Poldark: Episode 6

Previously: Ross made plans to challenge the smelting companies, while Francis fucked up EVERYTHING.

In the prison, we visit Jim, who a) I had forgotten about because I’m awful, and b) isn’t doing great. At home, Jinny marks another mark on the wall, tallying the days. The wall is nearly full. Jinny says that he’ll be home soon, and asks D if she’ll find him changed. “He’ll be home, that’s what matters” says D.

Francis, in his fields, scythes. Harvests? Whatever, he’s working, and still wearing his stupid flowered suspenders that I hate. Ross rides up, and Francis is like “SEE HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN.” Ross tells him there’s no shame in it, but Francis, pampered prig that he is, does not agree. Elizabeth walks up with a basket, and Ross offers any help. Francis would like his mines, his money, his lands and his dignity back, but that’s kind of tall order.

Ross is riding into town for the first auction where the new smelting company will be bidding on ore for the first time, and Francis seems somewhat genuinely regretful that he can’t be there, but George would disapprove. “I know how little you care for his opinion, but you should.” Ross says that he cares more for the people who George Warleggan intends to ruin, and Francis laughs. “You’ll never get it, Ross.” What’s that then? “Justice for all.” “Fair wages would be a start.” Ross rodes off, and Francis goes back to his scything. But his blisters burst and he stomps off. Gloves, maybe?

In town, Ross walks in with a swish of coat, and the other mine owners involved in the Carnmore cooperative follow him in. The auction goes, and loads of ore from several mines end up with Carnmore. Ross keeps his face (mostly) impassive. A man, I think from one of the corrupt smelters, demands to know who the hell this Carnmore thing is. There have an agent, and it’s Jinny’s dad, in good clothes. The angry smelter dude demands to know who is behind Carnmore, and someone else snaps that he’s never said who backs HIM (angry smelter dude). “You know very well that I was vouched for by the Warleggans!” “Because you ARE the Warleggans,” snarks someone else. The foreman of the auction calls for civility, and Ross is like welp this working out so far, knock on wood.

Keren and Mark are outside their cottage, and Keren is bored bored bored and wants someone to hang out with. Mark knows that Keren can read and could have picked better, and she’s clearly regretting her choice.  Enys rides by, and she eyes him speculatively.

After the auction, gossip is exchanged about food riots, unrest, and general poor people being angry and not being able to do much. The angry smelter says that examples must be made, and someone else says that yeah, they are- the prison is overcrowded and filled with fever and generally hell. Ross’s face darkens, and he leaves. Ruth Teague is on the street, and asks Ross, ever so innocently, if he’s heard the rumors about Verity? Ross has not.

At Nampara, Jud walks into the kitchen to announce that Verity is here. “it’s, um… her, to see…” and he gestures vaguely. Oh, Jud. Verity tells D that the Warleggans are giving a ball, and everyone will be there and it’s the perfect occasion to mark D’s entry into society. D immedietly has a bit of a panic attack- what will she wear, who will she talk to, how will she know the new dances? Verity will help her of course, after she returns from town- she is “Expected.” D’s thrilled- “you must tell Francis.” “I will. I will.” Now Verity looks like she might puke.

Ross rides home with Jinny’s father (who I’m SURE has a name) and they are quite pleased with how the day worked out. The Warleggans, however, are not. “You underestimated him.” George thought that Ross was the kind of guy who’d trade on his name, rather than his wits, but… “Like his cousin.” Trump Warleggan tells George that they need to find out the names of his shareholders- then they’ll find the weakness.

Dr. Enys bandages Keren’s wrist- she’s lying back fetchingly with her bodice just slightly loose and her boobs rising and falling with her breath. Enys tells her that she’s being very brave. “You must stay in bed… if you get up, it may start a fever.” “Of course, sir, I’ll do anything you say, sir.” she simpers. He looks at her sharply, and she bites her lip. He leaves, and she thinks that was an excellent first foray.

