This is Masterpiece.

I wish I could help you.

For my own sake I can bear it, but for my son?

Previously on "Poldark."

You'll make an offer for Geoffrey Charles's holding in Wheal Grace.

I came to tell you I'm leaving.

DEMELZA: To be with Caroline?

Do the smugglers intend to use your cove tonight?

Ambush.

Reload!

(groans) GEORGE: I'm told they have their eye on a bigger prize.

I pity anyone who must depend on such a man.

TANKARD: I wonder she does not remarry.

A husband could offer her more protection.

He could.

And he will.

And he will.

"Poldark," to night o ♪ ♪asterpiece.

(dog barking, chickens clucking) (indistinct conversation) What did he bring?

A proposal.

From Trencrom.

Judas, Ross, will you never learn?

Possibly not.

You're about to stand trial for being part of a smuggling run.

I can't bear it all over again.

So you can tell Trencrom, till he offers to stand in court in your place, he can sling his proposals, and his guineas, and his secret caches off Damsel Point!

My money's on transportation.

It's not essential.

Elizabeth's already unnerved by his involvement.

Any form of discredit in court today will suffice.

Hm-- I admire your confidence.

When one has laid the foundations, one has every right to expect a result.

CLERK: Call Ross Poldark.

Well, well, here we are again.

There are those who seem capable of learning from their mistakes and those who do not.

Clearly you fall into the latter category.

Mr. Poldark?

With the deepest respect, sir, I beg to differ.

On what grounds?

On the grounds that on the night in question I was not at Nampara Cove, but at St. Ives.

I can produce three witnesses to swear to the fact.

Customs Officer Vercoe alleges you were part of the smuggling operation, that you attacked him and broke his nose.

I'm very sorry to hear about Mr. Vercoe's injury, sir, but as my witnesses will testify, the assailant could not possibly have been I. Aye, sir, it's true, sir.

Case dismissed.

(crowd murmurs) CLERK: Call Dwight Enys.

I have perused your statement, and I find it singularly unconvincing.

No man, no educated man, can suddenly appear on a cliff edge and start building a bonfire without certain conclusions being drawn.

What explanation can you offer?

It was a cold night, and my coat was thin.

(laughter) A heavy responsibility rests upon all men of reputation to help stamp out the illegal conduct of their less enlightened neighbors, not to encourage or participate in it.

What have you to say?

Nothing that would convince you, sir.

Fined £50 or three months imprisonment.

(murmuring) (quietly): Sir.

Mr. Trencrom offers to pay your fine.

Tell Mr. Trencrom I thank him, but I'm perfectly capable of paying my own fine.

You should take his bounty, Dwight.

He looks after his friends.

Mr. Trencrom is not my friend.

I did not go to all that trouble for his sake.

No, for mine, and you know what I feel about that?

You've told me many times.

I am under an enduring debt.

No.

DEMELZA: Enduring.

So now it's all over, when do you leave for Bath?

I've no plans to do so.

But your... your wedding to Caroline?

Is off.

We were incompatible.

I see that now.

Could never have lasted, and it would have led to misery on both sides.

I never thought I'd see the day.

That I'd go to jail?

That you'd play the penitent to avoid it.

I played the game.

I thought that's what you wanted.

All I can say is this: I will never again be guilty of such recklessness.

(door opens) Captain Henshawe to see ye, sir.

Captain Ross, ma'am, excuse the intrusion, but I'd like for ye to see something.

What's that?

The last of our coal?

Hah.

Tin.

Tin?

From that main shaft we're sinking, below the 60 fathoms.

They come upon it today.

Have you been down?

Is there any size to it?

Six foot or more across, and we don't yet know how deep.

We've spent 18 months searching for copper, and you expect me to get excited over a parcel of tin?

Who found it?

Ted Carkeek and Paul Daniel.

Hm, and they think they've discovered El Dorado?

I'd like for you to come and see it for yourself.

Trevithick reckons his engine should last 50 years.

No doubt he's right.

Well, given the opportunity.

PAUL: 'Tis worth a look, Captain.

TED: You'll not be disappointed.

Will ye be joining us below, ma'am?

No, I think not.

