Recap / Poirot S 01 E 07 Problem At Sea

Problem At Sea

Original Airdate: 19 February 1989
Written by: Clive Exton
Directed by: Renny Rye
Recurring cast: Captain Hastings

Tropes

• Artistic License – Ships: The episode sets Poirot's cruise on a large yacht, rather than the larger liner the short story is set on. Justified, as period-appropriate ships are hard to come by
• Blunt "Yes": Colonel Clapperton confesses to the murder by way of an angry "Yes!" as he is apprehended.
• Chekhov's Skill: Subverted. Clapperton's skill at cheating at cards is ultimately a Red Herring meant to throw people off of the actual skill he used related to the murder - his ventriloquism.
• Dead Person Impersonation: Clapperton uses his ventriloquism skills to mimic having a conversation with his wife, who's already dead by the time he does this, in order to provide himself an alibi.
• Malaproper: Hastings, when he catches Skinner red-handed trying to sell Mrs. Clapperton's jewellery.
  Hastings: I would like to ask you a few questions, if I'm very much mistaken!
• Obfuscating Stupidity: Poirot attempts this with Ellie, downplaying Colonel Clapperton's interest in spending time with the younger women on board ship. It doesn't work.
  Ellie Henderson: They're not children, monsieur Poirot. Nor am I.
• Henpecked Husband: Colonel Clapperton, big time. His murder of his domineering wife could be considered a case of The Dog Bites Back.
• Locked Room Mystery: The victim is found within her room with the door locked from the inside.
• Spared by the Adaptation: Colonel Clapperton does not die of a heart attack at the shock of being exposed by Poirot in this version.
• Trashy Tourist Trap: While on a shore expedition, Hastings pays to have his photo taken on the back of a (fake) camel.