Poldark : Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

I can't quite put my finger on it but Captain Malcome is creeping me out. Something about him is just not right.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

Malcolm 😃

I prefer Captain McNeil from Oldark. He was still sniffing around Demelza but he was more generally flirty and he wasn't so nasty/angry when she rebuffed him (even when she kneed him in the Jatz Crackers ...) and scooted out the window 😊

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

You're right. Malcolm. I gave him more than he was worth.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

We in the US haven't seen that episode yet, but a few photos of the party Demelza attends without Ross were posted on the Net. It is easy why many of the men their might leap to the wrong conclusions about her. She is normally one of the prettiest women in the room and she looks stunning in the vivid color with lower-cut bodice.

There are no photos given of any women speaking with Demelza, which places her in a somewhat difficult situation. With her anger at Ross, perhaps she is reckless and acts careless.

Although Captain McNeil might not know her history of having met Ross as a dirty, scabby teen, Malcolm has been interested from that first meeting. Since he has been watching Ross because he believes Ross has his hand in smuggling, he may have also seen him paying more attention to Elizabeth. Some men will seek advantage if they like a woman and believe that she is being neglected.

Re other photos at the party, I've heard men talking about women being dressed up fine, but look where they came from: You can take the girl out of the gutter but but does that does not mean the gutter is taken out of the girl! More of the double edged-sword

That slimy Sir Hugh Bodrugan is one who might not say it too loudly, but he would definitely think he could treat her the same he would one of his servants.

The final photos are of Demelza and Ross walking on the shore with her dress clearly being ruined and her mascara smudging the skin under her eyes. I've got a book about Regency dress and makeup; she could have coal soot to coat her lashes. They both look very unhappy.





A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.

Re: Captain Malcom - creepyness factor


The final photos are of Demelza and Ross walking on the shore with her dress clearly being ruined and her mascara smudging the skin under her eyes. I've got a book about Regency dress and makeup; she could have coal soot to coat her lashes.

Thanks for the info about mascara, ACL. Someone posted somewhere (here or elsewhere, can't remember) that mascara was anachronistic. I think they just wanted to vent their spleen and were clutching at straws to have something valid to complain about. I thought at the time that mascara, in one form or another, has been around for thousands of years. And it has!







If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.

Re: Captain Malcom - creepyness factor


Thanks for the info about mascara, ACL. Someone posted somewhere (here or elsewhere, can't remember) that mascara was anachronistic. I think just wanted to vent their spleen and were clutching at straws to have something valid to complain about. I thought at the time that mascara, in one form or another, has been around for thousands of years. And it has!





Some form of what we now know as "mascara" can date back to 4000 BC using kohl. I mean it wasn't the mascara that us ladies know and love today, nor was it as neat, but I'm sure if I used ash or soot or and heated it to put on my lashes, when I cried it would definitely run. Heck it runs today if it isn't waterproof! Cosmetics have been around for a very very long time though not as perfect and neat as some are today. Supergran I know what posts you are referring to and it was on here.

Re: Captain Malcom - creepyness factor


Supergran I know what posts you are referring to and it was on here.

Just found it, T. A certain volatile lady from a cold place. Lol.






If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.

Re: Captain Malcom - creepyness factor

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor


We in the US haven't seen that episode yet, but a few photos of the party Demelza attends without Ross were posted on the Net. It is easy why many of the men their might leap to the wrong conclusions about her. She is normally one of the prettiest women in the room and she looks stunning in the vivid color with lower-cut bodice.


Some of us in the US have. Just you wait...you will know what she means.

Re: Captain Malcom - creepyness factor


I prefer Captain McNeil from Oldark. He was still sniffing around Demelza but he was more generally flirty and he wasn't so nasty/angry when she rebuffed him (even when she kneed him in the Jatz Crackers ...) and scooted out the window

The whole scenario in Oldark was played more for laughs, in a way. It reminded me of one of those old Brian Rix farces.




