Poldark (2015–…): Season 5, Episode 8 - Episode #5.8 - full transcript

-Our missing ore.
-Stolen, stored and sold abroad.
-By Jack and Tess?

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

-of a friend.
-We have news to share.
-We do expect.

A child? That's wonderful news!

The intimidation of the
Enyses and Despards must cease.

As much as I relish inducements,

maintaining supremacy is
more useful in the long run.

You assume that a loyal Englishman

would not betray his country.

But what if that country were
toothless?

You may, after all,
be of use to the Republique.



Let's agree that,
when I step aboard that ship,

-you will forget you ever knew me.
-As you will forget me?

My actions may seem strange

to Demelza, and to you.
It's the greatest gamble

I've ever undertaken.

-Do you picture it?
-The French fleet on the horizon?

God speed the day.

You never speak of your family.

My task here is my first concern.

But your wife asks no questions?

My wife knows her place.

How I bless the
day she dismissed me.

For that set me on thoughts of
stealin' ore. An' without that,

how could Frenchies come ashore
to plot thy schemes?



And to pave the way for
General Toussaint and his army.

Indeed.

Not now, Tess.

Agh!

Beg pardon.

'Twas careless of me.

We have work to do.

You seem a little stronger.

Some days, I almost forget her face

for two hours at a time.

Do you recall my advice?

To find a purpose?

He already has a purpose.

My nephew is a soldier.

I trust he will always
be ready for action.

I don't rightly understand.

For months now, we've been losin'
precious ore and, still,

you make no move to challenge
Jacka, or Tess.

Did we not agree to wait...

..until we know the full extent
of the theft?

-Well, do we not yet?
-Uh...
-And what of the weapons hoard?

-What of that?
-Addington and Bonaparte

will shortly sign the Peace.
An invasion seems unlikely.

But did you not say Addington was
a fool if he trusts the French?

I did say so, but...

..a humble country squire
should leave London matters alone.

Gentlemen, still here?

Sir George's company
must be most alluring.

Your continued attachment
to Cornwall is heart-warming.

-Does the climate suit you?
-Ross...

As opposed to London,
which I imagine remains rather hot.

Your husband thinks
he has triumphed, ma'am.

-Blackened our name.
-Helped my daughter abscond with

-a Despard troll.
-And now hopes to see me arrested

-for corruption.
-And perjury, sedition,

brutality, murder.

Do you hear that, ma'am? He intends
to have me indicted as a traitor.

I intend to have him hanged as one.

Care to wager
who'll get there first?

Ross, come away.

-No, let me have a drink.
-I understand Captain Poldark

has been absent from London
these past few months.

And with good reason.

His name is reviled in Westminster.

-On account of?
-His Jacobin leanings.

His fondness for traitors.

Ah, you refer to Colonel Despard?

Perhaps Poldark should join
the French Army.

Since he stands no chance
of ever being

readmitted to the English one.

-Is treachery a matter for mirth, sir?
-Treachery...

..works both ways, sir.

If your own country betrays you...

..to whom do you then owe loyalty?

-G'day to Your Ladyship.
-Tess.

-We don't see much of you in Sawle these days.
-No, ma'am.

I've got matters elsewhere
to attend to.

Looks tender.

How came you by it?

I...I don't recall.

You should have a care, Ross.

It does seem but
a tiny scratch, yet...

..if it should fester
and an infection set in...

Mm.

I don't want to lose you, Ross.

You fear that?

Sometimes.

Of late, more oft.

Wondering where you go.

I have a mine to run.

And why you're gone so long.

Would you rather I was in London?

And as to that,
you may as well be, since...

..Hanson and Merceron
pursue us here.

They're of no consequence.

Why do I misdoubt that?

Perhaps you misdoubt
everything I say.

Do I have cause?

No.

No cause.

-No, Master Valentine, you cannot.
-Why must I keep away from the mine?

I want to learn about copper.

And mining is in my blood.

I should have a mine of my own.

May I have one, Papa?

Will you give me one?

Master Valentine!

