Poldark (2015–…): Season 5, Episode 6 - Episode #5.6 - full transcript

My esteemed partner,
Mr Joseph Merceron.

Soon to be your esteemed partner,
gentleman.

He was falsely accused by Hanson
himself because he tried

to stamp out such greed and
brutality!

My reputation within the House has
been utterly ruined.

What exactly would you seek?

Revenge.

Forgery is a hanging offence.

I'll be forced to name these
persons.

I've considered our situation
and believe there's now

only one solution.



Ned was set up and will take down
all who stand by him.

-I will stand by him.
-Stay where you are!
-I warned you what would happen

if you failed to keep him out of
trouble.

Now, if he falls, he takes you with
him.

Friends!

On behalf of Captain Poldark, who
sadly can't be with us

here today, but who has gifted us
this land

for the building of our school,

it'd give me pleasure to lay the
first stone

and to ask a blessing on our
mission

which is to bring knowledge
and learning to all.

Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker!

Can any here give me reason why
a loyal, high-ranking servant

of the Crown is being held, awaiting
trial, without redress



in the most squalid of conditions?

Is this how we reward devotion
to duty?

These accusations are demonstrably
false!

Colonel Despard is a devoted
patriot

who is being grossly misused
by the Crown.

My dearest Demelza, my hopes of a
swift release for Ned

have come to naught.

Indeed, there is no prospect of
release at all.

Still, I will not give up his cause
without a fight.

I've petitioned Pitt, Canning,
Addington!

Does no-one comprehend there's no
grounds for Ned's arrest?

Captain, could it be that I've
overestimated your capabilities?

Essential for a covert role is the
ability to remain

-silent and unseen.
-Is silence appropriate in the face of...?

What is appropriate is detachment!

To be invested in an outcome
or a friend is a threat

to any mission.

A mission I never sought!

Yet you accepted the terms.

And now, when the subject has run
his own head into a noose,

you continue to champion him.

Detach!

For your own sake!

Step away.

Your maiden speech in the House has
not endeared you

to the tender-hearted.

Despite my saying
what everyone knows -

that slavery is the foundation of
our empire.

It's becoming less fashionable to
say so.

But the success of our business
dealings with Merceron and Hanson

rely on it.

Yes, indeed.

The irony is I've no opinion, one
way or the other.

I was merely following instructions.

Ah, good to see you, my Lord.

Your Ladyship...

On the matter of Miss Hanson...

..does the connection
still serve us?

It serves me to know that Ross and
Despard will be brought to heel.

The girl is incidental.

Papa.

You must know that I did not wish
Mr Poldark to ask for my hand.

That's very wise of you.

I told him to wait.

And I hope I can prevail upon you...

In Honduras, do you recollect how
little you saw of me?

I was building, with my bare hands,
the foundations of our fortune.

YOUR fortune.

Do you think that I would consent to
throw that all away

on some disgraced and penniless boy?

He was not disgraced!

You know he was falsely accused.

One day...

..you will thank me...

..for providing you with a mate that
matches your station.

Jeremy? Clowance? Hurry up and
finish your breakfasts!

Make haste! Morwenna will be
expecting you.

Here, take an apple each.

-Can Garrick come?
-No, he may not.

Prudy! Coats!

Jeremy, your books.

-Clowance, you get your shoes on, please. Sit down.
-I'll take 'em.

-No, I'd rather.
-Zacky Martin's here to see.

-What?
-Morning.
-Zacky!

Come in, come in, go through there.

Make haste, my little chibbies!

Must you be in such haste to escape?

Were it up to I,
I would never leave this bed!

Nor I.

Having feared it for so long,

I have much to make up for.

Five minutes?

Ten?

I waited a while, mistress, to be
sure.

But now there be no doubt.

Ore comes up from the mine,
is stored as we've belong to do,

but when it come to be processed,
only half remains.

And the rest?

How long have you known?

Two months ago I first suspicioned.

This past week, I've put men on the
weighing and measuring

and now there be no doubt.

Someone's stealing our ore.

Look...

..must it not be someone with
a knowledge of...

..the workings and the movings of
the mine?

One of our own?

Sadly, yes.

"My help...cometh even from the
Lord...

"who hath made...heaven and Earth."

Excellent.

And thy health hath indeed come from
the Lord.

That he may do greater good for the
school.

Nay, Sam, I believe 'tis your
patience

and kindness that have helped me
so far.

You make learning a pleasure.

Now I must attend to my flock.

'Tis lucky they are, to have
such a preacher!

