Episode 5 Poldark

Say good day to your daughter.

Miss Clowance Poldark.

It's the most precious gift I've ever received.

Finally, a deal!

Now all that remains is for you to inform the bride.

Marry...Mr Whitworth?

Mm!

-What is his name?

-Armitage, Sir. Lieutenant Armitage.

-You saved my life.

-Oh, Ross! He's alive!

For what that's worth.

If you knew what conditions were like in France

for enemies of the republic...

-Will he not get special privileges?

-Let's hope so.

They're taking bets. On which prisoner will be next to die.

So the plan is, the Royalist fleet will land in France,

overthrow the republic and free its prisoners.

So Caroline believes. BABY COOS

Should we not give that plan a chance?

I want Dwight home, too.

I just want you here a little longer.

I promised him something I cannot fulfil.

To see this ring reaches his wife.

I wonder you're not married, Enys.

Are you so devoted to your work?

In truth, there is someone.

I doubt I'll ever see her again. And you?

I'm a Boscawen...

so I'm expected to make a splendid match!

Some rich and beautiful heiress?

I've a fancy to choose my own bride.

-So plans are being finalised.

-What do you intend?

To lead an army of those loyal to the monarchy,

to sail to France and overthrow the revolution.

The landing will scarcely be 20 miles from the prison at Quimper.

-Where Dwight is?

-To think I wasted my time pressing the Admiralty

to release Dwight,

when this landing will enable all prisoners to be released.

I admire Caroline's optimism.

But?

War is never simple.

Nor human nature.

You've been to war. What is it that drives men to act like savages?

A refusal to see their fellow men as human.

To view them instead as a symbol of something they hate.

There are no depths to the atrocities which may be committed.

You fear for Dwight.

This landing could provoke a slaughter of prisoners.

It might be weeks before the Royalists reach Quimper.

Dwight may not last that long.

-BABY CRIES

-My son has rickets?

Dr Choake believes...

Dr Choake is mistook!

My son is not some commoner's child, nursed on gin and housed in squalor!

He's had the best of everything.

No-one must hear of this. My son will not be deformed!

George! Do not say that!

Dr Choake believes he can be cured.

There's to be a gathering at Tregothnan.

Lord Falmouth's?

The St Aubyns and Godolphins will be there.

Our invitation is conspicuous by its absence.

Are you so keen to go? These events are often so dull.

Presence at these events is what confirms one's status in society.

If the Godolphins are going, Lady Whitworth will be there.

She could procure you an invitation. Could you not speak to Osborne?

I could if I had positive news for him.

But while Morwenna continues to prevaricate,

I can hardly beg favours of his mother.

I would have thought, after all these weeks at Trenwith,

the girl would be out of her mind with boredom by now.

'LAUGHTER'

There you go.

I have news from Mr Trencrom.

His ship, The One & All,

on its last run, did bring ashore a Dutch merchant

lately released from the prison at Quimper.

Where Dr Enys be interned?

This merchant say 'tis like a hell-hole now.

Men droppin' like flies of fever, starvation.

And those as remain being executed for sport.

He do fear there'll be none left alive within three week.

'Tis a sorry end for our friend and brother.

Would there was aught we could do to help him.

And if there was?

THEY SPEAK FRENCH

TRANSLATION:

Wait! This man has a fever!

La chance, monsieur!

GUNFIRE

What happened?

A new entertainment has begun.

Dicing for officers.

Executions on a whim. Today, on the colour of a man's eyes.

Tomorrow?

Who knows?

Geoffrey Charles' friend was here again.

Oh! Yes, he called to bring some toads.

He's very fond of Geoffrey Charles.

And of you, too, or so I observed this afternoon.

Love makes us careless, does it not?

What do you imagine George would do if he found out?

Oh, yes, I am usually the first to defy him,

but that's because I have little to lose.

Do you?

I cannot marry Mr Whitworth!

You cannot marry Drake Carne.

George is a cruel man.

