LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

Work for reform from within the House.

LINNEY: Previously, on "Poldark"... Where is our compassion for these slaves?

(crowd cheering) Good day, Mister Drake.

OSBORNE: You will do as I command!

I will kill your son!

OSBORNE: My wife, she's beyond help and would be better off in an institution.

DWIGHT: Sarah will not live.

She has a defect of the heart.

CAROLINE: While I remain in this house, I will never come to grips with the loss of her.

DWIGHT: Where will you go?

CAROLINE: To London.

I'll do my best to bring Caroline back to you.

LINNEY: "Poldark," tonight on "Masterpiece."

♪ ♪ (waves crashing) ♪ ♪ (Clowance laughing) DEMELZA: "Dearest Ross, "you are sorely missed by your children, your wife, your dog, and by all at home for whom you speak."

(members of Parliament clamoring) SPEAKER: Order!

Order!

Gentlemen!

ROSS: Mr. Speaker, the honorable member for Ilchester has suggested that poverty is a condition that Christianity may condone.

May I inform him that his arguments are repellent as, as they are fatuous.

Sit down.

DEMELZA: "This week, we've heard again how scarcity of food does take its toll."

DWIGHT: There's fever in Sawle.

Six failing, four dead.

If they were stronger, they could fight it.

But they've barely a crust between them.

ROSS: Shamefully, some here considered it acceptable for small children to be regarded as inevitable casualties of our current food shortages.

(clamoring) DEMELZA: "Some blame the war, some the poor harvest.

"Yet how can it be that a man has work yet still can't afford to feed his family?"

ROSS: Mr. Speaker, yet again this House declines to endorse a bill to enforce a fixed price for grain.

Is it a mere coincidence that many of our members are also corn merchants?

And how long, how long will we turn a blind eye to the suffering of the needy?

If they're that needy, let them apply to the poorhouse!

(members clamoring) BASSET: Nothing the House dislikes more than inconvenient truths thrust in its face.

How does one ever get anything done?

Patience, stealth, compromise.

Guineas.

DWIGHT: This child is malnourished.

Cap'n Ross did vow to put an end to this.

Nay, Sam.

He went to Westminster to begin the process.

But what have he achieved?

Since he went away, have aught changed?

BASSET: How is your wife?

ROSS: Commanding the house at home.

With more distinction than I can do here.

For all the use I am, I might as well be in Cornwall.

You can surely be of use to His Lordship.

Is not his bill due to come before the House?

The new road through St. Day?

And the demolition of half a village to make way for it.

He'll be counting on your support.

Yes, he's made that very clear.

♪ ♪ (talking indistinctly) (whispering indistinctly) Captain Poldark.

Are you here to look after your constituents?

That is the task of an MP, is it not?

Have we met?

Not in the House, at any rate.

My lord, will you and the captain join me this evening?

A small gathering.

No more than a hundred of your closest friends?

A pleasure, ma'am.

ADDERLEY: What a tiresome fellow.

(laughs) A lost child is not easily forgot.

Unless one comes to London.

(birds chirping) A slight fever, but no cause for alarm.

(sighs): I know I worry overmuch.

Forgive me, Mrs. Whitworth.

You're aware your husband once suggested... that you might harm the child?

I would never do so.

I entirely believe you.

But why say it?

It's the only weapon I have against my husband's... attentions.

♪ ♪ 'Tis a little bare and cheerless, but a woman's touch... Rosina's.

You have a taking for her, don't you?

Well, somewhat.

But 'tisn't love, sister.

Least, not what I recollect of love.

But that love can never come again.

I know it.

And Rosina don't rattle away like other girls.

She's quiet, thoughtful, and kind.

And in time, love might grow.

Is that how it was for you?

No.

No, 'twas with me always.

But not with Ross.

He did not love me when first we wed.

But he came to.

Do you not think, Vicar, that my new gown deserves matching slippers?

Oh... (horse whinnies in distance) Hmm.

(coins clinking) I... may be obliged to limit these visits.

Yes, Vicar?

In fact, it will be for the best when I no longer visit at all.

Whatever you say, Vicar.

(bell tolling in distance) (knock at door) Mrs. Parkers, do you know, is there a poorhouse hereabouts?

St. Leonard's, sir.