Impudent brat!

He should be whipped
for his insolence.

Or are you growing sentimental

in your dotage?

No, I'm considering how angry
its former owner would be

if I made a plaything of his beloved
Leisure

and gave it to a child.

Well, if it ain't Preacher Carne!

'Tis an age since we last
studied together!

How goes the learnin'?

Tess?

I got bigger fish to fry
than 'ee now, Preacher.

To think, we now have 27 pupils.

-Huh!
-And I shall miss them.

-But I know I leave them in excellent hands.
-How will I manage?

So much, I've come to rely on 'ee
these past few months.

-'Tis almost as if...
-We're sisters?

No.

That, we shall never be.

Sam and Tess
no longer study together.

Perhaps she've learnt

all the lessons there be.

I've certainly learnt mine.

Ross, there be plenty hereabouts
who flock to Bonaparte.

Given a chance and
a decent musket.

-Now?
-Not now.

-Why not?
-Someone might come.

Tell 'em to scarper.

Deny me, then.

Say you don't want me.

-Would I dare?
-Then dare thy body, an' I'll dare mine.

For we both know we long for it.

And because of that, let us
find a more fitting place...

..and occasion,

so we can take our time
and enjoy to the full.

Go to the beach. They'll be waiting.

There it is, Wheal Leisure.

A mine is a place of wonder.

-Who says so?
-Uncle Ross.

Well, well!

It appears the Honourable Member for
Truro is less than honest.

I wonder what the scullery maid
would say!

Of course, it could simply be
a smuggling venture,

given his past misdemeanours.

But to be consorting with
the French, in any guise...

While the Peace is yet unsigned.

Treason, pure and simple.

And were we to frame it as
more than a smuggling venture...

How was the mine?

Like any mine.

Deep, dark, cold, damp.

Lonely?

Aside from a few starving rats, yes.

-Ross...
-Mm, the pie is excellent.

..how needful would you say is...

..honesty betwixt husband and wife?

Is honesty always desired?

I'd say so.

Whatever the cost?

Yes.

Yet consider, are there not...

..some matters,

persons...

..past events,

particulars of which

I've never asked you?

And for you also...

..are there not

like omissions?

Because to ask the question...

..means it can never be un-asked.

Nor the answer un-heard.

So, we should never seek
to know the truth?

Are we sure
we always want to hear it?

Take your bag.

Clowance, your bonnet.

-You're going to Killewarren?
-Garrick, come!

May I ask why?

When did I lose you, Ross?

You haven't lost me.

When I look in your face,
I see a stranger.

I will be a stranger
if you choose to desert me.

Then become again
the man you once were!

That man no longer exists.

Then I must leave.

Forgive me, that sounds...

..a little extreme.

Because you consider
marital fidelity as, what,

-a tiresome detail?
-Have I ever said so?

Not in so many words,

-but in thought?
-What thought?

-Your own attachment.
-My "attachment"?

Caroline, must we
forever revisit this?

Yes, I admired Kitty.

I made no secret of it. But why...?

Why would you imagine that
my feelings went beyond?

Because it would not be
the first time

you fell in love with
someone else's wife.

Keren Daniel.

Pray, excuse me.

-Where are you going?
-To do what I should have done months ago.

Yes, I let her go.
I think it's for the best.

-How could that possibly be?
-Months ago, I told you my actions

-might seem strange.
-And so they do.
-I also asked you

-not to question me.
-And for months I have not, but now...

Is not the time to start.

Ross, your arrogance, your
presumption that this concerns

none but yourself.
Have you still not understood

that subterfuge destroys?

-You speak from experience?
-I speak from experience, yes.

From knowledge of lives affected,

-actions which had consequences.
-What actions?

-Actions of mine?
-Actions of yours.
-What consequences?

-What consequences?
-Ask George.

He lives with them every day.

Losing his wife,

knowing she once loved you.

-I cannot alter that.
-No,

but you can alter this.
Lying to Demelza,

-keeping her in the dark.
-Only to protect her. If you knew,

-if you understood...
-Help me to understand!

