Ep 4. Taken at the Flood

A wealthy and powerful family is at the center of this intricate murder mystery in "Poirot" season 10 episode 4, titled "Taken at the Flood." The episode opens with a World War II veteran and self-made financial expert named Gordon Cloade, who has recently made a fortune in America. He returns to his hometown in England to reconnect with his siblings and start a new life with his new wife, Rosaleen.

However, before Gordon can fully settle in, he perishes in a bomb explosion that was meant to kill a government official. Suddenly, everyone in his family is a potential suspect in the murder, and it is up to Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to piece together all of the clues and make sense of the tangled web of motives, alibis, and secrets.

What follows is a twisting, turning investigation that takes Poirot all over the country and puts him in contact with a wide range of interesting and complex characters. There is Gordon's half-brother and heir, who is shady and secretive even before the murder happens. His younger sister-in-law, who has a gambling addiction and seems guilty of something. His wealthy brother-in-law who, along with his new wife, stand to inherit a ton of money from the will. His sister, who seems to have an odd attachment to her deceased brother. And that's not even mentioning the various employees and servants who were in close proximity to the murder and may have their own motives.

As Poirot interviews each character and slowly uncovers their secrets, the plot thickens in surprising and unexpected ways. It becomes clear that the Cloade family has a lot of skeletons in their closet, and that Gordon's death may not have been an accident after all. It is up to Poirot to figure out who, if anyone, is responsible for the murder, and to bring them to justice.

The episode is full of twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. There are moments of humor and lightness interspersed with darker, more tense scenes, making for a well-rounded and compelling story. Through it all, Poirot remains a steadfast and sharp-eyed detective, always one step ahead of his suspects.

In addition to the engaging plot and well-drawn characters, "Taken at the Flood" also benefits from excellent production values. The sets and costumes are period-perfect, immersing viewers in the post-war era of austerity and change. The ensemble cast is also superb, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their performances.

Overall, "Taken at the Flood" is a fantastic episode of "Poirot" that will satisfy fans of the series and newcomers alike. With a complex plot, well-drawn characters, and excellent production values, it is a top-notch murder mystery that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.