Wasps' Nest (27 Jan. 1991)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" Wasps' Nest (original title)

Poirot realizes that a murder is being plotted, and with the help of Hastings' latest hobby, he sets out to prevent it.

Director:

Brian Farnham

Writer:

David Renwick (dramatized by)

Stars:

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
David Suchet	...	Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser	...	Captain Hastings
Philip Jackson	...	Chief Inspector Japp
Pauline Moran	...	Miss Lemon
Martin Turner	...	John Harrison
Melanie Jessop	...	Molly Deane
Peter Capaldi	...	Claude Langton
John Boswall	...	Dr Belvedere
Kate Lynn Evans	...	Mrs Henderson (as Kate Lynn-Evans)
Serena Scott Thomas	...	Model Girl
Hilary Tindall	...	Commere at Fashion Show
Julian Forsyth	...	Waiter

Storyline

At a village fête, Poirot runs into an old friend, John Harrison and his fiancé Molly Deane, a fashion model. Harrison invites Poirot and Hastings to tea the following week where Poirot learns that Molly had once been engaged to a local artist, Claude Langton. Poirot is puzzled by a number of apparently unrelated incidents but concludes that someone is being untruthful and that a murder is being planned. Courtesy of Hastings' new hobby, photography, Poirot knows exactly what is going to occur. Insp. Japp is hospitalized with a case of appendicitis.

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Plot Keywords:

murder mystery

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Crime | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 1991 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Studios, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITV Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (36 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Chief Inspector Japp: Sorry about this, Poirot. I thought as she was here visiting with her sister it would be a simple matter for her to meet us at the station. Trouble with Mrs Japp is when she gets nattering over a cup of tea she loses all track of time. Perhaps you two better run along and we'll see you there.

User Reviews

One of the very best; left me speechless

"This is the most difficult case in my career", says Poirot at one point. "I'm trying to solve a crime that does not exist".

When Poirot meets the son of an old friend of his, a writer who is engaged to a beautiful fashion model, he senses that something might be wrong. The model's previous boyfriend, a sculptor, still seems to be in love with her. A sinister-looking old man is constantly lurking about. And why does this nest of wasps at the writer's garden seem to be so difficult to exterminate?

Sometimes it's hard to explain why a film, or a TV episode in this case, works so well, you just have to experience it for yourself. The story itself is ingenious (this time, Poirot has to connect the pieces to prevent a future crime, not solve a past one), and the ending left me speechless. But what gives "Wasps' Nest" an extra layer is how unexpectedly moving and quiet its resolution is. Up to this point in the series (Season 3, Episode 5), this is a candidate for best episode. (***1/2)