Poldark 2.03

Previously: Ross has no money and George is buying up shares of his mine. And Jud is Jesus. And D is pregnant.

Past Wheal Grace, a line of men are being led by red coats and a man on horseback. They meet Ross and D – the men are being taken to Truro jail for not paying duties on imported goods, “Some call it free-trading.” “Some call it being able to afford life’s necessities.” Oh, Brandy, fine silks, these are necessities? Ross, well, they can be sold for money, so… The Excise man doesn’t care, as his duty is the law. He leads the prisoners on.

D, who is super pregnant by now, tells Ross that he shouldn’t rile the dude. Ross: Couldn’t resist (just try, Ross. TRY.) But he is also wanted at the mine. D: You’d abandon me? Suppose I met a footpad on the way home? Ross: God help him. D gives him an affectionate smack and sends him on his way.

What D does instead of going home, is to go fishing. She takes a boat out into the cove and hauls up fish after fish, while Ross blasts rock in the mine. They still aren’t through Travorgie workings, but another blast should do it. They need the support of the shareholders to keep going. Zacky asks if they’ll be on board with this plan, and Ross says that most will, and he’ll make a “robust argument” for the others. “So, we carry on?” “We carry on.”

At Chez Warleggan (someone help me come up with a name for that place), George is practicing his boxing again. I’m OFFENDED at the poor form of everyone involved. OFFENDED. Tankard enters, and George asks if they’ve broken through. “Almost.” Ross is tenacious. Ultimately, George expects Wheal Leisure to do very well. For him. Tankard’s muscle man asks why else would George buy shares in it, and George patiently explains that Wheal Leisure sits on Ross’s land, and Ross is the chief shareholder. “And his latest scheme is about to come to fruition. It’s just too easy.”

In the mine, Ross notes one of the miners has some scrapes and bruising on his hands, and asks if it was hurt in the blast. No, it something that half the village has – bruising, bleeding. Ross is perplexed and concerned. Ross wants to send them home, and Zacky tells him that they can’t afford to miss a day of work. Ross won’t let them go without pay, but they need their workers to be healthy, and he has Zacky send for Enys.

“Dwight Enys is a scoundrel,” declaims Caroline Penvenen to her uncle. “For all he knows, I might be dead.” Ray tells her that he would have let Enys know if that were the case.

The scoundrel in question is at the mine examining the passel of ill miners. He frowns and sighs that he can’t account for the symptoms – bleeding gums, listlessness. Ross asks if it could be mine dust, and Enys says no, some of the sick are fisherfolk. “It’s perplexing.”

D walks through the woods with a basket full of fish, singing, and she runs into Elizabeth and Geoffy-Chuck. E asks if it’s wise, given the vagaries of the currents and D’s condition. D: “I know ‘em well enough.” And Ross will be happy with the fish – she has no intention of telling him where she got them from. D curtsies and goes on her way.

At Nampara, Jinny and Prudie are in the kitchen when D comes in with her fish – Jinny asks Prudie how long Jud will be gone, and Prudie’s like, don’t talk to me about that fuckhead. She goes on at length, while Jinny barely keeps a semi-straight face. “Keeping his head down, he says,” D says, and Prudie slams some dough on the table. “I’ll keep his head down.”

Enys is still gathering data, and confers with Ross. Ross asks if someone is causing the bruising, and Enys says no, they come of their own accord. Is is puerperal fever? Is it this, is it that? Tried fresh air, fresh water, goat’s milk, nutmeg… “Maybe I should try a different profession.” Ross says that Enys would like the Navy, and the diet – salt pork, biscuits, weevils. Enys laughs, “And be the healthier for it.” Then his face falls into, “I just put two and two together and got four.” Ross is like what. Enys: Thanks man, you helped me figure it out! “Bisciut, salt, No fresh fruit, no green vegetables.” It’s scurvy!

At that, a letter from Killewarren arrives for Enys. Caro, of course.

Ross rides along the cliffs (where else do you ride in Cornwall?) and George is coming the other direction. George tries to move past without communication, but Ross blocks him and asks if he’s got urgent business elsewhere. “All my business is urgent.” Oh, like trying to kill my manservant? George pretends like he has NO idea what that’s about. Ross: A witness at my trial was attacked and left for dead. George: How is that my problem? Ross: Such intimation will be answered. Just saying. George: Is that a threat? Cut to George, still checking that he has his pistol by his bed at night.

