Poldark 3.07

Previously: Ross is an idiot, Whitworth is disgusting, and Aggie died.

D and Ross visit Aggie’s grave, which is marked by a simple wooden cross. D is aghast and disgusted that Aggie is in a pauper’s grave with no headstone. Ross says firmly that she WILL have a headstone. She was the last of the Trenwith Poldarks. “Barring Geoffrey-Charles.”

At said Trenwith, George sits at his desk, while Elizabeth and Poor Baby Val (and a bell) sit across from him. He glowers, and Elizabeth asks him what she’s done. “Since Aunt Agatha’s death there’s scarcely been two words between us.” She was not happy that Aggie was buried so fast and without ceremony. George claims that was because they don’t know what she died of, so it was really for health reasons. “Perhaps I was wrong to challenge you so vigorously.” But George, talk to your wife, dammit, and your baby! George has been busy, and expects to be busy until after the election. And then he’ll go to London.

Ross broods over the sea.

At Killewarren, the awkwardest thing is happening. George has come to visit. Caro, holding Horace, asks if George would like tea. He declines, saying this isn’t a social call. Caro, well used to being politely dismissed by men, fixes Enys with a “You will fucking tell me everything once this asswipe has gone, will you not, MY LOVE” look, and peaces out. George is so awkward and fussing with his hands.

What he wants to know, after receiving assurances that this will be confidential. It’s about Poor Baby Val: he was an 8 month baby, right? Brought on by Elizabeth’s fall down the stairs? Enys: and is perfectly healthy. George says he was told that an 8 months baby doesn’t have nails or hair and is kind of wrinkled? (Enys: I mean, sometimes.) George, picking up steam: my kid was born with hair and nails and smooth skin so was he really an 8 month baby or not? Enys: “I observed nothing at the time of his birth that nothing was not as it should be?” George: So you won’t tell me anything. Enys: Look. George reminds Enys that he’s pledged to secrecy. Enys: asswipe, don’t tell me my job.

At the mine, a bunch of people are sitting, looking completely downtrodden. Ross comes up, and Zacky tells him that the Warleggans cut wages at 3 of their mines (“Again?”) and that those people walked 12 miles on the chance that there might be work for them at Grace.

Whitworth sermonizes badly while Morwenna and Rowella sit in the pews. As Whitworth talks about the wiles of the devil, Rowella looks at him…almost flirtily?

Caro calls on Elizabeth, and says that she and George must come to dinner sometime. “I would have asked him, but he left in such haste.” Elizabeth didn’t know that George was at the Enys’. “A social call?” “A private matter.” Elizabeth asks what it was, but Caro laughs that Enys never discusses his patients. Damn ethics.

D stands on the cliffs, thinking, and looking at the drawing Armitage made of her. Eventually, after some melancholy strings, she crumples it and tosses it into the sea.

Whitworth looks at sketches of waistcoats, when Enys comes in. He’s there to see Morwenna. He has concerns. (“What’s she complaining of now?” Enys, you could kill this shithead.) “She merely answered my question about the nature of your marital relations.” Whitworth explodes that she has no right to discuss that with anyone, and Enys is like hold up, motherfucker, yes she does and I do, too.

Whitworth eyes Rowella’s breasts and says of course not. Rowella gives him a smile that seems inviting.

At Wheal Grace, Ross asks Zacky if they could use the new arrivals on the same level that they sent the other Warleggan economic refugees a few episodes ago. Zacky tells Ross that he doesn’t have to employ everyone in the county, and Ross is like, I know, but also I want to, and it’s expensive to pick up corpses and dig graves.

Enys barrels in, saying that he was “disagreeably detained.” Ross asks by whom, and Enys tells him that he can’t decide which was more unpleasant, George or Whitworth. Ross asks what it’s all about, and Enys gives him the “I can’t tell you that shit” look, but follows up with the “BUT IT’S SO JUICY ROSS I WISH I COULD SAY THINGS” look.

At Nampara, D comes home, and her Armitage puppy is waiting in the parlor. He’s brought her flowers. “A rare bloom, for one still rarer.” For fuck’s sake.

