The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

Poirot is hired by the London & Scottish Bank to investigate the security of a large bond transfer. The bonds are to be taken across the Atlantic on the liner Queen Mary (on her maiden voyage) and the courier, Mr Shaw, has been the target of two murder attempts. The second attempt leaves him unable to make the voyage so he is replaced by Philip Ridgeway. Poirot and Hastings are sent with him. This is wonderful news to Hastings, as he is a big admirer of the Queen Mary. (As it transpires, he doesn't get to enjoy the voyage nearly as much as he would have liked). A day or so from New York, the bonds are stolen. Not only does Poirot have to find the thief but he has to deal with the obstructiveness and disdain of Mr McNeil, the head of security for the bank. He has no respect for private detectives.

Quite interesting, with some great historic footage of the Queen Mary. It always helps a Poirot episode when an historic event is woven into the plot and the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary is such an event.

Some nice and amusing sub-plots too. Hastings, as always, features in the amusing aspects. His naivety, chivalry, malleability and wide- eyed wonder around beautiful women always makes for interesting watching.

That is alongside the likes of Wasp's Nest, The Chocolate Box, Adventure of the Italian Nobleman, The Third Floor Flat and Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. I may be biased as I love the series and hate to criticise it, but this was really an exceptional episode. The episode could have been longer perhaps, but the final solution at least did feel satisfying in the way episodes like King of Clubs and The Double Clue underwhelmed on first viewing and improved I think on the (if my memory serves correct) on the somewhat abrupt ending of the short story. When I watch Poirot I look forward to classy production values, great music, funny moments, intelligent, compelling story telling and solid-at-least acting. All of those are here in The Million Dollar Bond Robbery. It looks elegant and is beautifully shot, and right from the iconic theme tune to the haunting undertones of the background music the music is typically great. I always look for clever dialogue and funny moments(mostly with Hastings' naivety or Poirot's sarcasm), and The Million Dollar Bond Robbery has that too, as well as a story that grabs you right in and never lets go. The acting I can't fault, David Suchet continues to be the definitive Poirot, and everybody supports him to the very best of their ability. Nobody is bad, and I also have very little bad to say about the episode, it is one of my favourites of the short story adaptations and also one of the better ones of the entire series. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Series 3 of Poirot seems to involve any story that had strychnine poisoning featured in it. This also adds a 'double' to it as well although it is done rather well here.

Miss Lemon mentions that Poirot had problems with his previous bank, in fact he got the bank executive arrested.

Now Poirot is hired by the London & Scottish Bank to beef up the security of a large bond transfer across the Atlantic and this involves a trip on the new liner Queen Mary something which Hastings is looking forward to.

The person accompanying the bonds is poisoned so his unsuitable deputy Philip Ridgeway takes his place and he spends more time on the ship gambling.

When the bonds are stolen suspicion lands on Mr Ridgeway who was deemed unfit to lead by the bank's own head of security.

A nice nifty mystery but not too deep with a lull in the middle. It was sad to see Hastings get sea sick as he was so looking forward to the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary and his genuine disappointment that someone so glamorous could also be so dowdy as well.

Poirot has to solve a seemingly impossible case, an impossible theft.

It is a visually stunning episode, the style and direction are fabulous, it looks so incredibly well made, sets and costumes all on point.

There is a great mix of humour and drama, some wonderful laughs throughout, it's a great episode for Hastings, but what makes this so special is the mystery itself, and the breathtaking transformation scene at the end, I certainly never saw that one coming.

Suchet and team are incredibly good as ever, but praise to the guest cast, a special mention to Lizzy McInnerny, who is wonderful.

It's well paced, imaginative, and boasts a terrific conclusion. An episode of quality. 9/10

A fair part of this sublime episode takes place on the maiden voyage of the RMS Queen Mary sailing from Southampton to New York, leaving on May 27th 1936.

At the end of day two of the voyage, before seeing some of the men playing cards, we see the wake of the ship and further away the sun setting. The ship is evidently sailing away from the sunset, so the direction must be due east - not the straight route to New York...!

• No wonder the speed record wasn't broken at this occasion ;^)

(Actually IRL the ship made a "pit stop" in Cherbourg-Octeville, France just south of Southampton but that will not explain going due east).