'Tis a calling,
to be a servant of God.

But do ye not find it some lonely?

Sometimes.

And I, though my own days be full,

do oft' find that I lack someone

to share 'em with.

Shall we read again tomorrow?

Gladly.

Well, friend, am I not living proof
of the adage "a healthy mind

"and a healthy body"?

I think you've looked better!

I'd look worse, were it not for my
wife...

..whose acquaintance with this
palace

has taught her who can be bribed

in order to make my life faintly
less degrading.

Most of the guards think I'm
a witch,

so I can threaten them with spells
as well as coins.

The dulcet tones of happy inmates

helping to advance medical science.

So far, I've been spared the
privilege.

Excuse me while I, er,

hex the guards into ensuring that
continues.

Please do.

Guards?

The nights are long here...

..and afford one ample time for
reflection.

What do you reflect?

How I should have played the game.

Kept my head down and my mouth shut.

One way or another...

..I'll get you out of here, Colonel.

Captain.

Regarding Despard's impending trial,
Lord Ellenborough's the judge,

Sir Spencer Percival the Crown.

It seems the prosecution agree that,
while the due process of law

-must be observed...
-Hm.

Trial by 12 good men.

True justice sometimes requires
a little assistance

and, in this case, the names of 100
potential jurors

have been circulated by the Crown
amongst their trusted associates

in order to ascertain where their
sympathies might lie.

And who has been entrusted with the
selection?

Gentleman.

Mr Merceron.

He will not be swayed.

So, now we have no choice!

None.

But how shall it be managed?

Leave that to me.

I'll send word.

I fear the Crown grows weary of Ned.

And may use this opportunity
to rid itself of him,

once and for all.

But he's no traitor.

By today's reckoning, he is!

Of course, Ross thinks he was simply
in the wrong place at the wrong time

-with the wrong people.
-And you think?

That whoever set him up has been
clever.

Clearing him will be no easy matter.

Well, if the Crown doesn't kill him,
prison will!

Kitty's bribes may be all that saves
him from being tortured.

Is this true?

Oh, yes.

And sanctioned by governors,
I'm sure.

Who can prevent them?

There might be someone who could
advise me.

I've been documenting everything
concerning Ned's predicament.

It appears the governors have turned
a blind eye to his plight.

Whether through negligence or...
or in exchange for bribes...

As magistrate, is it not in your
power to call

the governors to account?

Perhaps you think I'd do better
to petition parliament

to force the governors to act?

I would not advise it.

Let me think on it.

You were right to bring it to my
attention.

May I keep the record?

I think I would prefer to retain it,
sir.

As you wish.

Thank you.

Slow down, Garrick! I can't catch up
with you.

-Jeremy! Jeremy, can you get the stick for Garrick?
-Coming!

You do know if folk see us walking
out together

they'll think we're courting?

I said that to Jake once.

And see how that turned out.

I shall always regret how things
ended twixt my brother and me.

And yet, in the end...

..maybe not.

For it may yet all turn out for the
best.

Oh!

You're a quick learner!

And you're a fine teacher.

If I dared...

..instruct thee on another matter?

Rosina, she'd make a fine wife.

Maybe I need no instructing there?

So, will you ask her?

Maybe.

Preacher Carne?

'Tis well met.

May I ask you, be there any hope for
sinners?

Surely.

Can a body learn to live a good and
purer life?

Anyone can do that.

Could ye maybe teach me how?

But perhaps I am too great a sinner
for thy God to forgive.

The Lord would say there be no such
thing as a body beyond forgiveness.

His mercy be praised.

According to Joseph, the girl is
still consorting

with my brat of a stepson.

And does that distress you?

Not in the least.

The pain will be all the keener when
they come to be parted.

I had it cleaned and mended.

Oho! I hope it still fits.

I think Erskine an excellent man.

He got Hadfield acquitted.

And Hadfield shot the king.

So, tomorrow...

..you'll be home for supper?

Shall we have beef?

Guinea fowl and four bottles of
canary...

..followed by a gavotte!

A small, private ceremony.

I've scarce been widowed two years.

A grand affair would be vulgar and
ostentatious.

As you wish.

I will leave you to communicate
arrangements to the happy bride.

Cecily!

Prepare yourself. It will be the day
after tomorrow.

-Captain Poldark.
-How are we feeling?

Get up.

Turn around. Arms behind your back.

A useful part of a gentleman's
education,

to see a traitor condemned.

Especially such a tiresome one.

All rise.

