Original Airdate: 19 February 2000 Written by: Anthony Horowitz Directed by: Brian Farnham Recurring cast: Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp, Miss Lemon Based on:Lord Edgware Dies
The Duke of Merton from the original novel was very cold and supercilious toward Poirot. In this adaptation he is a friendly Nice Guy who expresses appreciation for Poirot's help, and ultimately gives him a substantial monetary reward in gratitude for saving him from unknowingly marrying a murderess.
Subverted with Jane Wilkinson, who in the book is described as a blatantly selfish individual who shamelessly brags about wanting to kill her husband so that she can marry another man, and refuses to take the hint when Poirot tries to refuse her commission to "get rid" of her husband. In this adaptation, she is initially portrayed as a sympathetic victim who is forced to silently endure her husband's cruelty, and her asking for Poirot's help comes across more like a desperate plea than a callous demand. But all this is revealed to be an act after she is exposed as the killer, and her deliberate gloating of her final speech comes across as meaner-spirited than the childish amorality she exhibited in her final letter to Poirot in the original book.
Adaptation Name Change: Genevieve "Jenny" Driver from the novel becomes Penny Driver in the series, possibly to distinguish her from Geraldine "Gerry" Marsh.
Jane Wilkinson appears to be a sweet and charming woman, but upon being unmasked reveals herself to be a smug Femme Fatale who enjoys manipulating people. Jane Wilkinson in the novel, on the other hand, was openly self-centered, which is revealed in the end to be Not an Act; she really was that selfish, and she committed three murders because she felt she was in her right to do so.
Adaptational Ugliness: When visiting the titular character's mansion in the novel, Hastings gives a lengthy monologue about how handsome the butler (Alton) is, describing the latter as an Adonis. The character's appearance is rather unremarkable in the adaptation, and nothing is mentioned about his looks.
Adaptation Dye-Job: Jenny Driver is mostly recognisable, in the book, from her distinctive red hair. In the adaptation, she's dark-haired.
Adolf Hitlarious: In-universe — Carlotta Adams's Hitler impersonation is considered very amusing by her audience.
Big "NO!": Japp shouts out "Nooooo!!!" after Alton the Butler falls to his death trying to attack him in a botched up Chase Scene.
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: The murderer, Jane Wilkinson. In this adaptation she initially comes across as a more sympathetic person than her counterpart from the original novel, whose selfishness is much more overt. The final reveal is more shocking as a result.
Book Ends: Hastings returns to England after his investments in an Argentinian railway prove to be a scam. When he later receives a sum of money for helping solve the case, Miss Lemon almost advises him to invest in another railway whose returns sound too good to be true, and everyone realizes it. Hastings then mentions he'd just rather keep it in the bank.
Hastings' marriage to Bella (née Duveen) from The Murder on the Links is alluded to, as she chose to remain behind and manage their ranch in Argentina.
Death by Adaptation: In the novel, Alton the butler quietly disappears when the police started digging around and almost discovered his stealing of his master's money; in the adaptation, the police intercepts him just as he is leaving the country, and he dies in the ensuing chase.
Disney Villain Death: Alton falls from the skylight of an airport all the way to the ground, killing him in the process.
"Eureka!" Moment: Poirot has one when Hastings tells him "it was the other way around". Hastings was actually talking about the order of when the guests at Ronald Marsh's lunch left, but it allowed Poirot to figure out who the killer was.
Evil Feels Good: At the end, Jane admits to enjoying every second of her murder scheme — including being caught — because it made her the centre of attention.
Femme Fatale: Jane Wilkinson, a trait that is played up even more here by suggesting that Poirot is developing feelings for her. During the dénouement she gloats about being able to wrap Poirot around her finger with her "power over men", and her response to Poirot accusing her is to light up a fancy cigarette and say "Did I?" with a smirk.
Fingertip Drug Analysis: Japp does this to identify the white powder found in a golden box in Carlotta Adams belongings as Veronal.
Foreshadowing: The episode opens with a theater production in which Jane Wilkinson is playing Lady Macbeth.
Impromptu Tracheotomy: Both Lord Edgware and Donald Ross die this way, by Jane Wilkinson's hand.
Pet the Dog: Poirot had the Duke of Merton make out his reward check to Hastings in order to help Hastings get back up after a failed investment ruined his finances.
Shipper on Deck: Hastings attempts to make Poirot consider wooing Jane Wilkinson, with the knowledge that she would soon become available after her divorce from Lord Edgware wraps up. Between that never coming to pass due to Lord Edgware's murder and Jane revealing herself to be involved with the Duke of Merton, Hastings drops this rather quickly.
Summation Gathering: Poirot invites all the suspects to the dinner theatre where it all began to explain the case. In the the novel, Poirot only invites Jenny/Penny Driver and Bryan Martin to his office and presents his solution.
Tempting Fate: While having dinner at Poirot's place, Japp points out that the only time they and the others (Hastings and Miss Lemon) ever get together is whenever there's a body involved. Surely enough, the following day Lord Edgware's dead body is found.
