David Bentley

Just SO disappointing…it could’ve been a good spin-off. Humphrey has definitely lost that chaotic genius we grew to love in DIP. The unfortunate mismatch of him and what has now turned out to be a rather posh-ish upper middle class gal whose character wouldn’t have fallen for a Humphrey and every time she’s on screen it’s about her inner struggles of her past and future and it’s rather boring and certainly for one I feel no empathy for her and would rather her go off with the rather 2D wine chappy and leave Humphrey to blossom as a single, unpredictable and eminently likeable detective we all now miss. Where’s the Joy gone. I think I’ve finished with it and will watch reruns of DIP somewhere on Sky.

I was rather reluctant to watch this version of a classic Christie/ Poirot book. But having enjoyed David Suchet for many years I think even the most ardent fans would agree that those (many) early episodes are looking a bit camp and comical....especially as even the later cases done by Suchet are a lot darker and serious. As such I was expecting a rehash of the familiar with John Malkovich hamming up the French..sorry Belgian accent à la Clouseau. I can honestly say this turned out to be one of the most enthralling and gripping iterations I've seen. I loved the slow, dark, seedy atmosphere. The disgusting landlady and fellow lodgers of Cust took us deeper into the grime. The disturbing flashbacks of Poirot added a vulnerability to a character I've come to expect to wallow in his own self brilliance. If you haven't seen this, watch it. You'll be amazed.