In the morning, Ross is packing his saddlebag, and overhears Jinny, Prudie, and Demelza talking about the current state of affairs – the district has been crawling with soldiers since the riots in Bodmin (about 6-7 months ago, judging from the state of D’s belly) and the free-traders are feeling the squeeze. They are also cleaning and preserving the fish D caught. Prudie says that they’re out of salt in the district, which will be a problem when the pilchards come in.

Ross enters and sees the fresh fish. “Where are these from?” The women all exchange glances and guilty faces, and D straightens her shoulders. “Nampara Cove.” “You went out in the boat?” “No, I whistled and they came dancing.” Snerk. “Have you no sense?” “Yes, and an extra mouth to feed,” D all but snarls, and Ross tells her to take better care of herself. He’s got to go.

At Trenwith, Francis is, I swear to god, using a divining rod on his front lawn. Aunt Aggie demands to know what that contraction is, and Elizabeth, who plainly can’t believe it’s come to this, says that it’s supposed to tell him where he can find copper. Aggie: Since they reconciled, I was hoping that Ross would help Francis get his shit together. Also that Warleggan upstart hasn’t been sniffing around lately either. Elizabeth tells her that he and Francis quarreled (I’m sort of charmed at how Heida Reed says “quarreled”? I dunno guys, I’m weird). Aggie, being the pragmatist, worries that George is going to call in Francis’ loans, but maybe he’s got another plan. E: Like what? Aggie: “Should I know how the devil’s mind works?” Maybe E should go visit him and keep him sweet.

Demelza and Verity walk together – VERITY IS WEARING A COLOR OTHER THAN GRAY. MY FANFIC IS COMING TRUE. AHEM. Francis and Blamey’s children hate her, and she’s very anxious about what might happen if she and Blamey have their own baby (D: ARE YOU? Verity: No, not yet, but “children are the natural consequence of marriage.” In other words, VERITY IS GETTING IT. YISSSSS).

At Killewarren, Caro opens a letter. Enys is of course very happy to hear that Caroline is quite recovered, and the knowledge of her gratitude is enough payment for him. In the grand tradition of epistolary sections, Caro picks up a pen and writes back, annoyed. No doubt he finds the fact that he SAVED HER LIFE to be a small service, but it is of large significance to her. She encloses a guinea, which is the smallest value she places on her own life (HA) and asks him to attend upon her later that day.

Back to Verity and her lovely red skirt (COLORS FOR VERITY), she asks D if she thinks that Elizabeth could be convinced to visit with Geoffy-Chuck, even for half an hour. It is hard for a beloved auntie to be away from her cherubic nephew. Ask me. I know. D asks if she would really do that, and Verity thinks no, but she misses her family.

At that, she sees Francis across the street – they stare at each other awkwardly for a long minute, and Francis finally touches his hat and walks away. “You see? We will never be reconciled.”

Caro and Enys will, though. He does call, as requested, and she snits that she’s only been waiting above three months. He’s been busy, other patients and all. She asks if they’re more important than her, and he says that they’re conditions are more serious than hers. She accepts this, to a point, and then demands to know if he will look at her throat or not. After a beat, he puts down his bag, and asks her to open her mouth. “Wider, please.” She does, and he blinks several times before managing to take a look. A QUICK look, before proclaiming her throat to be “most satisfactory.” “How brusque you are today. Is your friend Ross Poldark so peremptory?” Ross is often busy.

“Do you ride, Doctor Enys? For pleasure?” He allows that he has little time for pleasure. Ah yes, she says. With those patients with the serious complaints. “So what are they?” Scrofula, scurvy, easily treated with fresh veggies and fruits, but these are precisely the things that the poor cannot afford, so they bleed and die. “Why do they not spend less on gin and more on oranges?” Enys chokes back a bitter laugh. “Oranges, when they can be had, cost a thruppence a piece, and gin costs less than sixpence a quart.” And not every poor person is a drunk. Caro muses what he can be thinking by saving these people, they’ll “only multiply and then there will be more mouths to feed. Of course it’s sad to see them die, but at least it keeps the numbers in check.” Enys is no longer amused by her at ALL, and excuses himself AND leaves the fee she sent him. “You consider yourself tainted by it?” He bids her good day and leaves.