Gentlemen of the jury, we see before
us today one

of the most heinous traitors this
country has ever known.

Edward Despard was present
at an illegal political meeting.

His fellow conspirators, including
disaffected members

of the armed services, had illegal
oaths in their pockets.

They were plotting nothing less than
the cold-blooded murder

of the king.

No! Shame!

How would they achieve this?

By turning a ceremonial cannon on
His Majesty's carriage

as he passed on his way
to the House of Commons

and the ultimate aim of this act
of terror?

To signal the start of a revolt.

To overthrow the Government
and Crown

and to establish a republic to
emulate that of France.

Outrageous!

He'll be laughed out of court.

-There's not one ounce of proof.
-No doubt.

Order! Order!

Sir.

My love, we must act
immediately or we are lost.

What other explanation could there
be for a gentleman

of the prisoner's standing to be
consorting with

the rags and tatters of society?

Perhaps he did not consider them as
rags and tatters.

Did he have a motive?

This is nonsense! You have to do
something!

How credible is it...

..that a handful of rags and tatters
would seriously believe

they could overthrow the Government
and Crown and single-handedly

establish a republic?

More to the point, is it likely that
an experienced

and highly-decorated army colonel
would share that delusion?

I invite you to consider not how
improbable its success appears

to you but how probable its success
might appear to them.

An English revolt?

Headed by the man who had already
led a revolution

in Honduras by making convicts,
rebels and slaves

the equal of their masters.

I keep thinking how it must be for
Kitty.

And for Ross.

I dearly wish I was there

but, what, with this theft at the
mine...

Well, here's where you're needed,
sister.

Especially with such fainaigin's
afoot.

He needs watching.

I'll go.

You have my forks fettled in time
for supper.

-Can you, sir, please state your name to the court?
-John Stafford.

I never once saw this man in the
Oakley Arms.

I doubt many of these witnesses were
ever there.

-So they perjure themselves?
-For a price, I imagine.

"The King is our enemy."

And how many times did you hear him
say this phrase?

Multiple times.

Multiple times. Thank you very much.

And what were the precise words that
you heard the defendant speak

in the Oakley Arms?

-He said that we should kill the King.
-How do we refute this?

We don't.

-And how many times did you hear him say this?
-Enough of this...

On numerous occasions.

Call me to the stand!

Over there!

Someone's watching us!

Clem! Ruben! Get her!

You will not take the stand.

That's absurd, who better to speak
for myself than I?

Someone who can say of you what you
cannot say yourself.

I served with Colonel Despard in the
American War.

Even though it was a war we lost,

his commitment to his country

and fellow soldiers never wavered.

If you lose this one,
you'll have me to answer to.

Stich him up, Enys.

This war is not over yet.

After the war had ended
and I had returned home,

he continued to the Spanish Main to
fight alongside Horatio Nelson.

As a young officer in Jamaica he
dug ditches,

built fortifications, risked his
life countless times in battle.

In the diseased-riddled swamps of
Honduras,

he learned that survival...

..depended on working WITH the
so-called rags and tatters

of society. Native Indians,
convicts, slaves.

Giving to all, regardless of sex,
colour, class or creed,

the right to have a say.

He asked the question,

"Should nations be ruled by force,
by an elite, or by consent?"

Everything he has ever done

has been in service to the Crown.

To suggest now that he seeks to
murder his sovereign

and overthrow the nation for which
he has laboured unswervingly

is, frankly, risible.

He is a patriot of the highest order

and the Crown should honour him...

..instead of attempting to cover up
its mistreatment of him

by inventing crimes
he did not commit!

We need to get Dwight Enys
on the stand.

I suppose it's worth a try.

And were you recognised?

I don't think so, I was too far
away.

Let's round up a passel of men and
head straight for Jacka's.

Nay, I think we should wait.

We've still no clue what them up to.

Whether it is our ore they're
shipping away.

Well, what else could it be?

I've no wish to confront them
without just cause.

It's better to watch and wait.

And catch them in the act.

Agreed.

So, we give them no sign
we suspect them.

No, especially not that one.

That's if she is involved and,
so far, there's no proof of it.

I served with Colonel Despard as
Army Surgeon

during the American War.

During that campaign, he sustained
a number of serious head injuries.

Subsequent to tropical fevers and
further cerebral wounds,

all sustained in the service
of the Crown,

have taken their toll.

And I believe that permanent

and irreversible brain damage
has occurred.

As in the case of James Hadfield,
the true character of insanity

reveals itself not as wild frenzy
or raving madness

but as delusion.

