Episode 6 Poldark

I must go. Make your way to the prison. Free Dwight, bring him home.

What could be simpler?

He's dead.

In truth, I expected to die,

surrounded by men I was unable to save.

LAUGHTER

You will receive a favourable answer

within the month.

I should marry a man I do not love?

George is cruel.

His axe will fall. Not on you, but on the boy.

Give him up, my dear.

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

But I do not. I hope you can forgive my mistake.

Do you really intend to leave us?

As soon as my wound heals.

There be nothing here for me now, sister.

I must find a new purpose.

A brush with death can have that effect.

And you, brother?

Will our rescue of Dr Enys be your last act of derring-do?

Unless visiting Aunt Agatha falls into that category.

But, yes...

that's the intention.

Where have I've heard that before?

I wish you'd speak to Tom Harry.

He's so heavy-handed.

Any more of it and I'll make him enlist.

Will the war last long, do you think?

With any luck, another 20 years.

It's tripled our income.

How?

My dear, do not trouble yourself to understand the business.

The sun has risen, the day is fine. I've invited Osborne to visit.

We promised Morwenna more time.

Which she has had, but there is now more urgency.

Thanks to Ross's lucky rescue of Lord Falmouth's nephew,

he now has entree into the aristocracy. And I do not.

Until we're allied to the Godolphins.

So Morwenna be wed to Osborne...

..and soon.

Well, nephew!

You've certainly set the tongues wagging. Prison breaks!

Roasting the Frenchies! Whatever next?

A less perilous venture, Aunt. Clearing the long field at Nampara.

Dull.

Not for our starving miners.

When George closed Wheal Leisure, many lost everything.

If I can gift them the land, at least they can eat.

George'll be disappointed.

Perhaps you should inform him on your way out.

He's here? Returned last week.

And you didn't think to tell me?

Why would I? You're a Poldark. This is a Poldark house.

Thank you, Aunt.

But I fear I must now devise another escape from enemy territory.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Oh! Captain Poldark. Miss Chynoweth.

It appears my visits here must cease.

Can I rely on you to see my aunt is cared for?

Of course. Is Drake...recovering?

Slowly. He acquitted himself bravely.

Would you like me to convey a message?

Yes. I...

Thank you.

No.

BABY CRIES

CROAKING IN DISTANCE

What is that...sound?

Surely not?

LOUD CROAKING

I ordered them cleared!

Where the deuce is Tom Harry?

HE CHUCKLES

What is this place? Where am I?

ECHOEY SHOUTING

Will you take almond biscuits? Or shall send to Truro for marzipan?

My love, I've no appetite. When I'm hungry, I'll eat.

Shall we go for a drive in the carriage?

Or make a four at quadrille? Caroline, please.

I hope I'm not intruding?

Not at all! You've saved Dwight from his worst nightmare,

cards!

How does the patient?

Very IM-patient. And often delirious.

Keeps babbling about rejoining the Navy. That is my profession.

And when I'm recovered... Scold him, Demelza.

As if he were not needed here by his wife.

And has not earned a life of quiet luxury.

To be enjoyed to the full once our marriage becomes public.

Is Drake recovering?

Too quick. When he's mended, he means to leave us.

I understand. His love is lost.

A clean slate seems the only option.

But in your case, my love, it was a dreadful mistake.

See what it led to.

And hope is never as dead as one fears.

Nor marriage between two classes impossible.

You and Ross, Dwight and I, are we not all proof of that?

Gentlemen, ladies...

..I give you our new mine captain, Mr Zacky Martin.

Truly,

I feel the honour keenly, knowing who stood here before me.

You'll miss it here.

Yet I must go.

When hope's gone, 'tis as well to know. If it is gone.

My suspicion is that nothing's lost...

..till we say so.

She can't mean for I to try again?

She'd give anything for 'ee to stay.

In truth...so would I.

Are the gardeners mistaken?

Has Ross Poldark been making regular visits in my absence?

To see Aunt Agatha, yes.

That woman has conspired with Ross against me

and has clearly been abetted.

By whom?

You surely don't suggest Geoffrey Charles is to blame?

But clearly, someone must be held responsible.

I did know of Captain Poldark's visits to Miss Agatha,

but felt it was not my place to question them.