But do take my assistant and make sure he reports back to me.

I agree.

It's not unimpressive.

You said all along you'd a feeling to go deeper.

Yes, but for copper, not for tin.

Anyway, it may just be the merest pocket.

Bring up what you can.

It'll make a difference to final earnings.

We'd have given up more easily without this find.

I know that, Paul.

It's come too late to save us.

'Tis a queer one, though.

Copper under tin, you'd expect.

But not tin under copper?

To my mind, what's needed is breathing space to see if this'll amount to anything.

I'd agree, but how's that to happen?

I tell you, I don't have £20 in the world.

(gulls crying) (knocking) Doctor.

Thank you.

CAROLINE: Dear Dwight.

I am returning your letters, which I have fully digested and in which I find nothing to make me regret my decision.

Your preference for your patients and friends is estimable.

Had it not been at my expense, I would not now be requesting you to never write to me again.

But it was.

So, adieu.

(door slams) Demelza?

I've been meaning to call upon you.

To thank you for your kindness these past few months.

In lending you my husband?

In a manner of speaking.

Oh, you're welcome to him.

Just so long as you remember where he belong and send him back to me when you're done with him.

Mistress Poldark.

Another escape for your husband in court.

What a charmed life he leads.

It would appear so.

For you, young man.

ELIZABETH: George, you must stop this.

Oh, cannot a man spoil his godson?

Did I mention that I saw Horace Treneglos at the market?

No.

Is he well?

He sends his compliments.

And says that it's a shame that you've sold all of your shares in Wheal Leisure.

I said that he must be mistaken, for surely if you had, you'd have told me.

(sighs) I've been meaning to mention this for some time.

But not quite sure how to begin.

(sighs) As you know, Francis sank his last £600 into Wheal Grace.

Yes.

When he died, he left Elizabeth with considerable debts.

To relieve her poverty, I bought all his shares in Wheal Grace through a third party, knowing she would not accept the money as a gift.

But why should you have?

Because I felt under a burden of obligation-- to Francis and his family-- which is now discharged.

Of course, at the time, we had Trencrom's money coming in.

Since the ambush... Are you angry?

That you help Elizabeth?

And Geoffrey Charles.

And leave Jeremy and me to fend for ourselves?

You have me to fend for you.

They have no one.

Are you sure?

From what I hear, George is being very obliging.

(scoffs) Doubtless he would be if Elizabeth would let him.

But she will not.

George's ambition before Francis died was to drive a wedge between our two families.

And the easiest way to do it was by befriending theirs.

By helping Elizabeth, he is merely continuing the same tactics.

Yes, Ross.

And although it was my aim in helping her, it does have the effect of strengthening her hand against him.

Yes, Ross.

PRUDIE: Mistress Demelza!

Who be that then coming across the field?

Betty Carkeek.

'Tis her time.

And Dr. Enys can't be found.

Ross?

Fetch me the brandy wine!

Calm yourself we'll go, we'll go.

Now you stay here, Jeremy.

Thank you.

Come here.

Come here.

Hurry.

Sir!

Captain, uh... who's it... Henshawe asking for ye, your mine whatever.

Here.

Hey?

Won't be long.

(Betty screaming) Betty!

I brought you something for the pain.

I found him, Betty.

Dr. Enys be here.

(screams) PAUL: We've opened her up a tidy bit these past days.

The last we brought up 'tis as rich as I'd ever seen.

HENSHAWE: Ross?

More and more it go against the grain to let her fill up with water, knowing what's down there.

It goes against the grain at any time, but without coal to keep the pump working... Well, that's what I been thinking.

I could put down £100.

It would see us through another month.

You'd be willing to do that?

After all our failures?

In a day or so, we'll know better.

If nothing comes of it, we can close, and I'll have lost £20.

Now with your permission, I thought to send out for more coal.

By all means, send out.

(screaming) It'll be a boy, that's for sure.

They's trouble even before they born.

Push, push, Betty, push.

(screams) (baby crying) (shushing) (baby crying) TED: Betty?

Ye'll never guess!

There's news of Grace.... And a fine new Carkeek boy.

What news of Grace?

She's to stay open another month.

'Tis a blessing we never looked for.