At the Warleggan Bank, Whitworth has come to call on George: there’s another preaching position open, and he would like to “add it to his portfolio.” The former vicar lived in London and outsourced, Whitworth would do the same, and he’s already applied to the Dean of Exeter, emphasizing his “Godolphin connections” and how he rubs elbows with Lord Falmouth. George snaps that really, Falmouth is old and busted, and he and Sir Francis are the New Hotness. Whitworth smarms that in that case, one can expect that George would support him for the position?

Ross comes home, and finds Armitage’s horse in the yard, and Armitage laughing with D in the parlor. D stammers out the Armitage just brought her some flowers from his uncle’s garden, and Armitage is like yeah, we both like flora! Ross asks about fauna, and whistles. As planned, Garrick comes running up and jumps on D. Hugh calls him a charming creature. “Like his mistress, though when he first came, he was wholly uncouth.” “Like his mistress?” grins D. Ross ask Armitage to stay to dinner, but he’s expected at the Teagues, a family of many unmarried daughters. Armitage is in no haste to enter a new prison, and D’s like, that’s cynical. Ah, but her big annoying puppy has a romantic view of love. Ross doesn’t think Mrs. Teague cares about love, per se.

Whitworth is writing, and hears a noise upstairs. He goes up to spy on Rowella getting undressed for bed.

At Nampara, Ross and D are snuggling the children, and Ross muses that Armitage lives in a dream. D: his sight is failing. Ross says that that’s too bad. D: “He isn’t a dream. He’s very real.” Ross pauses a second, and tells her he relies on her “wonderful common sense” to remember that part. Ross takes Jeremy to bed, and D’s like, I’ll fucking box his ears. Prudie advises her to go… bang Armitage? This seems out of character, but Prudie has been deprived lately.

Morwenna stands above and angry oceans, and the camera angle, over her shoulder and down, down, down the cliffs imply that she’s considering jumping.

Drake forges, making a beautiful spiral thing. He’s very good at smithing. (I’ve watched every episode of Forged in Fire, and I think I’d be pretty good, too.) Sam is there, reading, and D comes with a basket of goodies. “Fire and iron, and fire and brimstone, and both possessed.” Drake says that smithing is good for heartache, and Sam, oh Sam, says that a well chosen wife would do that same. Oh Sam.

Drake smirks and says “For thee, also brother” as Emma comes in. D, who knows how to devil her brother as well, says that he’s singing the praises of wedded bliss, and what does Emma think? “Do I look the marrying kind? As I see it, a girl’s only power comes when she’s got fellas dangling on a string. Once they catch her, it’s round her neck.” D tells her to choose wisely, and it won’t be. Emma is unconvinced.

At Trenwith, Elizabeth brings Poor Baby Val in to see George. “Shall we ask Papa if we may accompany him into Truro?” It’s election day. George is not going straight to Truro, he’s going to drop in on Lord Falmouth to “inform him of the burgesses’ decision.” Elizabeth asks if they may wish him lucky. George proclaims it to be unnecessary.

At Lord Falmouth’s house, George and Cary are greeted by Falmouth handing them a paper with his choice for parliament’s credentials. “You’ll wish to circulate them before the voting.” Cary baritones that the burgesses met last night, and George “as-you-knows” that the burgesses always voted the way Falmouth directed based on favors given or the threat of favors being taken away. Falmouth: I know? Cary tells him that the burgesses now wish to vote they way they want to. Falmouth: ????????? George tells him that “I, myself, have been asked to stand.” Falmouth: I guess we’ll see how that works out for you.

At Nampara, Prudie is dealing with the children and very energetic Garrick, as Ross, D, and Enys watch, grinning. The men are going to go vote, and D is going to join them for the results. She says that she suspects Ross doesn’t like her entertaining while he’s away. Ross: no guest would bother me. “Except for Hugh.” (Armitage’s given name.) D looks at him and Enys looks awkwardly to the floor, and he clarifies: “Badruggan.” D goes to get her hat.

In Truro, the voting has begun, and Falmouth begins his play, withdrawing and threatening to withdraw his blessing from various favors. Enys, Pascoe, and Ross come in, and mutter to themselves that the whole thing is disgraceful, but vote they must.

At the vicarage, Rowella enters Morwenna’s chamber to find Morwenna grunting in pain. Enys is summoned.

Walking to the Red Lion, D tells Ross that he isn’t to tease George too much in defeat. “I may not be able to resist.”

