Original Airdate: 24 January 1993 Written by: Bill Craig Directed by: John Bruce Recurring cast: Captain Hastings, Miss Lemon
Tropes
Adaptational Job Change: The Astwells' primary interest is now in chemicals rather than mining, which changes up many things such as Trefusis' job being his chief chemist rather than his secretary, and Humphrey Naylor's motivation being investigating his patent being possibly stolen by the Astwell company.
Asshole Victim: Sir Reuben Astwell is a very irascible man, and while commanding respect doesn't inspire love. Nobody is really sorry about his death, not even Poirot.
Bludgeoned to Death: Sir Astwell meets his maker when the killer bashes him on the head with a bronze statue.
Brick Joke: After the dinner with the Astwells, Poirot complains about the quality of the wine, wondering if it was brewed in a chemical lab instead. Later, when discussing the case with Trefusis, Poirot points to a wine-colored flask and refers to it as such.
Chekhov's Gun: Poirot accepts Hastings' invitation because he's interested in their host's collection of Belgian bronzes. One of said bronzes becomes the murder weapon.
Chekhov's Skill: Miss Lemon's newfound interest in hypnosis comes in handy when Poirot uncovers a crucial clue from Lady Astwell through hypnotism. It's also Played for Laughs later on when Miss Lemon hypnotizes Hastings into making a hole in one at the end.
The Dog Bites Back: Downplayed. The murderer kills Sir Reuben because he was found sneaking out of the latter's office, but the mistreatment he got through his patent being sold to the Germans was why he sneaked in to Sir Reuben's office to begin with.
A Family Affair: Victor Astwell is implied to be having an affair with his brother's wife.
Inheritance Murder: Investigated as a motive for Sir Reuben's death, given how his will stipulated half would go to his brother Victor and the other half to his wife, and none going to his nephew Charles Leverton, who was the last person to supposedly see him alive.
Meaningful Rename: Lily Naylor took on her pseudonym, Lily Margrave, by touching up the recommendation letter she had with her. (It's admittedly more apparent when written in cursive.)
War for Fun and Profit: Sir Reuben brags about his plans to profit off of the incoming war with Germany through his chemical company. Poirot, being a refugee from the First World War, isn't amused.
