Agatha Christies Poirot The 15 Best Episodes Ranked (According To IMDb)

Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The 15 Best Episodes, Ranked (According To IMDb)

Contents

1 Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The 15 Best Episodes, Ranked (According To IMDb)

We take a look at the very best episodes of Agatha Christies Poirot, one of the most successful and widely applauded versions of the Belgian detective.

You Are Reading :[thien_display_title]

Hercule Poirot is up there with Sherlock Holmes on the list of the most famous fictional detectives of all time. Born from the mind of Agatha Christie, the best-selling fiction author of all time, the Belgian detective has been interpreted on the big and small screens for several decades, much to the joy of audiences everywhere.

The consensus among fans is that no other actor portrayed the character as well as David Suchet. The British actor took on the role in the show Agatha Christie’s Poirot, playing it for a total of 24 years over the course of 13 series and 70 episodes. The number of fascinating characters and talented guest stars who graced the program is nothing to sneeze at, either. To honor those who worked so hard to make the show what it is, audiences can take a look back at all of its episodes and see which rank the best among the bunch, according to user ratings on IMDb.

Updated Sept. 26, 2020 by Hayley Mullen: For those looking to binge the absolute best in mystery storytelling and television, Poirot is a must-watch. Anyone intimidated by its 70 episodes may find it worth reflecting on the 15 best episodes. Whether one watches in order to activate their little grey cells and solve a murder, or simply to enjoy the thrilling ride alongside Poirot, these episodes are the best of the best.

Updated on Nov. 16, 2021, by Jake Koran: From 1989 to 2013, Agatha Christie’s Poirot entertained fans of the ingenious detective. Though the 70 episodes of the program have concluded, that doesn’t mean fans must stop watching. The enthralling show holds up in its presentation. With fantastic performances from the cast, especially David Suchet in the lead role, it is always a good time to revisit the best episodes of Poirot.

15 Dumb Witness (S6, Ep4) – 8.0

In the final episode of Series 6, Poirot receives a letter from a woman who thinks she is in danger of being murdered. Believing it is a matter of her will, Poirot attempts to convince her to change it, only to discover that she has died mysteriously. Poirot investigates her death, suspecting foul play.

This episode is a fitting conclusion to the sixth series, including a fascinating mystery with several people who have motives. “Dumb Witness” features many of the more common aspects of a Poirot mystery, but that does not make it any less exciting. This 1996 episode can still grip viewers 25 years later.

14 Death On The Nile (S9, Ep3) – 8.0

“Death on the Nile” is the third episode of Series 9 and focuses on newly-wedded couple Simon Doyle and Linnet Ridgeway on their honeymoon. Linnet asks Poirot to dissuade Simon’s ex, who feels abandoned, from following them around everywhere, but Poirot fails to persuade her. When Linnet is murdered while on their honeymoon cruise down the Nile River, Poirot must investigate every suspicious passenger on the cruise who has something to hide.

This episode shines through its excellent costuming and set design, showcasing the beauty of Egypt and the Pyramids while telling a dramatic story of heartbreak and murder. The Death on the Nile story has been adapted on more than one occasion, with the 1978 film being one of the best adaptations of Agatha Christie’s work. The Poirot episode also does the tale justice, though, including some excellent performances.

13 After The Funeral (S10, Ep3) – 8.0

“After The Funeral” marked the third episode of Series 10 and featured a young Michael Fassbender in one of the main roles. This was one of those episodes that leaves audiences wondering how they managed to completely miss the twist and leaves them in awe of the incredible acting and phenomenal writing.

When people begin to drop dead within a problematic family, it seems like everyone is a suspect. Why would anyone want to murder their beloved family member? This is the question that drives the narrative and leads to a conclusion that not even the smartest among us could possibly have guessed.

12 Cat Among The Pigeons (S11, Ep2) – 8.0

Series 11’s “Cat Among The Pigeons” has it all: political turmoil, a royal princess, murder, sports, and a girls’ boarding school to boot. The story is centered around the fictional country of Ramat and revolutionaries who attempt to overthrow its monarchy. The surviving heir to the throne, Princess Shaista, is sent to Meadowbank, a small girls’ school, to keep her safe from harm.

Poirot is asked by his friend, Miss Bulstrode, to present a sports prize at Meadowbank, and she asks his opinion on choosing her successor for retirement. Pretty soon things turn chaotic, as teachers are murdered with javelins, the princess is kidnapped, and priceless rubies are mysteriously missing. It’s up to Poirot to find the culprit, the cat hiding among the pigeons. This episode improves upon its source material in several ways and features great acting by Susan Woolridge, Amara Karan, and Harriet Walter, among others.

11 Murder On The Orient Express (S12, Ep3) – 8.0

One of Agatha Christie’s most popular works, Murder on the Orient Express has been adapted on several occasions. In 2010, Poirot had its turn at the tale, which sees a businessman murdered and all passengers seemingly having no motive.

Having played the character for 11 full series at this point, David Suchet brilliantly embraces the role of the detective, taking the audience through his mental processes and filling the scenes with suspense and incredible revelations. It is a familiar tale, but Poirot executes it wonderfully, putting the hour and a half episode on par with many of the best mystery movies.

10 Dead Man’s Folly (S13, Ep3) – 8.0

In “Dead Man’s Folly,” Hercule Poirot is asked to attend a fête by his friend Ariadne Oliver, who has been asked to orchestrate a fake murder hunt for the festivities and feels on edge about the people in attendance. It all seems to be a game until the fake victim actually gets murdered. Other people disappear and die as well, creating a terrifying atmosphere among the festivities that were initially presented to be lighthearted.

