Poirot (TV Series)

The Underdog (1993)

David Suchet: Hercule Poirot

Photos 

Quotes 

• Hercule Poirot : I am a student of the psychology, and throughout this case I have been looking not for a man or a woman who has the bad temper, because the bad temper is in itself a safety valve. No, I have been looking for someone who has the patience, the temperament to play the part of the underdog.

• Captain Hastings : I've never known you place much faith in intuition.

  Hercule Poirot : Intuition, Hastings, often describes some fact that is so deeply buried in the subconscious that the subject is not aware of its existence.

• Sir Reuben : [at dinner]  War, Poirot, that's what I said. War is what I mean, and it's coming soon, you mark my words.

  Hercule Poirot : With anyone in particular, Sir Reuben?

  Sir Reuben : Germany, of course. Rearming. They remilitarised the Rhineland. They'll be all over Europe before you know it, probably start with your place, um, Belgium. Ah, shouldn't take them long.

  Hercule Poirot : You'll forgive me, Sir Reuben, if I do not view the prospect with such sang-froid. I myself have experienced at first hand the horror and destruction of war with Germany.

  Sir Reuben : I am not saying that war is a nice business, but business it is.

  Horace Trefusis : War and chemicals go hand in glove.

  Charles : There are more important things than business.

  Horace Trefusis : Business will not be the only beneficiary. Think of the great strides that science will make, new fuels, new alloys...

  Sir Reuben : ...and it'll do wonders for economy. Do you know how many unemployed we have today? More than a million! More than a million scrounging on the dole!

  Victor Astwell : War seems a pretty drastic solution, heh.

  Lady Astwell : I think I agree with Victor, eh.

  Sir Reuben : As well you would, Nancy. Never could face facts. Always the great actress.

  Lady Astwell : Could we talk about something a little more pleasant?

• [last lines] 

  Miss Lemon : [as Hastings prepares to tee off]  Captain Hastings!

  [swinging her pendant] 

  Miss Lemon : A hole in one, Captain Hastings, a hole in one.

  Hercule Poirot : Miss Lemon, Captain Hastings possesses far too much of the intellectual strength...

  Captain Hastings : Quite right, Poirot.

  [Hastings tees off, and actually does make the hole in one] 

  Captain Hastings : I say!