This year’s Christie at Christmas appears to have been a great success, with strong overnight ratings and both social media and the critics a buzz with praise. The dark, atmospheric drama has grabbed the imagination of its audience in a way that its forerunner (David Walliams and Jessica Raine’s Partners in Crime series) failed to inspire. All these positive reports bode well for future festive big budget adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels in years to come, so which one would you like to see next year? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
I’m sure that the demands for Poldark’s Aidan Turner to become the new James Bond will skyrocket after the sheer amount of towel scenes they managed to squeeze into the hour of episode two. So I’m sorry to disappoint his fans with the news that there’s only the one, brief chest shot left to come in the finale. I don’t think it is too much of a spoiler to reveal that he is not one of the characters who is about to be bumped off next though, there’s a very fraught night of horrors ahead for the remaining guests of Soldier Island before we get to his part of the poem.
With Justice Wargrave deducing that Mr U.N. Owen – or Mr Unknown – is in fact one of the five remaining people on the island, deep paranoia has settled in among the group. With the audience knowing where the gun and master key have been hidden, we of course know that this supposition the judge has voiced is most likely correct. With the weather turning decidedly stormy on the island, the cast are all holed up together with only their suspicions and individual guilty thoughts to plague them.
Once again Vera is the impetus when the episode opens, with a flashback that further explores her time spent as a governess to Cyril. Maeve Dermody portrayal has been fascinating to follow, like Lombard I find myself unsure of who she is and what secrets she hides, there is a distinct contrast between her present and past personality that the show is taking pains to show us. The way she dresses, holds herself, speaks; Dermody’s performance has been subtle yet salient. This transformation begins to blur as she starts losing her grip after the latest bloodshed however, barriers are lowered, and what follows is the inevitable, her past catches up with her.
If any Christie purists have been having any issues with the way this retelling has been handled, they may find this instalment is one that they may not care much for. The party antics, including more drug taking, and a bit of romance, are scenes which I feel lift the mood for both the characters who have been driven to almost breaking point, and for the audience. It’s already been called out as a controversial decision, with at least one critic hailing it as being done to just attract a younger audience. As I said in my first preview, I don’t agree with that view, as the scenes are not gratuitous and nor do they feel out of place for the time or setting. It will be interesting to see how they go down with the viewers in general, though I have a feeling that all will be well as the write-ups I have seen of it have over stated the actual scenes themselves.
For those keeping tabs, here’s the cast as it stands as we go into the final episode, along with the relevant line of the poem which caused the death of those no longer around.
Anthony Marston - The Playboy - choked his little self and then there were nine Ethel Rogers - The Bullied Wife - overslept himself and then there were eight General John MacArthur - The Soldier - said he'd stay there and then there were seven Thomas Rogers -The Butler - chopped himself in halves and then there were six Emily Brent - The Spinster - a bumblebee stung one and then there were five
Philip Lombard - The Mercenary
Vera Claythorne - The Governess
Justice Wargrave - The Judge
Dr Edward Armstrong - The Doctor
Inspector William Blore - The Policeman
The final episode airs at 9pm on Monday on BBC One, below are a few dialogue teasers, the promotional photos and sneak peek to see you through until then.
“He was insane. He killed us all, and I shot him. I shot him to defend us”
“He’s right. We don’t want his brains spilling out all over the floor. Don’t use your jacket Armstrong, I’ll find something else”
“I’ve no intension of getting killed. Death, is for other people not for us”
“Ten bodies, and no murderer. How could he have disappeared? It’s so unfathomable. They’ll be worrying about it for years”
“Oh for Christ’s sake, it’s sal volatile. Smelling salts. Breath slowly, in through the nose, out through the mouth”
“And I can look after the house. Even if I’m not governess I can look after the house, as a friend”
“With great power comes great responsibility. I believe that to look away as that power is exercised is both irresponsible and cowardly”
“That’s what I should have done, innit? That’s what I should have done. But I didn’t”
“Perhaps we’re dead already, and we don’t realise it. And this is hell. We’re in hell, and we’re being punished for what we done”
“We can’t leave him like this. It’s not right, we can’t leave him”
“I won’t bring the knife, and I don’t have the gun. And even if I did, I wouldn’t be killing you all at the same time would I?”
About the Author - Sandi
Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Poldark, and other UK shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Vikings, Orphan Black, Game of Thrones and The Flash.
