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Agree. It's one of the openings I never skip (along with CB Strike and Slow Horses).

When I IMDB'd him to see why he looked familiar (besides looking like his dad), I was, "of course!" And I hate to bring up another MCU reference, but while I wasn't surprised that Keiko was still alive in the Hollow Earth, it reminded me vaguely of Michelle Pfeiffer (can't remember her character's name) in the quantum realm.

I think that as much as I liked Noel and Sandy, I think I like Noel and Alison even more. She's delightful!

Market for Murder is one of my favorites! Rupert Vansittart has been in three Midsomer episodes (as well as showing up on Father Brown and Sister Boniface). I knew I'd seen the actor playing the Texan before, so I IMDB'd him, and he was in The Mummy with Brendan Fraser. But I also thought he resembled Rupert V.

I know I'm repeating myself, but Prue made it clear that Matty had the best bake on the eclairs. I've been watching the early seasons on the Roku channel, and in either the first or second season, Mary Berry was also talking about the bake of profiteroles (or at least something made with choux pastry, and made the same point that Prue was making - the exterior needs to be quite firm. Josh's and Dan's eclairs were too soft on the outside. They also loved at least one of Matty's flavors (out of two?) on the eclairs; I don't remember what they said about the other, so if nothing else, Matty and Josh were relatively even in the signature. Josh definitely won the technical, but it really did come down to the showstopper on this one. And I really thought Josh was going to have this in the bag because he's been the most consistent of the three, and I liked Josh a lot, but if the win is based on the final episode, I think Matty's win is legit.

Ha! I always have subtitles on too. Currently, I'm watching the early seasons on the Roku channel (thanks to whoever mentioned the early seasons were on there), and subtitles are not available, at least not that I can figure out. I'd like to add, I find it so refreshing that Mary Berry has an equal say to Paul. I wish Prue did.

I agree. I commented to my husband when it was over that it reminded me of classic MM episodes. Overall, I haven't loved the later seasons - the last couple of years as much, but I thought this was a good one, although I agree with the posters who commented on the horrific murder. (but again...classic Midsomer!)

I don't think it was clear that he won the signature. Prue commented at least a couple of times (and I think during their final discussion as well) that Matty was the only one who nailed the bake on the eclairs. The exteriors on Josh's and Dan's were too soft.

Even though I loved the character of Jimmy, I'm looking forward to the new season. Between Shetland and Slow Horses, both premiering Nov 29th, my husband and I feel like Christmas is coming early. :) (Not to mention Midsomer Murders on December 4!)

I do think there was an additional comment that was more like "nipping at my heels" because I'm sure I'm remembering twice when he said something that just rubbed me the wrong way when someone else won Star Baker. It definitely made an impact on me because he was one of my favorites at the beginning. It's not that he reminds me of someone. However, that said, I do not think that Dan is a jerk, and I think he just has a very broad smile, - NOT a ****-eating grin. I agree that *all* the bakers, including him, have been super supportive of each other. I think last season's bakers are still my favorites, but I really do love this season's as well. I've liked Matty since the first episode, and really didn't expect him to go this far, so I'm thrilled he has, but I also think this is Josh's to lose. In the first few episodes, maybe because there are still so many and he's so quiet, they didn't focus on him very much, but overall he's been the most consistent, and he really does meticulous work. I like him a lot.

Maybe this has been posted, but I just saw that season 24 of MM is going to premier on Acorn on December 4th!

Okay, I've never really been tempted to download Tik-Tok, but this *really* tempts me!

I knew there was a reason I stopped watching Lewis. I'm currently re-watching, but only in Season 2, and I was wondering why I ever stopped watching because I'm really enjoying it so far. But reading your comment rings a bell...like the reason I stopped watching had something to do with Laurence Fox. I actually watched 3 episodes of Morse recently, but by the third, I was over it. I just didn't like him, and it seemed like in those first three episodes, he was just really needy with regards to women. And I am definitely in for Troy or Jones coming back as DI! I like John more than I used to, but I still am not a big fan of how he is in his first season. Edited to add: I think my reasons had more to do with him (Laurence Fox) on the show...I liked him less and less, but I don't remember why.

Can't wait to see it! I was disappointed when Douglas Henshaw decided not to return, but it should be interesting to see the new dynamic with Ashley Jensen and Tosh (and the other regulars). This is starting in the U.S. on the same date (or close) as season 3 of Slow Horses...my other favorite.

I love Saku, but she's been struggling these last few episodes, more than Christy it seems like. And it's supposed to be about the food. And I like Christy too. The editors definitely focus on the bigger personalities, like Saku. There were a few episodes near the beginning, where it seemed like we rarely saw Josh except for the judging, and he's been one of the most consistent there.

Same for me! And that is a LOT of thyme.

For me, I think I shouldn't have used the word arrogant, because I don't think Dan is arrogant. I still think he's a teeny bit smug at times, but he has done really well so maybe it's understandable, and I do think ALL of the bakers, including him, seem like genuinely nice people. I'm also one of those who really likes Christy. I just felt bad at her crying, not remotely annoyed because I doubt if she wanted to cry like that on national television. But we all react differently to the different bakers. Although it almost seems as if there is (appropriately so!) almost universal love for Saku! I've reached the point in the show where it's hard to see anyone leave. (I loved Dana)

I agree! It doesn't matter who it is when something like this happens. I always gasp in horror because I hate to see it happen to any of them.

Agree. I liked Dan a lot in the beginning, but not so much anymore. Has he gotten a handshake? I don't remember, but I hope not. Loved Christy getting one though! I like her. I liked both Nicky and Rowan, but Rowan definitely seemed out of his depth, and maybe not..maybe he just struggles with the time element. Loved Nicky and will miss her and her Scottish accent. Josh seems pretty consistently good, but we rarely see him until the presentations. Is he just so serious that he doesn't make good TV during the work time? And I can't leave this without declaring my love for Saku. So adorable! Edited to add: I really like all the bakers, exception being Dan and his arrogance. I was really hoping Dana would edge him out in the technical, as I really like her as well, but his pithivier was definitely poofier than hers. Matty (Mattie?) has been such a nice surprise, Tasha is also pretty consistently good. I am just really enjoying this season!

Like the previous poster, it's been years since I've watched the episode. I think I remember the book a little better, only because I've read it multiple times. If I remember correctly, in regards to the Dr's wife, Norton had been working on her as well, which was why she was trying to poison her husband. But yes, in Poirot's letter to Hastings, P tells H that he (Hastings) was the one who killed the Dr's wife by swinging the credenza around. It's been so many years since I read the book, I imagine I was pretty devastated when it ended the way it did, so I totally get why you were upset with the ending.

Yes, it's been awhile since I've read Curtain, but it was pretty faithful to the book. Poirot explains (in a letter) to Hastings that since Norton didn't do the killings directly, there was no way to bring him to justice for the murders that he instigated, and since Poirot was basically dying anyway, he chose to bring him to justice in his own way. As I recall, Hastings didn't decide not to poison his daughter's boyfriend, Poirot saved the man silently. Yes, Poirot realized what was happening and drugged Hastings so he fell asleep and then Hastings was overwhelmingly relieved when he woke up and came to his senses! