Poldark (2015–…): Season 2, Episode 9 - Episode #2.9 - full transcript

How soon till we need timbers?
Timbers cost. And without them?

She's coming down! Run! Run!
This mine has cost three lives.

It was an ill-conceived venture
from the start.

Your wedding to Caroline?

Is off. Would've led to misery
on both sides.

What is it? Sir Hugh Bodrugan,
inviting us to a ball.

Should you decide
to brave his company again,

I will personally undertake
to protect you.

Loneliness is not one-sided.

I have agreed to marry
George Warleggan.

I hope you know what you're doing.



This thing must be stopped.

You can't stop it,
and especially not like this!

How do you know what I intend?

All of us know you don't love him!

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

What should we... I must think.

# How the tide rushes in

# And covers footprints in the sand

# As my hopes erased

# And carried out of my hands

# Yet though the ocean
with waves unending

# Covers the Earth

♪ Yet is there loss after all? ♪

We've had visitors, Cap'n.



From Wheal Radiant.
Do we wish to sell our head gear?

They didn't waste much time.

How much have they offered?

A fair price. They're decent men.

They know it could happen
to the best of us.

The best of
us would've bought timbers.

The men knew the risks.

Did their wives?

Their children?

'Tis the business, Ross.

No longer, it seems.

Was that from the mine? What?

Your eye. Oh, no.

My wife took exception
to something I said.

# For what e'er drifts
from one place

# Is with the tide
to another brought

# And there's naught lost
beyond recall

♪ Which cannot be found if sought. ♪

Ye be coming down to breakfast?
Thank you, Prudie.

Master Jeremy and I will be taking
our breakfast here from now on.

No, but the chores is piling up
downstairs! You're mistook, Prudie.

This is a more genteel way of doing,
I think.

And Master Jeremy and I
are gentle folks, after all.

This is well met!

I was just debating whether to write
and offer my commiserations.

On what?

Your recent loss.

Or should I say losses?

And, well, perhaps you've not heard,
Elizabeth and I are engaged.

So in the grand scheme of things,
you appear to be in disarray.

And I appear to have won.

As you say, George...
you appear to have won.

When do you expect him?

Who?

My nephew is not always
the most subtle of men,

nor the most discreet.

I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Oh, don't be coy, Elizabeth!
There's no-one here but ourselves.

You will note that I have
never married.

Perhaps you think that was
an accident! Well, I...

Perhaps I think so, too, sometimes,

then I remind myself I've yet
to meet the man who could better me.

It is the better man we long for,
is it not?

Sometimes it's not
the most convenient man...

but come, let us not pretend
we prefer Warleggan

under this roof to a Poldark!

Of course, I'm sorry for his kitchen
maid. We have much to thank her for.

But one must acknowledge
the prior acclaim.

So, we can assume he will
return to this house

as soon as he's put his own
in order.

Churn, I? I ain't churned since...

Since the maid first come

and showed you what a dog's gizzards
he ever made of it.

Smirk all you like.

She'll give you no aid now
with the calves or seeding.

'Tisn't right.

Where's your mistress? Her bed.

Is she unwell? Must be.

What's this?

What's it look like? I can't decide.

Hence the enquiry.

It's been so long
since the mistress let me bake,

I've mislaid all my skillage.
It would appear so.

Perhaps you could mislay this
and bring me something edible.

Oh, you're still here.
Is Trenwith not yet in readiness?

Would you like for me
to help you pack?

I thought you should know that we're
selling the head gear of Grace.

The venturers at Wheal Radiant
have offered a fair price.

Do you suppose that she ever
seriously meant to marry George?

Surely it was just a trick
to get you to declare your hand?

I've no idea what she intended.

Still, it worked, did it not?

She got what she wanted. Demelza,
I never claimed to be perfect.

Have I ever asked for that?

Not as I recall,
but perhaps my memory serves me ill,

for I seem to remember we promised
to forsake all others?

I realise...that I betrayed
your trust...

Forfeit.

..and that your pride is wounded.

Pride?

My pride?

