Poldark

Mr Poldark...

...it is alleged that you roused the neighbourhood...

...and led a blood-thirsty mob down to the beach.

Incorrect.

-Which part? -They were not thirsty for blood.

-They were starving for food. -Did you encourage the riot...

-...which broke out on the beach? -I did not consider it a riot.

Do you approve of plunder and lawlessness?

Do you approve of whole families being without sufficient food...

-...to keep them alive? -What part did you play...

...in the death of Matthew Sanson?

Regrettably, none whatsoever.

Enough of this insolence.

Ross Vennor Poldark,

I am committing you for trial at the Bodmin Assizes.

Bail will be set at 100 pounds...

...and may God have mercy upon you, for I most assuredly would not.

Julia.

Ross!

They let you go, I knew they would.

Did they dismiss all the charges?

Not quite.

I'm to be tried by Justice Lister at the Bodmin Assizes in five days' time.

I must present myself at the gaol the night before.

Oh, God.

-How has it come to this? -George?

This entire thing is a nonsense.

I'll be back before you know I've gone.

He should never have been charged.

-He's a gentleman and a Poldark! -His own worst enemy.

-I would speak to him, but he avoids me. -He avoids us all.

Since they lost Julia.

Well, something must be done or he will walk his head into a noose.

Or that new contraption they have in France.

If he's a sensible man, he will seek assistance...

...have words in the ears of those that matter.

-The Boscowens? -St Aubyns!

Warleggans?

When their cousin died in the wreck? No, George is...

...very likely behind the accusations.

But he could exert influence if he chose?

His reach extends everywhere.

Why would George throw his might behind Ross?

You're right. Why would he?

There's a storm coming.

Julia's afeared o' thunder.

I keep thinking that she's still here...

...and if I just call her name...

...I'll be better, by and by.

I tell myself that every day.

And every day I fail.

-We must think o' th' trial. -Oh, must we?

Ross, 'tis no little thing.

'Tis a proper trial, not just a magistrate.

You must answer to judge and jury...

-...and if you're found guilty... -They cannot hang me.

-I've too much to do. -Truly, Ross.

Truly, Demelza, I decline to be distracted by matters beyond my control.

Give me leave to attend on something I can influence.

Gentlemen!

I leave for Bodmin in two days. What are we waiting for?

And no doubt you aim to strike a new lode before you go?

A couple, at least. So let's get down there.

New lode? He'll be lucky.

The old Trebartha lode's near petered out, but he won't have it.

No more than he'll have this trial.

To hear him, you'd think he was heading for Michaelmas Fayre.

Dwight.

He cannot just bury his head.

And will you tell him?

It's almost upon him, how will he defend himself?

-Who will speak for him? -I will. But there must be others.

And plenty of them.

The Crown will already have assembled its case.

And no doubt there'll be plenty who'll be glad to help it.

-Can I rely on you, Tankard? -Of course.

Always happy to be of service.

Why is our attorney here?

He's been assisting the Crown to strengthen its case.

Theft, riot, attacking a customs officer. Is that not enough?

I wanted murder.

And I told you that charge would not stick.

Cousin Matthew was dead before he washed ashore.

-Poldark merely found him. -And left him lifeless on the strand.

Which is not a crime.

But it is a personal affront to this family.

And one which I intend to make him regret.

Prudence Paynter?

My name's Tankard.

Acting for the Crown in the case of Rex versus Poldark.

What do you recall the night of the shipwreck?

-Shipwreck? -Si thee now, woman.

When there's riot and robbery, like there was that night...

The law says naught of those who follow if it can lay hold of those who lead.

So 'tis best for all concerned...

...that the right man should stand in the assizes.

The right man?

Ross Poldark?

I never see'd sight nor sound of 'im.

Elizabeth!

-Are you alone? -I was about to return to Trenwith.

Would you consider a small delay?

-Are you suggesting I intervene? -The family would be so grateful.

The family means little to me.

You alone are the person I care to please.

It distresses me to think of my cousin at risk of his life.

It is I who would be indebted to you, George.

How difficult would it be to have him come before a sympathetic judge?

There are ways of encouraging such sympathy.

But does Ross ask it of me?

You know, you and Ross are more alike than you know.

I have said so. I said it to him.

I do not think he could fail to feel gratitude...

...if he felt himself beholden,

if he could see his benefactor in a new light.

So you've made no arrangements.

-None whatsoever. -Jeffrey Clymer, KC, your defence.

He'll meet you in Bodmin.

Will he?

Next, your finances.

You are chief shareholder in Wheal Leisure.

Other than that, you have no income.

Your tenants regularly default on their rents.

Your house is mortgaged,

and you have outstanding debts of 1,000 pounds...

...at interest of 40 percent.

-My wife will be sorry she wed me. -Your wife deserves better.

-Have you made a will? -Of course not.

-I need a list of all your assets. -That shouldn't take long.

"My dear Demelza."

"I know that recent events have caused a breach between our two families..."

"...but wonder if I could persuade you and Ross to visit us..."

"...at Trenwith tomorrow afternoon."

-Ah, Captain Poldark. -Mr Trevaunance.

-How goes your campaign? -Better than yours, I imagine.

Who was that?

No-one of any influence.

Jud Paynter?

-Never heard of him. -You were on Hendrawna Beach...

...the night of the shipwreck.

-Was I? -Perhaps this'll jog your memory.

Ah, well, now.

Get off home, you bladderwrackin' piffling piece of offal!

-Uncle Ray! -Caroline!

My dear!

And Mr Trevaunance, our prospective member of parliament.

I see you travel light, niece.

-How long are you intending to stay? -That depends.

If my little Horace and I get bored, we may be forced to return to London.

No doubt you're much in demand there.

An heiress is much in demand everywhere.

-Especially one who is not yet of age. -Why so?

It's assumed she'll do the bidding of her wealthy uncle...

...and marry where he chooses.

-You confident, Unwin? -Of winning his seat or my hand?

Both, I trust!

-I hope we can come to terms soon, sir. -I hope so, too.

She runs rings round her old guardian.

I'm sure a younger man would benefit from the exercise.

Did I mention I saw Unwin Trevaunance, our would-be MP?

And his intended, Ray Penvenen's niece.

No doubt she's in town for the election in Bodmin.

I've never been to Bodmin.

Be grateful you're not going now.

Why?

The elections take place the same days as the assizes.

The town will be seething.

Will Elizabeth go?

I shouldn't think so.

She sent us a note.

What could she want?

The same as I.

You did promise me after Julia died that we would all be reconciled.

You still want that?

With the trial nigh upon us...

...maybe I'll be glad of the friendship.

Even though they cost us Julia?

Nay, Ross, you cannot lay it all at their door.

Why can I not?

'Tis why I'd wish to make peace...

...despite all that we lost.

Will it not mean that Julia didn't die in vain?

It's good of you both to come.

-Is Francis here? -Somewhere hereabouts.

I wanted to speak with you first...

...to ask if some help might be given when you come to court.

I hope you will take the gesture with the kindness in which it's intended.

Gesture?

George might know the judge who will hear your case.

-How convenient. -And thought that perhaps he could be...

Pointed in the right direction.

For a price, no doubt?

Not one that you would personally need to pay.

But I see that I would.

And it strikes me as more than my liberty's worth.

Demelza, we're leaving.

Ross?

Elizabeth, what's the meaning of this?

I thought if there was something we could do...

-...to help Ross. -We?