Original subtitles

♪♪

♪♪

How far is London?

Hundreds of miles.

Feel like the ends of the earth.

Perhaps that's no bad thing.

The headaches grow worse.

But if you give me a stronger opiate...

It's not simply a question of dulling the pain,

but of treating the underlying cause.

This is a sorry sight.

My nephew should be up, preparing for the election.

If we prevail...

As I hope we shall...

We leave at once for London.

My Lord, may I have a word?

You are aware that the election is next week?

My nephew must be recovered by then.

I regret that I cannot tell you what you wish to hear.

Then perhaps I should find someone who can.

Do we think here, or Truro, for the celebrations?

My return to parliament?

Are you so confident?

It was close last time.

With a man like Basset behind me,

do you suppose the result's in any doubt?

Armitage.

Armitage puzzles me.

An illustrious family name, a respectable navy career,

no local business interests to further.

What possible use could he make of parliament?

Perhaps he thinks to be a force for good.

He wouldn't last five minutes.

Hmm.

Move that...

♪♪

Dwight!

You've missed all the hard work.

I was called to Tregothnan.

And subsequently dismissed.

Hugh's improved?

The reverse.

But Falmouth dislikes my diagnosis,

so has called in Choake. Then there's no hope for him.

He'd stand a better chance in France.

And I have other patients to attend to.

Some closer to home.

I very much regret to announce an Enys-Penvenen offshoot.

A child?

Oh, Judas, that's wonderful!

And entirely your fault;

you would insist on bringing me home.

Of course I don't want the brat.

Oh, she don't mean it.

No, she means it.

Really, I cannot bear babies.

Wrinkled, greedy, red-faced little tyrants.

Truly, though.

Will it not be wonderful for us all?

This calls for a celebration.

Well, before my life is ambushed by possets,

I must make myself useful.

Will you favor me with your company this afternoon?

Well stop me if it ain't the Resurrection Boys!

Well, now then, lads... Do ye wrestle?

I'm in charge of games at Sawle Feast tomorrow

and in need of contenders.

I'll fight either of ye Carne meaders

with one hand tied behind my back.

Why don't you fight him, Sam?

Show him who's master.

I'd sooner wrestle for the liberation of souls.

Well, what 'bout my soul?

I pray for that night and day.

And if you came to our meetings,

we could pray together.

Maybe I would.

If you beat him.

Do 'ee mean it?

Say so, did'n I?

I accept.

Would it not be a fine thing

if George Warleggan were unseated?

Yes.

By Hugh Armitage?

For then George would be out of parliament,

and Hugh would be out of Cornwall.

It would solve a good many problems.

So how may we help Hugh on his way?

Hmm?

Our aim is to bring down the fever,

reduce the putrid humors, and cause an intermission

in the excessive action of the blood vessels.

We will proceed first with blistering,

thereafter with purging,

vomiting, poulticing and bleeding.

If you were to bring your influence to bear

in securing me the living of St. Newlyn,

my uncle, Conan Godolphin, might be willing...

To secure me an introduction to the Prince of Wales?

Yes, you've said so many times,

so far without result.

But, as you say,

were I in a position to influence matters,

your uncle should bear that in mind

when next he dines with His Royal Highness.

Is this what it takes to be a politician?

See how well-suited I'd be?

So delighted you could join us, my Lord de Dunstanville.

The delight is all mine, dear ladies.

Excepting my wife and daughter,

I'm seldom in such agreeable company.

Lord Falmouth is here, ma'am.

Oh. Oh dear.

How very awkward.

Has he mistook the day? Have I?

I did swear I invited him tomorrow.

My Lord, I can only apologize.

My Lord, would you believe

I've foolishly misarranged my engagements.

Can you forgive me?

So, Ross, I understand your brother-in-law

has challenged my gamekeeper to a wrestling match.

Incautious of him, to say the least.

Tom Harry is a champion

and in his prime.

His stomach would suggest otherwise.

You think, then, your Methody preacher will prevail?

I hope so.

It's time that hired thug was taught to behave.

I confess, I do find politics that confusing.

Why, for instance, do Cornwall return over 40 MPs

but when new towns like Manchester

send not a single one?

I agree, it's wholly unjust.

And wholly appropriate.

Till such times as these upstart boroughs

prove themselves capable of sound political judgement.

What, like Cornwall?

Which persists in electing members

by bribery and favors?

By and large, our elected representatives

are men of integrity.

My own nominee, gentleman, war hero.

By sheer coincidence, your own nephew.

Whereas yours is a man

without scruples or decency.