At the docks, Verity is walking Blamey, talking about Lisbon, and how she’s a good sailor (“Are you really?” “Yes, well, I mean I’ve never been on board a ship…”). Blamey asks her to tell Francis before the ball, and Verity is like no, I will, just…maybe we shouldn’t be seen together there. Blamey is not happy at this, and tells her that she needs to tell Francis or he will. “We will be together soon, my love.” Verity, honey, hop on the ship, run up to Scotland and jump over an anvil or something. I’m just trying to help, because that man is in a great coat with his hair all down and basically totally bangable and he’s looking at you like you hung up the moon so basically you should jump him right now.

Ross rides up to Nampara, and D is there/s playing on a spinet. Ross runs up and kisses the back of her neck. He asks how his fair maiden is. “The one that’s invited to the Warleggan ball?” “That one, too.” They mack on each other while Julia watches them with the worldweary sigh of a kid who better just get used to this. Jinny interrupts to ask if she should serve supper, and Ross asks her if she’s heard from Jim. “Not since last month, sir, but he was fair then.” Ross sighs.

At Trenwith, Francis whines that he’s supposed to go the ball with his estate in ruins and his reputation in tatters and his wife in a made-over dress? During this petulance, Verity comes in, having just barely steeled herself to tell him about Blamey, while Elizabeth snaps back that no one can afford new clothes and D will be there in her one good dress and won’t care what people say (not true, she just won’t show it). “Well, she should care,” whines Francis. “You LIKE Demelza.” “I do. Doesn’t alter the fact the connection does our family no credit. I’m just grateful it’s the only unsuitable marriage our family is forced to endure.” Verity loses her nerve and leaves.

Ross lies awake, and D asks him what he’s fretting about. The mine. The smelting company. Jim. D asks if there’s news, but no, just rumors. Ross asks about Verity- has she said anything about Blamey. “There are rumors that she’s meeting him again. Is she.” D non-answers. Ross: “I can’t pretend I’m not disturbed. I wonder how she met him again.”

In the mine (I swear I’m just waiting for a collapse, tv has trained me well) Ross sees Jinny’s father, who tells him that the rumors about fever in the prison are getting worse. Ross tells him to say nothing to Jinny, and grabs Enys. They ride to the prison, Enys asking if Ross has known Jim long. “I’ve known him since I were a boy,” Ross says, and even if he were my worst enemy, I would not wish jail pestilence on him.

At Enys’ cottage, Keren is imperiously knocking on his door, and deeply annoyed that no one is answering. D is walking with Julia, and tells her that Enys is away with Ross. Keren gets ready to flounce off, and D carefully offers that people do love gossip, and people have been saying that she (Keren) has a roving eye. “And who’s business is it where my eye to lie?” Some might be concerned if it lies on their husbands. “There’s not a man in 50 miles I’d look at, excepting one.” “Mark?” D asks. Keren doesn’t answer, and D walks away. “Pardon my interference, it was kindly meant.”

At the prison, Ross and Enys approach the gate. “Do you have a plan?” “None whatsoever.” Ross knocks, and demand entrance for Dr. Enys to attend to one James Carter. The gateman is like “what now” and Ross rifles through some random paper, asks for him to open the gate so they can present their papers. The gateman lets them in, and leads them down to the cells, where things are literally hellish- dark, filthy, rats squeaking, hollow-eyed men. Ross calls Jim’s name, and eventually the men shift so they can see Jim, on the floor, near death and with a black arm. “Open this cell,” Ross chokes out, and the gateman’s all no, you have no authority and you can’t just- “Open this cell before I have you dismissed for neglecting your duties.” Enys grabs the keys and opens the door.

At Trenwith, Verity and Elizabeth examine one of Elizabeth’s gowns and Verity thinks she can make over the bodice. “As long as Francis thinks it’s new.” Verity offers an apology for Francis being a disappointment. Elizabeth says that perhaps this is always the way- “In the first blush of love we think anything is possible. We must both learn to lower our expectations.” Verity looks at herself in her mirror.

Out of the prison, Ross and Enys has got a delirious Jim out and essentially in a ruin. Jim might survive the fever, Enys says, but the arm- “it must come off.” Enys doesn’t think Jim will survive an amputation, Ross begs him to try. “Be brave Jim, think of Jinny.” Jim mumbles that, “It’s all right, Jinny, I’m coming home” as Enys improvises a tourniquet. At Nampara, Jinny holds her baby while D holds hers. The sun comes up, and the music is ominous and sad. Ross burns his clothes on the beach, to keep from dragging home disease. Jinny’s parents come to Jinny, and we see, but don’t hear, them tell her, and she collapses.

