"You see, mon ami, the voices of the little grey cells have begun to sing to Poirot"

When I first started reading Hercules Poirot books, the Poirot in my mind didn't look like David Suchet. But from the first episode of Poirot to the last, Suchet has become the epitome of Poirot to me. Peter Ustinov was comical, but a little too much so for this character. Albert Finney just didn't look the part. And don't get me started on John Malkovich! 

Thiry years ago, my sister and I, sometimes joined by our parents, began our mysterious adventures with the brilliant, persnickety Belgian detective, his amiable friend Captain Hastings, quirky but capable secretary Miss Lemon, and the gruff, no-nonsense Chief Inspector Japp. Those earlier seasons are overwhelmingly my favorites: the beautiful Art Deco details, the humor, and most of all, the chemistry and camaraderie between the four main characters. Without his friends, the later seasons seemed too dark for my taste. 

So what are some favorite episodes?  They include 'The Theft of the Royal Ruby', 'The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge', 'The Lost Mine', and 'Four and Twenty Blackbirds'. I also enjoyed 'The Big Four' as it reunited Poirot with his three friends, as well as his last case 'Curtain'. What are some of your favorites?