Perhaps you'd care to lay a wager on the contest.

Shall we say 100 guineas?

On one condition.

Whoever loses pays the money to a charitable cause.

Charitable?

Excellent thought.

Might I propose the new hospital in Truro?

Agreed.

I was saying to Demelza how tiresome it must be,

to be forever battling for the same territory.

Were it left to we ladies,

I wager we'd soon come to agreement.

Pray, instruct us.

Well, suppose we were

disputing two boroughs...

Say for instance, Truro and Tregony?

Then I might suggest

she yield me Tregony.

While she concede me Truro.

Of course, she might not wish to concede Truro

were she convinced of the merit of her candidate.

But suppose that candidate had failed to impress?

Had neglected his duty.

Say, in preserving the peace?

Thereby allowing a man to hang.

A dismal performance.

Quite unworthy of anyone's patronage.

I cannot disagree, my Lord.

More brandy,

gentlemen?

To muscular might.

You applaud brute force? Sometimes, in this world,

that's what's required.

Even if innocents get trampled underfoot in the process.

Zacky Martin's son was not innocent.

You consider brutality

to be an essential part

of a politician's armory?

I consider a sentimental weakness

for the poor to be pure self-indulgence.

Those of us actually in government...

As opposed to those pontificating

from the sidelines...

Have a more realistic view

of what's required to run this country.

I look forward to our contest tomorrow.

I suppose the election result's in no doubt?

Well, we'll see less of George once he is in London.

♪♪

Watch your pin, Sam.

Again.

Hit!

Hit!

Stay rooted.

It's not the guineas which concern me,

it's Sam.

Why don't you fight Tom Harry?

Then at least I could nurse your broken bones

in a better cause.

You think I could pick and choose my own battles?

I'd like to think so.

But sometimes they come at me unannounced.

And then?

Ross.

♪♪

That's it, move this way.

There we go.

Hooray for Saint Sawle.

- Please, may I be excused? - No, you may not.

Feast of St. Sawle is the one day

that everyone goes to church.

Jeremy doesn't have to.

Was Geoffrey Charles permitted to play with local urchins?

Francis saw no harm in it.

And yet see what came of it,

an inability to discern the proper companions

for a boy of his station.

We will ensure that our children

will make more suitable connections.

One cannot expect immediate relief

when one is dealing with a brain fever.

Is that what we're dealing with?

I believe Dr. Enys first identified the symptoms.

I, however, differ as to treatment.

If my thirsty little colleagues here

produce no good effect,

I propose to shave the head

in order to facilitate...

trepanation.

Well, daughter, are 'ee ready

to forfeit thy soul to preacher?

Reckon preacher's soul's on its back for thee.

Least preacher have a soul.

Ah, my dear, I feel it my duty as vicar

to attend the Feast Day festivities.

Naturally, you will not wish to...

Cousin Elizabeth.

Shall we go together?

I hope you've brought your needle and thread.

Brother Sam may need patching up.

Welcome, everyone!

A wrastlin' contest!

Best of three falls.

On my left, we have...

Tom Harry.

On my right...

Sam Carne.

Right, shake hands in the middle.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, none of that.

On the whistle.

Use your size, Tom!

See this delivered without delay.

Come on, boy.

Roll him over!

Come on, Sam.

Come on, Sam!

Keep your eyes on him.

Come on, Sam!

Get on him, boy! Proper stuff.

First fall to Sam Carne.

Come on!

Yes!

Come on, Sam.

Come on, Uncle Sam.

From Lord Falmouth.

I'll return as soon as I can.

Ready, second fall. On the whistle.

Come on, get up!

Get up, Harry.

Get up, come on.

He's cheating.

Tholly!

His eyes!

Mind his eyes.

Break 'em apart!

Come on, he's cheating again.

Get up.

Stop it, off him.

Off him.

That's enough.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Second fall to Tom Harry.

Cheatin', finaglin' worm!

Have a drink.

His lordship has no patience.

Sir?

I've assured him that these treatments

must be allowed to take their course,

but he's used to dictating terms,

so he must take the consequences.

Ha, good luck to you, sir.

Trepanation?

You can see why my uncle sent for you.

Shall we try less primitive methods?

I have a powder to lower the fever,

and another to reduce headaches.

But you yourself must play a part.

Trust in your own powers of recovery.

Suppose my faith is wavering?

Final fall, all to play for.

Sam!

You all right?

Careful!

Yer welcome to her soul, brother.

I've already had 'er body.

No!

And the winner is...

Tom Harry.

♪♪

Valentine, come...

here.