His axe would fall not on you,

who are cousin to his wife,

but on the boy, who is kin to Ross.

Give him up, my dear.

For his sake as much as your own.

Even if the landing's successful,

the Royalist army will have its hands full fighting the republic.

Freeing English prisoners will not be a priority.

So I'm thinking there needs to be a more direct attempt.

Involving Tholly?

And Zacky and Henshawe.

-Respectable family men?

-As I've told them repeatedly,

but Dwight is held in high esteem,

they both leapt at the chance to serve him.

-So what will you do?

-Take passage with the fleet.

But as soon as we land in Brittany,

leave the Royalists to their fight, then...

under cover of the uprising...

Make your way to the prison, free Dwight and bring him home.

What could be simpler?

Ross Poldark? A contender for parliament?

According to my mother, who has it from the Boscawens.

How can he even presume?

I'm not sure he does. He's merely been mentioned, not yet approached.

Nor should he be!

Is such a man to represent us?

Well, he certainly won't be receiving my vote.

So you see, aunt, my visits here must cease awhile.

All in good cause, boy.

I trust you'll bring young Enys safely home.

And fetch him to my party.

-Which?

-My 100th birthday!

You're all invited -

your chibbies, your little bud

and even her brother.

You've met him?

Oh, yes.

'Ee seem troubled. What ails 'ee?

My conscience.

Which tells me I've done a wicked thing.

There be nothing wicked in our care for each other.

The wicked thing...

is that I've allowed your visits...

..when I'm not free to do so.

How not free?

Our friendship...

Has gone beyond the bounds of common acquaintance.

But is it wrong to go so far...

..if what we feel is true?

I see now it is not true.

I was flattered by your attentions into thinking I felt love.

But I do not.

-I don't believe you.

-Hope you can forgive my mistake.

I've left word with Grace that they will answer to you till I return.

They will expect you daily.

Perhaps I'll venture below and take a pick o' my own!

No doubt you'll find a new lode!

I've been thinkin'.

I'll not tell Caroline where you've gone

for fear of raisin' false hopes.

And have Drake stay away from Trenwith.

Why would he go there?

Ask him.

I must go.

I do not ask you not to be reckless,

for I know you cannot promise something which is so against your nature.

She don't care for me. She never did.

I've no wish to go on in this world.

I once thought as you do.

When I lost Julia, all I wanted was to bury myself beside her.

But life is precious and should not be scorned.

The thing is to find some purpose,

to go on living.

And if Ross were here he'd say the same.

Where is he?

'Tis not to be spoken of.

He's gone to Falmouth, thence to France

to rescue our friend Dr Enys.

Will you not stay to supper?

Thank 'ee, sister.

I'll heed what 'ee say, about purpose.

And try and find me some.

HE SPEAKS FRENCH

Problem?

Aside from the fact that they've thrice delayed departure

and seem unable to agree on the simplest matter?

There's the thing - almost all the Royalist troops travellin'

from England be French prisoners.

They'll be given a choice -

bide here in prison or fight for the Royalists against the republic.

How's that a problem?

You're a French prisoner, returned to home shores.

Do you fight against your own people? Or do you desert?

This landing will fail.

Then how do we save Dr Enys?

Say nothing to the French.

I'll return in an hour.

Ross is called away to Looe on business at the boat-yard.

And the Royalists will shortly sail from Falmouth.

I wish I were going with them!

But how shall we distract ourselves meanwhile?

I know! You could accompany me to Tregothnan.

Lord Falmouth's gathering the cream of Cornish aristocracy.

I'm no aristocrat!

You have nobler blood than many who'll be vying to attend!

Come, say you'll keep me company.

ARGUING IN FRENCH

We're leaving.

I never been to Roscoff. Only once been on the One & All!

Mr Trencrom said he was the first respectable man he'd had aboard!

We'll soon lead him astray!

I need no leading! I've tricks o' my own up my sleeve!

What happens when we get to Roscoff?

Trencrom's men go about their usual business.

