Another failure in the series. Adopters make a bad story worse because they stick to Cristie's spirit.
Instead trying deny and ignore the holes and faults, if fans pay attention, they will see that in the episode Poirot and Oliver in fact discover almost nothing, as usual.
Whole of the 'solution' for early murders, though pronounced by Poirot, comes from the mouth of Zelie Rouxelle, with no supporting evidence.
But what does Zelie say? She actively conspired to murder Dorothea, after she has concealed another murder and actively taken part in an impersonation (that improbable Cristie cliché is here too). She also suppresses evidence by packing victim's child off to a lonely fate in another culture regardless of her feelings. Since General is dead, this abuse of child only benefits Zelie, and possibly Celia. These actions, indicate Zelie to be a monster. Where is Poirot's/Oliver's psychology? Now what if Zelie was lying? What if she and General murdered the wife and forced the impersonation on sick woman? Then decided to kill her too (and commit suicide in case of General) when she demanded her daughter be brought to house as price of cooperation? That is as good an explanation as what comes from Zelie's mouth.
Remember also the odd fact that she is in correspondence, 'as a friend' she insists, with the man who as a teenager had an obsession with her. But this correspondence, and her whereabouts, are actively concealed by both, from his fiancée, who has as much, non obsession, childhood links with her as him, and has sought their renewal.
After all that, Poirot completely trusts and empathizes with this admitted criminal, but pontificates with, and aggressively show contempt for, victim's abused child seeking revenge? Moral blinkers anyone? In this, adopters were certainly in line with Cristie's highly blinkered spirit.
Now let us consider the new murder, an addition by adopters. Poirot indeed discovers that secretary is not who she is, but he does not really break her alibi. No evidence for drugging the doctor is produced (or even mentioned until this is referred to at the end, in a classic mystery story 'cheat'). And why should she try to recklessly kill Desmond? How does she find about him and his connection to her family (remember he has no medical records with doctor)? If she is willing to take huge risks to kill Desmond, why doesn't she try to kill Celia, who she knows about, with much less risk, earlier? Seems psychologically and factually inconsistent. Of course structuring story as it is presented, allows for a cheap melodramatic throwing over the balcony and rescue thrill.
One of the best things about this series from start was the art direction, but this episode spoils that too, by use of obvious fake backgrounds in Paris and overcliffe scenes.
Instead trying deny and ignore the holes and faults, if fans pay attention, they will see that in the episode Poirot and Oliver in fact discover almost nothing, as usual.
Whole of the 'solution' for early murders, though pronounced by Poirot, comes from the mouth of Zelie Rouxelle, with no supporting evidence.
But what does Zelie say? She actively conspired to murder Dorothea, after she has concealed another murder and actively taken part in an impersonation (that improbable Cristie cliché is here too). She also suppresses evidence by packing victim's child off to a lonely fate in another culture regardless of her feelings. Since General is dead, this abuse of child only benefits Zelie, and possibly Celia. These actions, indicate Zelie to be a monster. Where is Poirot's/Oliver's psychology? Now what if Zelie was lying? What if she and General murdered the wife and forced the impersonation on sick woman? Then decided to kill her too (and commit suicide in case of General) when she demanded her daughter be brought to house as price of cooperation? That is as good an explanation as what comes from Zelie's mouth.
Remember also the odd fact that she is in correspondence, 'as a friend' she insists, with the man who as a teenager had an obsession with her. But this correspondence, and her whereabouts, are actively concealed by both, from his fiancée, who has as much, non obsession, childhood links with her as him, and has sought their renewal.
After all that, Poirot completely trusts and empathizes with this admitted criminal, but pontificates with, and aggressively show contempt for, victim's abused child seeking revenge? Moral blinkers anyone? In this, adopters were certainly in line with Cristie's highly blinkered spirit.
Now let us consider the new murder, an addition by adopters. Poirot indeed discovers that secretary is not who she is, but he does not really break her alibi. No evidence for drugging the doctor is produced (or even mentioned until this is referred to at the end, in a classic mystery story 'cheat'). And why should she try to recklessly kill Desmond? How does she find about him and his connection to her family (remember he has no medical records with doctor)? If she is willing to take huge risks to kill Desmond, why doesn't she try to kill Celia, who she knows about, with much less risk, earlier? Seems psychologically and factually inconsistent. Of course structuring story as it is presented, allows for a cheap melodramatic throwing over the balcony and rescue thrill.
One of the best things about this series from start was the art direction, but this episode spoils that too, by use of obvious fake backgrounds in Paris and overcliffe scenes.