God willing, the lode should hold and I'll be able to feed my family.

To young Master Carkeek!

And tin.

And tin!

(applause) (door closes) This is becoming an obsession.

Are you planning on joining the army?

Why would I do that?

When I have battlefronts of my own at home.

Which reminds me, have those forces been deployed yet?

CARY: As per your instructions.

MRS. CHYNOWETH: Don't frown, dear.

A wrinkled brow is not becoming.

I'm at my wit's end with Tabb.

He contradicts everything I say, as if he thinks he is master here now.

And now these letters have come.

All these questions which apparently only I can answer: a tithe of one pound, six shillings on the seines of certain fishing boats in Sawle.

Should the fishermen be pressed for money?

I don't know.

Should they?

Can I afford not to press them?

Whose need is greater?

Dear God, is there no end to it?!

What is it?

(sighs) Who are these people?

Tinners.

Exercising their rights under stannary law to prospect for tin.

But this is outrageous.

Vulgars, permitted by law to violate the purlieu of a gentleman's estate!

(coughing) (wheezing): How can such a thing be lawful?

It's monstrous!

(coughing): Mon... mon... monstrous!

(coughing violently) ROSS: No sign of it petering out?

Far from it.

You know I'm not one to raise hopes, but it could be significant.

DWIGHT: The damage is considerable.

She'll need constant care for the foreseeable future.

Possibly the rest of her life.

But we cannot afford a nurse.

Who is to provide...?

Me.

I must be the one to take care of her.

Who's to take care of me?

I was here first.

I must speak to Ross.

AGATHA: You'll get no sympathy from that quarter.

He was never a fan of your mother.

Is there no one else you can turn to?

♪ ♪ (door opens) I came as soon as I could.

How is she?

Very bad.

Dr. Enys fears she may never recover.

You must know how that grieves me.

I know how fond you are of her.

Do you know what I wish?

No.

That you would allow me to make all the necessary arrangements.

Engage a separate establishment for her here at Trenwith so that no further burden need fall on you.

I couldn't let you do that.

You're so frail, Elizabeth.

You try to be strong, but now it is you who need care.

Let me provide it.

You're very kind, George, but I'm stronger than I look.

I will have to be.

One must take what life sends.

But not what I send?

You've already given so much.

For my godson, a few trifles.

For yourself?

Nothing.

At least let me help your dear mother.

(sighs) Your generosity makes me ashamed to refuse you anything.

If there was one thing you did not refuse me, it would solve everything.

What's that?

Yourself.

Before you speak, let me add one thing.

You must be aware how long I've loved you.

Serving you only as I could-- paying back Francis's card debts, allowing no thought of retaliation when he persistently insulted me.

Since his death, I've served you in any way you would allow and will continue to do so, whether or not I stand to gain by it.

And I'm more than grateful.

But now I ask you to marry me.

I say that I love you.

Now, I don't flatter myself that you love me.

I think you might like and respect me.

I hope in time that liking might become something more.

But...

I cannot bring you breeding, but I can bring a kind of gentility, which is all the more punctilious for being only a generation deep.

As for material considerations... George, please... No, I know you would never marry for money.

If you did, you would not be the person I know you to be.

But at the risk of offending, let me be clear about what I can offer.

My house is four times the size of Trenwith.

I have 20 servants, a park of 500 acres.

My own carriage, a phaeton.

You could have one, too.

Or three or four.

I'd take you to London or Bath.

You'd wear the finest clothes, the rarest jewels, mix with the best in society.

As my adopted son, Geoffrey Charles would be my heir.

For so long, you have lived in a cage.

Will you not allow me to give you the key?

Oh, George...

I don't know what to say.

Say nothing, my dear.

I don't ask for an answer now.

I only ask permission to give.

It's just that I feel so alone.

Loneliness is not one-sided, Elizabeth.

A man may feel it, too.

Especially when he has loved as long and as devotedly as I have.

AGATHA: "And the devil taketh him up "into an exceeding high mountain "and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world; and saith, 'All these things I will give thee...'" Yes, aunt.

All these things and more besides.

A fortune for my boy, to make up for the one his father lost.

And what is he expecting in return?