And we acquire a smaller vessel.

Then take the river inland,

to a creek close to the prison at Quimper.

Plans have changed.

Ross and the men be on their own now.

Judas!

THUDDING

SHOUTING

DOOR SLAMS

Have 'ee seen Drake?

Yesterday.

Wracked with grief, over the girl.

Left 'ee this note.

"Dear Sister..."

LOW CONVERSATION

The captain beg to report a stowaway.

Is that my concern?

He say so, on account of the stowaway insist on joinin' us.

"Do not blame Cap'n Ross for this.

"You tell'd me to find some purpose to help me forget Morwenna

"and this may do good to someone if not to I."

I know 'ee thought me harsh, but I did fear this love would break him.

And so it has.

Is this God's will, too?

I know what 'ee be thinkin'. But let me prove myself.

-I'm fearless.

-That's no recommendation!

-And steadfast and fierce.

-Like his sister?

I say give him a chance.

Never know when an extra man might come in handy.

You will obey my every command. Without question.

Yes, sir!

Well done.

Drake told me you broke with him.

Doubtless he'll soon forget me.

He might.

If we see him again.

It was not without difficulty that my mother secured your invitation.

I'm obliged to her.

She did so on the understanding that you

and she would shortly be connected.

Through my marriage to Miss Chynoweth.

She feels if we do not hear from the lady soon, we must look elsewhere.

Morwenna is a respectable girl who will not be hurried.

Nevertheless, I'm certain you will receive a favourable answer

within the month.

I'd never have broken with him had I known what he'd do.

'Tis for the best.

The gulf between your stations is...

Is great.

But greater still the rift between our houses.

So I should marry a man I do not love?

Will you find a way to let me know when Drake returns?

IF...he returns.

-Do we not go ashore?

-Roscoff's not for the faint-hearted.

But what do Cap'n Ross intend?

For you to grab your belongings and follow him.

We have a boat.

Your cousin has delayed long enough.

I require an immediate answer.

Summon her from Trenwith.

No. I have a better idea.

They've returned. Unannounced! What does it mean?

Nothing good for you, I fear.

Here is the best landing point close to Quimper.

Put in there, wait for cover of darkness,

then make for the prison.

You're quite certain of this?

Heard tell of it in Sawle kiddley.

'Ee do know I have ways of keepin' my ear to the ground.

-GEORGE CHUCKLES

-You may go.

That really is excellent.

A prison break on French soil

with respectable men who are surely being led to their deaths?

He's played right into our hands!

But how could this affect us?

By affecting Ross' standing amongst the local worthies.

You must see, my dear? How can such a reckless fool represent

the district in parliament?

It is a question I feel duty-bound to ask tonight at Tregothnan.

HE CHUCKLES

Tom Harry's got wind of it.

Judas! Then half the county'll know!

'Tis unlike to endanger the mission since the news cannot reach France.

So there's some consolation.

Precious little.

Ross wished it to remain secret till he returned.

How can I keep it from Caroline?

A fever? I must say you look none the worse for it.

I think I must keep indoors tonight.

I was hoping you'd bide with me.

My dear, I'm beginning to look like a recluse.

I must put in an appearance, with or without my escort!

-Do you not like it?

-It's so extravagant.

-And?

-Might it not seem in tonight's company

that we're trying too hard to impress?

Quite right, my dear.

No need for distractions.

Our mission is plain.

To thoroughly discredit Ross Poldark

and position me as a candidate in his stead.

Must I really go?

Did we not agree, my dear? No more ingratitude.

As sharp as you can. Everyone ashore, take cover in the woods.

Mr and Mrs Warleggan and Miss Chynoweth.

There's Lord Falmouth.

Now who here might effect an introduction?

Miss Penvenen And Mistress Poldark.

Extraordinary!

I'm forced to ingratiate myself with that idiot Whitworth

whilst the scullery maid strolls in on the arm of an heiress!

