Another unbelievably stupid impersonation plot by Cristie, faithfully adapted for most part. It is one thing for her to run out of ideas, but only fans with their brains removed will not spot the many many holes in the whole story, and the absurd rehashing of all of the worst Cristie clichés.
Challenging complex murder plots (however absurd and impracticable), or interesting characters, or poignant drama and tragedy, that redeem the best Cristie stories and makes them 'classics', and highly entertaining, are all lacking in this one.
Even non regular viewers should be able to realize, before half way through, at least one person who was falsely pretending to be another. The changing of ending, which seems to imply that Poirot actively encouraged a murder suicide, is unnecessary, and against the spirit of books, where he is rather morally indifferent, and rest of the TV series (especially in later 'darker' ones), where he is shown to be piously Catholic and highly moralistic.
Some of the other episodes in final season display a certain falling off in high quality of production design that this series was known for (and justly praised for), but by restricting locations that particular new failing seems have been averted in this episode. That is the only good thing i can say about it. Unfortunately.
Challenging complex murder plots (however absurd and impracticable), or interesting characters, or poignant drama and tragedy, that redeem the best Cristie stories and makes them 'classics', and highly entertaining, are all lacking in this one.
Even non regular viewers should be able to realize, before half way through, at least one person who was falsely pretending to be another. The changing of ending, which seems to imply that Poirot actively encouraged a murder suicide, is unnecessary, and against the spirit of books, where he is rather morally indifferent, and rest of the TV series (especially in later 'darker' ones), where he is shown to be piously Catholic and highly moralistic.
Some of the other episodes in final season display a certain falling off in high quality of production design that this series was known for (and justly praised for), but by restricting locations that particular new failing seems have been averted in this episode. That is the only good thing i can say about it. Unfortunately.