The ABC Murders (TV Mini Series) Episode #1.2 (2018) User Reviews

Episode 2

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 30 December 2018]

Seeing this more reflective Poirot haunted by memories of his past. Losing someone that was dear to him in episode one. You might think Malkovich is going to be a one off Poirot. This will not lead to a continuous series.

Franklin Clarke has hired Poirot to look into his brother's death. He knew Poirot from before as he visited the Clarke's for one of these murder parlour games.

Crone is incensed to see Poirot poking his nose in. However as the murders mount up Crone himself is under pressure from the press. He needs Poirot to find the next victim as the murders are linked to Poirot in some way.

When the next victim does not turn out to be Dexter Dooley in Doncaster, Poirot knows that the murderer has made a mistake.

Phelps has gone for a character study. This Poirot is someone who does not belong. A relic of the past, maybe a fraud and literally a foreigner. He continues his investigation because he made a promise to the dead victims.

Terrific, absolutely terrific.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 27 December 2018]

I really enjoyed the first episode, I loved the second part. Malkovich is superb as Poirot, I've not even thought about David Suchet, for me he's presenting a totally different Poirot, at a later stage in his life.

This was quicker paced then the first episode, very dark once again, with the death of 'C' being particularly bleak.

Superb performances all round, Malkovich I've mentioned, but Tara Fitzgerald in particular was fabulous.

Superb production values once again, as you'd expect. If there is one thing I'm missing, it's Captain Hastings.

So disappointing to see so many negative 1 star reviews, ignore that nonsense, this is fantastic drama. 9/10

A DARKER POIROT

[jpjimturner · 9/10 · 28 December 2018]

A really well staged thriller. I think John Malkovitch was superb with a much more in depth characterisation.

Very Dark; Agatha With Real Substance

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 6 February 2019]

Things are getting darker and darker for Poirot. He is being hampered by the police because of jealousy and disdain. But it soon becomes obvious that those letters were true precursors of the ABC killer's modus operandi. It isn't long before the "D" shows up. Poirot begins to ask questions of recalcitrant witnesses. We continue to see the man who is being portrayed as the killer, the stocking salesman. He is about as unconventional a person as I've seen, both in his mannerisms, his sexuality, and his physical appearance. There are some interesting women at hand as well. What is Thora up to? Can't wait to see the third and final episode.

B

[dbdumonteil · 14 May 2019]

In this episode ,the Christie's fan (I'm part of them , I read all her books)is on home ground again ."I'm the code" says Poirot who has discovered that the murders will take place according to a plan ;it shows how Dame Christie was ahead of her time ;in the nineties ,such great thrillers such as "seven " followed suit:the deadly sins replacing the alphabetical order ,but it does not make a big difference ;countless followers tackled the serial killer who follows a certain rule which the English writer had more or less invented (even more brillantly in " and then there were none" ,the plot of which has been so often imitated in screenplays .)

Miss Phelps tried to integrate a contemporary feel in her screenplay ;so she included many scenes which display hatred against those immigrants "who breed like rabbits" ; in "the mysterious affair of Stiles " ,Poirot was a refugee ,but he became quickly the toast of the country and was proud to be Belgian : Mrs Christie's use of French was delightful and far superior to,say, that of Mrs Rendell .

Directing is nervy and effective : there's a good use of these steam train -the train fascinated the writer ,which spawned many great works such as "murder on the orient express"- and of those dark parts of town where you 're not supposed to venture after dark.

The B and the C affairs are a little muddled ,and viewers not familiar with the novel may sometimes get lost among these characters ;besides Poirot's past ,which seems to haunt him like a curse , shows up from time to time as confusing flashbacks.

"They are coming"

[Kirpianuscus · 4 January 2020]

...and the church in flames. The two pieces making special this episode. Because each of them explain the motif why John Malkovich was the perfect choice for the role. Because all is familiar or source of controvercy, the recipe of Agatha Christie being too clear for any inovation. But the second episode gives, in beautiful manner, the explanation for the dark Poirot and the hate against "aliens". Not ABC and his crimes are the subject but the courageous portrait of other Poirot. And that did this episode the real key of the serie.