Certain actions of mine, if
scrutinised, might be misconstrued.

Like your affair with Tess? Hm?

-Demelza knows of that?
-Oh, she knows.

And the sooner you break it,
and plead forgiveness,

-and beg her to come home to you...
-I cannot.

-Ross...
-No, I will not. I...

It suits me to have
Demelza away from Nampara.

-You no longer love her?
-Love her? Dear God!

No, I no longer love her.

I had your note.
When does he arrive?

Any moment.

His name is Toussaint.

General Toussaint?

You know of him?

At Marlow, he was much discussed.

-Well, what is he?
-A noted military strategist,

exceptional swordsman.
Why have they sent him?

-To plan the invasion.
-They ARE serious.

Any weaknesses?

A certain arrogance. A fondness
for ladies, good wine, soft beds.

I can't imagine he'll find
Wheal Leisure to his liking.

Which is why I've suggested
something more congenial.

May I present
General Jules Toussaint,

Senator and Marshall of the Empire.

Captain Ross Poldark.

My nephew,
Cadet Geoffrey Charles Poldark.

Both at your service, General.

You live alone here, Captain?

My wife and family are from home.

We will not be disturbed.

Thank you, Burkett.

"General"?!

Well, now we have him.
Colluding with the French

-at the highest level.
-His hanging should be

even more spectacular
than his friend's.

And the nephew brat will join him.

And our restoration to favour
will be complete.

Mm.

So, the first wave of the invasion

will be small and localised,
but if successful...

We immediately send in a second.

-And for when is it proposed?
-As early as, er, next month.

-Before the Peace is even signed?
-Yes.

Excellent.

Letter for you, sir.

Is he giving the gifts to the baby?

Yes.

A shooting star.

I need your assurance that nothing
I tell you will reach Demelza.

You have my word.

-Yeah.
-That one.

I think he's talking to the...

..people in the church.

How can you possibly think
this will work?

Because there's no other way.

Very well, yes, I'll assist you.

-Though I give you small chance of success.
-My thanks.

Speed is of the essence.

The General and I will visit
Wheal Leisure today.

While we're gone, let yourself in to
Nampara and go to the library.

Beneath the rug by the window,

there's a panel in the floor.

While we're at Nampara, another

party must be at Wheal Leisure.

To what end?

Fireworks? Rock falls?

Of the most spectacular kind.

Which is why I've called in
the expert.

Can I count on you all?

For God, King and country.

-Go on, outside.
-My dear...
-Mama?
-..where are you going?

-Prudie, take the children outside, please.
-Yes, maid.

This way, chibbies.
We'll wait outside.

Caroline...

..I've thought and I've thought
on what's to be done.

I can see no other way.

When I heard how he spoke to Tess...

..I thought of Elizabeth.

They could not be more different.

It's the pain that's the same.

And I had hoped that

Ross had learnt his lesson.

It is plain to see
he's done nothin' of the sort.

And...

..to ever be wonderin'...

To ever be wonderin',

are they in each other's arms?

Does he whisper to her the same

sweet words that he once
whispered to me?

The agony of never knowin',
just a moment's peace...

No, I can't.

It's my faith that's broken.

It can't be re-made.

It is a pleasure to see
how well guarded the mine is.

And our cache of arms is impressive.

We have many sympathisers
hereabouts...

..and, as you've noted,
no shortage of weapons to arm them.

Farewell, my friend.

Tonight, I go to Verity

till Captain Blamey
can see us aboard a ship to

Lisbon or the Americas of Jamaica.

-Jamaica?
-Why not? We'll be...

..quite the band of sisters.

-Kitty, Cecily and I.
-Demelza,

my dear, you cannot.

Caroline.

Oh. Dwight will never forgive me.

An impressive sword, Captain.

You have some skill with it?

Nothing to compare to your own.

-May I?
-Of course.

It is true I possess
a certain...dexterity.

-Practice is the key...
-Mm.

..like with any weapon.

