Cornwall, 1783. Ross Poldark returns from the battlefield to find his father dead.

Rumours spread of a scandalous relationship between Ross and Demelza.

Demelza gives birth. Ross welcomes old friend Dr Dwight Enys to Cornwall.

George expands the Warleggan empire, launching a new ship and bankrupting Carnmore.

Ross prepares for his trial as Demelza and Elizabeth try to help his cause. George does everything in his power to harm Ross, Francis wrestles with his conscience, and Dwight clashes with an entitled heiress, Caroline Penvenen.

As the election leads to rioting, Elizabeth goes to Bodmin herself. Demelza tries to influence the case by making a personal appeal to the judge, but George has a number of tricks up his sleeve as the day of the trial arrives.

Ross and Demelza look to forget the past and rebuild their marriage, but new arrivals threaten their fragile reconciliation.