Agatha Christie's Poirot, Series 11 [Blu-ray]

I am a huge Suchet/Poirot fan. I have all of the previous episodes on DVD. But I debated about buying the last three series (11, 12, and 13) because I wasn’t sure I wanted to experience the visual pain of watching David Suchet grow too old, past his prime. I cycle through the complete Poirot every three years as I do with Jeremy Brett's great depiction of Sherlock Holmes. This time, I decided to take the plunge and buy the final three series on Amazon.To my surprise, Suchet looks great! Of course, his performance is superb. Moreover, while I miss the “old gang” of Chief Inspector Japp, Miss Lemon, and Captain Hastings, I do think it is necessary for the character to evolve. In that regard, I think the writers got it right by providing Poirot with his own butler, chauffeur, and luxury limousine. They also got it right with Poirot’s new sidekick, mystery writer Oliver. I found that to work very nicely. The production value in terms of set designs, costume, etc., is also a step-up from previous Poirot’s if that is possible because those were also excellent.But there are some downsides to make me not like this series as much as I did all the previous ones. First, for some reason, the writers felt the need to “lift” or, to be more truthful, “steal,” some scenes from a few of the earlier “Poirot’s.” Now, I must qualify this by saying I have not read any of the novels, just watched the DVD’s. So if Agatha Christie wrote these same scenes repeatedly in her novels, then the writers are to be excused. That said, here are the “lifted scenes”:1) Mrs McGinty’s Dead: the closing scene is a virtual carbon copy of the closing scene of “Sad Cypress.” Just because the actors are different and it isn’t “exactly” the same, the fact is the premise is exact, right down to Poirot saying, “go.” Clearly this was lifted. Do writers really not think Poirot fans like me wouldn’t notice? The closing scene in “Sad Cypress” has long been one of my favorites, particularly if not mostly because of Christopher Gunning’s magnificent musical score of the last three minutes. In “McGinty’s” plagiarism of this scene, however, the stand-in composer isn’t up to Gunning’s talent and the scene falls completely flat. Maybe if the writers had tried to be original instead of going back to steal scenes they liked from earlier episodes, they could have come up with something that actually worked. Instead, it turned out lousy and offended and insulted Poirot loyalists like me. To whoever reads this, if you have “Sad Cypress,” go compare the closing music (and yes, the “lifted” plot) of the closing last 5 minutes of both and you’ll see what I mean.2) Third Girl: Poirot helps yet another central character (as in the earlier “Peril at End House”) engage in a fake death to trick the culprits into confessing. Yes, a couple twists are different, but the basic premise of the faked death to trick others is identical. This is artistic theft.3) Appointment With Death: the two mysterious camel riders, where one dismounts and takes off the desert Bedoin face scarfs to be “one of” the tourist group. This is a rip-off of an identical sequence in the earlier Poirot episode, “Death on the Nile.” Just because there are some differences, doesn’t mean the art isn’t the same. In “Death on the Nile,” the mysterious Bedoin is discovered to be an old friend of Poirot’s. In “Appointment With Death,” it’s an English woman. But the dramatic lead-up of both to the unveiling is identical.I guess it shows the regard the writers and their directors and producers have for Poirot fans that they think they can steal scenes from previous episodes and insert them and expect us to just accept it. Sorry, I don’t. And if Agatha Christie did repeat these identical scenes in her different stories, then she can be called....lazy!Other problems: these fall at the hands of the writers, too. This is the convoluted, overly complex, multiple story lines. Who can keep track of all of it. It becomes absurd. I know they’re trying to give us a good conclusion for Poirot to “wrap-up” in his renowned closing summation. But each one of these episodes contain so many independent intersecting story lines it ceases to be fun for the viewer. Remember, I love all the previous Poirot’s, and these did not have this level of complexity. Surprises, yes, but not to the point where at the end of it, I have no idea where I am! Way, way overdone.All of the above apply to all of these four episodes for Series 11. Here are a few episode specifics:Mr. McGinty’s Dead: all the scenes are dark, visually, for the viewer. I didn’t like that. Depressing.Cat Among the Pigeons: the best episode of the four. Conclusion was great. Happy ending that seemed real.Third Girl: I liked most of it until the closing sequence whereupon the whole thing lost me (as with the others, too, as previously mentioned).Appointment With Death: Stephen Mckeon’s musical score for the opening and the last 5 minutes...tremendous. Extremely beautiful composition.I can see giving this a “4” but I went with a “3” just because I don’t like writers stealing the work of others. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’ll find Suchet to be at his best and the production quality to be tops.

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I was replacing my vhs tapes with the dvds

Great series and excellent renditions of Agatha Christie's books. I have other Poirot series, but this is my favorite.

This was the only Poirot set I didn't have so I ordered it for Christmas. Even though they are available to stream, with rights constantly changing, sometimes you can't find the show you want to see. So then you need your trusty CD player. All of the Poirot mysteries are a delight.

Very unusual Agatha Christie murder mysteries, with Poirit being the most interesting detective. This is worth adding to your DVD collection.

As advertised. Arrived with no damage. Great experience.

I'm working out of town -- no t.v. channels available, and these videos have been wonderful. You can watch them over and over again. Love them!

Four more feature length mysteries to solve partly with the aid of crime writer novelist Ariande Oliver in two of them, as she takes over the helm from Captain Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp both helping and hindering.

David Suchet in Agatha Christie's Poirot series never fails to deliver. He's a favourite. Poirot is a favourite.

Love this series!!!

David Suchet is the best!!Just would like better sound. Music overrides at intervals!!

Great series.