Original Airdate: 28 January 1990 Written by: Clive Exton Directed by: Edward Bennett Recurring cast: Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp, Miss Lemon
Tropes:
Adaptational Intelligence: In the short story, Poirot bluffs Radnor by claiming two strangers in the street are instructed to watch him. Here, it's Hastings who thinks up the trick.
Adaptational Karma: Downplayed. In the short story, Poirot does give Radnor the head start he promised, and only says that the latter will be eventually caught. Here, Poirot sticks to Reason Before Honor and brings Radnor's confession to the court right away, so it's clear the police have a much better chance of catching him.
The Cavalry Arrives Late: Poirot and Hastings arrive in Polgarwith half an hour after Mrs. Pengelley's death.
Distracted by the Sexy: Hastings' cover story for why he and Poirot are in town flies out the window as soon as he catches sight of Edward Pengelley's "hussy who's no better than she ought to be" assistant and goes tongue-tied.
Gold Digger: Radnor, who murdered Mrs. Pengelley and set up her husband to hang so that her niece could inherit and marry him.
Honor Before Reason: Hastings insists Poirot honor his promise to give Radnor a 24-hour head start.
I Let Gwen Stacy Die: In a platonic version of the trope, Poirot feels extremely guilty for failing to protect Mrs. Pengelley after she appeals to him.
Say My Name: At the end of the episode Japp discovers Poirot has already solved the case and he now has to chase the real culprit. Poirot and Hastings wisely made themselves scarce just before a policeman gave Japp the news. Japp can only shout "Poirot!" and shake his fist at them as they drive away.