Did you ever meet him here?

Aside from this morning?

Do you mean to tell me he was here under my very nose?

Am I master here or not?

You will prepare yourself to meet Mr Whitworth.

I've invited him here and expect you to give him a warm reception.

Oh, but...

..I'd hoped for more time. Miss Chynoweth,

if you had any idea of the agony he suffers whilst awaiting your answer.

He is quite distraught and hardly knows what to do with himself.

I thought you'd be wed by now.

The delay is deuced awkward.

A man has needs, and if they remain unfulfilled by a wife,

he must satiate them elsewhere.

And, er, your intended?

Do she have a sturdy or a gentle nature?

What's that to you?

Or me, for that matter...

Mm...

Oh!

Good day to you both. Captain, Captain...

You find me about God's holy work.

I'm sure it's much needed hereabouts.

Indeed.

Yes! It is my mission to bring fallen women to God.

We all have our cross to bear.

GEORGE RANTS IN DISTANCE

Should you be venturing downstairs, ma'am?

Let me help you back to your room.

What, and have me miss the entertainment?

SHE CHUCKLES

Were you not instructed to clear the pond,

down to the very last specimen?

An' so we did.

So I can't imagine how they came to return.

You will set about the task again,

and this time I want no trace of the loathsome objects.

When Francis and Ross were boys, they loved toads!

Ross especially. He would never have had them killed.

But then, he was not for mindless destruction.

Much prefers a rescue mission!

In France he beat 20 men single-handed.

I believe the reports were exaggerated.

And how do we know he didn't send in his men

while he himself waited outside?

You're not a soldier, George. You wouldn't understand.

Such an honour, to be allowed to walk along with such a man!

To bask in his glory.

What you did was no more lawful than breaking Jim Carter out of Bodmin,

but then you were a felon.

Now you're a hero.

The irony has not escaped me.

And how was Caroline?

And Dwight?

I don't know. There's something...

It seems to me they're ill at ease.

Dwight's...far away.

And Caroline just talks.

I suspected as much.

In some ways, bringing Dwight home was the easy part.

There! LAUGHTER

Drake's toads from last summer must have bred.

I hope not.

But he did it for us, Wenna. To make us laugh!

GEOFFREY LAUGHS

You especially.

I?

He told me he thought you looked sad sometimes.

And that he'd do anything to make you smile.

Did he really say that?

Do we doubt it?

If we see a chance to give or take pleasure in this world...

..ought we not to seize it?

But...surely we've no right to expect happiness?

All we can do is our duty.

I believe 'tis our duty to find happiness...

..in great things, or small. Like toads!

Master Geoffrey!

I'll return directly.

You shouldn't have done it.

Did you laugh when you saw 'em?

A little.

Then it was worth it.

Please don't attempt it again. Some things are not worth the risk.

Some are.

Why have you come?

I sent you away. And I went.

Meaning to put you behind me.

But all I could think of was you.

Day and night...

..sun and moon,

sleeping, waking, working, dreaming...

My life is naught without you.

I think you should go.

Tell me you wish me to go, then.

For I can't believe the words till I know they've come from the heart.

Drake, why do you suppose this has anything to do with the heart?

That is not how the world works.

But we are in the world, and must keep to its rules!

Must we? Yes!

And if you don't know that by now...

I don't know anything, Morwenna, except for what you tell me.

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

I must go.

Will I see you soon?

I'll send word.

And I'll send more toads.

If you were caught...

I shan't be! Just to know it made 'ee smile.

Oh!

My love?

Shall we to bed?

Forgive me. I'm so accustomed to being awake at all hours

of the night. I barely know how to sleep these days.

I was not suggesting sleep.

I think I'll go downstairs and read a while.

There's much work to catch up on.

Do you think Dwight and Caroline are ill-suited?

I think Caroline is in love with Dwight.

Or rather, the idea of Dwight.

But I don't think she'll ever know him. Especially now.

Now?

War takes a man places where no-one can follow.

But if a man's wife cannot help him, who can?

CROAKING

Where is Tom Harry?

He did it again, Wenna! He did it again!

LAUGHTER

Well, Ross, should we be off?

I think I know who can help Dwight.

Is there no end to your incompetence?