A heart?

Is he aware that you have none to give, having long ago bestowed it elsewhere?

How soon till we need timbers?

Timbers cost.

And without them?

You know as well as I do.

Is it a risk we're willing to take?

It's a risk we've been taking for some time now.

We've shored up best we can.

We'd sooner ye spent money on coal to keep the pump going.

There isn't a mine in existence wouldn't take the same chance.

VERITY: Had I known of your mother's condition, we'd not have dreamed of intruding.

How difficult it must be for you.

It was at first.

But now she has a nurse and a maid.

Is that not expensive?

How strange it must be for you here without Francis.

No more than for you.

I've had to grow used to it, for Geoffrey Charles's sake.

And can you?

For my son, I must do whatever's necessary.

AGATHA: And that, boy, is how you put the Navy in its place.

Your great-aunt is a fiend at French ruff.

(quietly): Obviously I let her win.

Obviously.

We're expected at Nampara.

You'll go with us?

Oh, I...

Yes, Elizabeth?

I have a headache.

Did Elizabeth not wish to join you?

She's much distressed over her mother's illness.

She sends her apologies and her love.

Mistress Poldark's a thing of beauty, do you not think?

Were I five years older, I'd throw myself at her feet.

She'd very likely trample you underfoot.

On our way over, I noticed the engine chimney of the mine still smoking.

Oh, we continue to limp on, existing on a shoestring, everything against us.

DEMELZA: Not entirely.

Tin has been found.

We're not sure how far or how deep it goes, but...

The quality of the ore is promising, I admit it.

I'm very glad for you.

A change in your fortune is long deserved.

You keep a very fine ship, Captain.

Do you have your own cabin?

Naturally-- would you care to inspect it, sir?

JAMES: So I should.

(laughs) Do you see much of Elizabeth?

She don't seem inclined to visit us now, though she's happy enough to admit Ross.

Or was.

Why do you ask?

I don't know.

There's something...

I cannot put my finger on it.

She seems a little on edge, as if innerly excited.

And I got the impression...

Yes?

That she thinks her circumstances are about to change.

Oh.

Do you know why that might be?

Perhaps you should ask Ross.

That sounds a little bitter.

Do it?

I only meant he sees more of her than I. I know he did love her.

So when he goes to see her, I...

I'd not be human if I didn't wonder what they say to each other, or if they still have feelings.

You think they do?

They were each other's first love.

Such a love cannot easily be put aside.

But you have no reason to think... No reason, just... Ross would never mean to hurt me, but I think if it came to a choice between me and Elizabeth... And with Elizabeth now free... You cannot believe that.

Your ship is the Thunderer?

The frigate Hunter now, under Admiral Gell.

We're in Plymouth Sound at present, but under sailing orders next week.

I'm monstrous glad of it.

I'd not want the war to end before I've had the chance to pepper the Frenchies.

Oh, I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunity for glory before the war is out.

(knock at door, door opens) Oh, uh, my apologies.

No, no, come in, join us.

May I introduce Midshipman James Blamey?

My good friend Dr. Dwight Enys.

Your servant, sir.

And yours, sir.

If you ever tire of life ashore, consider us poor souls in the fleet.

We're in dire need of good surgeons.

Is that so?

Honor and glory beckon, as well as blood and gore.

Honor and glory I can do without, but a mission somewhere useful to direct my energies... We can surely provide that.

And a good skirmish is a fine distraction.

The point is to do something.

I agree-- idleness allows us too much time to think.

What a treasure is James.

He's like the west wind, all gusty and clean and kind.

Oh, and he adores you.

And I him, as if he were my own son.

Oh, Verity, I'm that glad.

It'd make up for... For what?

My not having a child of my own?

Oh, but that's the most wonderful thing.

There is nothing to make up for.

Oh, Verity, when?!

About October.

(laughing) (fire crackling) Is it Verity's news which keeps you awake?

I think so.

I can't imagine what else it could be.

No, I don't suppose you can.

(rooster crows) Is it not dangerous, Captain?

Riding when you're not recovered?

You leave me no choice.

I was hoping you'd visit me as I convalesce, or else that I'd, uh, receive an invitation to visit you.