Morwenna.

I saw ye at the hanging.

I thought...

I thought it was the last time I should ever see you.

Knowing ye were there, I'd have died content.

I cannot be seen here.

With you.

How are 'ee, Morwenna?

Do he treat 'ee more kindly now?

Wife?

I was collecting shells.

Alone?

Well, have a care.

Here we are at the very edge of civilization.

I believe the natives can be quite barbaric.

Greet thy champion!

Sing his praises!

For he is very glad to be at thy service.

We thank you for that service.

And from now on, we no longer require it.

Brute force wins the day.

And I'm delighted the hospital will benefit.

From Dwight.

♪♪

Ross.

A pretty jest, is it not?

To cheat the French, and then oneself be cheated?

I hope you'll soon gain the upper hand.

Will I?

We'll do our best.

Demelza.

Would you sit with me awhile?

Too many visitors will tire him.

I'll wait downstairs.

Courage, my friend.

Thank you.

How serious is it?

Difficult to say.

There seems to be some underlying weakness.

Some lowering of resistance

which makes him susceptible to every passing ill.

Of course, his time in France

will render him more vulnerable,

but I sense there's more to it than that.

He seems... somehow resigned.

Why?

When he has everything to live for.

A glittering career, a noble family name,

a new life in London.

Perhaps those things hold less attraction for him

than other things which are more difficult to attain.

One would hope they're more difficult.

Captain Poldark.

Would you favor me

with a few moments of your company?

My nephew will be very glad to see your wife.

He thinks highly of her.

As do I.

And I.

Of course you're aware that, thanks to her efforts,

Francis Basset and I have come to an accord?

I was not aware.

However,

I would not be so naive as to suppose

that the strength of feeling which arose against me

at the last election no longer exists.

Even without Basset's support, many who voted for Warleggan

will not change their allegiance.

Of course, whatever happens to Hugh,

he will not be fit to fight this election.

No.

No, of course not.

A great pity.

By now you'll have had to choose some other candidate.

I have indeed.

I warn you.

His lordship is not fond of unexpected guests.

We are not guests.

I am his elected representative in parliament.

Mmm.

Since the riots, he's been much engaged

with affairs of state.

And whatever coolness you may have imagined towards us...

Mmm.

Should it continue,

it would create an unfortunate impression.

Then we will create a different one.

Arrange a series of public appearances

where Basset and I can demonstrate

that we are, in all things, as one.

Tell him I am otherwise engaged.

And will be for the rest of the day.

But why, when you have the pick

of the county to choose from,

choose me?

Because I believe you have the best chance

of winning the seat.

Confess, do you not feel some frustration

with your present life?

Your inability to influence matters you care deeply about?

I think I've stayed late enough.

The last time we spoke,

we were at odds

on just about everything.

The function of parliament,

the way men are elected,

the unequal distribution of power...

Times change.

Perhaps my views are less far

from yours than once they were.

Work for reform

from within the House.

Not all politicians find it necessary to sell their souls.

What would it mean?

Parting from you.

Becoming strangers for much of the year.

I in London, you in Cornwall.

Could you bear it?

Could you?

From one of my agents.

Basset and Falmouth have reached an accord?

Falmouth will not contest Tregony,

Basset will not contest Truro.

In other words, he's thrown us over.

How dare he?

Oh, it-it matters not.

My uncle has begun canvassing the burgesses

and he assures me...

That the majority wouldn't vote for a Falmouth candidate

if the end of the world was nigh.

Well?

Can you be certain?

Not entirely.

Which is why we've taken steps to increase

the obligations of certain electors.

Threatened them.

Encouraged them to see

the advantages of continued allegiance.

And the disadvantages of the reverse.

All of which may in fact result

in a larger majority than the one I secured last time.

These are my terms.

I may support Pitt

in any measure to sustain the war.

I may support the abolition of slavery.

I may take any action I feel

will benefit the poor.

Agreed.

I accept the nomination.

So, all is well?

We will return to Westminster?

My dear, order your gowns to be packed without delay.

♪♪

"When I am gone, remember this of me.

"That earth of earth or heaven of heaven

"concealed no greater happiness than was to me revealed

by favor of a single day with thee."

Mama, Mama.

What is it, sweetheart?

Demelza.

I must ask you...

Are you afraid?

Of what we agreed today?

More than afraid.

Yet I know it must be so.

Do not fear it.

George will win.

And I will stay.

And Hugh will live.

Brother Sam?

Have he said aught 'bout the wrastlin'?

Not a word.

