Ep 2. Cards on the Table

In Poirot season 10 episode 2 titled "Cards on the Table," detective Hercule Poirot finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation surrounding a high-stakes card game. Poirot is invited to attend a dinner party hosted by the mysterious Mr. Shaitana, who boasts of having the opportunity to witness the perfect murder. Shaitana is a collector of society's latest trends, and in this case, he has invited four murderers and four potential victims to his gathering. During dinner, the guests play bridge, with Shaitana watching on. Poirot also participates in the game, and at the end of the night, everyone leaves except for Shaitana, who is found murdered in his study.

The primary suspect in the case is a guest at the dinner, Dr. Roberts, who is caught with a letter opener in his hand, standing over the victim's body. However, Poirot believes there is more to the story than meets the eye and sets out to investigate the four potential murderers and victims who attended the dinner party. He soon realizes that each of the individuals had a motive to commit the crime, and through his interviews and analysis of the crime scene, he pieces together the truth behind Shaitana's murder.

As Poirot works to unravel the mysteries surrounding Shaitana's untimely death, the characters' motives and actions are subjected to the intense scrutiny of the Belgian detective. In the end, Poirot uses his remarkable intellect, thorough investigation, and intuition to piece together the evidence and reveal the true killer. As always, Poirot proves himself to be the ultimate sleuth, unraveling the complex web of deceit and intrigue that led to the murder of Mr. Shaitana.

Overall, "Cards on the Table" is a thrilling episode of Poirot that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and engaging storyline, this episode is a standout among the series' strongest offerings. Poirot is at his best, weaving together the clues and piecing together the puzzle of Shaitana's murder with his usual wit and precision. Fans of the series will not want to miss this classic episode that stands as a testament to Agatha Christie's enduring legacy as the queen of mystery.