In Truro, there’s another meeting of the Wheal Leisure shareholders – Henshawe announces that they’re pretty sure they are within feet of the Travorgie copper lode! Yay! So they need approval to divert the quarter’s profits for the last time so they can make one last push. Tankard pushes back – they expected to break through 8 weeks ago! “Ironstone is no respecter of time or money.” No, Tankard is not having. On behalf of his “client.” “Optimism is one thing, but what if you got your bearings wrong and missed the whole thing?” They put it to a vote, and there aren’t enough votes to continue with the plan. And also, Tankard adds, one of the other shareholders sold his shares to Tankard.

Well, actually, Tankard says to George, later, they all know I’m not the actual shareholder in question. George smiles down at the paper, then notices out the window that Elizabeth is riding by. He leaves in a hurry and then we see him on his own horse catching up with Elizabeth, asking if he’s offended her in some way that she did not stop. She’s like, ever since the trial, and he interrupts, “Oh can’t we get past all of that?” Um, George. Elizabeth: I don’t think that’s really possible, but he insists she take some refreshment with him.

Ross returns home to find a strange horse in his yard, and a Mr. Trencrom in his parlor being attended to by Demelza. He asks what he can do for Trencrom, and Trencrom’s like, can’t I call on a neighbor in a neighborly fashion and ask after their affairs and speak a little of his own? Ross: Please speak of your affairs so I can know wtf you want.

At Chez Warleggan, Elizabeth is sitting rather stiffly with George, who is so sad that she keeps declining his invitations. She tells him that they decline all invitations because they can’t afford to return anyone’s hospitality. George: I’m special, though. “And, difficult as things are at Trenwith, they could, I’m sure you realize, be so much worse.” The camera begins to move behind Elizabeth ominously. “And if Francis cannot say so, let me convey the thanks of the entire family.” Elizabeth allows a touch of steel to enter her voice. “Not the entire family, surely.”

Back at Nampara, Trencrom is explaining that his affairs are far from prosperous – the demand side is going well, but there’s issues with supply. Ross: I heard. I heard that the excise men keep cutting your supply off, and you can’t convince them to just quietly take a share in the profits. Trencrom also tells Ross that every time they find a new landing place, they get met by soldiers and customs officials, and then the cargo gets confiscated and men get arrested. It’s very bad for business. He finally gets to the point: they’re out of navigable inlets, so Trencrom would like to use Namapra Cove for a while.

Back to George: he tells Elizabeth that he expects to be dealing with Ross more in the future, since he’s increased his holdings in the mine. “Oh.” “I not want to have cause to inflict undue pressure on him. Or on Francis.” “What would cause you to?” “I wonder.” Elizabeth is looking increasingly uncomfortable.

“Your cove is not ideal, but we could land there safely on still nights.” All Ross would need to do is draw his curtains. D is looking utterly incredulous at this whole thing. Ross asks what would induce him to do so. (D: “ROSS.”) Trencrom offers a lump sum per cargo – 50 pounds per cargo? Ross counters with 200 pounds. And salt. Trencrom laughs that such a sum would make the journey unprofitable. “200 pounds and six casks of salt. That’s my price, take it or leave it.” Trencrom sighs.

Elizabeth cuts to the chase and asks George what he wants. Her friendship of course. A return to their “former intimacy.” And also “a gradual increase in it.” I need a shower. Elizabeth needs a shower. George needs a kick in the balls. “Particularly if it safeguards those you love.” He needs a punch in the throat as well.

Trencrom ponders for a minute more, then laughs clasps hands with Ross. D is not amused.

Elizabeth is a lady and knows the art of the soft no. She does not think that Francis would be happy about her visiting George often, or indeed, at all. “A pity. A very great pity.” She leaves.

After seeing Trencrom on his way, Ross finds D, who tells him that 200 pounds won’t buy him out of prison. He does not intend to be in prison. “I can’t stand it again. The fretting, the not sleeping, the picturing you hanging.” Ross tells her that he just found out that George bought up more shares, and this will keep their heads above water and the village can salt the pilchards. D demands to know why HE can take risks while she cannot take a boat out on calm waters. Ross non-answers that he’ll stay on the right side of the law. Or at least the blind side of it.