“We buried him by the sea. …if you’d seen his face, Demelza…I think he knew me.” Ross wishes the magistrate had been there… and so-called gentlemen who prize game over honest working men. “I could almost commit murder myself.” D asks if there might be trouble- Ross did sort break a man out of prison. “Let there be. I welcome it.” He almost wishes that they were going to the ball, so he could bring the fever to the assholes, except they’re not going. D is disappointed (and this is news to her), but glumly says that she understands that they couldn’t be around the people that condemned Jim to death and didn’t give a shit.

Prudie brings in a large box from the dressmakers, and D’s like, I didn’t order anything. No, but Ross did, on his way to the auction, and he forgot about it. They both sit awkwardly with this box, and D slowly asks if she could see it? “If you have the interest.” It’s a gold satin gown, and its gorgeous and I want one. “Oh, Ross.”

Enys cleans his surgical tools, still sticky with blood, when there’s a knock on his door. It’s Keren, of course, “I couldn’t sleep, all last night I was thinking of you giving me something to ease the pain.” He tells her to wait outside while he fetches something to give her, and she flounce- pouts. This will totally end well.

There’s a beautiful shot of the tally marks Jinny kept, waiting for Jim.

Verity enters Nampara’s kitchen. “oh, my dears, I just heard.” Ross tells her to say nothing, -he’ll explode otherwise. Verity tells him to get his shit together and compose himself before the ball. Ross: you know who will be there, right? Verity gets it in one: the people who condemned Jim to death, but since Ross BROKE A DUDE OUT OF PRISON AND EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT IT, he needs to go with his head up and remind people of WHO HE IS. He is a Poldark, a gentleman. “It may make them think twice before moving against you.” “Your arguments disgust me.” They disgust Verity, too, but he’s got more than himself to think about now. He’s got a wife, and a child, and should something happen to him, they will suffer. Ross stomps out to man up.

At the Warleggan’s giant house, the crystal glitters, the people are impeccably turned out and judging each other, and the music is ominous. Verity and D are on an upper balcony, eyeing the crowd- Verty in yet another shade of grey (that girl needs more colors) and D in the gold. Ross wanders by, already drunk, and D asks where he’s going. “To acquaint myself with as much brandy as George can supply.” Shit- he’s not been sober since the prison.

A footman gives D a jewel case, and it’s got a lovely choker. It’s from Ross, and was clearly expensive. “How can I wear it, with Jim in the ground and Jinny bereft?” Verity tells her that she cannot help them, but she can try to keep a lid on the powderkeg below. Verity ties on the choker, and admits that it will take both of them to keep Ross from being a total idiot. “You won’t abandon me?” Of course not- but then Verity sees Blamey walk in. “Oh dear Lord, I must go to him at once. He should not have come.” Verity takes off, leaving D alone. Sigh.

D steels herself and makes her way down the stairs. Everyone watches her come in, and it is nervewracking. She sees Enys and goes to him, relieved to see someone she knows and likes. Enys introduces her to Sir Hubert- a neighbor. Hubert lays on the flattery, saying that she is a bloom that he’s overlooked. “Do you hunt, madame?” “No, sir. I find I have some sympathy for the foxes.” Hubert finds this delightful.

George wanders over to Ross, casually introducing the card shark that ruined Francis last episode, and tries to goad Ross into playing cards- after all, last time the card shark got the better of the Poldarks, perhaps Ross would like to even the score. Ross is not yet that drunk, and says that he is there to escort his wife. The card shark asks which is Ross’ wife, and George points out that D is well-entertained, so just like, one game? Ross says fine, lead the way.

Hubert leads D to the D floor, as she’s muttering “one-two-three, one-two-three” under her breath. They begin a country dance, and D does just fine. Verity is a good teacher.