And as the ladies
in France will testify,

I do practise a great deal.

How does Bonaparte
view our prime minister?

With utter contempt.

He thinks him a grovelling fool.

So, this proposed treaty...

Would merely give us a respite

to rest and rearm our forces.

Always assuming you do not invade

before it is signed.

-Which is my preferred option.
-And mine.

This country does not
deserve liberty.

It punishes loyalty
and rewards corruption.

Let us sketch out a plan.

You know the extent of our weapons.

As you know, I have an intimate
knowledge of the terrain,

the tides, the locals.

So, how many men do you propose
to send us?

2,000.

So, he allowed her
to form an attachment to him?

Fearing that to do otherwise
would jeopardise the entire scheme.

Dear God!

How could he do that?

To lie to me for so long,
so bold-faced?

And Tess, to so misuse her?!

-You cannot pity her.
-I do.

She's lost her heart to him,
an' I know how easy that is.

Am I a fool?

Or a saint.

That, I'll never be.
I've no wish to be.

All will be in readiness.
You may rely on me.

It is an honour to serve France.

And France will not hesitate

to reward you.

Shall we adjourn to the parlour?

I have some excellent rum.

-Imported from France?
-Naturally.

Then let us toast to
the success of our venture.

I know what 'ee be thinkin', maid.

An' I know that if Mr Ross
take such pains to protect 'ee,

he'll not take it kindly.

I don't doubt it.

Yah!

-Be not afeared.
-How could I not be afeared?

I've asked 'er to come sit with 'ee.

-To London, with all possible speed.
-Yes, sir.

Yah!

From Poldark?

"The French fleet holds itself
in readiness for an invasion

"as early as next month."

The thought of watching him
marched to Truro jail!

With that snivelling kitchen maid
whimpering after him.

"These details, which I have taken
great pains to extort from

"General Toussaint,
were painstakingly

"and covertly
transcribed by Dwight Enys.

"I hope they will serve as
proof of French intent,

"and of my own desire
to serve the Crown."

Damn him! So...
So, he'll be crowned as a hero.

How?

This report
will never reach Wickham.

But if it reached the General...

Oh, I do not place

much store on marital fidelity.

If opportunity presents...

And the lady is willing.

Myself, I prefer...

..the thrill of the chase.

And who does not?

I beg your pardon.

I had no idea you had company.

And this is your charming wife?

It is. Erm...

..Demelza, this is...

-..an old comrade from my days in America.
-Jules Toussaint,

at your service, Madame.

Pardon my intrusion, sir.

No intrusion.

This is, after all, your house.

And to think I was almost denied
the pleasure of meeting you.

My husband is rather possessive.
He likes to keep me to himself.

Dare you not disobey him?

How could I, sir?

He is my lord and master.

He is also a traitor...

..to you.

-Sante!
-A la votre.
-A la votre.

Quelle qualite?

-On sort!
-Qu'est ce qu'il se passe?!

-And you have proof of this, monsieur?
-I have, in my pocket,

a letter from this man, which was
intercepted on its way to London.

A full account of your plans,

addressed to the head of
our secret service.

And why are you telling me this?

Because he is without loyalty
or honour to his country.

Yes, that is true.

And what serves me best at present
is this man's dispatch,

by any means you see fit.

Oh, Capitaine.

You disappoint me
greatly, Captain.

I thought I had found an ally.

Instead...

May I?

Forgive me if your carpet is
stained, Madame, but I must perform

-a small execution before we resume our conversation.
-Sir...

..from the bottom of my heart, I...

..I bless you.

Can you truly think
to rid me of this fiend?

You...

-..do not plead for him?
-Plead?

-I loathe him.
-What?!
-He's a liar, and a bully.

He repeatedly breaks
his marriage vows, and...

And my heart.

So, yes, I despise him.

It would be a blessed release
if you were to dispatch him.

-Delighted to oblige you, madame.
-But not too swiftly.

I should like to see him...

..humiliated

before his dispatch.

And nothing would give me
greater pleasure.