Begging your pardon, sir. These're not the toads we got rid of before.

These're ordinary toads, as live in the ponds of Marazanvose.

So?

So...maybe they walksed here.

Or maybe they've been brought.

Why would anyone do that?

Aye. There's a mystery!

The name Warleggan being so popular in the district...

Of course!

Who else knows of my aversion?

Who else would take the trouble to antagonise me in this way?

Ross? But that's so childish!

But typical of his scheming and malice.

I want five men on guard from tonight. Cancel all other duties.

The person responsible will be caught red-handed.

SHE MUTTERS

Did you laugh?

We tried not to...

SHE GIGGLES

..but really, the croaking was deafening.

And Mr Warleggan angry?

I left before he was up.

But he will be furious.

Cousin Elizabeth told me he's had an aversion to toads

ever since school.

There was an incident.

Involving Captain Ross?

I suspect so.

Then I can't stop now!

Drake, you must! 'Tis not worth the risk!

And did we not agree...

..some things are worth it?

SHE WHISTLES A CHEERFUL TUNE

JIG ON RECORDER

Shall we begin?

The sooner we clear, the sooner we plant.

'Tis a generous thought, Ross.

But should 'ee not better keep this meadow for your children?

How much land does a man need?

And besides, people have to eat.

No Drake?

Alas. He be fallen into sin.

Nay, brother. I believe what he be feeling be more akin to love.

But not holy love, sister.

Carnal love be damned in the eyes of the Lord.

Then mayhap the Lord should open his eyes wider and see the beauty

of the thing.

But the soul, sister?

This so-called love may spoil it for the life to come.

And the life that's now? Where I stand, there's much that's pure

and good and beautiful.

And I'd sooner worship that than fret about the next life.

And so, I venture, would Drake.

Stick more. See that line? Very good.

Good boy.

You seem feverish, Morwenna. Are you unwell?

Oh! No, sir, but the air was so bracing today.

You recollect Mr Whitworth is to visit us soon?

I know you'll consider the benefits of the match,

not only to yourself, but also to your mother and sisters.

A life of penury, from which you yourself have been saved.

Yes. Should I choose to wed Mr Whitworth.

ECHOEY SHOUTING

Am I dead, is this hell?

We're all in hell now.

Caught you!

What's the matter?

Dwight?

HE SOBS

What is it? Tell me!

Come, my love, you never used to be so girlish.

Shall I be forced to prescribe heart thorn?

Opium is more effective.

For what?

Inducing oblivion.

What's happened to my husband?

I've brought someone who may help you find him.

Beg pardon, ma'am. Is Drake Carne here? I've a message for him.

He may be in danger.

But you're not a surgeon. How can you help him?

Armitage!

Excuse me.

LAUGHTER

You have no idea how glad I am to see you.

I don't understand. He's safely returned to his wife and home.

Why is that not enough?

Be patient with him.

Crooked little mite, isn't he? Rickets is a cruel disease.

No sign of it yet, of course.

It'll be later when he goes to school

and can't run fast enough to escape the bullies.

Boys can be cruel, can't they?

Especially to one that gives himself heirs.

Especially to one who's grandfather was a blacksmith,

as your nephews never ceased to remind me.

Georgie, it was not your grandfather they mocked, but your pitiful

attempts to deny him. That's what you never understood.

This time next year we'll be harvesting oats and barley.

By the grace of God.

I'm away home to put the children to bed.

Take my share of the vittles?

In exchange for my share of ale?

A proper day's work.

Good ale, licky pie!

What more could a man want for?

Note brought for Mr Drake.

Master Geoffrey couldn't find him at the cottage, so left it here.

But why would he write to Drake?

What do he mean, "George has set a trap

"to catch whoever is filling the pond with toads"?

Do he think it's Drake?

Is it Drake? Very like.

Judas! Then he's walking straight into it!

I must go and stop him! Nay, maid. Not a word to Ross!

CROAKING

SHE CRACKS HER WHIP

That way! After 'em!

Argh!

Prudie shouldn't have told you.

Of course she should. You young fool!

Suppose you'd been recognised?

Or your sister?

I wasn't thinking.

You cannot imagine how delighted George would be to have you,

or me, in his power.

What the hell are you playing at?

Toads.

