One of the best things about watching a good Agatha Christie drama, is the sport to look for the murderer in the right direction, which in my case, is almost never correct. Even remembering that always something from the past, an impersonation, a secret (family)bond or a smart slight of hand plays a part, it's always something else that turns out to have happened.
In this case, there is some subtle hinting to nuns, who might have been dressed up family members, but the dress up was of another kind. And the beauty is, that the first scene, which seemed quite oddly acted, WAS in fact oddly acted in the drama itself.
So big bonus points for the plotting; but what makes this episode of the series remarkable are the production values (great castle, furniture, good lighting and terrific music) and the acting. David Suchet IS Poirot with no doubt whatsoever, and uses all the nuances available to him for this ondimensional yet complex character. Michael Fassbender is stunnigly handsome and gives unexpected depth to the troubled nephew, who falls in love with his idealistic though clumsy niece, a charming Lucy Punch. Geraldine James as Georges mother makes every second count as she realizes she knows something but is unsure what.
Monica Dolan makes the acting class complete, as the mousey maid who dreams of a teashop, and grabs the opportunity in a savage way. It is to her credit that we understand her character's motives, and are unsure about her mental state: is she really gaga, or just very cunning? And that for a tea shop!
In this case, there is some subtle hinting to nuns, who might have been dressed up family members, but the dress up was of another kind. And the beauty is, that the first scene, which seemed quite oddly acted, WAS in fact oddly acted in the drama itself.
So big bonus points for the plotting; but what makes this episode of the series remarkable are the production values (great castle, furniture, good lighting and terrific music) and the acting. David Suchet IS Poirot with no doubt whatsoever, and uses all the nuances available to him for this ondimensional yet complex character. Michael Fassbender is stunnigly handsome and gives unexpected depth to the troubled nephew, who falls in love with his idealistic though clumsy niece, a charming Lucy Punch. Geraldine James as Georges mother makes every second count as she realizes she knows something but is unsure what.
Monica Dolan makes the acting class complete, as the mousey maid who dreams of a teashop, and grabs the opportunity in a savage way. It is to her credit that we understand her character's motives, and are unsure about her mental state: is she really gaga, or just very cunning? And that for a tea shop!