"Poirot" Third Girl (TV Episode 2008) ⭐ 7.7 | Crime, Drama, Mystery (original) (raw)
Episode aired Jul 18, 2010
1h 33m
After a seemingly neurotic young heiress tells Ariadne Oliver and Poirot that she thinks she may have killed someone, her ex-nanny is found with her wrists slashed.After a seemingly neurotic young heiress tells Ariadne Oliver and Poirot that she thinks she may have killed someone, her ex-nanny is found with her wrists slashed.After a seemingly neurotic young heiress tells Ariadne Oliver and Poirot that she thinks she may have killed someone, her ex-nanny is found with her wrists slashed.
Featured reviews
Actually, surprisingly well-done!
My "job", when reviewing Agatha Christie films, is fairly simple. Most of the time, when a film is faithful to the book, it gets a positive rating, and when it is a complete rewrite, I pan it. But now we come to a difficult situation where I must admit that "Third Girl" was not faithful to the novel, but it was still very good.
I have to say, I really enjoyed "Third Girl"! Now, let's be fair to Agatha Christie. "Third Girl" was not her best book. Entertaining? Definitely. Good? Oh yes. Great? Not quite. Many coincidences occur throughout, and even Mrs. Oliver's appearances are entirely incredible- she's the "deus ex machina" of the book.
In THIRD GIRL, not much happened. So, if there ever was a Christie that could use some spicing up for TV, it was definitely this one. I was perfectly open to changes, and I am so glad it turned out so well! David Suchet is once more flawless as Poirot. Zoe Wanamaker simply shines as Ariadne Oliver, adding a third brilliant performance as the famous novelist (alongside "Mrs. McGinty's Dead" and "Cards on the Table").
The opening scene with Norma ("You're too old, Monsieur Poirot") was so well-done! It was very comic, and grabbed my attention immediately. Norma mentions Mrs. Oliver by name, saying she recommended Poirot to her. This makes his subsequent visit to Mrs. Oliver far more credible. This is one of the ways the incredible coincidences in the novel are "ironed out", so to speak.
Now, the film takes more than a few liberties. If you thought the book was flawless and want a faithful adaptation, you may be disappointed. But it is very entertaining as it is. The few things that ARE close to the book (ex: Mrs. Oliver trying out her hand at trailing suspects; the very first scene) are done very well indeed.
In short, THIRD GIRL spices up a rather drawn-out novel very neatly for television. If you're open to changes in this film, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Atmospheric, with a true victim.
If I'm honest, I'd say the book is decent, but instantly forgettable, as nothing truly memorable happens. This is a fine adaptation, that in my humble opinion improves on the book.
It is a super stylish episode, with terrific sets and some super stylish clothes. The direction is impressive, as it's super sinister and deep. It's directed in a way that throws you off course.
Suchet and Wanamaker are both excellent, they bounce of one another so well. Jemima Rooper I find so impressive, she really does capture the sense of victim, it really is a fine performance, you empathise with her throughout.
I wouldn't say it's one of the best, it isn't, but it's a fine episode nonetheless. 8/10
There May Be a Spat When Three Girls Share a Flat
Around 1942, Ariadne Oliver (Zoë Wanamaker), a famous author, resides at Borodine Court, at which three young ladies rent an upstairs flat.
Claudia Reece-Holland (Clemency Burton-Hill), the "First Girl," is employed as Secretary to Andrew Restarick (James Wilby), manager at Joshua Restarick & Sons Limited. She also sees Andrew socially.
Frances Cary (Matilda Sturridge), the "Second Girl," is involved with David Baker (Tom Mison), a Painter, also known as "the Peacock."
Norma Restarick (Jemima Rooper), the "Third Girl," has a history of emotional problems, as her father, Andrew Restarick, abandoned her wealthy mother, Mary, when Norma was five, and heads to South Africa, before returning one year ago to assume responsibilities for the family business after his brother passes. She also admires David, whom Ariadne mistrusts.
