Calling all fans of the Poirot/Marple TV series

[ILoveMyYuccaPlant]

After browsing ITVX for something to watch I was excited to see that they have all the episodes of both of these series. I'm off work tomorrow and planning to have a lazy day of watching one or two of these while the kids are at school. I've read almost all the Poirot books and watched a few of the episodes (Death On The Nile, Orient Express, Roger Ackroyd) but never read any Marple although I plan to do so this year.

Any recommendations on favourite episodes that are well worth a watch? Or alternatively are there any to avoid?

Thanks!

This used to be said in fan circles;
"The Joker, the Joke and actually Poirot"
In regards to Ustinov, Finney and Suchet.

I wish David Suchet was able to have made MOTOE earlier in his shows timeline, legal matters stopped them getting the right for over a decade. It could have given the Finney version a run for its money. That film got it all right except Poirot.

Going to start watching Poirot on ITVX. Can anybody recommend me some really good episodes to start with?

@asaf The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is the first one. I’d start there.

Are the later episodes not as good as the earlier ones?

I like to watch them in chronological order, that’s all.

It makes more sense that way, IMO. And I also haven’t pinpointed favourite or ‘best’ episodes yet (Love Poirot and have always taken it as one whole IYSWIM) so I can’t recommend on that basis.

Lots of the later episodes are just as good/better in various ways. Except for a few in the last few series where it’s just not the same.

If you haven’t got access to all the episodes in order, I’d personally say just jump in and see where it takes you!

The ABC murders is my favourite, but honestly watch from the start and get to know the characters.

The later episodes are okay, it's really two different shows ("Agatha Christie's Poirot" and "Poirot: ..."). Keep in mind it ran for 30 years, the television landscape changed around it and it outlived the 2 ITV companies that made it.

One is a fun light hearted teatime murder mystery, the other a slightly rushed dark movie series with occasional comedy elements and religious undertones.

They aren't in chronological order anyway, The mysterious Affair at Styles is chronologically the earliest as it's set in 1917, but was series 3 or 4.
So don't worry too much about dipping in and out. Just don't watch Curtain until last.

Ah just put an episode on and heard the theme tune. Brought back memories of being at my grandparents as a child and hearing this

There’s a sweet spot in the middle where the episodes are full length but it’s still got all the charm of the earlier series.

That’s not to say that I don’t like the darker elements and more gritty tones of the later series, because in the main I do. They’re good, but they’re not ‘cosy watching’ like the earlier ones are.

I’ll think of some of my favourites tomorrow.

A couple of later ones that I do like: The Clocks, and The Labours of Hercules.

They’re broadly in chronological order though. With some exceptions.

But i meant it makes more sense in respect of the series itself (everyone ageing in tandem, for one), not necessarily in terms of the stories/books.

I've started off with The Adventure of the Clapham Cook

Sorry not in tandem...in unison? You know what I mean.

I find it disconcerting going from younger Poirot/Hastings/Miss Lemon/Japp to older Poirot and back, or his furnishings being different/wrong. But I’m a little odd in that respect - I like continuity.

@asaf I love memories of being at grandparents. Proper cosy!

@TangledWebOfDeception Yes I miss them terribly but watching this brings me back to a better time 🤍

I miss mine too. If I hear the theme tune to Cheers it takes me right back!

On the basis of this thread I've just watched half of dumb witness (am in work first thing !). The 'fox terror' is indeed adorable and am loving the story so far. Sadly was nodding off so will look forward to the rest tomorrow....

i love The Mirror Crack'd and Evil Under the Sun is my all time favourite

Joan Hickson is definitely my all time favourite Marple, i loved watching her on my own in the front room on a Sunday evening when I was little. She was also Agatha Christie’s choice for playing Marple, I think Joan had played her on stage and Agatha loved her but never got to see the tv series.

Also really like Geraldine McEwan, she adds a great cheekiness to the role.

Dont mind Julia McKensie.

Hated Angela Landsburys version.

Favourite episodes, A murder is announced, The body in the Library, 4.50 from Paddington, Murder at the Vicarage and Nemesis.

I bet the change of his moustache annoyed you too. Thick tight bore war military style and well greased early on (like balancing two impressive slugs under his nose), long thin and pointed sitting just above the lip in later years.
And if it didn't it will now...

Like others I have memories of these shows with my dad, we used to see who could solve the murder first. I used to cheat and read through the books in the school library at lunchtime. He never found out.

Not sure what to make of the lawyer in this episode..

Bob is the absolute cutest!

I've just watched Angela Lansbury's The Mirror crack'd. It's more of a pilot episode to Murder she wrote than Marple, I'm suprised at how little she's actually in it. Also inspector

Craddock is now her nephew for some reason, which doesn't help the murder she wrote comparison.

I hate it when this website cuts posts off.

We've just been watching "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" on Britbox (free trial available) which is wonderful fun. (3 x 1-hour episodes.)

Has anyone read 'Marple 12 new mysteries' which came out last autumn?