My nephew's there.

To my shame.

Is he in debt?

Has he lost employment?

Oh, no, sir.

He had wages, just not enough to live on.

♪ ♪ WHITWORTH: Miss Cane, your experience in dealing with unstable and aggressive patients will prove invaluable.

Every time I approach my wife to... comfort her as only a husband can, she vows to murder our son.

What can be done?

♪ ♪ No, please.

Please.

Please don't... ♪ ♪ (breathing fitfully) (Drake clears throat) 'Ee must know that I've a liking for thee.

And 'tis on that account that I wish to explain what's in my heart.

For 'ee've maybe heard rumors of a girl I did once love.

And maybe 'twas ill-wished from the start but love her I did.

And love her I always shall.

'Tis a hard thing to hear, I know.

But I can't abare to say what next I wish to say, without ye knowing the truth.

I like 'ee.

Take pleasure in your company.

I can offer 'ee a home, a hearth, a... quiet yet comfortable livin'.

♪ ♪ Maybe you'll go off and think it over and...

In due time give me your answer.

No, Drake.

I need no time.

You're a brave and honest man, and I believe our life together will be good.

♪ ♪ May I call tomorrow to ask your father's permission?

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ (bell tolling) (party music playing, guests talking indistinctly) ROSS: Who are these people?

My new acquaintances.

From London, Oxford, Bath... Not from Cornwall.

Sometimes the last thing one wants is to be reminded of home.

Ah, here's Captain Adderley.

(talking indistinctly) GEORGE: You see his game?

Squiring her around London so as to ingratiate himself further into high society.

Enys would not be impressed.

Nor Demelza.

(dog barking, fire crackling) Is there scurvy in Mellin?

I sent my steward with potatoes and carrots.

There's no oranges to be had for love nor money.

This is for the mine, (door opens) but how many it'll feed?

Do it not make a body wonder?

What they London folk get up to?

I hope they have a care for one another.

As your mistress and I do here.

Hmm.

(door opens, closes) It's true that of late I've come to regard this as more of a home than Killewarren.

The children's laughter consoles me.

Sometimes at Killewarren I find the silence oppressive.

Nights especially.

Do you picture them ever?

Ross and Caroline, together, in a world of which we have no part?

Might not fit, as they fit in.

Hmm.

Do you not sometimes wonder...?

If they'd met each other before they met us...

They'd be better matched?

(chuckles): Would we?

(chuckles) Have you heard, sister?

Rosina said yes!

Oh... That's cheerful news!

And a blessin'.

For though Rosina be not of the connection, she's a God-fearing girl and will surely mend his ways.

And his heart, it's to be hoped.

That especially.

(party music playing, laughter) (talking indistinctly) ADDERLEY: Ah, Mrs. Warleggan.

Captain P. is out of favor.

What makes you say so?

Well, relations between you seem less... warm than that night at Trenwith.

Ross?

Was at my house?

In your gardens.

I took him for an errant troubadour.

You don't recall me telling you?

Because your mind was more agreeably occupied.

It was the night you vowed to return to Parliament.

Ah.

Of course, that would account for it.

Mmm.

(clears throat softly) I do wonder that such a thing escaped me.

The thought of Ross and my property... My dear, must we revisit the subject?

Did we not agree?

Suspicion has no place in a marriage.

We did agree.

STEWARD: Your hat, sir.

(guests talking indistinctly) The night is young.

(sighs): And I am not.

I have a full day in Parliament tomorrow.

Well, I have no intention of retiring until I fall asleep the moment I close my eyes.

I see that.

(door closes) ♪ ♪ (door opens) MORWENNA: Ossie.

(door closes) Why are you here?

You know what I told you.

Yes, my dear.

That you would murder our son.

But Miss Cane is here now.

She will never let him out of her sight, so your threat is quite futile.

(crying softly) But your duty remains.

So let us say a little prayer.

And then you will submit to me.

(door opens) ♪ ♪ (men talking indistinctly) MAN: Next.

♪ ♪ (man coughing) ♪ ♪ DRAKE: So we thought Easter Week.

In haste, are 'ee?

Not at all, sir.

My Rosie be a fitty maid.

DRAKE: Yes, sir.

JACKA: Handy with a needle and thread.

By rights I should be recompensed.