At the mine, Zacky feels it’s a damn shame – he was sure in his bones they were close. They’re up in the sun, and Ross asks where Zacky thinks they got to. Zacky points across the headland that they got to a clump of trees about halfway from Wheal Leisure to Wheal Grace. Ross muses that it didn’t occur to him how close Grace was to the Travorgie workings. Hmmmmm. Zacky muses that maybe they should take a look at it from the Grace side of things – maybe the old man (Ross’ father) found a way through that they didn’t know about. Ross asks if that’s what Mark meant, the night he smuggled away to France? “There’s money in that mine. Copper,” we see in flashback to season one. Zacky thinks maybe, but a lot of it is under water, so they’d need a pump. Which costs. Ross nods. “Let me think on it. If I decide to take it any further, I’ll come back to you.”

Ross goes to Grace, and is cogitating when Francis rides up. “What are you up to?” “Daydreaming.” Francis dismounts and joins Ross in the pondering – he’s not thinking of resurrecting Wheal Grace is he? Ross laughs that his ambition overmatches his finances. “The curse of the Poldarks. Plenty of one, none of the other.” They both kind of think that one through, but aren’t willing to voice it yet.

At Enys’ house, he is about to leave with a basket of apples, and Caroline, in her bright pink riding habit, is there. She asks if he’s become a peddler now, and he says that these are for his patients. “Do your patients enjoy worms and mold?” Well, no, no one does, but beggars can’t be choosers, and once those are gone, there won’t be anything until next harvest.

In Falmouth, men are working aboard a ship, and in Casa Blamey, Andrew (ANDREW WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN) has just come home from Lisbon with presents for Verity (WHO IS WEARING MORE COLORS): almonds, sugar, oranges, and chocolate! “You spoil me!” says Verity, who does not mind. “May I not?” However, not all of those are for her – the almonds of for his son, James, and the chocolate is for Esther, who will all be there in a month. Verity is pleased to hear that the children will actually come meet her, but is also stressed.

Caro returns home, to find that Ray has a letter from Unwin – Unwin is pressing for an actual engagement, now that he’s an MP. “His coffers need to keep up with his ambitions?” Ray thinks that’s unfair but I don’t. Ray hopes that both of them are marrying for love, and Caro manages to not laugh in his face. She thinks Unwin loves her 20,000 pounds. But she has bigger oranges to peel. She wants money of her own, 50 pounds. Ray is willing to advance her some, but her every need is catered to, so what could she want? He disapproves of gaming. It’s new type of gambling, she says, and she wants to indulge the whim.

At Trenwith, Francis mentions that he saw Ross, and that Ross was considering a new venture. Mining of course, “whether we like it or not, it’s in our blood.” He picks up the divining rod and Geoffy-Chuck and goes to see if they can strike it rich.

At Nampara, Zacky, Henshawe, and Ross are pondering the map, and thinking that the distance from Grace’s workings to the Travorgie lode is maybe 25 feet, and Zacky’s like dude, give me a fucking shovel. They’re laughing more than they have in months, and D is happy to see it. Ross mentions that there’s a couple of young puppy engineers who have some new ideas, and that with the samples, the map, and Mark’s word that there’s money in the mine, it might be worth it. Zacky adds that they also have Ross’ pigheadedness. Ross asks for the disadvantages. “Time? Money? Common sense?”

In the kitchen, D asks if they can be told what the secret is, and Ross tells her all in good time. “But for tonight, draw the curtains early, and ignore any sounds you might hear.” He’ll be taking in the cargo. D’s mad about that, and Ross tells her that it’s all been arranged. “Well then disarrange it!”

That night, D and Prudie do draw the curtains, while Ross waits on the beach for the smugglers to land. Quietly, Ross leads the crew through the woods while they whisper (LOUDLY) about how the coast seems to be clear, but even so it seemed that someone knew about the previous landings. One of the men sees something and hisses a warning.

D puts down her book – she’s not doing well with the waiting quietly thing – and paces.

The smugglers see a soldier patrolling, and Ross offers to go head him off. Someone has the sense to tell him no, if he’s seen, he will be hanged.

