The Murder at the Vicarage

Hickson, McEwan, McKenzie - they each brought their own take on the Miss Marple character and I like all three actors in the role. McEwan's is the most edgy and worldly of the portrayals. From the costumes to the sets to the music, the production values of this show are marvelous and, with the exception of those playing the young adults, the cast is outstanding especially Janet McTeer. When I first saw this show I had no idea who McTeer was but since her amazing performance in the Albert Nobbs movie, I have gained an appreciation for her considerable acting talent and she shines in this episode. Derek Jacobi plays Colonel Protheroe - a blowhard, nasty and arrogant character who is just begging to be murdered as indeed he is. Although I recalled the solution having read the book, the mystery was still riveting and the ending was quite shocking. The one jarring bit to the story was the revelation of Miss Marple's youthful affair during WW I; the love affair itself seemed possible and believable but that it was with a married man seems way too unlikely and added nothing to the story. Even so, this show was a winner.