Enys finds Whitworth (with Morwenna screaming in the background) and tells him that things have taken a dangerous turn. Whitworth asks if the baby will survive, and Enys is like, dude, I’m trying to save them both. Whitworth covers his ears, then goes outside, and literally prays to God that he sees that Morwenna isn’t suited to the life of being his wife (literally nobody is) and if God wills it, he would be okay if she died so he could find a new and better wife. As long as the baby lives. “Guide though my footsteps to a suitable replacement.” Rowella comes up behind him.

The voting continues, Falmouth continues to play the cards that have always worked for him before.

Rowella tells Whitworth that it’s a boy. And George wins the election. He’s going to Westminster. Falmouth froths that everyone will soon see a change in their finances. Sir Francis tells everyone to leave the despot to his rantings, and takes his crew out. I guess there’s a new queen bee in town.

Whitworth smugs that his son is 6 pounds and something and his mother will be so proud. “John Conyn Godolphin Osbourne Whitworth.” Poor kid. Enys tells him to shut up, Morwenna is sleeping. “She survived?” Whitworth says, disappointed. Enys: Yes, you disgusting fuck. Whitworth just wants to see his son.

Ross, at the Red Lion, is shocked the George won. Pascoe points out that he was in a deucedly awkward position- he has a perfectly fine relationship with Sir Francis, and he supports reform and all, but he voted against him. Ross: Ugh. Pascoe: If you had just taken the nomination… Ross: I would not have been suitable. And George is? D thinks Sir Francis seems a decent man at heart, but….

George smugs in, and asks if Ross is there to congratulate him? “I came here with no other purpose.” George takes his seat next week, and Ross is like, aw, we won’t be neighbors anymore. How sad. Well, there’s summer recess, but hey, MAYBE I’LL SELL TRENWITH (BUT IT’S NOT YOURS) BUT NOT TO YOU ROSS NEVER TO YOU. Ross changes the subject to Geoffy-Chuck, how is he doing at his new school? Apparently he’s following in his father’s footsteps. Ross: Francis was cleverer than any of us. George snits that it was a promise he was “never able to fulfill.” But see, George is now resentful that Geoffy-Chuck doesn’t have money for his own schooling and George has to pay for it (this motherfucker). Because see, Geoffy-Chuck would have money if he had the shares that were Francis’ in Ross’ mine. Elizabeth sold them though. “Under pressure from you!” snaps George. “At a fraction of their worth.” Ross asks about Aggie’s headstone. George doesn’t give a fuck about that. Ross: I’ll call on Elizabeth and talk to her about it. George: YOU WILL NOT. Ross is like, bruh, it’s Poldark family matter, and Elizabeth was a Poldark. And so is her son. “DAMN YOU ROSS, DAMN YOUR BLOOD!”

George is held back by Sir Francis, who tells him “this is not seemly. It does not become a gentleman, nor a member of parliament.” Ross offers his apologies, and leaves. Sir Francis is left looking like he’s realized that he made a big mistake.

In the pub in the village, Constable Goon is sitting with Emma, offering a toast to George, the new MP. Emma asks what that makes Constable Goon, and he says “Not to be crossed.” He fondles her chin a bit (while Sam, sitting in a corner and reading, looks distressed and discomfited all at once), and leaves the table. Emma sees Sam and asks him if he’s been there all that time, and why wouldn’t he come and have a drink? “The Lord forbid it?” Oh, well.

Emma asks him what he thinks to gain by stalking her? “A soul for God?” “And none for thyself?” She sits, and asks him to walk her home. “And mind ye don’t lay hands on me behind a hedge.” Sam is appalled. “I never would-” Emma grins and sasses “The Lord forbid it? What a killjoy he be!” (I love her.)

Morwenna looks at her baby, but can’t quite bring herself to touch him. I feel so bad for everyone in that house. Except for Whitworth, since I have a list of ways I want him to die. He should try all of them.

Speaking of, Whitworth find Rowella talking to a tall, young, redheaded man. He’s from the library and brought some books to Rowella. Whitworth, OF COURSE, does not like libraries. They expose uninstructed minds to ideas and THINKING. He kicks the young man out.