This juxtaposition makes the episode all the more interesting, and it includes Zoë Wanamaker as Ariadne Oliver, who has appeared in several other episodes and is a welcome addition. Though one of the final episodes of the show, “Dead Man’s Folly” demonstrates that the program did not slow down and featured some fascinating storylines.

9 Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (S6, Ep1) – 8.1

In the first episode of Series 6, Hercule Poirot receives a strange invitation to spend Christmas in the mansion of an old, rich man who suspects he is in danger and that someone in the family has it out for him.

Manipulation, diamonds, long-lost children, and fake personas: There is a little bit of everything in this exciting episode that sees Poirot investigating the murder of the old man and the disappearance of some very valuable diamonds. As many scenarios do, it all comes down to the detective’s brilliant mind, which is portrayed wonderfully by David Suchet, giving further evidence why he is one of the best major actors who played Agatha’s Christie’s Hercule Poirot.

8 Peril At End House (S2, Ep1) – 8.1

As a famous and relatively wealthy detective, Poirot often travels around England and the world, touching upon several interesting backdrops against which horrible crimes take place.

This second series episode features Poirot and fan-favorites Captain Hastings, Miss Lemon, and Inspector Japp in an interesting situation. The Belgian detective is staying at a Cornish resort where he meets a young heiress who seems to be in danger. From there on, everything unravels in amazing Poirot fashion, filled with mystery, tension, and revelations that make the show as well regarded as it is.

7 Sad Cypress (S9, Ep2) – 8.1

Series 9’s “Sad Cypress” seems to be pretty straightforward at first. The story follows Elinor, a young lady in love who visits her sick aunt with her soon-to-be husband. After her aunt dies and her fiancé falls for someone else: Mary, Elinor is devastated.

But when Mary dies, everything points to Elinor. Enter Poirot, who is there to investigate what seems to be not one, but two murders, and to finally answer the million-dollar question: Did Elinor kill her aunt for the inheritance and Mary because her fiancé left her? Nothing is what it seems, and the brilliant story that unravels addresses every element of the situation, showcasing Poirot’s exceptional capabilities.

6 Elephants Can Remember (S13, Ep1) – 8.1

One of the most beloved recurring characters was Zoë Wanamaker’s Ariadne Oliver, the witty and messy writer that mirrored Agatha Christie herself to a certain degree. In this episode, Ariadne takes on her own case with the assistance of Poirot.

Poirot, in the meantime, is also busy with his own case involving a murder at a psychiatric facility. When it becomes clear the two cases are connected, Poirot must stop yet another killing and explain how two suspicious cases, that took place decades apart, could have anything to do with each other. The threads that tie together do so in a fascinating manner, giving both Oliver and Poirot great moments in the case.

5 The Chocolate Box (S5, Ep6) – 8.2

By the time audiences meet Poirot in Christie’s books and the show, he is a Belgian refugee in England that had a prolific career as a member of the police force in his home country and reached global fame due to his impressive abilities.

“The Chocolate Box” is a welcome change as it walks audiences through one of Poirot’s cases when he was still working for the Belgian police. It is a case that almost confused Poirot himself, and it offers fans more insight into the character’s past and how he came to be the renowned figure he is today.

4 The Labours of Hercules (S13, Ep4) – 8.2

Series 13’s “The Labours of Hercules” is actually a compilation of a series of short stories published by Agatha Christie, in an effort to bring all of the author’s works to life on the show, and ultimately achieving it.

It is an interesting episode that takes place in a hotel in the Swiss Alpes where Poirot finds himself surrounded by a series of mysterious crimes that do not seem to add up, at least not at first. As events weave together, audiences start to learn alongside the detective, furthering their appreciation for him and investment in the show.

3 Five Little Pigs (S9, Ep1) – 8.4

The great thing about Agatha Christie’s Poirot was that it wasn’t afraid to try and adapt Christie’s unique way of storytelling into television, succeeding in spectacular fashion. “Five Little Pigs” was a perfect example of that.

Told in a series of flashbacks as witnesses recount the days leading up to a tragic event that culminated in the death of two people, Poirot uses his powers of deduction alone to solve a decades-old crime. The environment of both eras is exceptionally well done, conveying a sense that it actually takes place at an earlier time and increasing immersion.

2 The ABC Murders (S4, Ep1) – 8.5

Much like “Five Little Pigs,” Series 4’s “The ABC Murders” takes on a different perspective by having a serial killer interact directly with Poirot and taunt him throughout the whole episode. It is the first time audiences witness Poirot dealing with a serial murderer and it is interesting to see how he deals with the pressure of knowing there is always going to be a new victim unless he finds the killer.

This scenario grips audiences, and the story was also made into the 2018 miniseries The ABC Murders, one of the best whodunnit series of the 2010s. There is something special about the first episode of the fourth series of Poirot, though, and it continues to be a classic.

1 Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case (S13, Ep5) – 8.6

The hardest episode to watch also happens to be the very last. “Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case” quite literally sees Poirot solving his last case and, ultimately, dying after many decades of crime-solving. Agatha Christie had originally written the story of “Curtain” in the 1940s during World War II. The author feared for her safety and wished for her detective to have a fitting end lest something happen to her, so she had the story sealed away in a bank vault for more than 30 years. As the planned end for Poirot, there is no surprise that it’s the most heart-wrenching and engaging of all his stories.

David Suchet was so emotional by the time he finished filming Poirot’s death that he cried. To be fair, he probably was not the only one. One thing is for sure: Poirot got the goodbye he deserved.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/agatha-christie-poirot-best-episodes/

Movies -