At Nampara, Garrick starts barking and everyone looks so tense they might explode. Prudie snarls that if the varmints tramp across the flower bed, she’ll do something very drastic. A door opens, and they all wait to see who it. It’s Ross, and it’s all over. “Is it?” snaps D. Prudie and Jinny beat a hasty retreat, while Ross tries to explain how this makes sense if you use reason – he’s home, the tide has wiped away any footprints, there’s salt for the pilchards, and they have 200 pounds of debt paid off. That’s something. She thinks no, it’s not – he gets to take the risks and leave her waiting at home, and he can do whatever the fuck he wants while she must always do as he bids her. “Well, think again!” She storms off.

In Falmouth, Blamey is excitedly laying out the plan for the day – he will go meet his son’s ship, and then they will collect Esther, and be at home by 2. Verity is up to her ears in anxiety, and Blamey’s like, they’ll love you as much as I do! Verity doesn’t think so.

Enys has just gotten a large delivery of oranges! Just in case you might be wondering who on earth could have sent them, we see Caro, on her horse, watching from afar. She is met by Ross who remarks that she is far from home, and she’s like I enjoy my own company. Ross says that he hears she’s to be married soon, and she does not confirm or deny, but asks if he enjoys the state. “When both parties agree.” (So: not right now.) But surely she can make her own choice in the matter, being an heiress, right? She smiles somewhat bitterly at that and excuses herself – she’s going to be late to the hunt.

Ross heads over to Enys, and he asks if it’s Ross he has to thank for the oranges. No, Ross doesn’t have MONEY, Enys! Enys then goes to the actual most likely suspect, who says that if she WERE to give a present, it would be a better instrument for removing fishbones, seeing as he bruised her little mouth. “I knew it was you.” She says that she doesn’t really care about the a few fishwives, but he wouldn’t accept her guinea. “So…?” “I knew your conscience wouldn’t let you refuse a gift for your starving patients. So you see, now you’re under obligation to me.”

“Is that how you prefer your men?” “You’re rather impertinent.” Enys smiles. “I like you very much, too.” They stare at each other, framed in a doorway, until FUCKING UNWIN and FUCKING GEORGE interrupt a ~moment~. George tells Enys that he’s heard he’s quite good at curing dogs, and Horace has a spot on his ear. “Perhaps he might take a look at it after we’ve gone.” Enys says in an aside to Caroline that for 12 bags of oranges, Horace will get the best care anywhere.

At the Red Lion, the Leisure shareholders are having a meeting. Tankard is late, so Henshawe gives the report that they’ll have two, maybe three parcels to sell at auction, and there’s a question of do they want to take on extra men? Just as they’re about to take a vote, George walks in, determined to be the burr in everyone’s ass. “The fox led us a merry dance, but we got him in the end.” And he also says that as he is a principal shareholder, he will be taking a more active role, so could they outline their suggestions for him so that he might give them his best consideration?

Ross stares at Wheal Leisure until Zacky asks him what it means. “It means we cannot move an inch without his say so.” So there’s nothing to be done. Unless…

Ross, at Pascoe’s: he wants to sell half his shares in Wheal Leisure, and asks the VERY highest price, because George will pay it. Ross is rubbing his fingers anxiously, like he knows he’s about to jump off a cliff here. Pascoe thinks this is great, he can pay off some debts and start afresh. Ross: Sure, but that’s not how I intend to use the money.

Ross rides to Trenwith and pulls Francis into the study. Ross is grinning and tells him that he’s opening Wheal Grace, and gives Francis the thumbnail on what the state is. Francis thinks this is GREAT and asks who’s investing. Ross, well…I’ve sold half my shares in Leisure, and…I know you have this 600 pounds… “With 1,200 pounds we could do a great deal.” Ross says that it’s a risk, and George has a long arm – “To hell with George!” – and you could lose all your money. “I like a gamble.” Ross points out that it’s a gamble of the man as well as the mine. Francis: “I can’t guarantee the mine…”

Francis swallows and tells Ross that before they shake on it, he should tell Ross something – Ross waves it off – if it’s in the past it’s in the past and he doesn’t want to hear it. Francis swallows and they shake. “To the Poldarks!” Elizabeth has been listening at the door and also gets excited/nervous.