Well, last time you came without an invitation.

That was in the course of duty.

This is in the pursuit of pleasure.

As you can see, my husband is not here.

Are you sure of that?

On my previous visit, you told me he was from home, yet we both know he was somewhere about the house.

Do we?

Indeed.

I thought it probable, if I posted a watch long enough, we'd discover where he was hiding.

And did you post such a watch?

(laughs) I did not.

Why?

I have too great a regard for you, ma'am.

In truth, my heart was not in it.

I'm a soldier, not a spy.

I hold nothing against Captain Poldark, except he married so charming a wife.

So I trust you hold nothing against me for what I did.

Indeed.

I'm obliged to you for what you did not do.

So now I'm forced to venture out for company and gossip.

So what can you tell me?

What news of your cousin-in-law, Mistress Elizabeth?

I am sure I've heard nothing.

I'd have thought you, of all people, would know.

And what do you hear?

Only that Sir Hugh Bodrugan, who shares a tailor with a certain person, tells me that certain person has just ordered his wedding clothes.

Judas, who's that?

Can you not guess?

Why, George Warleggan!

Had you no idea?

No.

Um, well, that is, uh...

Yes, I did somewhat suspicion.

(giggling) (babbling) What ails ye, maid?

George Warleggan is to marry Elizabeth.

Mr. Ross'll be surprised.

Mr. Ross mustn't be told.

He'll find out soon enough, but it won't be from me.

DWIGHT: Fresh air.

And whatever fruit you can get.

Phthisis and scurvy?

No wonder you've had your fill.

I confess, a new challenge would suit me.

A war would certainly supply that.

Are you not tempted yourself?

If duty calls, I won't ignore it.

But I know enough of combat not to relish it.

Whereas I can almost hear the cannons as we speak.

It'll be a test, see how far we can cut it back.

(loose earth falling) (rumbling growing louder) She's coming down!

Run!

Run!

(rumbling underground) (horse neighing in distance) (men yelling, rocks falling) (rumbling growing louder) (men yelling, rocks crashing) (rumbling in distance) ROSS: How many?!

How many?!

Where's Paul and Ted?!

ZACKY: There's one here!

(rocks shifting) Paul!

(grunts) ROSS: Who's unaccounted for?

Dan Curnow, Ted Carkeek.

We don't stop until they're found.

(door closes) Forgive my intrusion, but I thought to bring you the news before you heard it elsewhere.

There's been an accident at Wheal Grace.

Your cousin-in-law... Is dead?

Is very much alive.

Only the poor souls who labor for him have paid the price.

What happened?

What inevitably happens when corners are cut and safety is abandoned in favor of profit.

I can scarce believe it.

Ross, of all people... Is a desperate man.

One can only feel for his wife and child, innocent casualties of his overwhelming hubris now condemned to a life of penury.

Uh, but forgive me for keeping you from your dear relations.

(door closes) (whispers): Devil.

I hope you know what you're doing.

(pump running) Where's Ted?

ROSS: Dwight!

How is he?

He was buried too long.

I can't bring him back.

There's nothing you can do here, Ross.

Help the others.

HENSHAWE: One dead.

Two.

And five more badly injured.

I'm to blame.

HENSHAWE: Nay, Ross.

ROSS: I should have ordered timbers.

HENSHAWE: We're all to blame-- we knew the risks.

Grace is mine.

I should have insisted.

BETTY: Ted?

(crying) Twenty fathoms of pumping gear gone.

Six weeks or more to clear the debris.

Two hundred won't even do it even if we each had the capital.

Even then, I wouldn't attempt it.

This mine has cost three lives.

It was an ill-conceived venture from the start.

It will never open again.

(sobbing) (gulls crying) My dear Ross, I do not know how to write this letter or to tell you what I have to say.

(grunting) CARY: Are you ahead?

I've already won.

I've secured the hand of the woman I love.

Elizabeth Poldark.

And in so doing will deal the deadliest blow to my bitterest enemy.

I see I must congratulate you.

Oh, I congratulate myself.

It's not given to many to achieve so much at a single stroke.

(laughs) Sometimes I don't know my own strength.

What is it?