Norma enters the office of Hercule Poirot (David Suchet), to be announced by his Valet, George (David Yelland). She confesses to a murder when a body is discovered in a nearby London apartment. Ariadne Oliver joins forces with Poirot and Inspector Nelson (John Warnaby) to investigate, but Norma confides only to Poirot, asking him to save her.
Poirot makes the rounds, questioning suspects, as the wealthy Sir Roderick Horsfield (Peter Bowles), a Great Uncle of Norma and former politician, engaged to his young Secretary, Sonia Benson (Lucy Liemann), investigating who would benefit if Mary and Norma were removed from the picture.
He also travels to the Meadowfield School, founded in 1919, two years after Norma's birth, by Miss Battersby (Haydn Gwynne), a former employee of the Restarick family.
Ariadne Oliver's investigation takes her to The Merry Shamrock Cafe, after dealing with Bus Ticket Inspector (Simon Hill), to follow a lead. Daphne the Waitress (Tessa Bell-Briggs) assists Ariadne, as do Nurse (Ysobel Gonzalez) and Policeman (Sean Kingsley), once Ariadne is knocked unconscious and left for dead.
Young Norma Restarick's (Jade Longley) memories return in flashback sequences, involving Mary Restarick (Juliet Howland), the mother of Norma, and Nanny Lavinia Seagram (Caroline O'Neill), who had cared for the child.
At Horsfield Estate, near Cross Hedges, Alf Renny (Tim Stern), the Valet, welcomes guests, as Sir Roderick Horsfield and Sonia Benson host a reception to announce their engagement, which Hercule Poirot attends with Ariadne Oliver, Andrew Restarick attends with Claudia Reece-Holland, and David Baker attends with Frances Cary.
But, after Norma Restarick, the "Third Girl," arrives, confrontations persist, and another body is discovered on the premises.
How will Poirot tie together three murders appearing as suicides during his extensive showdown sequence, which contains three additional plot twists, as some facts don't appear as they seem.
A Deep, Tragic and Simultaneously Wonderful Production and Story
Having not read the Agatha Christie novel (which I understand has an unusually low reputation), I watched 'Third Girl' without a clue as to its plot. Already a David Suchet's Poirot convert, I had usually high expectations of this - I was watching it from my box-set. After watching it, both my mother and I agreed that it was one of the best Agatha Christie's Poirot episodes, along with 'Murder on the Orient Express'. As always, David Suchet enchants as the compassionately stunning Hercule Poirot, and this time, Zoe Wanamaker co-stars as the formidable Ariadne Oliver, a crime-writer. Both turn the plot over like fine soil, growing from it flowers most beautiful and utterly compelling. The visual nature of the production is phenomenal, with many observe-and-discover scenes working one's little grey cells. The supporting cast is remarkably diverse, with a subsequent elegance resulting from their talent - as well as peppering the 1930s setting with glamorous thrill. The chase scene with Ariadne Oliver is superb, and the wonderful location within the walkway of pillars is a banquet for the eyes. However, the general plot is not all light-hearted fun and games, for behind its seeming innocence, there lies a tragic coldness brought to a chillingly sharp point by the cast. To conclude, I believe this drama to be a masterpiece for the senses, a workout for the brain, and a philosophical quandary to ponder both during and after watching it. Five stars, ten out of ten, one hundred percent.
Thank goodness Wanamaker is in this
This is the second time I've watched this show and both times my reaction has been "Boy, this sure is a lot better than the book." It has been too many decades for me to remember why I disliked the book so, but I do remember much disliking it, perhaps because it was set in the 1960s. Of course, the film doesn't have that problem. It has been a couple of weeks since I saw this and the performance I most remember is Wanamaker's - this show really allowed her to shine as Mrs. Oliver. Peter Bowles also does a nice job as the essentially uncaring great uncle. The rest of the supporting cast is okay but not particularly memorable nor is the storyline itself. One certainly feels terribly sorry for Norma Restarick but she is not an especially engaging character. As usual with these Poirot films, I thought production values good and especially enjoyed the sets and costumes. But the real reason to watch this is Zoë Wanamaker.
Suggest an edit or add missing content
What is the French language plot outline for Third Girl (2008)?