Is not a well-matched daughter recompense?

Look... How if I offered to mend all thy tools free of charge?

Ha!

So it's bribery now?

Father.

HARRY: My brother Tom warned me of thee!

Sayin' what?

What a sneavy snivey li'l worm 'ee be.

Rosina.

Do you and I talk over arrangements for the wedding breakfast.

She'll not find a truer, honester man than my brother.

Amen to that!

A poorhouse?

To my shame, I've never set foot inside one.

I wish every member of this House could do so.

They would soon see why men would rather starve than commit themselves to such a degrading institution.

But if people lack employment...

Many do not.

They only lack the sufficiency to meet the price of bread.

And Parliament lacks the will to remedy that.

Perhaps there is no remedy.

Perhaps I should throw up my hands and go home.

(people calling outside, fire crackling) Is that new?

How can we afford such fine things?

How do you think, my love?

Every week, I save a few pence of your earnings so that we may allow ourselves these little indulgences.

You're too good for me, Rowella.

Never did I think to marry such a goddess.

You are Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite.

My love, your mother and sisters.

So kind, always thinking of others.

Give them my love.

Tell them I will visit next week.

(footsteps retreating, door opens, closes) ♪ ♪ Dr. Enys?

Ah, Mr. Solway.

Your sisters have the ague.

It's nothing to be concerned about, but they are resting and should not be disturbed.

I thank you, sir.

I'll visit them tomorrow.

CROUPIER: The house wins.

I really am quite hopeless.

Should I quit the field?

Well, that seems a pity, when it affords you such pleasure.

Interesting advice.

Entirely disinterested.

Having nothing to lose, I have nothing to gain.

How often we see those with nothing to lose assisting others to lose all they have.

CROUPIER: No more wagers.

(crashing, people gasp) Damn it, sir.

You will pay me in full or give me satisfaction!

Do I make myself clear, Poldark?

Are these gentlemen annoying you?

Who the devil are you?

(groans) ROSS: Interesting maneuver.

(groaning) Not one I'd recommend after two bottles of port.

I don't believe we've been introduced.

The Honorable Jasper Inchcliffe.

And I am Viscount Bollington.

(Inchcliffe moaning) Oh.

I have the honor of being acquainted with both your fathers at Westminster.

So.

How may we resolve this to everyone's satisfaction?

(wretches) (people murmur in disgust) (people talking in background) (dog barking in distance) (trying door) ♪ ♪ (gate unlatches, creaks) ROWELLA: Oh, yes, Vicar.

(Whitworth talking inaudibly) God Almighty!

(Rowella talking indistinctly) (Whitworth gasps) ♪ ♪ (crying softly) I hope this will recompense you for your trouble.

No trouble at all, sir.

Truth be told, it's why I work here.

There's always some gent paying me to swab up after their relations.

Were it not for that, I'd never make ends meet.

(chuckles) (towel dunking in water) CROUPIER : No more wagers.

♪ ♪ (sighs) (exhales) Do I look dreadful?

Good night.

♪ ♪ Ross!

A fortunate misunderstanding.

Fortunate?

In that I was the target, not Geoffrey Charles.

Where is he?

Returned to Harrow.

Lesson learnt.

Are you quite sure he was gambling?

I myself discharged the debt.

I must repay you.

It's the least I can do for my nephew.

(Ross pouring) (bell ringing in distance) Ross, do you suppose... Will this become a habit?

Is he like... Like his father?

I hope so.

For a truer, more generous heart would be hard to find.

I shall write and reprimand him.

No, do not.

If he thinks I've informed on him, he will no longer trust me.

And if I can keep an eye on him... That role should fall to George.

We both know he would not want it.

Nor would Geoffrey Charles.

I'm obliged to you, Ross.

And I agree, Geoffrey Charles does not need to be told of our meeting.

Any more than George does.

Then the subject is closed.

♪ ♪ ROSS: "My dearest Demelza.

"Thoughts of you console me "and bolster my resolve "against the challenges of the House, "where I find I have few allies.

"I have a scheme in mind, but doubt it will be well received.

Yet all the while, the food shortages continue."

♪ ♪ DEMELZA: "My dearest Ross.

"Our fortunes here are yet to improve.

"In Sawle, the fever carried off three young Nanfans.

