Most of the stories adapted by this series have been stories I’m familiar with, either through reading Christie’s original novels or short stories or by watching other adaptations prior to this. I know some people are of the opinion that there’s no reason to watch a mystery movie more than once or, by that same token I suppose, to watch an adaptation of a mystery you’ve read. For those people, the purpose of a mystery is to mystify and if you’re not mystified, then there’s no point. I understand that perspective, I suppose, but there are plenty of pleasures in re-watching a great mystery movie or in watching an adaptation when you already know the ending. It’s in the pleasures of watching the plot unfold and the characters and, you know, all that stuff. All that said, I do kind of like that I’m wrapping up watching through this series with a story I don’t know. I haven’t read Death in the Air or seen any other adaptations, so this is a fun way to finish the series, getting the full whodunnit experience. This episode, while not quite as experimental or strange as the first, is quite good and focused a lot on characters again. Also, Oliver the Duck is getting some interesting bittersweet development as we see him kind of longing to be free. I suspect the show is warming up for a sad farewell between Mabel and Oliver. You know, as she has become her own person, left the nest as it were, so it is now time for Oliver to also etc etc I’m crying already. This is a good show and this is a good episode. 3 ½ stars.
tl;dr – character focused episode isn’t as experimental as part one of this story was, but it’s well-done and introduces some interesting thematic material as well. 3 ½ stars.
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