Poirot "Triangle at Rhodes" #1.6 (1989) (TV)

"You crazy English! If you do not stop trying to kill each other, I shall put you all under arrest!", 10 July 2015

I know that I've read the short story on which the Triangle at Rhodes is based, but fortunately, I don't remember anything about it. I say "fortunately" because I would have hated to have any of this wonderful episode ruined. It's so good. In this one, Poirot is vacationing in Rhodes when one of the other guests, Valentine Chantry (Annie Lambert), is murdered. As the poisoned drink had been ordered some time earlier by Commander Chantry (Jon Cartwright) for himself, it appears to most everyone that he, not his wife, was the intended victim. The police immediately suspect another guest, Douglas Gold (Peter Settelen), based on his infatuation and flirtations with Valentine. He's arrested and appeals to Poirot for help. Can Poirot unravel this love triangle?

I'll start where the other reviewers have - the scenery. It's simply gorgeous. This is big-budget, theatrical movie quality - not something you expect on television. I was immediately reminded of the outstanding location shots from the 1982 Poirot film Evil Under the Sun. It's really that good. But as much as I was impressed with the wide-open land and seascape photography, I equally enjoyed the scenes on the tight streets of the old city. The scene with the blind Italian woman in her cramped house is as expertly filmed as anything in the episode. Everything looks amazing. The direction is quite good and the episode has a nice flow. The mystery elements work and (because I can't remember reading the story) the finale really surprise me. Other technical aspects (lighting, set decoration, costuming, etc.) are also top notch.

As far as the acting goes, this is another aspect of Triangle at Rhodes I really enjoyed. The cast, including the amazing David Sucheet, is as good as I've seen in the series. Two members of the cast (however) really stood out to me: Annie Lambert as the doomed Valentine and Frances Low, whose Pamela Lyall fills the Hastings role more than capably. In fact, I enjoyed Ms. Low's performance so much, I didn't miss Hastings at all. Toward the end, when Pamela says to Poirot, "I hope we shall meet again.", I couldn't have agreed more. But, alas, this is her only appearance. What a shame.

A very strong 8/10 from me.

8/10