I have lost count actually of how many years I have been a fan of this series. How Does Your Garden Grow? is one of the better short story adaptations to me. I love it especially for its clever story, the final solution and how Poirot comes about realising the truth is ingenious, and for some of the funniest writing of the series, not just the gem in the review title but also the whole exchange between Hastings and Miss Lemon about whether Poirot is dying his hair(just love Miss Lemon's reaction to Hastings' typically naive remark "but he's a man") and the somewhat naughty but amusing sight of WTF early on in the episode. I also liked that Miss Lemon was Poirot's companion here, not that I don't like Hastings(I do) but it was a nice change of pace, as well as the poignant build up(accentuated by the use of Elgar's Introduction and Allegro) to the quite scary murder scenario. The episode is beautifully and classily made, with one of the most beautiful gardens I have seen ever and splendid photography. The music is hauntingly beautiful as usual, likewise How Does Your Garden Grow? is superbly acted, with David Suchet giving the best performance(predictability) and Anne Stallybrass the best in support as a quietly chilling Mary Delafontaine. All in all, an excellent episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Review of How Does Your Garden Grow?