Toads?

I was filling his pond with them.

Continuing a family tradition.

How?

When we were at school...

..I used to fill his breeches with them.

You let them escape and failed even to identify them?

But of course it was Ross. I'm not an idiot!

There's no-one else would go out of their way to vex me in this manner.

LAUGHTER

Did I mention I've good news from Harrow?

Geoffrey Charles is to start there next term.

Oh.

A fine thought, is it not?

A new home and new friends.

Master Geoffrey!

Oh!

Did I hurt you?

My wound from the rescue of Dr Enys.

Not from carrying toads, then?

Uncle George had men on guard all night

and still they couldn't catch you!

Well, fancy that. It was you, wasn't it?

Lord, I'll miss you! Uncle George is sending me away to school.

Then I'll miss 'ee, too.

And Miss Morwenna.

What'll she do with herself when ee've gone?

Oh, she'll have no time to think of me once she's wed.

Wed? To who?

Oh, a clergyman, I think.

Uncle George arranged it.

A Mr Whitworth?

What do Miss Morwenna say?

Oh, I don't believe she's overly keen, but Mama said it's a

great match, so I expect she'll come around soon enough.

You've been a great friend to me, Drake, so I've brought you a gift.

Oh, no, Master Geoffrey, 'tis enough to have had your friendship.

You can open it later if you'd rather.

I'll be offended if you don't take it.

On one condition.

That you carry a message to Miss Morwenna.

Of course.

So the boy will go away to Harrow?

Yes.

And if it takes a fortnight there and back, what of it?

A fortnight?

Two weeks' travelling means two weeks less at home.

Which is surely the intention?

The intention is to provide my stepson with the best education

money can buy.

And there was I thinking it was to get him away from his mother,

so the crooked mite can take his place.

Call Tom Harry.

Is it your wound?

Nay. That laggard Tom Harry catched I such a clout.

Let me see.

So you know.

I'm to be wed.

Why've you kept it from me?

Oh, Drake. For so long I've tried to keep it from myself.

You must know I've no love for any man except...

What's the use in saying it?

We can never be together. Why can't we?

Cos I'm low-born?

Cos I bring nothing? Not money, not a home, not a good name.

Do you think I care about that?

Suppose I did ask you to wait...

..till I've made a goodly living, till I could provide for 'ee proper?

Say nothing now.

Go home. Consider all I've said.

Give me an answer when you're ready.

Soon, then.

I will give it soon.

Be it sacrilege to say so, I believe there be miracles after all.

Of what nature?

Miss Morwenna's to refuse Mr Whitworth and give her hand to you.

Can it be so?

When I've earned enough to provide for her.

Ross and I could help you.

Are you sure Miss Chynoweth has the strength to stand up to George?

She did say so.

And I think, if she truly love Drake,

there's naught that could sway her.

Are you out of your mind?

I beg you will forgive me.

I cannot accept Mr Whitworth's hand.

It's not as if there's any urgency to be rid of her.

Keeping her means we can delay sending Geoffrey Charles

away to school. My dear, you forget one thing.

The desirability of aligning ourselves with the Godolphins.

And are we now to be thwarted by some nonsensical ideas

of girlish sentiment?

DOOR OPENS

Well?

Morwenna!

Perhaps you can clarify something?

How long have you been meeting with Drake Carne?

I...

Er... Six months? A year?

I've questioned the servants.

It appears you've been seeing him regularly,

and have embroiled Geoffrey Charles in your deceit.

It was Geoffrey Charles who first took a liking to him, and I thought,

because he was a Poldark relative, what harm could there be?

What harm in fraternising with a relative of my sworn enemy?

I was glad to see Geoffrey Charles so happy.

And, yes, I entered into that happiness

and allowed Drake to become fond of me and...

I of him.

And as a consequence, now refuse the impeccable match we've arranged,

instead have given yourself to an illiterate miner.

I have not "given myself"! Nevertheless,

it's plain that our family is now tainted by its association with you.

Mr Whitworth must of course be released from his obligation.

And you must be sent home to your mother

as soon as it can be arranged.

I understand.

She does not appear at all dismayed.

I thought Caroline was different.

I thought she had imagination,

yet she seems incapable of imagining what it's like to come home

to a life which is utterly vacuous.