Y'know, I promised to go

to his prayin' feast if he won?

So why'd he let Tom Harry win?

Maybe he don't want to win you that way.

If he'd won, would you have kept to your side of the bargain?

Of course.

Could 'ee not still?

I'm afeared.

Of what? That I'd feel naught.

That I'd want to be saved,

but I'd be led to pretending I'm saved.

Do you love him?

Be advised.

What he believes is who he is.

Ye can't love Sam without loving his faith.

Come on.

You must choose.

Take all of him...

or none.

This afternoon's election...

will you go, cousin?

Oh, now, there will be a tussle.

Will your opponent attract many votes, do you think?

On account of his exploits in France?

Doubtful.

Armitage is new to the business

and would do better to return to the navy.

Oh!

You have not heard?

Armitage is sick.

Falmouth was obliged to choose another candidate.

Oh?

And who might...

Poldark!

Poldark of Nampara!

Myself, I should have

thought him too much of a rogue

but no doubt he thinks to turn

his notoriety to some account.

Are you sure you have the right person, Ossie?

Gad, yes!

I heard it from my tailor, who heard it from

Sir Hugh Bodrugan,

who said, "Poldark in parliament

shall provide more backbone than wishbone."

He's not yet there.

♪♪

I'm sorry, Uncle, that I cannot oblige you today.

Hey... there will be other occasions, my boy.

♪♪

From Tregothnan.

Asking for you.

♪♪

Seddon, Gough, Tippet, Howell, Killick, Pooley.

These votes are assured.

Less certain is Aukitt,

but he's received

a substantial loan which he knows

is due for repayment if he votes unwisely.

These three, they're marginal,

they could swing the vote either way.

Prynne, Hick, and Musgrave.

Older gentry, well-connected, set in their ways.

And old friends of the Chynoweths.

I told you my wife would be useful.

You've abandoned your post?

This time it was the patient who dismissed me.

In favor of his other visitor?

I made him comfortable.

What else could I do?

Is it true that swans mate for life?

I believe so.

Or at least until a more handsome swan appears.

But no one seems able to cure me.

And yet, I think there's someone who could.

Well, let them be sent for.

She's here.

I?

I have no miraculous powers, what could I do?

Give me hope.

In spite of how I care for you,

and all that's between us...

It is not in my power to give you what you seek.

Well then, I must be content with what I had,

for it was no small treasure

to have once possessed you, body and soul.

I never asked you.

What led you to accept the nomination?

A moment of madness.

Which I now regret.

Once again, he puts me in a quandary.

You dislike Falmouth,

so how can you vote for his man? Quite so.

You're a veteran of these affairs, Harris,

what's the form?

Do I shake hands with my opponent,

or am I permitted to

glare at him across the hall?

The latter, I believe, is customary.

And safer.

Ladies, gentlemen.

Quiet, please.

It is 3:00.

Let the proclamation and notice of the election

now be read.

Gentlemen, I propose Mr. George Warleggan.

An experienced candidate

who has served this borough faithfully for many years.

A banker and merchant

with a thorough knowledge of local affairs.

A magistrate,

a keen upholder of the law,

which puts him in stark contrast to his opponent,

who has frequently shown himself to be above the law.

I commend to you a man

who stands against lawlessness,

against corruption, who will fight

for the interests of this borough in parliament.

What a paragon. I'm almost ready

to vote for him myself.

Gentlemen.

May I propose as my candidate

Captain Ross Poldark.

New to governance, but known to all

as a brave and distinguished soldier.

Thank you.

Short and sweet.

A welcome change.

Let the voting now commence.

I cast my vote for Mr. George Warleggan.

Captain Ross Poldark.

Captain Poldark.

Mr. George Warleggan.

Mr. George Warleggan.

Mr. George Warleggan.

Mr. George Warleggan.

Mr. George Warleggan.

Three more votes and George has it.

Captain Ross Poldark.

Mr. George Warleggan.

♪♪

Mr. George Warleggan.

Six votes remaining.

And George only needs one more.

Basset will look a fool

if he goes against the tide now.

Here it comes.

It's a wrap.

Captain Ross Poldark.

Captain Ross Poldark.

Captain Poldark.

Hick and Musgrave,

and my wife just charmed the britches off them.

Captain Poldark.

Captain Poldark.

Did you not tell me I had their votes?

Captain Ross Poldark.

Ross, it's yours.

CLERK Mr. George Warleggan has eight votes.

Captain Ross Poldark has nine votes.

I therefore declare Captain Poldark

to be the winner.

Thank you very much for your vote.