Look at them! Struttin' an' swaggerin',

as if there be no war, men riskin' their lives.

Pay them no heed, my dear.

Our task is to see what news, if any,

we may glean of the French landing!

This is the ground plan.

There's a series of buildings, set in extensive grounds.

Here is a sentry gate,

through which we must pass before coming into the main prison.

The guards are changed at midnight.

We go in at one and hope to catch them napping.

What is it?

When I first mooted this venture,

I imagined we'd be part of the Royalist landing,

taking advantage of the chaos to break into the prison.

Now we've come on ahead,

we're that much more exposed.

Since this is not what you enlisted for,

I feel you should be given the choice to remain here.

Tholly and I will make for the prison.

Nay, Ross. Speaking for myself, my mind's set.

We're here for Dr Enys and we'll not go home without him.

'Tis what we all signed up for.

Can I ask men to take such a risk?

Yet how much have I risked across the years, alongside you,

knowin' I might lose all, riskin' it anyway.

Mining's a risk.

Loving's a risk.

Living's a risk.

So tonight?

I'll take my chance.

BELL TOLLS

Is it time?

Bone? Ellery? Go back and guard the boat.

The rest of you, certain?

No fool like an old fool!

Or a young one?

Keep low and follow me.

He has been in numerous skirmishes,

he is the most able navigator. Ned Pellew thinks the world of him.

Of course the boy knows what's expected of him -

he's a Boscawen, after all!

Though little good it's done him. Will you excuse me?

How many guards, do we think?

In addition to those at the gate? Six inside the building?

Another six off-duty? Who knows?

Tell 'em no more, young Cap'n,

lest they lose their appetite for the task!

-That won't happen.

-How do we get past the guards?

Tholly, tie my hands.

KNOCKING

J'ai un prisonnier echape, au nom de la Republique - ouvrez la porte!

Depchez-vous!

Il fait froid!

T'es qui toi?

HE WHISTLES

Shush. Keep quiet!

The prisoners will be sleeping. Let's endeavour to pass through unnoticed.

At all costs, give no impression we're here to free prisoners.

Aye, the last thing we need is a mad stampede to escape.

Follow me.

What's going on? Who are you?

Newly arrived here.

We have a message for Dr Enys.

Do you know where he is?

-The Infirmary. Enys never leaves it.

-Thank you, friend.

There's no room in here.

We're looking for Dr Enys.

Who are you?

Captain Ross Poldark. You?

Lieutenant Armitage of the Espion.

Sir, I think these men have no business here.

No business with you.

We seek Dr Enys and mean only his good.

You have my word as an officer.

Sir, these man are armed!

And I'll slit yer throat if ye don't pipe down!

Have you broken in? To take Enys?

Not a word.

Come with me.

What is it? Do you want me?

Yes, Dwight.

We want you.

Ross?

My friend.

Make haste and come with us.

Come?

Where?

-CHUCKLES:

-How?

What do you mean?

I mean that your friends have risked life and limb to free you.

You must see that's impossible.

I cannot abandon these men.

There are only four surgeons in the entire camp.

So we should go home without you?

Enys, you have more than discharged your duty.

Don't be a fool, Enys.

We'd all escape if we had the chance.

-Escape?

-SHOUTS:

-Escape!

Damn the young fool, he'll wake half of France!

We can't go back that way.

-Is there another way out?

-That way.

BELL RINGS

That's the alarm bell. All the guards will be summoned.

-Which is the way out?

-There, that door.

The guards! They'll be waiting for us!

-We can't go back through the church.

-Then we're trapped.

DISTANT SHOUTING IN FRENCH

Have you heard the rumours?

Which?

Ross Poldark's latest folly?

His reckless assault on a French prison?

-Surely not?

-Let's take some refreshment.

The absolute futility of such an act!

-What does it say of the man who would attempt it?

-What, indeed?

And did I hear he's being considered for some high office?

Dear God, is that the kind of madman we want representing us

in parliament?

Load your weapons. We'll make a stand.