"Dwight could do nothing, for they were weak with starvation."

♪ ♪ "The loss of innocent lives "makes me feel more keenly our own loss.

And the distance between us."

You seem very far away.

Where are you?

Nampara.

Thinking of my daughter.

Dear Clowance.

No, no.

Julia.

Oh-- forgive me, I have no wish to intrude.

Did I tell you how she died in my arms?

How I watched her take her last breath?

I could not conceive how the life could go out of her, when the day before I'd... danced her on my knee.

We are taught to be strong, to betray no weakness.

But that night I learned to be strong is weakness.

Pain should not be avoided.

Tears must fall.

♪ ♪ (cries quietly, swallows) (birds chirping, bell tolling) (exhales) (sighs) I shall visit Nat Pearce today.

Extraordinary how he lingers on.

Extraordinary, too, that you find not the smallest pleasure in our congress.

Quite... baffling.

♪ ♪ WHITWORTH (off-screen): God's blessing be upon you.

You'll need them, where you're going.

Yet I must thank you for lingering on.

My visits here have provided the perfect cover for me to service my ardent young sister-in-law.

Of course, now that I've prevailed upon my wife to resume her... duties, I'll no longer require those services.

So today will be the last time I visit either of you.

And may I cheerfully say, the devil take you both.

(chuckles) (croaking): And you, sir.

(door closes) ROSS: I've been thinking on this.

Suppose you're a waiter.

You earn a pittance.

But with my small gratuity-- and that of others like me-- you go some way towards making ends meet.

Yes?

Thus saving yourself from the poorhouse.

And?

Thus saving the state from having to pay out even more to fund an institution which everyone hates.

In other words... Help the workers to keep working... By helping them to eat.

(dog barking, bell tolling) Oh, Vicar, did I mention, the roof has begun to leak?

Good to know.

But repairs are so expensive...

However will you manage?

Well, I was hoping...

Blessed are they who live in hope, for they shall receive God's benison.

Go forth, saith the Lord, and count thy blessings.

For you have had the last of them.

(door opens, closes) ♪ ♪ I never thought I'd see you smile again.

Well, 'tis not something comes easy, even now.

Then you must practice more.

For tomorrow, you're to be wed. And in time, like Ross and me... Love may grow?

Love will grow.

(humming "Lillibullero") (branches cracking) (horse whinnying) Reverend Whitworth?

What do you want?

This is what I want.

(both grunting, struggling) You!

(horse whinnying) (groans) (Whitworth shrieking) ♪ ♪ ROWELLA: You're later than usual.

Were your sisters well?

Arthur?

♪ ♪ (exhales) (waves crashing) ♪ ♪ (talking softly) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping) (knocking) ♪ ♪ (giggling) ♪ ♪ Dead!

♪ ♪ ♪ She's out in the meadow flower gathering ♪ ♪ In the merry morning of May ♪ Why tell me, sister?

Why not keep me in the dark and let me wed that sweet, sweet girl?

Oh, Drake.

You know why.

(crying softly) ♪ ♪ This was no accident.

I cannot tell you, ma'am.

I was not there.

No, I am telling you.

These lacerations and bruises... Are consistent with a fall and the headlong bolt of a horse.

For which he could not possibly be at fault.

My son was an excellent horseman.

Did he not ride to hounds?

But clearly someone is to blame, and I will not rest till I discover who it is.

♪ ♪ I went to the smithy, found no sign of 'im.

Zacky see'd 'im with Rosina, then he left, none knows where.

Judas, Sam.

Should I have told him?

Should I first have let him wed Rosina?

Yes.

For she'd've made him a good and proper wife, and they'd've grown happy and served Christ together.

Yes.

But then he'd never have forgiven me.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (baby babbling) (footsteps approaching) Demelza.

Drake's gone.

And Rosina?

Rosina's brave, Jacka's raging, as is half the village.

I don't wonder.

To jilt a girl on her wedding day?

Dwight, what shall I do?

I'm that weary of keeping the peace, and...

I just wish somebody would take care of me!

Yes.

Ross should be here.

And Caroline.

♪ ♪ (door opens) So first you torment me, and then you abandon me?

Return with me to Cornwall.

Sir Francis has room in his carriage.

We will have the swiftest possible journey.

