Art Deco must have been the keyword when this series was developed. From the opening titles, to the location buildings used to the way the sets were dressed, this 1930s set series has a modernist sheen to it. Even some of the shots used have a German Expressionism feel to it.
By the late 1980s London Weekend Television became better known for light entertainment shows or shows featuring celebrities. No doubt envious of prestige Granada Productions such as Sherlock Holmes this was a concerted effort to increase their drama output.
In this opening episode Poirot decides to take on a mundane case of a missing cook in Clapham. She went to the market one day and never came back. Poirot's investigation takes him to the Lake District where he finds a woman who has suddenly come to an inheritance to a missing bank employee and the theft of some bonds.
Assisted by his friend Hastings who is certainly not as bright as Poirot, in fact I think even the audience are ahead of him. Inspector Japp is there to provide police support.
David Suchet is comfortably at ease playing Poirot, not as snobbish as I expected him to be, you see him at ease talking to domestic servants and not talking down to them. Suchet and Hugh Fraser definitely bring out the comedy in the script but the mystery itself was not very strong.
It does not help that every time the bad guy came on screen, it is accompanied by sinister music and his disguise was a bit of a giveaway. I doubt your little grey cells need to be too troubled in this first episode.