Forgive me, monsieur,

would it not be better
to have it over and done with?

You, sir, are plainly philistine.

Why resort to brute force...

..when there is artistry to be had?

Choose your weapons, then.

-Pistols or swords?
-Swords, of course.

Then at least you will die
a soldier's death.

What were you thinking?!

Did you not think to tell anyone?

She forbid me.

I warned you not to tell her!

-Fuses set!
-Zacky, do the honours.

Make haste!

Oh!

I may have used
a little too much powder!

Proper job!

We'll let the Frenchies out later.

I tell you, monsieur,
this is a foolish distraction!

Shall we begin?

Would you like me
to make it easier for you, Captain?

On y va?

Is that really your best?

Ah, ah. Too easy.

Ha!

Madame.

Argh!

Oof!

Oh, my love!

-He's dead.
-Dead?

What? D-Did I...?

I'd rather you kill the other,
but we mustn't be greedy!

Keep still, let me see.

Y-You cannot mean to set him
at liberty. Finish him.

Dispose of both bodies.
Who would know?

It's tempting, but...

..I have a better idea.

-How bad is it?
-It will keep him in bed a few weeks,

but he'll recover.

Mistress, come quick!

What? What is it?

-Thank you, my friend.
-For what?!

Demonstrating the true
nature of loyalty.

Run on ahead.

Of which I trust you will shortly
reap the benefits. I think

I'll retrieve my letter to Wickham.

Might I suggest a brandy?

Thank you, no.

You think I might poison you?

I wouldn't rule it out.

Clearly, we are never going to be
the best of friends...

Or any manner of friends.

-..but I believe thanks are in order.
-Spare yourself.

The gesture was not
out of concern for you,

-but out of loyalty to my country.
-I'm indebted to you, nonetheless...

..which is not a position I relish.

Whereas I revel in it.

So...

..shall we revert to
our usual animosity?

With pleasure.

Oh, Morwenna...

Morwenna! It is well.

It is well, Morwenna.

Rosina, hold her hand.

We're with you.

Hold fast, Morwenna.

It's nearly there, Morwenna.
Nearly there.

Oh, well done, Morwenna, well done!

Oh!

She's beautiful!

Here, greet your daughter.

Oh, my beautiful girl!

My love!

We have a daughter!

A daughter!

And you're safe. All is well.

All as we'd hoped.

What a day. What a love.

That's what we'll call her -

Loveday.

Loveday Carne.

Welcome, Loveday.

I doubt I can ever repay you.

How your mind leapt to such a plan!

There was no plan.
I was that afeared, I just blurted

-the first thing that came into my head.
-His vanity was his undoing.

I knew if I could just
bide my time...

I was countin' on that, too.

I should never have kept
things from you.

You saved my life.

As you saved mine, long ago...

..when you took me from a dogfight,

made me your scullery maid,
and then your wife.

My only thought was to protect you.

Oh, Ross, I've long been
indebted to you.

-If this goes in some way to repayin' that...
-My debt to you

can never be repaid...

..but for the rest of my life,

I will try.

Yah!

She favours you, Morwenna,
which can only be a good thing.

May I hold her?

Of course.

May I ask to speak with thee? Alone?

It is a joy to see them
so content, do you not think?

And the child - such a blessing.

And do you not think
you deserve as much joy?

Or will you let guilt be thy master?

I? I deserve...

..torment for the pain I've caused.

For which I hold not the
least of a grudge.

Nor pass judgment.

For who in this world
have never gone astray?

You and I were once set to wed.

Can we not be so again?

Would you take me still?

Would you not ask me?

Kitty Despard.

I understand.

Quite rightly.

You feared I might
repeat my past indiscretion.

No.

That was not my fear,

but it has been my excuse.

For what?

Keeping you at arm's length.

Preventing any lasting
reconnection between us.

For what might be the consequence?

Another child.

Another opening of my heart.

Another loss would kill me.

And me.

And yet, without such opening,
are we not but half-alive?

Yes.

And would you deprive yourself,
forever, of that?