If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

There's an interesting bit in the 8th novel with Ross bumping into MacNeil years later. Their reuinion is as old friends. I haven't read that book in ages, but I recall enjoying that part very much.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

I know what you mean! I think it is his eyes. He does something weird with them when speaking to Demelza. Its like no matter where his face his angled, his eyes are always glaring at her like he is getting ready to devour her! He has always given me the creepies! His eyes always seem to be wide open in an unnatural way or something.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

I can really see Demelza being turned off by his neediness about sex.... Ickkky and not sexy

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor


I can really see Demelza being turned off by his neediness about sex.... Ickkky and not sexy


If she wasn't, something is seriously wrong with her. From the moment he was watching her atop that cliff, he gave me the creeps. I was scared for a minute HE was going to rape her. Wouldn't that have added a new angle to the story?

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

Old inference, different motivation, new male and female protagonists. Still yuck and creepiness. His demeanor when he is with Demelza is predatory, as perhaps only women discern.

Ross seems completely blind to it, but the men at the party may have seen and observed, as Sherlock always tells Watson.





A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor


Ross seems completely blind to it, but the men at the party may have seen and observed, as Sherlock always tells Watson.



I'm not sure if he is. Remember when "Malcolm" came to Nampara right after Ross got out of jail and Ross was suddenly being a snot to Demelza?

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

Didn't he say something that indicated he was aware of McNeil liking to play but he thought she could take care of herself? Or, perhaps I am thinking of another show. I just remember he was rude in leaving her alone with Malcolm.

Ross is definitely not written as the most discerning husband when his siren calls (Leisure or Grace), but his role is written as though he is an absentee spouse in more that one way. My former husband was very similar, except for the lack of beauty, and had McNeil's first name, that of a famous Scot's king. Sad all around.





A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor


Didn't he say something that indicated he was aware of McNeil liking to play but he thought she could take care of herself? Or, perhaps I am thinking of another show. I just remember he was rude in leaving her alone with Malcolm.


Yes he did. Ross said she had a mind of her own. When Ross walked into the room where they were sitting he seem to get a little possessive of Demelza I thought,but, angry too...as if he thought she was unaware of his attraction, but should be, or true intentions. It seemed he thought she was encouraging him at the same time.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

That's right. I just thought that he was projecting his own behavior. Even though the behavioral and psychological sciences were not yet born, human habits, actions, motives, ills, and thinking patterns are as old as humankind.

Ross would flirt and take the bar maid to bed, so no doubt Demelza would do the same - but in their home?

For all that we may be charmed by and love Ross, he is still the Son of his Father!





A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor


It seemed he thought she was encouraging him at the same time


Demelza does flirt and at every social function gathers a circle of male admirers around, sometimes it is the same crowd (i.e. Sir Hugh, John Trevaunance). In the books it is implied as her open and friendly nature and that she is largely unaware of attractiveness/flirting or at least unintentional. I find it hard to believe that any woman would be totally clueless or innocent of their "power" over the male. Ross also notices but even though he may get possesive or annoyed he is sure of her loyalty and love for him, a fact that he takes for granted until it bites him in the a** and rocks his world. Ross also believes Demelza is more than capable of handling herself (as a rough minor's daughter?), which may or may be true.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

It's the ersatz Scottish accent; it makes everything he says seem contrived and disingenuous. Imagine if a guy dressed as a nobleman and imitating Vlad the Impaler said hello to you at a party: "Velcome!" That would be off-putting too.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

I must admit the accent is offputting. Funnily, Henry Garrett who plays him isn't a Scot. But for some reason when he speaks, it is kind of creepy along with those crazy leering eyes.

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor


I must admit the accent is offputting.

And, from what I've read, not authentic or consistent. :)

Re: Captain Malcome - creepyness factor

I've spent a lot of time in Scotland and he sounds as Scottish as I do (I'm Australian!). I think his attempt at a Scottish accent is, quite frankly, appalling and very off-putting. At least Captain McNeil in Oldark was actually a Scotsman (recently he played Mark Darcy's father in the Bridget Jones' Diary movies).
Top