leisure mine.
Unsurprisingly, Demelza promptly took their children and left Ross for his deceit, turning up at the Enys family home and making plans to sail to Lisbon or Jamaica to forge a new life for her family.
Luckily, it was all a ruse which Demelza soon discovered. With the help of Dr Dwight Enys (Luke Norris), Ross extracted key tactical information from General Toussaint (Nico Rogner) and tried to send it on to the authorities.
READ MORE: Poldark season 6: Will there be another series of Poldark?
Poldark season 5: Ross and Demelza faced much strife (Image: BBC)
Poldark season 5: Ross and General Toussaint fought (Image: BBC)
However, the information was intercepted by Joseph Merceron (Tim Dutton) and Ralph Hanson (Peter Sullivan) who tried to use it to kill Ross by betraying his true intentions to General Toussaint.
A stroke of luck saw Demelza unexpectedly turning up and managing to stop the general from killing Ross outright.
The two men agreed to a sword fight to the death instead.
While swashbuckling, Ross seemed to gain the upper hand leading Merceron to take matters into his own hands and attempt to kill the miner owner.
READ MORE: Poldark season 5 location: Where is Poldark filmed? Where’s it set?
George Warleggan becomes an unlikely hero
As luck would have it, George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) also arrived at Nampara unexpectedly and saved the day by shooting dead General Toussaint and injuring Merceron.
George was hailed a hero by Ross and Demelza for his moment of selflessness. Although the banker tried to pass off his actions as simply serving his country, both Ross and Demelza thanked him for his swift actions.
Later on, Ross and George almost seemed on amicable terms much to the chagrin of the latter, leading the mine owner to suggest they reverted to their “usual animosity”.
Merceron and Hanson are punished
When Ross’ intelligence finally reached the authorities, he was duly praised for his actions.
Meanwhile, Hanson and Merceron were punished and read out a litany of crimes including torture in prison. Their comeuppance went a small way to avenge the death of the dearly departed Ned Despard (Vincent Regan).
READ MORE: Poldark filming location: Where is Nampara filmed?
Poldark season 5: George left Trenwith behind (Image: BBC)
Dr Enys and Caroline reconcile
After much tension this season over Kitty Despard (Kerri McLean), Enys and Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) finally reconciled.
Caroline admitted her frostiness and jealousy towards Kitty was more to do with her own fears of being close to her husband and suffering another miscarriage.
However, both husband and wife decided they would continue to try for a child.
George left Trenwith
George’s conclusion was a melancholy one as he left behind Trenwith and with it the ghost of his late wife Elizabeth (Heida Reed).
He informed Ross and Demelza that from now on he’d be living between his Truro and London homes.
In one final twist of the knife, he told the couple they must reject any requests his son Valentine made to visit them at Nampara because he was “no relation” to them. Both sadly agreed to his wishes.
Poldark season 5: Ross and Enys became spies (Image: BBC)
Poldark season 5 saw the loose ends tied up (Image: BBC)
Poldark and Enys become French spies on a mission
After impressing the British government with his subterfuge, Poldark was sent on a special mission to spy on the French.
His friend and former army comrade Enys were charged with passing military intelligence back to the British to thwart any invasions from Napoleon.
As Ross prepared for the voyage to France, Demelza made him promise he would return for the birth of their child.
The other loose ends
Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) went out into the world to study and vowed to one day love again after his heartbreak over Cecily Hanson (Lily Dodsworth-Evans).
Drake Carne (Harry Richardson) and Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) found some happiness after welcoming their daughter Loveday into the world.
Sam Carne (Tom York) and Rosina Hoblyn (Amelia Clarkson) also reconciled and got married after she forgave his dalliance with Tess.
Poldark season 5 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now