There is no doubt in my mind that
Colonel Despard is delusional.

His actions, his speech, his view of
himself and his place in the world

clearly indicate that he is not of
sound mind.

I therefore ask the court to release
him and allow him

to receive the humane treatment
appropriate to his condition

which I will personally undertake to
supervise.

All rise.

-Let's hope we're in for a lengthy wait.
-Yes.

The longer they argue, the better
the chance of acquittal.

My dearest Cecily,
we leave tonight.

He has arranged it.

Already?

They took barely ten minutes.

I know. It's a surprise to me.

Excellent.

Why?

It means the jury agreed without
arguing.

What did they agree?

What should they have agreed?

Uncle Ross's friend should go free.

UNCLE Ross?

He's no relation of yours, boy.

All rise.

Have you reach a verdict?

We have, my Lord.

Do you find the defendant guilty or
not guilty?

We find him...

..guilty, my Lord.

My Lord, we do earnestly recommend
the prisoner to mercy,

on account of the high testimonials
to his former good character

and eminent services.

It was not enough.

Does the prisoner wish to make
a final statement?

Innocence is its own statement,
my Lord.

It now remains for me to
pronounce...

..the dreadful sentence of the law,
which is...

..that you be taken to a place of
execution,

there to be hanged by the neck

but not until you are dead.

Then cut down and your bowels
taken out

and cast into the fire before
your face,

your head to be taken off

and your body quartered.

All rise.

I'm amazed.

Such a sentence has never been
pronounced in 50 years.

Can we not appeal?

I regret there's nothing more we can
do for him.

Break him from the jail?

I'll need you to get me into the
prison in the first place.

I am known and always watched
like a hawk, whereas you...

Caroline, help me knock some sense
into him.

Doctor Enys will do whatever is
required.

Caroline, are you mad?

Because Doctor Enys recollects that
he himself has been

the beneficiary of such an escape.

Do you really compare the two?

I was a prisoner of war, captured in
the service of my country.

Kitty, you must pack.

Ross will find you somewhere to hide

until you can get safe passage to
Jamaica.

Very well, I will join you.

To make sure he doesn't break more
heads than he needs to.

You're insane.

Yeah?

Dr Ransome to see the prisoner
Despard.

-Who?
-Man sentenced to hang tomorrow?

Been taken ill and I'm ordered to
attend on him.

Be careful with that bag, fool.

Drop it again and I'll have you
horsewhipped.

Small token for your pains.

A friend of yours sent a message.

Kitty.

You know Kitty?

Asks if you would kindly leave the
door open in exchange for these.

Don't stand there idling.
The guards change at midnight.

Guards?

Kitty's drawn us a map.

It's basic but it gives us an idea.

We've just under ten minutes to
reach the outside before

-a new patrol comes past.
-You're breaking me out?

Did you think this was
a social call?

You are both magnificent.

We are. Dwight, however, will not be
joining us.

-What?
-He'll return to the main gate,

-say he's attended a prisoner and then leave.
-Absolutely not.

This is purely pragmatic.

If one guard has told another guard
there's a physician here,

that physician must be seen
to leave.

It'll give Ned and I more time to
escape.

Very well.

First...

Well, then, you madman.

Best of luck.

Shall we?

Goodnight, Dr Ransome.

Goodnight.

Shall we breakfast together before
the execution?

Er, no, I have another engagement.

Ah, yes, that one.

Hopefully not as bloody.

Do we break the journey?

Only to eat and change horses.

So, we will not lie together till we
reach Gretna Green?

We will not lie together until we
are man and wife.

Lord save us!

Is it highwaymen?

Open the door.

Quick!

According to Kitty's map,

this leads directly to the cellars.

Sewers.

Not my ideal mode of exit but...

..beggars can't be choosers.

This one can.

And he chooses to stay.

What?

The moment I am missed...

..where do you think they'll look?

I've already arranged for a safe
house.

Here in London.

What about Cornwall?

You think they won't come for your
wife? Your children?

They cannot prove it was I.

Who else would be mad enough?

My friend...

..a soldier must know when to
retreat.

No, no, no, Ned! Not this time!

Not when we've come this far!

Have you ever seen me weep?

No.

In court today...

..I did.

Not when I heard the verdict

but when I heard my friend describe
who he thought was me.

But he was describing more than me.

He was describing an ideal...

..and he was describing himself.

You are everything I have sought
to be...

..but better.

A soldier...

..but also a statesman.

You will make the world a stronger,
fairer, wiser place.