To think, I did always
look up to you...respect you,

revere you as my master
long before you were my husband...

I see that, but...

..for it had seemed to me,
unschooled as I was,

that you were not like other men.

You had a kind of nobility -

not of birth, but of character,

and I was so proud to think
that such a man had married me.

So now to discover that you are
so much less than other men...

..are fallen so low because so far.

'Tis not my pride
that is wounded, Ross.

'Tis my pride in you.

Sir John Trevaunance,
Unwin Trevaunance. Lady Whitworth...

Her son Osbert?

The Honourable Maria Agar.
Sir Hugh Bodrugan...

His brother Robert...

William Hick.
Mr and Mrs Alfred Barbary.

Ray Penvenen
and his niece, Caroline...

George Warleggan
to marry Elizabeth Poldark?!

I could have sworn
her interest lay elsewhere.

But plainly a lady may not
always have what her heart desires!

Jeremy...

Demelza...

We cannot continue like this.

If you could at least see this
from my perspective...

Soon you'll be asking me
to see it from Elizabeth's!

Hardly.

Of course it's no mystery.

She can't wait to have you installed
in her house, or in her bed.

Demelza.

Indeed, I do suspicion
that's exactly what her letter says!

What letter?

Came about an hour since.

She's doubtless wondering
what's keeping you.

Truly, we wonder ourselves,
don't we, Jeremy?

May I see it?

It's in the library.

On your pillow.

I may be out late tomorrow night.

I'm going to Truro and I'm unsure
as to when I will be back.

Why don't you just say it, Ross?
"I'm going to Elizabeth."

The letter was not from her.

Of course not.

Here... Read it if you wish.

Richard Tonkin has been released
from debtor's prison

and wishes to see me.

No doubt to ask if I can assist him

the way I did Harry Blewitt
when Carnmore collapsed,

but as you know,
I've no money to spare.

It's a pity.
You'll miss the Bodrugan party.

That's the least of my regrets.

Demelza...

..I would never
deliberately hurt you.

You of all people must know that.

Must I, Ross? So I'm to assume
you inflict pain by accident

without a second thought?

In the moment, I admit it,
there was no thought of you,

or of the pain
I might have caused...

It was as if I was possessed.

Of course. No fault of yours!

Just a greater power and you
and her helpless to resist.

In a way, yes!

Perhaps I might have hoped for some
understanding, knowing you as I do.

Knowing me to be kind
and simple and giving?

Would you like me to throw myself
off Hendrawna cliffs

so that you might bury me
at your own convenience

and wed again at your leisure?!

I don't blame you for your anger,
but how does it serve us now?

Serve us?

How did you serve us?

How does this serve us?

Judas, what 'appened?
The pots is all scat to jowds!

Clear this away.

Lavish, of course!
No expense spared.

After all,
how often does a man get married?

From the lady herself?

No doubt anxious about some detail
of trimming or confectionery.

Will you excuse me?

"My dear George, I am writing
to request the smallest of favours -

"a postponement of our wedding."

My dear, I cannot make
head nor tail of your letter.

What can you mean by it?

George, I beg you,
try to understand my position.

These past few days,
it has dawned on me

how rash I've been,
plunging into this marriage.

Such haste -
it does not look seemly.

And you tell me this
a week before the wedding,

when all the guests are invited?

But did we not agree that this would
be an entirely private wedding?

A few of my closest friends
would be hurt to be excluded.

George, I have promised
to marry you, and look forward

to beginning our life together
at Cardew,

but I feel it would not be fair
to either of us to marry in haste.

Is this anything to do with Ross?

Why would you think so?

Is it?

No! That is... Obviously
he does not favour the arrangement.

Has he been here?

He called...

And he is behind this change
of heart! I knew it!

No!

It is my own delicacy.

Seeing him reminded me
how soon it is since Francis died.

I beg you not to be angry with me.

I want to be indulgent,
both before and after our wedding.

It's a bitter disappointment
to me, but I will try to agree

to your wishes if you will
promise me one thing.

Yes?

That you name another date, today.

Oh!