Dwight would not thank me for returning with my demons still intact.

You know very well he will embrace you, demons and all.

(clock chiming) I did not weep.

Could not.

Even when Sarah grew cold in my arms.

I thought if I could only keep hold of her, I could will her back to life.

When Dwight finally prized her from me, the agony was... so overwhelming.

I had to remove myself from even the possibility of ever feeling that again.

By coming to London.

You know, there's nowhere like London for numbing the senses.

Is that what you desire?

Still?

For now.

But I have begun to weep, Ross.

And I will do so again.

SAM: Help yourself.

DEMELZA: Here, take some bread.

JACKA: Ha-- mistress or no, don' 'ee think you'll buy our favor!

Whenever he shows his face, brother of yours'll pay for what he done!

Here.

ROWELLA: It's unfortunate we cannot attend the funeral.

I will write to my sister, commiserating with her on the terrible news.

Some people think it was murder.

Do they?

But if that were the case, would not a weapon have been found?

♪ ♪ (bell tolls, birds chirping) (people talking quietly) True, yes.

Plans have been made.

I shall take charge of John Conan.

As my grandson and heir, he will be properly educated.

His mother is wholly incapable.

No wonder Osborne despaired of her.

(people gasping) Miss Cane, fetch the smelling salts.

Mrs. Whitworth has fainted.

Morwenna?

♪ ♪ (exhales sharply) ♪ ♪ GEORGE: Sincere condolences.

You must feel the loss keenly.

I feel nothing.

But relief.

I loathed him with every bone in my body.

He sought to have me committed.

He took away my son.

He violated me again and again and again.

(stammering): I did not know.

We could not possibly have known, cousin.

Our only thought was to provide you with an advantageous match... Advantageous to whom?

(clears throat) ♪ ♪ He's gone.

But where?

♪ ♪ (door opens) (gate opening) Morwenna.

Do not... What is it?

Please.

Leave me, go away.

I had to come.

I been sleeping rough, I know I don' look seemly, I beg 'ee to excuse that.

I cannot.

I cannot bear.

If it's too soon, I can come again tomorrow.

Just tell me when... Never.

What?

I'm sick.

Tainted.

It's done with.

Ended.

Please leave me now and never come back.

No.

Morwenna, we can't part like this.

Who is this person, Morwenna?

Beggin' your pardon, ma'am.

I'm... a friend.

A well-wisher.

I come to inquire... Go inside, Morwenna.

So please you, ma'am.

Elliot?

Clegg?

Morwenna.

Horsewhip this person, then remove him from the premises.

Drake Carne was found lurking outside the vicarage?

Osborne's death may not be an accident after all.

You surely don't suggest... Where is Harry?

(sighs) (rooster crowing) Should we not send for Cap'n Ross?

He've London matters to attend to.

And besides, what could he do here?

Well, 'tis hoped the thing will blow over soon enough.

And no harm done.

(knocking on door) Mr. Warleggan did send me in his stead.

Thy little brother is wanted.

I have orders to search the house.

(scoffs) Well, George Warleggan don't give orders here-- I do.

An' you'll not set foot across this threshold.

Care to wager that, missus?

(groaning) HARRY (knocking): Hey!

Hey!

♪ ♪ Lunch at Ashbourne or shall we press on?

The latter.

If we're to succeed with this, the sooner we put forward the scheme... You will, of course, require Lord Falmouth's agreement.

As foremost landowner in the district, nothing will pass without him.

ELIZABETH: He had no business to threaten them.

If they were sheltering a felon... What proof had you that they were?

Or that Drake Carne is a felon?

You go too far, George.

My dear, I merely wish to see justice done.

For whose benefit?

Morwenna's?

You heard her, she is glad Osborne is dead.

Nonetheless... George.

The man was a monster.

And we forced her to wed him.

If you value my love... You know I do!

Do not pursue Drake Carne.

As you wish, my dear.

(Harry clears throat) (loudly): We will call off the search for Drake Carne.

(loudly, awkwardly): Yes, sir.

(quietly): There will be other ways to punish him.

♪ ♪ HARRY: See thee, Jacka, it's a terrible thing young Carne did to thy daughter!

Don' I know it!

Last time, Tom let him wriggle off the hook.