George comes home to Trenwith, and Elizabeth greets him with congrats and offers some suggestions of where to take a house. George will be going to London alone. Elizabeth asks him why he went to go speak to Enys, and George finds that to be a unique question. “Is it?” He tells her that “every husband needs time away from his wife.” See, he’s going to be very busy, and making connections and whatnot. “So I’m to remain here,” clarifies Elizabeth. Yes, “For both our sakes.”

Ross broods by the fire.

In the morning, George’s trunks are loaded, and George gives Constable Goon his final instructions: he’s to watch Elizabeth…where she goes, who she meets. Elizabeth overhears all of this, and their parting at the front door is silent. Elizabeth broods by the fire.

Prudie brings a message from Lord Falmouth. Ross and D are invited to a party for Armitage before he returns to sea (I swear this season is like Gossip Girl with a party happening every episode). Ross knows there’s another motive, and leaves the room, while Prudie whispers to D that Lieutenant Armitage must have his own reasons for inviting the Poldarks. D laughingly tells Prudie to knock it off.

Ross, D, and Jeremy are walking (with Garrick!) when they see George heading off for London. Ross calls him “Cornwall’s hope for democracy” and D asks Ross if he’s content. “Entirely content.” He gets to be out-of-doors, and Westminster would not agree with him.

Sam walks through the woods, and finds Emma dancing. She sees him, and asks what he wants. “To bring thee to God.” Emma doubts it. Emma thinks what he wants is her. “If I want ‘ee Emma, it’s in purity of heart and belief that your soul could turn to Christ.” She raises an eyebrow. “And if I want ‘ee in another way, it’s not from carnal lust. But from a wish to sanctify our union.” Emma: you’re asking me to marry you? He is. Emma: I’ve rolled in hayfields with men, drunk, and cussed… Sam prayed for her. Emma tells him that she’s happy in her sin, just as he is happy in his goodness. She kisses him on the cheek, and tells him that he’s a good man, but not for the likes of her.

Guess who’s come home from school! It’s Geoffy-Chuck! Elizabeth goes to great him with a hug, and he shakes her hand as a proper gentleman. He asks if George is there. He’s in London. “So it’s just we two?” “And Valentine.” “In that case… can we have cakes by the fire?”

Morwenna is still staring at her baby, but not holding him or touching him. Rowella asks if she doesn’t love him, and Morwenna, in a moment of heartbreaking honesty, muses that she must find a way. “It’s no fault of his that I struggle.”

Morwenna also tells Rowella that Whitworth came the night before “demanding” his “rights.” Rowella, who is considerably more informed that her sister ever was, asks if Enys didn’t tell him that she needed six weeks? Enys did say that, but, nothing is more important than Whitworth’s dick. “I wish he had advised six centuries.” Rowella sets her jaw, tells Morwenna to rest, and that she’s going to take a bath.

Whitworth overhears “bath,” and goes to spy on Rowella.

At the Vicarage, Elizabeth and Geoffy-Chuck have come to call on Morwenna and Rowella, and after sitting in silence, Elizabeth confesses that she had hoped to see Morwenna “stronger.” Morwenna shakily says that she will be soon (and Elizabeth, who knows from shitty husbands, doesn’t buy it). Among other things, Morwenna is not being allowed to nurse her baby. Elizabeth asks Rowella to take her to see the baby, and once they are gone, G-C tells Morwenna how much he missed her. School is “very diverting” but not as much fun as hanging out on the beach with ‘Wenna and Drake. Morwenna works very hard not to cry, and G-C notes that she misses him. Morwenna says they shouldn’t speak of him, not at all. Geoffy-Chuck very carefully says that he’ll see Drake soon, and could he tell him anything? Morwenna says “Tell him I do not forget him, and never will.”

Outside, Rowella tells Elizabeth that Morwenna is worse since the birth. Elizabeth asks about treatment, and the answer is that she’s had none. “The vicar says it’s a nervous complaint, which must be ignored.” THIS MOTHERFUCKER. Said vicar is coming up behind them, and he’s like “You find us in excellent health!” Elizabeth is like no, motherfucker, my cousin is failing. Why have you not sent for Dr. Enys? Well, there’s the expense (These waistcoats don’t buy themselves!) and also you shouldn’t pander to hysteria. Elizabeth narrows her eyes and tells him that if he doesn’t send for the doctor, she will.