I would not.

Nor would I want to deprive you.

Hence my confession.

Yes. This account confirms other
reports which have reached me,

from France and from England.

But Addington will not heed them.

He's hellbent on securing
the peace, so...

I've achieved nothing.

No, not entirely.

Your loyalty has been recognised,

we've managed to avert the impending
French invasion of the South West,

and, in addition, the French
prisoners you took

are proving informative.

And you have, it appears,

redeemed yourself in the eyes of
the Crown, so...

And what might the Crown be willing
to do in return?

Ralph Hanson and Joseph Merceron
have also shown loyalty.

To none but themselves.

This account demonstrates treachery,
a lack of conscience,

honour or mercy.

Time, surely, for them
to reap their rewards.

And what of the matter
we discussed some time ago?

The covert role of a person
of your talents?

Yes?

Perhaps now might be a good time
to try it for size?

Could this really
not wait till morning?

I trust the matter is significant.

"Possession of brandy on which the
duty has not been paid"?

Is that the charge?

You realise that being in possession

of smuggled goods is
a serious offence?

Do not lecture me on the law, sir.

Do you not know who I am?

No, sir. Who are you?

A magistrate.

Then I wonder you are so
ill-acquainted with the law

as to hold it in contempt.

You will reside in Truro jail
until the case comes to court.

What case?

I'll give you a dozen names who will
have us released

before you can say...

Ned Despard?

Sir.

Ah.

The list of charges.

Bribery, corruption, fraud,
blackmail, false witness,

mistreatment of prisoners, murder.

Will it be enough to detain them?

For a considerable time.

Your servant, sir.

And yours, sir.

So, I should have my own mine.

Close to Nampara and Uncle Ross.

We shall visit him.

He can advise me.

Papa does not care for mines,
but Uncle Ross cares a great deal.

Second visit in a fortnight?
This is an honour.

How was London?

Productive.

We are now officially
free of Merceron.

I came to inform you that
I am closing up Trenwith.

Henceforth, Truro
and London will be my home.

I see.

Er, Valentine has

expressed a wish to visit here.

I should be grateful
if you refused him permission.

He is, after all, no relation.

'Tis a blessed day, Mrs Carne.

A day I thought I might never see,
Mr Carne.

Can you give me a moment?

Proper job.

You had all them Frenchies fooled,

and me besides.

What do I owe you, Tess?

You detest my wife, endanger
my children, set fire to my house.

Can't prove it was I.

We both know it was.

I saved your neck, Tess.

Don't let me regret it.

So, the call came at last.

As expected.

Travel to France, covertly,
observe the build-up of troops,

the full extent
of Bonaparte's rearming.

-We may yet prevent the Peace of Amiens.
-"We"?

Dwight will meet me there.

In the guise of studying with
the famed Dr Pinel

at his mental asylum at Bicetre.

But I'll be conveniently
close to Paris.

And to Ross, so you'll be
brothers-in-arms again.

So, do I have your consent?

You have my consent

if you promise to return

in one piece, and before harvest.

To bring in the corn?

To welcome your new son or daughter.

Oh, my love.

From Marlow.

They've offered me a place again.

Oh, that's wonderful news.

So, I will study hard,

train hard,

serve my country.

And trust that one day I will
love a girl more ardently than

the girl who was my first love.

The whole world
is out there waiting.

They'll soon be lighting
the beacons

in expectation of the peace.

The French will appreciate that.

The land they hoped to conquer,
lit up for all to see.

If it's a boy...

..we'll call him Henry.

And if it's a girl?

Isabella-Rose.

Are you afraid?

Course, I'm afraid.

Every moment of every day.

And I.

We mustn't be.

Where's our faith?

Where's our gratitude?

We're here, we're alive,
we have blood in our veins.

And the past is gone.

Tomorrow...

..doesn't exist.

All that matters is now.

And we.

Two hearts.

One beat.

Can't ask any more than that.

There isn't any more to ask.

Ross.

You will come back?

I swear to you, my love...

..I will return.