Poldark is back, and there's scheming and shirtlessness 

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Note: This article contains major plot spoilers for

is back on the BBC, and they managed to pack a hell of a lot into one episode.

Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson and co returned to primetime screens for an action-packed premiere. There was scheming! There was skullduggery! There were stirring speeches! There was shirtlessness! There were many other things not beginning with an \'s\'!

Front and centre though – and the subject of much debate over the last week or two – was Ross Poldark. And he wasn\'t starting the episode in a great place, ruminating on Demelza\'s liaison with naval officer Hugh Armitage.

No standing on a cliff gazing at the beautiful Cornish coastline – this required some next-level brooding. Let\'s just say it didn\'t go unnoticed.

— Louise Burch (@Smokesb) June 10, 2018

Is this #Poldark or #LoveIsland or the ultimate crossover? pic.twitter.com/64c0tpOvR5

— Sarah Doran (@sarahisnothere) June 10, 2018

Well that’s one way to start the series #Poldark pic.twitter.com/ya7muNbOnh

— Morgan Jeffery (@morganjeffery) June 10, 2018

As for Demelza\'s love affair with Hugh, there were poems…

Armitage is going hard with his lyrics to Demelza. How can she resist? #poldark4

— Poldark Heart (@Poldarkheart) June 10, 2018

"I think I must tell you... there were 3 further lines to my poem"

A fitting end to such burning passion... #Poldark pic.twitter.com/6WMRqN3Yo9

— Official Poldark (@PoldarkTV) June 10, 2018

— poldark podcast (@poldarkpodcast) June 10, 2018

That\'s right, set fire to it. That\'s what it deserves. #Poldark

— Sarah Kutschera #SaveLucifer (@NotSoWittyUN) June 10, 2018

But most of the drama and scheming, of course, came courtesy of George Warleggan (would you expect anything less on

Following a riot in which Demelza\'s brothers were implicated, Ross tried to intervene on their behalf – only to find out their trial had been brought forward.

Viewers were feeling the injustice – and the urge to throw a few choice words in the direction of (ahem) such an ultimate banker – as Drake and Sam were sentenced to death by hanging.

Can you believe it took less then 20 minutes for a riot #poldark

Poldark: "I will do everything in my power to see you are fairly dealt with !"

George: "I\'ve moved the time of the trial forward"

Of course George Warleggan brings the trial forward so no-one can attend to defend. He’s such a snake 🐍 #Poldark

— Lizzie Rogers (@historylizzie) June 10, 2018

Me @ Sam & Drake being sentenced to death #Poldark pic.twitter.com/Iqf6l3F20a

— Grace West (@GraceLouise95_) June 10, 2018

Well didn\'t take long for George Warleggan to be all evil again #Poldark

— Susan Jordan (@Moonbootica) June 10, 2018

I swear if you look up smug in the dictionary there is just a picture of George\'s face #Poldark

— Kitty Gallagher (@KittyLovesDucks) June 10, 2018

George...like please just take a break from being an absolute git all the time, please #Poldark

— Rachel Norman (@VikingLemon) June 10, 2018

So, it was up to Ross to save the day with a stirring speech at quite possibly the very, *very* last second. While he wasn\'t able to save the Carnes\' co-defendant, he was able to spare Drake and Sam from the hangman\'s noose at least (and get one over on George into the bargain).

Leaving it a bit closer to the wire for this rousing speech Ross! #Poldark pic.twitter.com/b8hLd1jR4o

SPEAK ROSS PREACH SAVE THEM PLEASE 😭😭😭😭😭 #Poldark

Poldark. You left that to the last minute Ross !

— Janna Wong Healy (@JannaWongHealy) June 10, 2018

Ha Ha George. Ross isn\'t even an MP and he still has more influence than you. #Poldark

— Richard Cardall (@Hum_Con) June 10, 2018

Could Ross get a taste for politics after this? Well, Jack Farthing, who plays George, told Digital Spy that his character\'s rivalry with Poldark takes on a different dimension in series four because they\'re both moving in more "elite" circles.

"Their clashes have a different tempo and flavour because they\'re both moving up in the world... It\'s a different flavour to their rivalry," he explained.

"The more... elite the circles they mix in, the more they have to hide it. It just adds different dynamics."

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