Enys is indeed sent for, and after examining Morwenna, and asks her a delicate question. The answer does not please him, and he tells Whitworth that he really does need to abstain for a month. Whitworth is like HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ME TO DO THAT. “Her body is not healed, nor her nerves” (Whitworth rolls his eyes). Rowella enters, and Whitworth looks at her hungrily, and she leaves. Whitworth sanctimoniously says “a month then, for my wife’s sake.”

At Nampara, D calls for Prudie’s advice on which dress to wear to Lord Falmouth’s house. Ross is like, why worry about it, it’s a small gathering so don’t fuss about your appearance so much. Prudie’s like, look, you may as well wear sackcloth for all that SOME PEOPLE (ROSS) will notice.

Ross stands at Aggie’s grave and broods. He pops inside the church, and finds Elizabeth. She also came to see Aggie’s grave. Ross says he gathers from George there’s to be no headstone? “When did you speak to George?” He tells her election day, and she considers that. He asks if something is amiss, and she’s like, newly amiss? Or just amiss? George gets pissy everytime he sees you! Ross: he can’t still be jealous of our former attachment. It was so long ago! Elizabeth: “It’s consequences may not be.” Ross is all, wait what? Elizabeth: he imagines that Valentine is not his child. Ross: is he? Elizabeth will not say one way or another. Ross asks what George might suspect. Elizabeth asks if Ross never hinted at anything. Ross: “Do you think me a monster? To injure the woman I once loved?” Elizabeth asks if Demelza would say anything, and Ross says no. “Who else was in the house that night?”

Elizabeth looks out the door to the churchyard in horror. “Agatha.”

“Since the day of her death he’s been icy towards me. She must have told him of her suspicions….” Ross asks if Elizabeth knows what George suspects. He won’t say. Ross tells her to make him say it, and then deny it. Make him believe you. “I know George. He would do anything to keep you.” He saw how George looked at her back in their youth, and how no one thought he stood a chance, not even Elizabeth. And Ross also remembered how he felt when he learned that George was to have her. “You left me in no doubt that night.” “Forgive me?” Ross asks. Elizabeth then asks him about how he left her with no word or anything afterwards. Ross thought that was the best thing to do, to avoid fucking up all their families. “And now? To save a marriage you did your best to prevent?” Well, it’s still probably the best thing to do. “Do you not wish to save it?” She does.

Ross tells her to give George another baby, and deliberately confuse the dates, to make it seem like another 8 month baby? (Actually, that’s a good plan.) Elizabeth says she must go, and he agrees. He takes her head in his hands, kisses her on the forehead, and they look at each other for a beat, before kissing each other on the mouth. In the doorway of the church. Where Prudie sees.

At the smithy, G-C is chattering about how he’d rather make wheels that learn Latin. G-C also says that when he finally gets Trenwith, Drake can be his steward, and they’ll make wheels together. He also says “I saw her today. She’s had her child. She also asked me to give you a message.”

Elizabeth broods in front of her fire.

At Nampara, D and Ross are getting ready for Falmouth’s party, and D asks Ross about seeing Aggie’s grave. “There was something I needed to attend to.” D nods like, “yes, and that was?”

Ross sits down on the bed. “I saw Elizabeth, and for the first time in years, we talked. At first she was hostile, but then she softened. I kissed her. I love her, Demelza. Not as I did, but with a fondness, a ghost of a love. I pity her. I want to help her, my conscious is sore, I treated her ill. 15 years ago, I would have given the earth for her, and she hasn’t changed. She’s no less lovely. But I have. I have changed. Because of you.” The camera holds its shot on Ross through this monologue, and then the music cuts sharply.

That monologue was all in his head, and D asks again, “What things?” Ross pauses, and says “Granite. For the headstone. Nothing else will survive the elements.” Now, if she’s done asking questions, they should go.

Armitage greets the Poldarks and the Enyses as his “Dear friends.” Caro eyes D with the look of someone who Knows What’s Up as Armitage takes D’s hand. Falmouth snags Ross for a chat, and Armitage commandeers D’s attention, Enys mutters to Caro that he assumes Falmouth has a proposal for Ross, and Caro mutters back “To put a sack over the head of his beautiful wife?” Enys also Knows What’s Up.