Speaking of Verity, she’s chasing after Blamey- begging him to leave before Francis sees him. That’s exactly what Blamey is hoping for, get it fucking OVER with already. “I will not be ashamed of our love.” Verity would not either, but Francis is Francis and things will be a disaster. Blamey offers that maybe Francis has grown up or maybe mellowed? “Let him once catch sight of you, and you will see how much he has mellowed.”

D dances, and Elizabeth stands with her mother (Verity did a good job on her dress). “Who is that young person dancing with Sir Hugh?” Elizabeth is like “Demelza? Ross’ wife? You know her.” Elizabeth’s mother is like OH RIGHT THE SCULLERY MAID. “I see no scullery maid, mama.” I do like when Elizabeth refuses to be baited into slamming D.

In the card room, the magistrate that condemned Jim to prison walks in, and is invited to sit at the table. Ross is dour. The stakes are a guinea, which is more than the magistrate is used to wagering. Ross tells him that another table might be more to his liking, but no, no, “I’ve as much right.” George slimes off, having set up an explosion that will surely work to his benefit. (His powdered wig works better on him than his real hair.)

In the ballroom, Elizabeth’s mother snipes that her not dancing reflects badly- “first outing in months and to be so neglected by your husband.” Awkward. George comes over and asks Elizabeth for the next dance. George slimes that he’s certain that Elizabeth’s place will be taken and someone else will amuse her mother as soon as she’s away. Her mama is mollified and sighs that it was a shame to waste her on a Poldark.

In the card room, the men play, and the card shark is not amused with the magistrate’s game play- something about trump leads and look, I don’t even know what game they’re playing (Whist?) but it’s just a set up for the magistrate to snap that he is well-acquiated with elementary principles. Ross: “No doubt your partner has all the principles at his fingertips. It’s a shame that he does not make better use of them.” Manners, Ross, the magistrates grumbles. It’s a result of the “ill humors that result from an ill-spent life.” Oh no you did not. Better than being a justice of the peace that combines all the virtues of office except, perhaps, “justice and peace.” It’s on.

“The common people you mix with have blunted your faculties as to what may or may not be said in polite society.” They are having two different arguments. “I agree, they alter one’s perspective sir. You should try mixing with such people sir, it may enlarge your outlook.” The magistrate leaves to find another table, and Ross is over it. He asks if the magistrate has ever been to a prison- it’s shocking what happens when you shove far too many people into a pit and don’t give them adequate food, water, drainage, or physicians. The magistrate says that Ross’ shenanigans did not go unnoticed, and there will soon be a meeting of the justices to discuss the issue. Bring it on, Ross says. Bring it on. Especially those responsible for the upkeep of the prison. “You insolent young drunkard! You’ll be hearing from us presently.” That… is not a great exit line.

The dark haired prostitute, who’s name I probably should have looked up five episodes ago, still wearing the expensive necklace that Francis gave her but sitting at the card shark’s side, taunts Francis in to “follow[ing] your cousin’s lead lay a stake on queen of spades.” “Thank you, I’ve learned never to stake on women.” Francis leaves to get air, and Ross gestures for more brandy.

Elizabeth and George finishes their dance, and he lavishes compliments. Looks ravishing, could be a painting, etc, etc. Elizabeth is not totally moved- she is a dull creature these days. George asks her to venture out more, and “bring Francis, if you will.” Oh you mean to the gaming tables? The only silver lining to the loss of Grambler is that Francis gambles a LOT less. George says he’ll promise to never encourage Francis to gamble, if only they’d come out to play! “We both know he’ll continue to play with your encouragement or not. He cannot help himself.” “Anymore than I can.” There’s an awkward pause. “Some refreshment?”

DRAMASSSSSSS. Francis walks into one end of a hall, as Blamey and Verity enter the other end. Francis is RIPSHIT. “I hope you will do me the honor of allowing me…” Blamey starts. “HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME” Francis snaps, like he’s got anything here. Blamey tries again. “Your sister deserves better. I beg you, let us resolve this peacefully.” Verity: “Francis please.” Francis: WHARRRGBARGLE. “Your sister is not to be commanded. Nor am I.” Francis: RAWWWWRG. And then he tries to punch Blamey, but Francis never learned how to fight and Blamey is a sailor. There’s a block, and slight shift in weight and Francis is tangled up in himself and about to piss his pants. Blamey leaves without a glance to Verity. “I forbid you to ever see him again.” Verity does not tell Francis to go fuck himself, so I do. FRANCIS GO FUCK YOURSELF.