Sir Hugh Bodrugan.

Inviting us to a ball.

Oh.

Obviously we'll decline.

Of course.

Letter come from Trenwith.

Thank you, Prudie.

ELIZABETH: I know what I have to say will distress you.

And I, who gave you so much pain once before, would do almost anything th an to hurt you again and in the same way.

Yet it seems I must.

Oh, Ross, my life has been very frustrating, and since Francis died, a lonely and an empty one.

Perhaps I am the wrong sort of person to be left alone.

I seem to need the strength and protection only a man can give.

I have agreed to marry George Warleggan.

I'm going to Trenwith.

No, Ross, not tonight.

I must speak with Elizabeth.

Ross, you can't.

Do you know what this is?

Is it about George?

You knew.

I heard rumors.

And you didn't think to tell me?

And have my head snapped off?

This... thing must be stopped.

How will you stop it?

You can't stop it.

Perhaps you don't want me to stop it.

Perhaps I don't.

And especially not like this.

Like what?

Whatever it is you intend.

How do you know what I intend?

How do I know anything, Ross?

How do I know you?

And yet I think I do.

Please get out of my way.

Ross, don't go there tonight.

Wait until tomorrow.

Please... get out... of my way.

♪ ♪ (pounding on door) Elizabeth!

Elizabeth!

(panting) Ross.

I came to pay my respects.

And to thank you for your letter.

Perhaps tomorrow morn... No.

Not tomorrow.

Now.

Ross, I so hated having to send you that letter, but really, I've said all there is to be said.

I disagree.

Perhaps you could clarify something for me.

George Warleggan...

Yes?

...a man I consider my greatest enemy, and you, I've long considered my greatest friend.

In which particular am I most adrift?

It's not as simple as that, Ross.

Of course I'm proud and happy to think of you as my greatest friend.

Well, it was more than that, as I recall.

Did you not tell me, barely 12 months ago, that you had made a mistake in marrying Francis?

That you realized quite soon that it was I you had always loved?

Do you think I would ever have said those words had I known what would happen to Francis?

And yet they cannot be unsaid.

I felt you needed to know that if you were unhappy in those early days, then so was I.

That the mistake was not yours, but mine.

That "mistake," as you call it, has cost many people dear.

Francis, yourself, myself.

What mistake are you making now?

I don't expect you to understand.

Try me.

George has been so good to me since Francis died.

So kind.

Do you marry a man out of gratitude?

No, not just that.

You're wrong to think of him as your greatest enemy.

The man who tried to get me hanged.

I don't believe that's what he intended.

And now I think I can help mend the breach between you.

Are you marrying him for his money?

How dare you!

God knows I've made mistakes in my life, Ross, but I've tried to be loyal to the people I care for.

And what seems like disloyalty to you now is actually loyalty to my son!

What do you suggest for me?

30 years of widowhood and loneliness?

Can you offer me anything else?

Do you?

Do you love George?

Yes.

Why do I not believe you?

Why does this remind me of when you said you loved Francis?

You ask me, would I condemn you to 30 years of widowhood?

Why would I need to?

You could have your pick of 30 men, but I won't see you condemned to George!

Please leave now, Ross!

I'm my own mistress and I will not be instructed.

I'm sorry you feel like this, but I cannot help it.

Oh, you've never been able to help anything, have you?

It's all beyond your control.

Full of good intentions, leaving a trail of havoc in your wake.

Well, perhaps you can't help this, either.

I oppose this marriage, Elizabeth.

I'd be glad of your assurance you will not go through with it.

We both know you don't love him.

I love him to distraction and will marry him next month.

(gasping) (moaning) (birds chirping outside) I must go before the household wakes.

What shall we...

I must think.

When will you...

Soon.

(rooster crows) (hoofbeats) What can I say?

It was something...

I cannot explain.

You must see I had no choice.

Nor I.

Next time on Masterpiece.

DEMELZA: We promised to forsake all others.

I would never deliberately hurt you.

You inflict pain by accident?

Mistress Demelza, what a sight for sore eyes!

DEMELZA: I'm so hot I could faint!

Then 'tis fortunate you have someone to catch you.

Next time on Masterpiece.

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