Why Didn't They Ask Evans - ITV1 9:00-10:15pm Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

[IwantToRetire]

They say this is new, but I think already shown on another channel.

I must have seen at least 3 or 4 versions of this.

But will probably watch (record to skip through ads and there must be a lot as it is 1.25 hours).

I just hope it isn't one of those lets update it and make it relevant.

Cant find the listing on ITVx so not sure if all episodes will be available to binge watch.

Here's some info from another tv listings site https://www.tvguide.co.uk/m-detail/5019746/82515397/agatha-christies-why-didnt-they-ask-evans

Did they really kill a bee right at the beginning?
I bloody hope not.

I have finished watching now, and didn't think it was that great, but very pretty to watch.

I cant remember from other adaptations (haven't read the book) but staging the car crash to get Lady Frances into the house of the suspect was a bit iffy, but her staying on was just so unrealistic.

Anyway as I had forgotten the plot was interested to find out who Evans was, and why they didn't ask her.

I think, a bit like Jane Austen, there should maybe be at 5 if not 10 years before any other versions of Agatha Christie's books are turned into tv or film. And definitely no more Branagh as Poirot (rubbish).

So found this comfort blanket tv, a bit too laid back.

I'm 2/3 episodes in. I think some bits are good - the relationship between Bobby and Franky. I like the way that they've changed Badger/Knocker to Jamaican but in a thoughtful and believable way, not just a diversity quota, tick box thing.

Have seen the the 1980 version and the Miss Marple version but basically the story is quite boring. It's got such a good promising title, a good beginning with the finding of the corpse but then there's such a long bit stuck in the Bassington ffrench house....

Also, unless there's more scenes to come, pointless having Emma Thompson and Jim Broadbent characters. Surely just "here's my mate Emma and Jim Broadbent is a Name" ?

Yes I remember being totally confused about her staying on in the house for so long when I watched the 1980 version aged 12! I suppose it wasn't so unlikely in the 1930s; especially if you were of the "right" social class and no NHS but I don't know. It certainly isn't great for dynamic action scenes. 🥱

The series is true to the book though. There really is a staged car crash and a prolonged period in the house. It's only the suicide that struck me as a noticeable deviation from the original storyline.

Yes much more faithful to the book than the Miss Marple one with quite a few extra characters and omitted characters

There was a line at the end of the credits saying that no animals or insects were harmed in the making of the program 😁

Finished now and yes odd to have Emma and Jim as Frankie's parents but only appear once.

But hey it's work! Probably quite pleasant work!!

I have read the book but totally forget the plot bar that evans was close to home (but not who /why)

So enjoyable fluff!

It was good but I could have done with some flashbacks and a Poirot like scene to explain it all as it was confusing

Or maybe it's just me😀

Yes I would have liked that. I wasn't sure who savage was (bar rich man) -had he been mentioned before?

And why was Alan investigating matters? There was no family to object to savages will?

i was confused at the end as well

I wasn't sure who savage was

Well as someone who gets hopelessly confused this is who I think he was.

It was his will that was faked, because in fact he had already been killed with the same drug that had been found in the other victims. It was said he had committed suicide and everyone thought that really strange as he had apparently been a happy and sucessful person.

Not sure how the two met up but it seemed to have been part of a plot with Moira Nicholson (wife of Dr Nicholson) who kept saying her husband was trying to kill her, but was in fact working with the youhger Bassington-ffrench (first seen as the man who happened to turn up after Carstairs fell down the cliff).

And we saw her trying to put the same poison in the tea of the young couple (Frankie and Bobby - think I have got those names right!)

There were lots more twists and turns, and cant think how if Moira was married to the Doctor she was on some luxury cruiser which is where she set her sights on Savage.

hmmmmmmmmm ....... not sure if that helps - or if it is even right.

Thanks

There was a good explanation in radio times online

I thibk I got all that (thanks!)

It was more was savage more than just random rich man.

And why was the dead man on the beach looking into it. Was he an investigator? Or were they friends (picture in the pub of them both maybe)

I thought it was well performed, and Hugh Laurie's script was sharp and injected humour - although also gave work to a mate, Emma Thompson. I love that era, and the costume department did a great job, they all looked so stylish. However, I don't think Lady Frances would have wed in church in a white trouser suit in those days! She wasn't Bianca Jagger.

i didnt know why Moira was in the garden, when Bobby found her, but i guess she was seeing ffrench guy.
also dont know why Alan was investigating?

so glad to see I wasn't the only one to be very confused.

I had to read the Radio Times explanation of the ending. Even that was a bit confusing!

It was bitty and confusing and I hated all the adverts.

I would like to know who were the couple who visited our main hero at the vicarage after the death and why were they also seen in the mental hospital?

Good question.

I assumed they legit were his sister and brother in law, after the part about "not the only photo"

But then that was said by the chief bad man so I suppose there was no second photo and they were just friends of bad couple!

But then I'd have thought the coroners inquest would have checked she was his sister? (She did give evidence there I think)

So was Carstairs pushed off the cliff? By B-ff ?
And why didn't they ask Evans?

I don't know and that shows how badly it was written.

If it was true to the book:
The question was why they didn't ask Evans (the longstanding maid) to witness a will. The answer was that Evans actually knew and would recognise the person concerned, whereas the new staff (cook? maid? gardener?) had no idea that the person writing the will was a fraudster.

I think.

Ok, that makes sense.
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