No, I cannot...

Come, my dear, let us compromise
so that both of us may get

something from the arrangement.

Grant me the consolation
of being able to fix a date -

a month from today.

So soon?

But what is there to wait for?

What do you imagine
will happen in the meantime?

I do not know.

Can I rely on you, Elizabeth?

Very well.

A month from today.

'You would not dare! I would,
Elizabeth...and so would you.'

Give my best to Elizabeth.

Was I not clear?
I'm not going to Trenwith.

No, Ross. To Truro.

That's right. I remember.

Servant come from Werry House.

Sir Hugh beg to know
if you will attend the party?

Oh, Judas! I forgot to reply
to his invitation! Um...

Tell the servant we sincerely regret
that Captain Poldark has been called away.

Although...

..Mistress Demelza
would be delighted to attend.

Finally!

Compose yourself, Elizabeth.

What shall I say?
How should I proceed?

With resolve, girl.

'Tis no easy thing you contemplate.

'Tis for you to dictate the terms.

You have more to lose.

Oh, my dear, I had to come.

When I heard
you'd postponed the wedding,

I knew at once what was behind it.

Oh, my goodness!

Elizabeth!

Elizabeth!

Whatever's the matter?

Ross, I don't recall
seeing that black eye.

Was it got in the rock fall?

Must have been.
Where are you headed?

I've been summoned to Trenwith,
I imagine to treat Mrs Chynoweth.

How's Demelza bearing up?

After the disaster?

She was a godsend that day.

I know I'm preaching
to the converted,

but you've married
a remarkable woman.

Indeed.

And where are you bound?

Truro. To meet Richard Tonkin.

I fear he wants
to tap me for a loan.

Shall we meet later? Take supper?

Or would you prefer
to dine with Demelza?

Let's sup together.

I know what 'ee be thinking.

What's good for the gander...?

I don't blame 'ee, maid.
But no good'll come of it.

There's no cause for alarm.

Mrs Poldark
has a fragile disposition,

and doubtless she's been
under some strain of late.

Did she tell you she's postponed
her wedding to George Warleggan?

Indefinitely?

For a month.

Give her these powders.
I'll call again tomorrow.

Thank you.

Tonkin.

Ah! Captain!

It's good to see you at liberty,
sir.

I'll not forget your kindness.

When hard times come,
many friends fall away. You did not.

But your own affairs...

Do not prosper.

So I hear.

You'll be wondering
why I asked to see you.

Ah!

Mistress Demelza, you've ventured
to trust yourself to my care

and left your husband
by the fireside.

Indeed I did, sir. I decided
'twas not the weather for firesides.

Or husbands!

Now, where have they put you
for the night? Ah, yes...

The Red Room.

Two years ago, you advanced
Harry Blewitt the sum of ã250.

And believe me, I regret I was
unable to do the same for you.

It saved him from debtors' prison.

He was able
to rearrange his finances

and start
a small boat-building venture.

He's had his fill of mining?
I don't blame him!

When I left prison, he invited me to
become his partner in the business.

Our venture at present is small,
but we have high hopes...

Of course, if we have
more capital, progress...

Forgive me, sir,
I must stop you there.

If you're looking for investment,
you've come to the wrong man.

Investment?

Dear me, no, sir.

That isn't it at all.

You've tripled your income
in six months?

It was a moderate investment
when we set out, but with the war,

demand has gone sky high,
and now...

You've the makings
of a first-rate business.

And you too, sir, if you choose.

Mistress Demelza!

What a sight for sore eyes!

Perhaps you'll introduce me
to your friends?

Oh, by all means!

Surely you jest?

On the contrary.

She was a scullery maid!

Then you should find her
all the more eager to serve!

Oh, come, man,
I'm in sore need of entertainment!

So you wish me to heap
further ignominy on Poldark...

By debauching his wife! Precisely!
Come, I'll introduce you.

Mistress Demelza.

Is Ross not here?

He's been called away on business.
Where is Elizabeth?

She has family matters to attend to.

Hm, I can imagine.

May I introduce Mr Tankard?

