Mr. Mathew Davenheim walks out his front door, into the fog, and disappears. Hercule Poirot bets his friend, Chief Inspector Japp, that within seven days he can solve the mystery of the missing Mr. Davenheim without leaving the comforts of his home.
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim is a top notch episode. It's got most everything you could want in a Poirot episode: an interesting set-up, solid acting from the regular cast, excellent period detail (those cars were amazing), nice locations, Mel Martin, Poirot's magic tricks, and some cracking good dialogue. The dialogue, in particular, really stands out. Most everyone has mentioned the "I was talking to the parrot" line - and I agree, it's hysterical. Equally enjoyable are some of Hastings' lines as he's collecting information and clues for Poirot. When Hastings has to go back to speak with Mrs. Davenheim and ask about her and her husband's sleeping arrangements - it's laugh out loud funny. Overall, a well constructed and acted episode.
The only problem I have is how easy it is to solve the mystery. I agree with Poirot, all you need are about three clues to solve the entire thing. And as a viewer of the events leading up to Mr. Davenheim's disappearance, the mystery can be solved even quicker. I think I solved most of the case the moment he stepped out of his front door and headed into the fog. Still, it's a very nice episode.
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim is a top notch episode. It's got most everything you could want in a Poirot episode: an interesting set-up, solid acting from the regular cast, excellent period detail (those cars were amazing), nice locations, Mel Martin, Poirot's magic tricks, and some cracking good dialogue. The dialogue, in particular, really stands out. Most everyone has mentioned the "I was talking to the parrot" line - and I agree, it's hysterical. Equally enjoyable are some of Hastings' lines as he's collecting information and clues for Poirot. When Hastings has to go back to speak with Mrs. Davenheim and ask about her and her husband's sleeping arrangements - it's laugh out loud funny. Overall, a well constructed and acted episode.
The only problem I have is how easy it is to solve the mystery. I agree with Poirot, all you need are about three clues to solve the entire thing. And as a viewer of the events leading up to Mr. Davenheim's disappearance, the mystery can be solved even quicker. I think I solved most of the case the moment he stepped out of his front door and headed into the fog. Still, it's a very nice episode.