At Nampara, D opens the cupboard to find one sad little fish head left. She turns to see Jinny, who says, “Mr. Ross won’t like it.” Yeah, but Mr. Ross won’t be told, will he? “No, mistress.”

At Pascoe’s, Ross and Francis are there to set up the new mining venture – it’ll just be the two of them, but Francis would like his shares to be vested in Geoffy-Chuck’s name – that’ll protect Ross from George attacking by way of Francis. Outside, Francis decides to buy a nosegay for Elizabeth, and he and Ross will meet at the Red Lion.

D pushes her boat out into the cove.

At the Red Lion, Ross bellies up to the bar and George smugs that he just bought more shares in Wheal Leisure. “I wish you joy of them.” George is a bit surprised, because this confirms (to him) that the rumors are true – Ross and Francis are going into partnership. “I see you have your ear to the ground. Or the keyhole.” George asks what they expect to find in Grace, gold? No, just freedom. George asks if he knew where Francis got the money. “Yes, and we’re very much obliged to you, George.” George says that it’s service rendered for the names of the Carnwell Copper Company’s shareholder. “600 pounds. Or should I say, 30 pieces of silver?” Ross slams him against the wall, and cold cocks him. George slams Ross against a table and tries to gouge out his eyes, which…dude, that’s a losing play. Ross pries off his hands, slams him in the gut, and punches him several more times (I TOLD YOU YOUR FORM SUCKED ASS GEORGE) before throwing him into a small table and getting pulled off by the innkeep.

Out in the cove, D starts to fish, but is stopped by a contraction. She pauses, and considers her options.

Back in town, Enys (who just happened to be there) is patching up Ross’ pretty, pretty face, and asking if he thinks it’s true. Ross: He has the money, he has something bothering him, so if it IS true, how can I go into business with him, and if I accuse him and it’s NOT true, how can he go into business with me? Before an answer to this moral conundrum can be found, Blamey happens to wander by (because the show has decided to conflate Truro and Falmouth into one town, I GUESS). Blamey asks if Ross has been in the wars, and Ross grins that his surgeon has patched him up, and introduces Enys to Blamey. Enys excuses himself for more patients, but Ross has one more favor to ask.

Cut to Verity, at home IN FALMOUTH BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE SHE AND ANDREW LIVE, is awkwardly sitting across the table from a young blonde lady who is decidedly sullen. They stare at each other, and Verity tries so hard, and remarks that the girl (It’s Esther, which would be perfectly clear if PBS hadn’t edited out the scene where Esther shows up super early!) doesn’t look at all like her father. No, Esther says, she looks like her mother. “She was very beautiful, more so than…Anyway, after she died, people tried to poison me against her. She was a saint!” Verity doesn’t want to replace Esther’s mother, but hopes that she can be thought of as a loving friend. Esther says nothing.

Ross asks Blamey if Verity is well, and she is, except that Blamey can tell that she is still very upset that Francis won’t pull his head out of his ass, and she grieves the loss of her family. And Blamey is the last person who can fix it. Ross agrees, just as Francis, coming up from behind Blamey, says that Enys told him where to find Ross, since Ross is now barred from the Red Lion. (Is George? IS GEORGE?) Blamey turns around and there’s a sense of a large, strong dog raising his hackles, and a smaller, scrawnier dog cowering. “You!” Ross asks Francis to walk with them, and Francis is like, FUCK NO. “Francis! This is the last moment to wipe out the past.”

Francis considers for a long moment, and finally, FINALLY mans up and turns to Blamey. “My, uh, sister seems to find her new life agreeable?” (He does this adorable little flick of the eyes to Ross like, “You see I am trying”). Blamey: I would never give her cause to think otherwise. Francis, because old habits die hard, snipes that she doesn’t look for HIS approval. Blamey, who knows a chink in the armor when he says one, says that Verity would dearly love is approval, and that’s why Blamey also would like it. Francis doesn’t actually answer, and says that he’s sure Ross told Blamey about the fight with George, and how Ross threw George across the Red Lion and broke his nose (YES). Ross is like, not quite, but sure. Francis is just sad he didn’t get to do it himself. Blamey says that Verity told him about the feud, and asks what the cause was. Francis looks nervously at Ross, and Ross scowls a second before saying that he just didn’t like George’s neckcloth.

