Hercule Poirot is hired by John Harrison (played by Martin Turner) who tells him that his girlfriend, the glamorous model Molly Deane (played by Melanie Jessop), has had the brakes on her car tampered with. There is a bitter rivalry between Harrison and a sculptor called Claude Langton (played by Peter Capaldi) since the latter was once engaged to Molly who then left him for the former. At a fashion show, Poirot and Captain Hastings (played by Hugh Fraser) see Molly hastily board a taxi with a sinister looking man, but thankfully Hastings has a camera on hand and manages to take a picture of him. Poirot shows it to Chief Inspector Japp (played by Philip Jackson), who is in hospital recovering from appendicitis, but he doesn't recognise this mysterious man. Poirot solves the mystery and two lipstick stains of different shades in a tea cup, petrol mysteriously poured into a water butt and potassium cyanide bought supposedly to destroy a wasps' nest in Harrison's garden provide the astute detective with the important clues. In the process he prevents a suicide and attempted murder...
All in all, Wasps' Nest is another worthwhile entry in this series. Acting wise, Martin Turner, Peter Capaldi and Melanie Jessop shine as three people caught up in a triangle of love and deceit. Their performances are strong enough to give it the emotional tug necessary to move the audience. David Suchet remains the definitive Poirot and there is a funny scene where his secretary, Miss Lemon (once again played by Pauline Moran), tries to encourage him to take up keep fit classes. She hands him a leaflet reading "Use your vigour to keep your figure." "Absurd!" Poirot exclaims, "There is nothing wrong with the body of Poirot; it is in the peak of condition." Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Moran all provide their usual dependable support to complement Suchet's fine performance. Brian Farnham's direction is spot on using clever visual touches to highlight the clues and various red herrings. All the other technical aspects of the production are fine and there is a great scene set at a 1930's fashion show. The attention to detail that has gone into the design of the retro costumes is amazing.
All in all, Wasps' Nest is another worthwhile entry in this series. Acting wise, Martin Turner, Peter Capaldi and Melanie Jessop shine as three people caught up in a triangle of love and deceit. Their performances are strong enough to give it the emotional tug necessary to move the audience. David Suchet remains the definitive Poirot and there is a funny scene where his secretary, Miss Lemon (once again played by Pauline Moran), tries to encourage him to take up keep fit classes. She hands him a leaflet reading "Use your vigour to keep your figure." "Absurd!" Poirot exclaims, "There is nothing wrong with the body of Poirot; it is in the peak of condition." Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Moran all provide their usual dependable support to complement Suchet's fine performance. Brian Farnham's direction is spot on using clever visual touches to highlight the clues and various red herrings. All the other technical aspects of the production are fine and there is a great scene set at a 1930's fashion show. The attention to detail that has gone into the design of the retro costumes is amazing.