My apologies, Dwight.

This is a poor sort of rescue!

Cap'n Ross, I believe there be a better way.

Stay here.

Escape! Escape!

Let's be gone. Quickly.

Would you prefer Oxford or Bath?

-For what, sir?

-Our honeymoon?

I prefer not to speak of such a thing.

All the more to tease me?

I pray you, do not imagine...

Oh, but I do, my dear. All the time.

SHOUTING

It's locked. Over?

-He'll never make it.

-What do we do?

I told you I'd have something up my sleeve!

Stand back, lads.

-Leave it to the expert!

-Zacky, Tholly, take Dwight!

Nearly there!

Stand back, lads!

Take cover!

Get up! Let's go.

Drake, come with me.

Look out, Ross!

-Watch out, Ross.

-Take mine!

Hensh. Follow me!

He's hit!

We need a place to hide him.

Dwight, Henshawe's hit.

Can you hear me, Hensh?

HENSHAWE WHEEZES

What can be done for him?

Nothing.

-Try.

-If there was aught to be done, do you think I'd spare myself?

I told him not to come. But he wouldn't listen.

We're too old for this, Hensh.

What do we say?

No fool like an old fool?

We'll be dead fools if we don't get a gallop on!

Do 'ee think them Frenchies be firin' for fun?

-Help me carry him.

-We'll never make it.

-Then I'll stay with him.

-Nay, I will.

He was my captain and friend.

Let me stay! I don't care what become of me.

There's no need to stay.

He's dead.

He's dead.

Come away, Ross.

Ross.

Excuse me. I promised Lord Flamouth the allemande.

Do you not dance, ma'am?

Does your husband disapprove of the sport?

Not in the least.

How could he, when his own pursuits are so much more hazardous?

Is it not galling to be married to such a hothead?

Bad enough in a 20-year-old, but in a supposedly

respectable mine-owner, in his 30s, with a wife and children?

It's positively infantile.

Do you think he'll ever grow up?

I don't know, George.

Will you?

Everyone down. Someone's coming.

Armitage!

Thank God it's you! I thought you were the guards. Are you alone?

A dozen or so others escaped but we all separated.

They are headed for the coast. I abandoned my posting.

The thought of freedom was too much for me.

It was too much for us all.

There's talk of a Royalist landing.

Republican troops are mobilising.

If we're caught now, there'll be no escape.

And no mercy.

GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE Up!

The power of an ancient family name!

Chynoweths stroll in where Warleggans fear to tread.

Did you manage to advance our cause?

How?

By the subtle disparaging of Ross.

I observed no such subtlety from you.

Did you speak of his adventures in France?

I might have done had Lord Falmouth not mentioned his nephew is

a prisoner of war.

I felt it would be tactless to refer to French prisons at all,

let alone Ross' intention to storm one!

So our mission has failed.

We're leaving.

Morwenna?

-Excuse me.

-Of course.

-The Royalist landing has failed.

-What?

De Sombreuil and the leaders are captured.

My dear, what hope is there for Dwight now?

Drake's hurt. Help me get him aboard.

Here is Dr Enys. Help me get him on.

Careful.

Set the oars, set the oars.

Poor Caroline!

I took her home and put her to bed, but I doubt she'll sleep.

Thank God Ross wasn't part of the landing.

-Will 'ee tell Caroline?

-To what purpose?

We don't know where Ross is.

If he even reached the prison or found Dwight alive.

Let alone 'scaped again.

You've been at it hours, Ross. Take a rest.

It won't bring him back.

Allow me. We're not out of danger yet.

No let-up! We must get to Roscoff before dark.

The One & All sails on the evening tide.

-Never do it!

-We must! Or we'll be trapped in Roscoff for a fortnight!

Drake won't last a fortnight. He won't last a day.

Nor will you!

His fever's worsening.

Unless I can clean the wound soon, it's likely to become infected.

And then he's done for.

Ross! Ross!

You let him die. You let him die!