Your servant, ma'am.

He's a little shy
and barely knows a soul.

Perhaps you'll take pity on him.

Oh, perhaps I will!
Do you dance, sir?

I could be persuaded.

Mistress Demelza, do you know
our friend Margaret Vosper?

Mistress Ross Poldark.

Ma'am.

I believe that you two ladies
have something in common.

I believe we do!

And what would that be?

Both devilish pretty women who've
only got to crook their finger

and the men come running!

I had no idea there were so many
handsome men in Cornwall, Sir Hugh.

'Tis fortunate for you that you
need not fear the competition.

I've buried several husbands
and serviced countless more,

and I never see the point
in beating about the bush.

If you've a fancy for someone,
go up and ask them!

Myself, I prefer to take time
making up my mind.

Even if it do seem like
beating about the bush.

I'd sooner do that than get scratched
or worn on every bush I see!

And does your husband
share your delicacy?

Shall we dance, sir?

Mistress Poldark!

Ah, Captain McNeil.

What a happy coincidence.
May I escort you to supper?

Now you mention it,
I do have something of an appetite!

And I'm a great believer
in indulging such a thing!

Pray excuse me, sir.
You may reclaim me presently.

My dear, I would speak with you?

Oh, I...I do not feel strong enough
to...

Elizabeth, don't be afraid.
I understand your feelings.

They're quite natural.

After all that has happened...

What can you mean?

I sympathise more than you think.

You wonder how you can
give your hand to George

when your heart
is committed elsewhere.

Yes,

but...more than that...

There can be no more than that,
my dear.

You must let him go.
He would want you to.

I do not think so.

But I know that he would.

And who can say better than I?
As his sister,

he is dearer
to me than almost anyone.

I know he and George
were enemies at the end,

but Francis would want you
to be happy.

And if George is your choice, I
believe you would have his blessing.

And yours?

And mine.

My dear life,
I'm so hot I could faint!

Then 'tis fortunate
you have someone to catch you!

And now I have some sad news.

Tomorrow I leave
to rejoin my regiment.

Oh, I think I shall weep!

So I wonder,
as a special favour tonight,

would you consider
calling me Malcolm?

And in return, you'll be
wishing to call me Demelza?

'Tis a very pretty name.
What does it mean?

My mother once told me that
in the old Cornish tongue

it means "thy sweetness."

I would rather it meant
"my sweetness."

It's very close in here.

Shall we take
a breath of air in the garden?

Well?
Did they fleece you like a footpad?

No. They showered me with blessings!

The debt repaid in full
or a share in a profitable business.

That's excellent! What will you do?

Truth be told, I'm half-tempted
to follow your lead and enlist!

What, now?
When things are looking up?

Surely you've too much
to keep you here?

Yes. You would think so.

But?

When are our choices
ever straightforward?

Are you cold?

May I fetch your wrap?

I have none.

I'm glad of it.

For I know a better way to warm you.

You're most attentive, Malcolm.

Surely you cannot
be short of attention?

Everywhere I look,
men are snarling over you.

But I fancy they do not
suit you as well as...

As well as...?

Ever since I met you,
I've wanted to do that.

I hope you were not disappointed.

On the contrary, you've
given me an appetite for more.

We should return to the party.

Can you not give me a word
of encouragement before we go?

Surely you've had enough already.

But will you not give me something
to hope for?

Later tonight?

Which is your room?

I'm not well-acquainted
with this house, but...

..I think Sir Hugh called it
the Red Room...?

I know it.

Thank you, my sweetness.

Thank you.

You seem distracted.

Do I?

Despite your good fortune.

Is all well at home?

Yes...and no.

Demelza and I...

Let us just say that attachments
are complicated, as you well know.

Your cousin-in-law may agree!

Elizabeth?

It was she I was called
to attend at Trenwith.

A fainting fit.
She's postponed her wedding.

She has?

Are you certain?

Clearly, the thought
of marrying George Warleggan

was more than she could stand!

Did anyone see you?

I hope I know how to conduct
an ambush, my darling!