Verity flees to the ballroom, and when offered a tray of booze (ratafia? IDK) she doesn’t take any. So I do. I mean, I have beer, but whatever. Verity, I’ll do your drinking for you, but you really should do some drinking yourself.

D sees Verity and excuses herself from Sir Hugh, “I must see to my cousin.” Hugh tries to claim her for a second dance, and some other dude wants a dance and D’s like fuck all of you, family first. She’s intercepted by Elizabeth, Ruth Teague, and Elizabeth’s mother. Elizabeth asks where D got her dress. “Mama thought it might be from London, but Ruth here assured her to the contrary.” Ruth asks sweetly about D’s father. “We’ve not seen him since the christening.” “No, ma’am, sorry, my father is over particular who he meets with.” With that delicate burn, D leaves them, and Elizabeth is impressed.

“He despises me.” Verity frets in another room, wringing her handkerchief. Francis is the worst and Verity didn’t stand up to him, and timidity is not a weakness Blamey can abide. “He’ll forgive you” assures D, but no, Verity says. He left without a glance and Francis is ripshit and everything is awful. “I shall never see him again.”

In the card room, Ross continues to play and drink. Francis is drinking with the prostitute (seriously, how DOES she get invitations to everywhere?) on his shoulder. Elizabeth enters, takes in the scene, and not-so-gently reminds Ross that he has a wife and that he should go be with her for a bit. Ross glowers. “Absentee husbands makes for wandering wives. If you wish to retain our favor, you would do well to pay attention.” She’s not really talking to Ross.

Sir Hugh tries to claim that second dance from D, but Ross has drunkenly emerged to ‘see if you required anything.” Hugh’s like it’s a bit late to be concerned about who your wife hangs with no? “Better a belated conscious than none at all.” Ross leads D away. D snarks that an introduction may be in order, seeing as it’s been awhile since she’s seen him. Ross snarks back that he’s heard she’s been well entertained.

He looks around the crowd, “these are my people and I am ashamed of them.” Over painted, over dressed. “If you think all the stupid fat ignorance are all in your class, then you’re mistook. I’ve lived long enough to know that they’re everywhere.” (SING IT D). “And you’ll not right any wrongs by blaming these folks for Jim’s death.” Ross: Of course they’re to blame! D: You’ll also not right any wrong by drinking and gaming and leaving me to fend for myself at my very first ball! (They are having this fight at the edge of the ballroom and people drift and dance behind them. The visual is great, the cone of silence logistics: less so.) Ross: If you behave like this, you’ll not come to another. D: And if YOU behave like this, I’ll not want to! Ross stomps off. Another man asks D to dance and she demures.

Ross is back in the gaming room, and someone mutters that Poldark is losing badly. Enys is watching, but not trying to interfere, and D enters, and sits behind Ross. If he’s going to ruin their lives, he can do with her witnessing. The awkward level in the room rises.

Ross gives over his watch. “Fifty guineas?” The card shark agrees to the amount. He deals, and the game starts. I’m not going to recap each play, but the tension rises as they play. The bets rise, and they lay their cards. The shark wins everything. (Enys sighs “Luck of the devil.” And Francis is unable to hold himself upright.) They prepare to play another hand, and the shark asks what Ross will play with. “Assets I can realize.” D jumps up and pulls off the choker Ross gave her. “Play with this”

Ross puts the worth at 100 guineas (D: “Oh, Ross.” Oh, Ross indeed.) They deal. George watches with studied disinterest, but a bit of a smirk he just can’t help. Ross loses again. “Shall we retire?” Ross sys another hours- he’ll gamble his stake in Wheal Leisure. The Shark glances at George. D: Ross, NO. Ross: ROSS YES.