My mother's no different.

She tries to tell me of the latest intrigues, the newest fashions.

Does that not infuriate you? All the time.

And then I remember that she has not lived as I have lived.

As we have lived.

For my birthday I want a new gown.

Let Mistress Trelask come and take measurements...

Preferably for your coffin.

..and have the date marked in the family Bible

as proof that I outlasted any Poldark afore me.

Oh, Geoffrey, that reminds me.

This morning I noticed your Bible was not in its place beside the bed.

Has it been moved?

CLUCKING 'Tis good of 'ee to help, sister.

I must make the most of it. Someone else may be here next year.

What business have 'ee here?

You stay here and keep guard.

You can't go in there. That's trespassing!

You can't just...

What do 'ee want?

What do 'ee think to find?

This be a God-fearing, law-abiding house.

You can't take that. 'Twas a gift from a friend.

Drake Carne, I have orders to take 'ee to Truro jail.

On what charge?

The theft of a valuable Bible from the house of Mr George Warleggan.

Bible? I've never even opened it to see what it was.

Judas! I'd no idea 'twas such a fine thing.

Why would he give it me? Its worth must be... Upward of 40 shillings.

This is a mistake. This Bible was a gift.

Take him away!

'Ee have no proof it were theft.

I tell you, 'twas freely given!

TOM HARRY CHUCKLES

Describe it to me.

Leather, very ornate, with a silver clasp and buckle.

Tom Harry said its worth could be upward of 40 shillings.

Oh. Damn it. What?

Theft of goods worth 40 shillings or more is a capital offence.

Capital?

What, you mean Drake could hang?

We must tell them there's been a mistake!

Drake's not the sort to steal, Ross.

I'll go and plead before the magistrate myself.

A good plan, but for one thing.

The magistrate is George.

What?

Why else do you think he's arranged it this way?

Not only will your pleas fall on deaf ears,

he'll be all the more vicious with the sentencing. Judas, Ross!

Why could you not have been magistrate?

Why did you turn down the chance when 'twas offered?

The thought has occurred to me.

So what's to be done?

DOOR SLAMS, KEYS JINGLE

GEORGE MUTTERS TO HIMSELF

Ah, the hero of Quimper!

How dull it must seem to be home.

On the contrary...

..since your decision to prosecute my brother-in-law.

You admit the connection?

Should I be ashamed of it?

To be related to a thief?

He is no such thing, as you well know. Geoffrey Charles...

..is a child whose emotions are easily played on.

Your brother-in-law insinuated himself into his affections,

into this household, where he contrived to steal a valuable

family item, hoping no doubt to turn it into ready money.

He's a Methodist. How likely is that? Furthermore,

he callously engaged the affections of an impressionable young girl,

and finally, deliberately polluted my grounds

on several occasions this summer.

With what?

A type of...

..amphibian.

That was wrong of him.

George, my brother-in-law appears to have a deep attachment

for Geoffrey Charles and Morwenna, and they for him.

His attempt to gain influence over two naive young gentlefolk

is an intolerable presumption.

Because of the disparity in station?

But have you yourself not so presumed...

..in marrying Elizabeth?

Get out of my house.

One moment.

I ask you to consider

whether we can achieve a settlement out of court,

if only for the sake of our wives.

Your wife is no concern of mine,

and Elizabeth has no interest in the matter.

Nor her cousin, Miss Chynoweth?

When this case comes to court, her involvement will be known

at considerable harm to her reputation. Miss Chynoweth has

indeed compromised herself, so is being sent home to her mother.

Her engagement to Mr Whitworth is at an end,

likewise her association with this family,

so you can dismiss any thoughts of blackmailing me into submission.

Let him go, George.

The boy is charged. There's nothing more to say.

Very well.

There's unrest in the district.

There's always unrest in the district. But more so.

Since the fencing of common land...

..taking back a meeting house...

..shutting down a mine while still in profit.

Only my influence has prevented a repetition of the attack

which occurred on your house last year.

If Drake Carne hangs, the people will rise up

and I will be powerless to stop them.

Idle threats.

Are you sure?

You make me ashamed, Armitage.

You are the navigator, I the physician,

yet you have found the cure.

Not the cure, but a direction by which we may come at a cure.