In his study, Falmouth asks Ross about his ambitions. “To live as I want. To raise a family, care for the people around me, to be unencumbered by debt.” Falmouth thinks that’s aiming rather low, but Ross says he is aware of his capabilities, and he’s aware they aren’t for sale. Falmouth is like look, we both dislike George Warleggan. And Sir Francis Basset. Ross disagrees somewhat – George and Sir Francis aren’t that much alike, despite both being new money and all. “Sir Francis values his menials, while George despises them.” Falmouth cuts to the chase. “Sir Francis is the new order, I am the old, and he seeks to overthrow me.” But Ross could help Falmouth.

D stands at the landing of a staircase, when her annoying puppy finds her declaims himself the unhappiest of men. (I don’t think that’s true, there’s some people starving in the village who might have a play at this title.) See, the love of his life is married to the man who Armitage owes his life to, and now he’s going away and he’ll lose everything. D: you can’t lose what you never had. Armitage: the sound of her voice and the touch of her hand and blah blah blah. D: what you think you love doesn’t really exist. Armitage: “what I love is flesh and blood” and for fuck’s sake send him to sea so he dies or whatever I AM BORED.

Ross tells Falmouth that it’s hard to “unseat” George when he’s set on his course. Falmouth is going to try. Ross considers for a moment, and then offers that there’s one possible way. “Reconcile your views with Sir Francis.” Falmouth scoffs, and Ross is like yeah, you’re a hereditary peer who takes governances as his right, and “For you, the common man has no rights.” “And never will” growls Falmouth. “He would not know what to do with them.” No, it’s the duty of the aristocracy to govern and uphold the tradition that made their country great (this sounds familiar). Ross, who is barely concealing his dislike of this: “The tradition of promised favors and purchased influence?”

Falmouth muses that he thought Ross went to France to strike a blow against revolution, but apparently is an advocate of it. Ross: no, I don’t endorse bloodshed. But I do like liberty, equality, and fraternity (me too!). Falmouth: But I think power exists and someone must possess it. “And since man is not perfect, it is sometime misused.” Falmouth thinks that person more likely to misuse it is someone who’s never had it before, like George, as opposed to those born to it, like Falmouth…and Ross. “Who might taste the heady brew without becoming drunk on it.” Ross thinks he must rejoin his wife. He takes his leave.

D sings for the gathering, Armitage stares at her like an annoying puppy, and Ross comes in and actually sees how Armitage is looking at her, and it sure seems like D is singing to Armitage.

Morwenna is sitting with Rowella, and says she must go and rest. Rowella hands her a small package that came for her, and Whitworth comes in as she’s leaving. He tells her to “take all the time she needs” and that “nothing is more important that your well-being.” And then he sits, and can’t actually meet Rowella’s eyes. She excuses herself.

The package for Morwenna was the Madonna and Child that Drake forged, and Drake is outside the house, and sees her open it through the window. She cries, and he leaves to go brood into his fire.

Whitworth comes into Rowella’s room, and she asks him if he “wants her.” Yes, he, uh… wanted to speak to her about her… reading! “The Iliad?” she asks. He asks what part she’s reached, and it’s the fight over Petrocles’ body. She explains the situation, stressing the word “body” as many times as she can get away with, and Whitworth shuts the door to her room. “Why do I not think you’re very interested in the story?” She tells him to sit down, and asks if he would like her to sit on his lap. Then she undoes the front of her dress.

Morwenna actually cuddles the baby.

D broods into the fire, and Ross tells her she seems far away. “No more than you when you returned from Sawle churchyard.” They promised no more secrets. Ross says he has no secrets. She does, though she thinks he’ll find them hard to hear. “Try me.” She sighs, “I want to tell you that I wish I could be two people. One, your wife and the mother of your children, content in our life, as I am and every wish to be.” The other would be someone who could love another for just one day. Ross doesn’t really get it. Someone who could have a fling without feeling disloyal. Ross thinks for a second, and asks “Do you think ‘another’ could be content with that?” D doesn’t know. “Would you?” “I think so, for I know who it is who truly owns my heart. Do you doubt it?” “Not till tonight, till I saw you look at him the way you once looked at me.”

“I will look at you that way again, Ross. Just be patient with me, as I have been patient with you.”

We’re almost to the end of this season. Are you still watching? What do you think?