So...you leave tomorrow?

At noon.

And I shall not see you again.

You shall if you wish.

You may write to me at Winchester.

Malcolm.

My angel?

Are you kind?

Immensely.

Then I beg you to bear with me,

to understand why I led you
to believe...that...

'Tis on account of my husband.

Don't think of him.

He's betrayed me with another.

Is he insane? And because of that,
I thought that I should do the same.

Most assuredly.

Please. Please, just hear me out.

Have I told you
how beautiful you are?

I begin to realise something
about myself.

Call it weakness if you will,
but I cannot give myself...

You can...to any man except
my husband. I am bound to him.

I wish it were not the case, but...

My angel, it does you credit
to be so delicate...

..but think for a moment of me,

who's been looking forward
to this encounter

as to a mortal's taste of heaven.

Your duty now is not
to your husband, but to me.

Malcolm, please.

Malcolm, stop!

Stop! Malcolm!

STOP!

I like a woman
who knows her own mind.

I thought you were such a one.

My mistake.

Ross, I hate you!

I hate you!

Ross! What brings 'ee here?

A disinclination to go home early!

Well, join us, then,
as we drown our sorrows!

Eke out the last of our earnings!

Don't remind me.

Nay, Ross, don't take it hard.

All of us were willing
to work without timbers.

And if it were to do again,
we'd none of us think twice.

You cannot mean that.

After we lost Ted?

Risky work's better than none.
Grace put food on our table.

And more than that,
she give us hope.

I tell 'ee,
were it not that the lode's buried

'neath 30 fathom of rock,
we'd be back down there like a shot.

You would?

With Ted's blessing!

Damn, blast and set fire to it!

What the blazes!

I believe you're lost, sir.
Your room is on the east side.

Thank you, sir.

I know very well where my room is,
and to whom this one belongs.

Dammit, sir,
she as good as invited me.

Now why don't you scuttle off
and turn a blind eye?

Blind eye?
I was going in there myself!

Don't tell me she invited you?

Blast it, sir,
you've had no invitation!

You thought to try your luck!

Blast yourself, sir!
I was here first!

I'm the host! It's only right
that I have first pick!

A host should yield to a guest,
as you well know!

'Tis the proper etiquette.
Etiquette be damned!

If you go into that room,
I go with you!

I don't fancy
we'll win her that way!

Suppose we toss a coin?

Well, one shall say
I'm not a sportsman.

Call.

Heads.

Tails!

Stand aside, sir.

What the devil...?

Well, I've never known a woman

promise so much
and deliver so little!

Where's Demelza?

Out.

Since when?
Since she went t' Bodrugan's party.

Did she say
she would stay the night?

Did she?

Don't recall.

So you've no idea where she is.

Reckon she's as much right
as any to stay out all night.

Reckon she do.

Demelza!

Ross!
Kind of you to come and meet me!

Did you have a pleasant time
at Trenwith?

I told you, I went to Truro
to meet Richard Tonkin.

Whatever you say, Ross.

Do what you will.

Go and live with her if you wish.

It's quite possible that
her marriage will still go ahead.

No doubt you did your best
to prevent it.

No doubt I did.

So does she love George, then?

No, she does not.

Demelza, I cannot blame you
for your anger.

But if you could bide awhile,
have a little patience...

Patience? This thing will play
itself out, sooner or later.

I see. So you just expect me
to sit and twiddle my thumbs

until you decide
whether or not you want me?

It's not a question of wanting you!

It's a question of not wanting her.

Do you not want her?

No!

I don't know.

Sometimes...

I'm not content to be second best.

Have I asked you to be?

Have you not made me so?

Why am I here, Demelza?

Why d'you suppose I'm still here?

I don't know why
you're still here, Ross.

Because Elizabeth
can't make up her mind?

No!

Because Elizabeth does not want you?

Because she knows George
is the better bet?

I came here with good news!

I came here to tell you that Blewitt
can repay the money I lent him.

We can reopen Grace!

Demelza!

You must take the decision alone.

Aunt?

You cannot wait for him to help you.

