George maneuvers Poldark toward checkmate. The law hunts down free traders. Caroline chooses between Unwin and Dwight. Francis goes missing.

This week, for some odd reason, Ross Poldark decided to become a Cuban band singer who continually thwarts his flame-haired wife’s attempts to join him in show business, or fish business, or something like that.

George tries plan B against Ross. Jud pays a steep price for treachery. Francis has a meeting of minds with his cousin. Demelza breaks difficult news.

In Episode One, George rolls out Plan A to take care of Ross Poldark once and for all. Ross faces a trial and Demelza tries to influence the judge.

Poldark on MASTERPIECE, the popular romantic saga based on the novels by Winston Graham and starring Aidan Turner as Captain Ross Poldark, returns to PBS Sunday, September 25 at 8pm with a special two-hour premiere. Much like with Downton Abbey, I’ll be recapping each episode of the new season. Join in the discussion, here.

The politics, people, and far-off locations behind the steamy PBS series Indian Summers, now in its second season.

We go into this final week of competition with it seeming like a toss-up between Ian and Nadiya, each one a three-time Star Baker. Nadiya said she had nerves, Ian said not, which the cynic in me said that was…

STOP THE PRESSES! And check out these ladyfingers!

It’s Quarter Finals Week y’all! Time to step it up!

“It seems a pity to miss such a good pudding.” ~Violet Grantham, AKA The Dow G This week’s Showstopper Challenge, the Charlotte Russe, is a dessert that played an important part in Downton Abbey history.

This episode gave us a metaphor for the ages: As you travel through life, do everything you can to avoid a soggy bottom. That is all.

After watching our bakers use those ice cream machines for the Showstopper Challenge, I now want one! Here’s the latest on what went down in Episode 5, and how I challenged myself to conquer new recipes.

Last week when I tweeted out the link to my recap of Episode 3, I tagged several of our contestants and they responded, which was fun. In response to what I wrote about the wild garlic in Ian’s bread, Ian said it is out of season now but is great when you can find it. I am definitely going to look for it, and I have a feeling some of you are too! And now on to this week which is all about sweetness and light: Desserts! Yes please!

It turns out that baking is a full contact sport. Don’t believe me? Make note of all the purple band aids (on the hands of our contestants) that are multiplying week by week. Whether they cut themselves, burned themselves, or were bitten by Paul Hollywood, it is obviously dangerous in that tent!

National borders are the scene of criminal activities, senseless tragedies and government-led transgressions — most famously, that of invasions and war. Here are just a few examples of the trouble with borders throughout time and place.