So, leave me here...

..and go finish what I could not.

Get up!

God Almighty, can a man not sleep in
peace

on the eve of his execution?

Can you not sleep, Mama?

Too many thoughts keep me awake.

Shall I sing to you?

Would you?

# When the moon is on the sea

# Kosk yn tar, kosk yn tar

# Silver pilchards call to thee

# Kosk yn, kosk yn tar. #

Uncle Cary said I am to
have a new mama.

That's not true.

No-one can replace your mama.

For either of us.

Will it do, do you think?

I think it will.

Come.

Let me look at you.

That first day you arrived at the
bay,

you had a button loose.

I asked you to mend it.

And afterwards you asked me what you
could do for me in return.

And you laughed and said...

"Mend the world."

I fear that's too great a task.

But you DID mend the world.

For so many of us.

And for me especially.

And now I must quit the world...

..wishing I could leave you a better
legacy.

But you have left me the best.

Here.

God.

Sir, your daughter is blameless.

It was my idea and I fully accept...

Not true.

I suggested it and Mr Poldark was
merely the agent of my...

Why do some people fail to
understand

where their best interests lie?

Why is he here?

I thought he might appreciate
the spectacle.

Let us hope so.

Why the despair?

Miss Hanson is not altogether lost
to you.

As wife to me, she will, in effect,
be your stepmother.

Shall we begin?

Did my mother ever tell you why she
married you?

My father died with debts and there
you were,

throwing your guineas at her feet.

But her heart belonged to one man
only.

It wasn't my father.

And it wasn't you.

Brave effort.

Almost worked.

Let us proceed.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here
today...

Would you like a blessing, my son?

No, thank you, Father.

If any of you can show just cause
why they may not

be lawfully married, speak now or
forever hold your peace.

I wish to declare...

..that it's barely a day since...

..I gave myself, body and soul,

to Geoffrey Charles Francis Poldark.

So, if you wed her, you will always
wonder...

..is her first child mine or yours?

You will live to regret this,
my dear.

And so will he.

My lord, may I have your permission
to address the people?

Fellow citizens, I come here,

having served my country faithfully
for 30 years,

to suffer death for a crime I did
not commit.

His Majesty's ministers know I am
innocent.

Yet they choose to destroy a man
because he's been a friend to truth,

liberty and justice.

Shame! Shame!

Nonetheless, I hope that falsehood,
greed and tyranny

will be vanquished...

..and this nation...

..which I have loved...

..will one day be a beacon of
democracy, freedom,

justice and humanity.

Reprieve! Let him go!

Shall we have rain, do you think?

Dear God, could he be pardoned?

The Prime Minister has seen fit

to remit part of the sentence.

To wit...

..the taking out and the burning of
the bowels,

the dividing of the body into four
parts

and the beheading.

The prisoner...

..will hang.

It could be argued you had a narrow
escape.

A more pliable female might better
suit.

There will be no other female.

So, justice has been done.

Has it?

And hell awaits.

I imagine he'll find it
an improvement on this place.

Oh, I trust not.

The governor has his reputation to
consider.

The governor should be strung up.

You think?

Oh, were you not aware?

The governor of this prison...

..is I.

-This will be your world for the next month.
-And then?

We travel to Honduras.

Heaven...and...

..Earth.

I never knowed a quicker learner.

We all know her game.

Sam thinks if there's a soul to be
saved,

then he must save it.

Even if it's wicked.

ESPECIALLY if it's wicked.

And that one is.

I took a long time learning it.

So'll she.

Though 'tis maybe not my place to
say it.

Demelza.

Ross.

You have no idea how glad I am to be
home.

Judas!

I never thought that...

Oh, poor Ned.

Poor Kitty.

And you...

What do it mean for you that your
friend was declared traitor?

Will your good name suffer?

-Do I care?
-Well...

..not now, perhaps, but...

If I never see London again, it'll
be too soon.

Did you weep...

..when he died?

What good would it have done?

You should not stopper up tears,
Ross.

You should weep for him.

For the better part of him.

It is the better part of you.

I'll walk on and lay the table for
supper.

My love?

Compliments of Mr Merceron.

Anything?

It's like he's melted off the face
of the Earth.

Poldark has vanished.

Vanished?

Am I not bound to help the wife of
a friend?

Now the widow of a friend.

Tess be up to some wickedness.

And you know this because...?

My father is, too.

This document must be stopped.

THEY must be stopped.

The Hyde Park incident was not
sufficient.

I must devise a worse deterrent.