♪♪

How did he manage it?

How could he possibly defeat you?

He-he did not defeat me.

Prejudice defeated me.

Privilege has closed ranks

and chosen to forget the misdemeanors of his past.

And I, who have worked tirelessly within the law,

given money to all sorts of worthy causes,

am regarded with contempt

because my ancestry is inferior to his.

I did what I could.

Will Mistress Poldark be joining us?

She went to visit a sick friend.

I told her it was the worthier cause,

since I hadn't the least expectation of prevailing here.

Congratulations, Captain.

We have won the day.

By a very narrow margin.

No margin is too narrow so long as it's the right way.

Will you join us for dinner at the Red Lion?

Forgive me, but I'm not in a mood to celebrate.

I just received word.

My nephew died a few hours ago.

I hope he took comfort from your wife's visit.

I'm so sorry.

Please, excuse me.

Did you know he would die?

I suspected it.

But what purpose would it be,

to tell you before the election?

I was certain he'd survive.

He was still so young.

And to be frank...

I often wondered if...

If he exaggerated his pain in order to gain sympathy?

I'm ashamed of the thought.

Then console yourself with this...

Henceforth, he'll be immortal

in everyone's memory.

And we poor souls will look pale in comparison.

Yes.

The thought had occurred to me.

I wanted to tell 'ee.

A man's never had me.

Even if they had, 't'would make no odds.

The soul can still be saved.

And there be more joy in heaven

over one sinner that repent...

But that's just it, Sam.

I don't repent.

I could pretend to, but ye'd know.

What good would that do us?

So...

I'm going away.

What, to marry Tom?

Cock's life, no!

To Tehidy.

My Lady Dunstanville have want of a maid.

Just for a year.

And after that,

if 'ee still wish it...

And if... if I still wish it...

We'll meet again.

See how things come out.

See...

see if there be any change.

There'll be none from me.

You're a rare good man, Sam.

Believe me, it gives me no satisfaction

to be... forced to...

stoop to the services of a...

common drab.

And all because...

my wife refuses to perform her conjugal duties.

She don't know what she missing.

Leave us.

This is a setback.

Nothing more.

We will not let it compromise our plans.

Any of our plans.

Oh! Vicar.

Good day to you.

Sister in law.

How is your...

Health?

Oh, vicar, I'm so very grieved.

I'm afraid I was mistook.

In what regard?

It does appear now that I was not after all with child.

Are you serious?

I can only plead youth

and extreme ignorance of these matters.

You are the devil's handmaiden

sent to tempt and destroy one of god's own ministers.

Did you invent the entire fable

to blackmail and cheat me into

providing a dowry for... Vicar!

I'm ashamed of you.

However could you think such a thing?

♪ Roll it and pat it and mark it with "P" ♪

♪ Put in the oven for Prudie and thee! ♪

Maid not with 'ee?

She's not returned?

Not since this morn,

when she rid for Tregothnan.

Hugh Armitage is dead.

Oh Lord.

God bless him.

Oh, comfort the maid.

She'll be that...

Yes.

She was fond of him.

Perhaps I should go in search of her...

Nay, sir...

Only that...

maybe she wish to grieve alone a while?

Maybe leave her to come back of her own accord.

♪♪

♪♪

Ross.

I thought you would be abed.

Because I could sleep, knowing you were not home?

I went to Caroline.

I had to talk to someone,

and I know no one closer,

more truly a friend.

Except me.

Was it not so?

Before all this happened?

It was.

Always.

But in this?

Ross, how could I tell you?

D'you not think I'd want to be told?

But to explain something

I don't rightly understand myself?

Try.

This... thing came upon me unawares as I,

I never sought it.

I, I never thought there was place

in my heart for any but you.

But somehow, somehow...

You came to love him.

Not love.

Not love such as we, such as you and I.

No love could match that.

But...

Yes, he, he did touch my heart.

And now?

And now I feel as if my heart is broke.

Not as it was with Julia.

Then my tears were like blood from a stone.

I durst not let them fall.

And now they fall like summer rain.

And not only for Hugh.

It's for her and me, and...

and all that's wasted and broken and lost in this world.

Save some tears for me.

For I believe I'll need them.

This hurt...

it will mend.

And this sad, sorry, broken world?

Will that mend, too?

Who will mend it, Ross?

Will you?

I will try.

The election, what happened?

The very last thing

that we thought.

You won?

Yes.

And now?

Everything will change.

Be good while I'm away.

And you look after your mother.

Yes, Papa. Good boy.

♪♪

Thanks.

♪♪

♪♪