I don't understand.

How can he treat me so?

How can he leave things
so...up in the air?

And not for the first time.

Exactly!

Once before I waited for him to come
and see me and when he did not...

You married Francis.

And now?

I do not know!

He's deserted me.

He tried to stop this marriage,
but offered nothing in return.

He has taken
what was not rightly his

and walked away
from the consequences.

Why did he have to come?

I hate him for it!

He's left me
with only one possible choice!

I reckon it'll take two weeks
to clear the rubble.

Then we'll have her back up
and running again.

What are we waiting for?

I see Ross be not
at his cousin's wedding.

Such a pity that relations
with George

are so strained that
Ross could not attend the wedding.

If you say so.

Come and sit with me, child.

So now you are all that remains
of the Trenwith Poldarks.

No doubt Warleggan
would dispense with us if he could.

Oh, you'll hardly see him, Aunt.

Once they're living at Cardew,
why would he even visit?

Elizabeth may come
to see her mother,

but to all intents and purposes,
you are mistress now.

You'll visit me often?

Like old times.

If we close our eyes,
it will seem like 20 years ago.

Francis and Father still alive
and Ross riding over every day!

Ross.

Yes.

How different
might it all have been.

He must wonder why I sleep here now.

Perhaps you should tell him.

That you don't wish to
have me near you?

Or that you now find me distasteful

after the delicate charms
of Elizabeth.

You'd never think you almost lost
your lives down there.

Well, we've all got to go some time!

I wish Ted could've lived
to see the day.

You did all you could.

It wasn't enough.

I wonder if the Navy's so desperate
as to need a second-rate surgeon.

The Navy will need all the men
it can get if the war continues.

An auspicious day!
Mistress Poldark should be here.

She've always took an interest
in our ventures before.

Demelza has business elsewhere.

You were born for this life,
my dear.

I like to think so.

London is full of beauties,
but you will outshine them all.

Such a privilege to have
Lord and Lady Warleggan to tea!

Oh, have I ennobled you prematurely?

I'm sure the honour
will soon be forthcoming!

And how is Cornwall?
Do you see much of Dr Enys?

He attends my mother.

So he's finally moving
in more exalted circles!

I fear not, ma'am.

I think my mother is his only
fee-paying patient.

But how secretive you've been!

You announced your wedding so late,
my uncle and I could not attend.

Um... My wife kept me waiting
a while until she gave her answer.

Quite right.
Marriage lasts a lifetime.

A lady must be sure
she's making the right choice!

Hm.

Ross! Ross!

Captain Henshawe be calling for you.

Can it wait?

There's something
he needs you to see.

I've been thinking
about our domestic arrangements.

You'll be glad
to return home to Cardew.

I had thought so,

but now I believe
I've a fancy to live somewhere else.

I can scarce believe it. Nor I.

When first I saw it,
I thought my eyes deceived me.

What does it mean?

It means I'm breaking the habit
of a lifetime and taking a drink!

I've something to tell you.

We reached the tin lode
that was buried.

We've been working it for some days
now, and today, the lode split.

One half is twice the size
of the old lode.

Henshawe says he's never
seen richer ground.

Demelza,

do you understand what this means?

I'll be able to pay back
the interest on our loan.

More than that, soon we'll be
in a position to repay in full!

I'm very glad for you, Ross.

And for us?

Do you not see
how this changes things?

It will mean not just survival,
not even a good living, but wealth!

After so long.

The very thing we hoped for.

And now it's here...

Has it come too late?

Demelza?

I've applied
for a post as a surgeon in the Navy.

It makes me wonder if I should go?

Is it wise to seek
more confrontation?

A man who owns land
has a right to enclose it.

I too struggle with the idea
of my family home

in the hands of a Warleggan,
but Elizabeth has made her choice.

Up to now, I've offered no violence.

Is that a threat?

You would not dare
lay a finger on me.

We should set a ring round Trenwith
and burn it to the ground!

Go to war, Ross...

or stay home
and save all of Cornwall!

What it is to be married
to such a great man(!)