Out in the cove, D is having much more regular contractions and goes, well, time to go, but rowing is hard when your insides are trying to crap out a baby.

Blamey comes home to find a distraught Verity who tells him that Esther despises her and when James comes, Blamey must make her excuses because she really cannot deal with both of them hating her together. Of course, because this is how these things go, James is RIGHT there. But also he’s a golden retriever of a human, who just met Verity and he loves her, and gives her a big hug and kiss. “You’ll pardon the liberty, mum, but one doesn’t get a new mother everyday.” He also calls for Esther to get her butt down and stop sulking. “This is our family now, so you better get used to it!”

At Trenwith, Elizabeth has been debriefed. “You spoke to him?” “And shook his hand.”

Nampara, Ross comes home, calling for Demelza, and when that gets him nowhere, he calls for Garrick. Jinny tells him that she TOLD D not to go, but… “PRUDIE! WHY DID YOU LET HER GO?” “YE EVER TRIED TO STOP HER?”

Ross stomps down to the beach, where D has almost gotten herself to shore, but she’s yelling. He tells her to give him the oars, and she yells that she can MANAGE, thank you. “You are the most stubborn, pig-headed…” He throws one of the oars into the water (he’s about up to his hips and she’s in the boat). “Where would you be if I hadn’t come along?” “Where would you be if I hadn’t come along? Drinkin’ and brawlin’ and dodgin’ the noose!” “Let’s examine my failings at a more convenient time, shall we?” He pulls her out of the boat and she yells some more. “YOU’RE HATEFUL.” “YOU’RE INFURIATING” He carries her up to the house. “I COULD CROWN YOU.” “BY ALL MEANS. Once you’ve delivered our child.” Ah, marriage.

Inside, Ross paces until Enys comes down. They have a son. He is christened Jeremy (they don’t say this in the show, but that’s his name), and the whole family is there.

At Wheal Leisure, George rides by to be given the stink eye by Enys and everyone else. Caro comes by in her carriage – she’s returning to London for a while because, “One can only take so many barbarians.” Then she turns to Enys and tells him that she’s ordered more oranges. (“Oranges?” wonders George.) Then she wonders out loud if she and Enys will ever meet again. He says nothing, but watches her go, and George watches him, looking sad that no one wonders if they’ll ever see him again (in a good way).

At Wheal Grace, the Cousins Poldark and their spouses – three and three – stare at the workings. Francis remarks that he never thought he’d see the day. “Nor I,” agrees Blamey, meaning something completely different. Jinny brings them a tray of cups, and they all drink a toast to the Poldarks and Wheal Grace. Elizabeth looks almost longingly at Ross and Francis asks if she’d like to take a look around.

They leave, and Ross tells D that his father names Wheal Grace after his mother. D remarks that he must have loved her, and Ross agrees. “Yet folks said he was a wastrel!” D smiles, and Ross doesn’t deny it – while Grace lived, she kept him steady. “He set his course by her.” “Like the North Star.” Ross smiles and says that he has no such need. The North Star is not the brightest in the sky. It’s the Dog Star. “Which is fitting. Since I found my star in a dog fight.”

RHG: Now, you’d think that I’d be thrilled with all this Vendrew stuff, right?  Except that I am not, because they PRETTY MUCH blew through most of their plot for TWO BOOKS in one episode. I’m pretty certain that this is due to Richard Harrington’s shooting schedule for Y Gwyll/Hinterland (which you should watch if you like moody British mystery shows – it’s Welsh noir, though my frothing rage at not being able to get the Welsh language version without jumping through HOOPS will wait for another day).

Also, I do have access to the British edit and there’s a BUNCH of stuff that got cut form the PBS version, including Esther’s introduction and a 1.5 minute glimpse into Andrew and Verity’s marriage.

AND I COULDN’T FIND ANY GOOD GIFS OF VERITY WEARING COLORS OR OF RICHARD HARRINGTON’S BEAUTIFUL FACE AND I’M REAL MAD ABOUT IT. I do have fanfic where Andrew is musing that Verity needs to wear colors and then gets mad because THEY ARE BROKEN UP GODDAMMIT he doesn’t think of her at ALL (but that red skirt would be lovely on her) (dammit).

Caro, you gotta grow up, boo.