You're a disgrace! Selfish, vain glorious, reckless.

One can only agree.

You are the most despicable of men.

Ross! Ross!

She's still there! She's still there!

At anchor, waitin' for us!

If we make haste, we'll catch her before she sail. Come on.

Heave. Heave. Heave.

I have a confession to make.

When we left Henshawe...

..he was not dead.

He was dying. He could not live an hour.

But in that hour I knew that unless I lied,

you would willingly die alongside him.

That I could not permit.

What of Drake?

I think you will have one less life on your conscience.

Ross, I haven't yet thanked you.

When you first appeared,

I thought you were a figment of my imagination.

Hardly surprising.

I must have been the last person you expected to see.

In truth, I expected to die where I stood,

surrounded by men I was unable to save.

Now?

Already I see that I must keep myself occupied or

I shall begin to ask the impossible question.

Which?

Why am I here and they're not?

The cove! Nampara cove!

Ross.

See, brother? My prayers did work!

Judas! What happened?

Nothing, sister. 'Tis a scratch.

He'll need rest and warm.

We'll bring him up to the house.

Dwight! Oh, Dwight, they brought you home!

And Zacky!

To see 'ee safe and well, I never dared hope.

We're more'n grateful to be here!

I don' know this gentleman.

Lieutenant Hugh Armitage at your service, ma'am.

Captain Poldark is my saviour too.

But this means it was a success.

You all returned home.

No. Not all.

Cap'n Henshawe?

Prudie! Make ready two beds.

One for Drake, one for Dr Enys.

'Tis done a'ready, maid. Ole Prudie'll see 'em right!

Bring 'em in, bring 'em in.

Beggin' your pardon, sir, I thought 'ee'd wish to know.

The One & All returned from France.

And Ross Poldark with her.

-Dr Enys was saved.

-As expected.

Any casualties?

One wounded. One dead.

Cap'n Henshawe from the mine.

Then the mission can hardly be deemed a success.

To liberate one man at the expense of another?

'Twas reckon'd a success, for up to 20 men also 'scaped.

One of 'em a person of great importance. A...

Lieutenant Armitage?

Lieutenant Hugh Armitage?

Yes, ma'am, I think that was the name.

You may go.

You know Lieutenant Armitage?

Only by name.

He's the nephew of Lord Falmouth.

Scurvy has not enhanced my looks.

I must beg a week of Demelza's care before I let Caroline know I'm here.

I think it may be too late for that!

KNOCKING

This way, please.

Do you feel strong enough for a small surprise?

Dr Enys.

Do I detect scorbutus?

I... I'm afraid so.

Well, then I prescribe fresh air, oranges...

and kisses without end.

A sleep'll do him powerful good.

Still think he's a pest?

Yes.

But a brave and fearless pest who may have saved my life!

He has something of your spirit.

I suppose I must learn to love him too!

# Greater love hath no man

# Than he who for his friend lay down his life

# And his name shall be forever beloved

# And his sacrifice forever praised

# Though we may no longer behold him

# In our hearts he liveth on

# And the light may grow dark

# Yet time will hold a flame forever more. #

I should never have let him come.

-I should have foreseen the consequences.

-How could you?

How can we ever foresee what will come of our actions?

I agree.

How could I foresee that a month ago today I'd be a free man?

How could your husband foresee that in freeing his friend,

he'd liberate a man he'd never met?

Well, I hope that whatever consequence come of this liberty,

you'll take full advantage of it.

Oh, believe me, ma'am, I intend to.

He was here? Under my very nose.

Prepare yourself to meet Mr Whitworth.

Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me.

Why do you suppose this has anything to do with the heart?

Dwight. What's happened to my husband?

Did I mention I've had good news from Harrow?

Geoffrey Charles is to start there next term.

George has set a trap.

Judas! Then he's walkin' straight into it!

After 'em!

If Drake Carne hangs, the people will rise up

-and I will be powerless to stop them.

-Idle threats.

You sure?