The shark asks for one card, and when he reaches for the deck, Ross grabs his hand and turns it over- he’s got a card in his palm. Everyone’s like “NO WAY IT TOTALLY DIDN’T OCCUR TO US THAT HE WAS A CHEAT.” The shark tries to argue that he had just pulled it, and Enys, who knows his job, avows that no, no card was drawn (George: he totally drew one! Francis: OH NO HE DID NOT). Everyone stands up to see what will happen, and there’s a pause while Ross straightens his coat, and then he leaps for the shark and slams him across the table.

“I’m sorry for assaulting your friend, George, but if you insist on entertain such fellows, you should at least keep them on a leash.” Or maybe George prefers his guests being ruined? Trump Warleggan is disappointed that this shit went sideways. Ross stomps out, saying that he expects his losses to be returned.

As everyone leaves in the morning, D asks Ross when he knew the asshole was cheating. “Almost at once, but I wanted to be sure before I challenged him.” Ross helps Elizabeth, Verity, and D into the carriage. D is handed a note, and Elizabeth tells Ross and Enys that their exploits at the jail were discussed. There is sympathy for their intentions, but- “But not our actions” nods Enys. Francis tells Ross that it’s a pity that some of his partners at Carnmore will be on the other side of the bench- a few of them are magistrates. “They may feel compelled to take a stand.” Also George may respond on the issue of assaulting his buddy. You know, cause trouble, all that shit. Because that card shark is George’s cousin. “Did you not know?” “No, I didn’t.”

At Nampara, Jud tells Ross and D that “tripe for brains” is waiting. By “tripe for brains” he means Mark, who is moaning about something. D grabs Ross’ arm. “There’s talk about Keren and Enys.” “Any truth in it?” D shrugs. “Couldn’t say.” What about that gossip about Verity and Blamey? “I know as much as you?”

The note D was given is from Blamey: “Since you brought Verity and me together, I must turn to you for further help. Francis is impossible. There can never be a reconciliation. Therefore Verity must choose between us.”

Mark has heard that people think that Keren is brazen and he doesn’t know what to do. Ross tells him he must have faith, and without that there is no hope for marriage. “Hope for marriage?” mutters Jud, “Pick me liver. Best he could hope for is not to be cuckolded thrice a day by every man, dog and mule in the county.” Welp.

Keren goes to Enys’ house, and she’s come to offer herself, to help him with the work, of course! She can write and she must do something or she shall go mad. She bullies her way into the house and that’s that.

At Trenwith, Auntie Agatha is reading her tarot cards again as Francis pours a drink. “What is the matter with the women in this family.” “The MEN.” Says Agatha, without missing a beat. BUUUUUUURN. Francis: “You think you could do better?” Elizabeth, Verity, and Agatha all just LOOK at him, and Francis, dude, don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to.

Trump Warleggan asks what they know. George: Ross has one weakness (“Just the one?”) He plays it straight and trusts others to do the same. Someone has reported where the site of the Carnmore Copper Companies smelting works is. They have enough copper for now, but the next auction… But the names of the shareholders are secret. They know one, the guy who owns the land they’re smelting on, and it’s man who banks with the Warleggans and has substantial loans.

At Jim’s grave, everyone is gathered. Jinny holds the baby, and Ross tells D that he wishes Jim could have seen the baby grow up. D, wisely, tells Ross that he did what he could, and he can’t fight all the world. He can only make his corner a fairer place. “Will anything come of what you did?” “It may, it may not.” But this is the first time he’s been sober in five days, so that’s something.

RHG:

Okay, so I looked up how this auction nonsense worked, and it’s not totally clear to me how the bids go in, but what happened was the smelting companies would get the ore, and then refine it to get the actual copper, and they would sell the copper at market rates, so it was a bit of speculation on their part- good ore or not?  So if the smelting companies kept the prices artificially low, they’d make a fucking killing on selling the pure copper.

See, I do research for you.

I am so invested in Verity and Blamey it’s ridiculous. Your brother is the worst, Verity! He’s terrible! He will never appreciate you! YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN BEING YOUR BROTHER’S HOUSEKEEPER AND THAT DUDE IS VERY BANGABLE AND HE ADORES YOU. (Seriously, great coat + the hair and yeah, UNF.)

I like Enys a lot and I think things are not going to go well for him.

But seriously, I need Demelza’s gold dress.