This time, we'll do a proper job.

♪ ♪ DEMELZA: Dear God.

It gets worser and worse!

What can we do?

Pray for forgiveness, for sins and sinners.

Why?

Is it a sin to seek happiness for ourselves and others?

Only our merciful Father knows that.

Do He?

Sometimes it do feel like He don't think about happiness at all!

ROSINA: What a wicked thing to have happened.

I can't think 'twas an accident.

Nor we, maid.

Rosina.

When Drake came to you, did he, he tell you where he was going?

No, ma'am.

Only what had happened and that he had to go, because of what he called his "prior love."

Rosina, I'm that sorry.

To think if it had happened only an hour later, we'd be wed now.

And I know he'd never have left me.

♪ ♪ FALMOUTH: So if I understand you correctly, after a year in which you have not once voted as I directed and ignored my proposal for a road through St. Day, you now come to me seeking my support for a proposal of your own-- which will cost me dear and deliver me nothing in return.

♪ ♪ (crying) SAM: Oh, praise God.

Oh, we been waitin' here, prayin' for 'ee to come home.

Pay no heed to this, brother.

She's changed.

She don't want me.

She won't see me ever again.

Hey.

(quietly): It's all right.

Brother, Sam'll take you home with him.

♪ ♪ (waves crashing) Ross!

(sighs) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping) (rooster crowing) DEMELZA: I wish the world would go away.

What world?

Promise me you won't go after George.

(chuckles) I couldn't bear to have the feud stoked up again.

I'll let it pass this once.

For your sake.

Oh, and not for yours?

Will you not need his consent for your scheme today?

Which he'll refuse on principle.

So 'twill be a wasted journey.

Not entirely.

♪ ♪ ROSS: So, in short, I propose a means-tested sliding scale of wage supplements in order to mitigate the worst effects of the current food crisis.

And by doing so, we can keep our mines and our mills working, and our workers fed.

And the cost of all this?

Would fall on the landowners of this parish.

We who are assembled here today.

(grumbling) And where, pray, is the incentive to work, if one pays people to be idle?

I believe, sir, you misunderstand the principle.

Do I?

The assistance is temporary-- while the price of grain is prohibitive-- to enable people to live and not die.

Of course, another solution would be for the grain merchants to lower their prices.

Why should they?

Do they not have a living to make as well as anyone else?

Speaking for myself, I have no capital to spare.

(softly): Because you've spent it all buying up an entire borough.

And besides, if the scheme is to work, surely it's only fair that all landowners in the district participate.

Where is Lord Falmouth?

If he is not willing, why should anyone else be?

Well, I suggest we take a vote.

Those in favor?

And those against?

Since there's no clear majority... (door opens) FALMOUTH: I rather think there is.

I believe I'm just in time to cast my vote.

(talking indistinctly) FALMOUTH: The bill I have in mind has a particular place in my heart.

Were the road in question to be built, it will considerably aid my scheme to clear the hovels of St. Day and build in their place an extension to my estate.

And the hovels of St. Day?

Specifically their inhabitants?

(sighs) They will be rehoused.

At my expense.

You have my word.

You have my vote.

As you have had mine.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I wish I could stay longer.

You did what you came to do.

Now you must tell Westminster.

If it will listen.

Make it listen.

(urging horse) ♪ ♪ ROSS: So...

I propose that this new system of poor relief-- devised in my own constituency, implemented with great success-- should be adopted nationally, so that health, welfare, and maintenance become the birthright not of the few, but of all!

(members clamoring) Have the honorable member for Truro call on me.

He has some interesting things to say.

♪ ♪ LINNEY: Next time, on "Masterpiece"... ROSS: I doubt George would approve of my visit?

I suspect him of being about some scheme or other.

Against me?

You lie!

DWIGHT: Ross, enough.

I'll have you expelled from Parliament!

Good gracious, Mrs. Warleggan!

CAROLINE: Dwight, help her!

GEORGE: Carriage!

Call for my carriage!

LINNEY: "Poldark," next time, on "Masterpiece."

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Go to the "Masterpiece" website.

Watch full episodes, listen to our podcast, and more.

To order this program on Blu-ray or DVD, visit shop.PBS.org.

Also available on Amazon Prime Video.

The original novels are also available.

♪ ♪