Wasps' Nest

"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)

Wasp's Nest is definitely one of my favourite Poirot episodes. Apart from starting off a little too slow, there is next to nothing wrong with this adaptation. It looks very sumptuous, with lavish costumes, breathtaking scenery and fluid photography, and the music is gorgeous. The script is of fine quality, the pacing is just right with the exception of the slow beginning and the story is easy to follow. The acting here is exceptional, I know I have remarked more than once that what I love about Poirot is how it is made and acted. Wasp's Nest is no exception, with a stellar performance from David Suchet, in this series there is the perfect balance between the funny and the serious sides of Poirot, both of which Suchet does brilliantly. Hugh Fraser is wonderfully naive and funny as Hastings, and both Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran are very effective in their roles as Japp and Miss Lemon. Out of the supporting performances, Peter Capaldi was the most impressive, it was a performance of real subtlety. And I can't write this review without mentioning the ending, by far my favourite scene of the adaptation, so quiet and poignant it was just sublime, and one of those scenes that had me in tears. Overall, I loved it. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

The original "Wasp's Nest" story, as written by Christie, is not one of her best ones. Although the ending is somewhat clever, the story itself is quite thin. It takes place in only one setting, and there are only two characters (one of whom is Poirot) engaging in dialogue in two scenes. Worst of all, from a mystery reader's point of view, the reader has no chance at all of deciphering the mystery along with the detective. Poirot presents his solution as a fait accompli at the end, and the other character has no choice except to listen and respond. In this episode, however, the writers have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Not only have they, of necessity, fleshed out the details, added scenes, action, and characters (including Japp and Miss Lemon, who mercifully have been given very little to do) but in so doing, they have provided the viewer with a variety of indications of what is going in behind the scenes. While there are red herrings involved, and it is still somewhat unlikely that the viewers will predict how the final scene goes, they will at least spend the episode feeling as though they are making discoveries along with Hastings and Poirot, and not feel quite so cheated at the end.

Poirot runs into an old friend, author John Harrison. He is engaged to model Molly Deane but Poirot senses that something is amiss in their relationship. Deane was previously in a relationship with Harrison's best friend, artist Claude Langton. Poirot is fearful that a murder is being planned.

Reasonably interesting. There's no murder to be investigated here, but rather a murder to be prevented. Quite novel in that respect, though it does make the plot a bit conjectural, rather than based on clues and evidence.

Worth noting that the cast includes Peter Capaldi, of The Thick of It fame, as Claude Langton.

Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings are invited to visit a friend in the country, only to find mystery galore. Poirot is stung by a wasp, but can he stop anything more deadly from happening? Captain Hastings lends a hand with his film darkroom, his latest hobby. Chief Inspector Japp is hospitalized with appendicitis. This one has a sad ending, with a different twist than most Poirot mysteries.

Poirot shows his squeamishness in this episode. After Japp's appendectomy, Poirot and Hastings visit him in the hospital. Japp says he wondered if the anesthesia was properly administered, because he thought he could feel every incision and move of the doctor. At which point, Poirot quickly gets up and says that he and Hastings must leave.

As with all of the films of this and other Agatha Christie mysteries, I appreciate the great resources the English have for making old movies. The land, castles, old buildings are one thing. But the great numbers and varieties of vintage cars in so many street scenes are most impressive. Also, the dress and other costuming of the period.

"Wasps' Nest" is an excellent story of intrigue in the Christie and Poirot series. Here are some favorite lines from the film.

Captain Hastings, "I thought a nice afternoon at a garden fete might cheer him up a bit." Chief Inspector Japp, "Hmm. About the only thing that's gonna cheer him up today is the discovery of a body in a lucky dip."

Captain Hastings, "You're not planning to use the bathroom for the next half hour or so, are you Poirot?" Hercule Poirot, "Well, let me check with my diary, Hastings. No, it would seem not." Hastings, "Good. If you need me, you know where I am." He sets up a darkroom in the bathroom.

Hercule Poirot, after being stung by a wasp, "The open air - it should be closed during the summer. Captain Hastings - he wonders why I have a hatred for these crawling, buzzing things; and the reason is, they're always trying to kill me."