And if that doesn't work, there's always poetry.

HORSE BRAYS

So Drake will hang?

Not if I can help it.

Where are you going?

To engage an attorney, to discover who else is on the bench

so I may throw myself on their mercy.

And to ask Dwight Enys and Hugh Armitage to plead on Drake's behalf.

God forgive me.

I've failed. No, Sam.

All these years I spent trying to snatch souls from the foul fiend,

but I can't save my own brother from the noose.

Of course I'll testify. Do you think it will do any good?

I have no idea.

But I can't let him die without a fight.

You're a good friend, Ross.

I won't forget what you did for me.

I wish there was a way to repay you.

There is.

Tell Caroline.

What?

How it stands with you now.

She'll never understand.

Try her.

I wonder, my dear, is there a better way?

Of course I endorse your right to see the boy punished.

But Ross was very clear about the consequences.

Are you afraid of him?

I only mean that, if there was a way to compromise,

without seeming to yield...

IN DISTANCE: I need no announcing. Of course they'll see me!

I'm here to inform you that there are now several other parties

clamouring to become Mrs Whitworth.

And since Miss Chynoweth seems blind to the advantages

of our proposed match, I must beg to be released from my obligation.

Of course, if you wish. One moment, sir.

Would you excuse us for five minutes?

By all means.

Is this not good news?

Now we need not tell him of Morwenna's disgrace.

It is excellent news.

But not for that reason.

Ah...

You know, do you not, that we wish only the best for you?

'Tis a pity such kindness extends no further.

For then an innocent man would not lie in jail.

You seem very sure he's innocent. I would stake my life on it.

And what, I wonder, would you stake to see him acquitted?

Come on, boy. Let's be having you.

I only hope my testimony will be as much use to Drake

as it was for Ross in Bodmin.

You're an escaped prisoner of war and a hero.

If they don't heed you...

Let us pray, sister. 'Tis all we can do.

Save your breath.

It may not be needed after all.

I can't believe they let you go!

The charge was just dropped. Lord knows why.

Truly, he move in mysterious ways!

What will 'ee do now, Master Drake? How will 'ee celebrate?

By accepting my offer to find him a share in a profitable business

so he may go and ask for the hand of a certain young lady.

Oh, is she free?

Sent home to her mother in disgrace. The engagement's off.

Ross told me I must tell you...

You're leaving me.

No.

My desire to return to the Navy is not for want of love for you,

but for want of knowing how to live in this world.

This place, lovely as it is, now seems alien to me.

Accustomed to the cries of wounded men, the quiet appals me.

I have slept so long on filthy straw

that soft linen seems wanton luxury.

Having lived in the shadow of the firing squad,

the least noise makes me scream.

And every breath I take makes me feel guilt...

..that I am here and others are not.

You think me ungrateful

if I decline an invitation or some delicacy you've prepared.

But in truth, I've no appetite for food or society.

All I wish is to hide away until the world no longer seems strange to me.

Is that why Ross sent for Hugh Armitage?

There is a...

There is a kind of bond between men who have seen atrocities

and survived, a need to talk...

..until all the horror is talked away.

I will not have you hear such things, but till Hugh came...

..I knew not how to be rid of them.

And are you now rid of them?

It's...

It's a beginning.

Can you bear with me?

I can bear anything now that I know I've not lost your love.

I think congratulations are in order.

One stone, many birds.

A boatyard, maybe... Or a smithy...

..with its own cottage... Not as it need be grand.

Miss Morwenna have no airs and graces.

Nay, I believe she'd be content with a sty if she have you alongside her!

A note just come from Trenwith.

It's Aunt Agatha's hand.

Truro lacks an MP.

Change is long overdue with the right man in place.

Captain Ross Poldark!

I will not have that man in my house.

Surely, on her 100th birthday, we can grant her this request?

I never knew you had ambitions to be a political wife. Nor DO I.

But you, your influence is great. There's much good you could do.

Why, sister, would you agree to marry that man?

Is he unkind to you? He's a monster.

Don't make me strike you! So help me I will!

Lieutenant Armitage was most attentive to your wife.

What do you want, Demelza?

That was no eight-month baby, George.

So maybe somebody got there before ye!

BIRDSONG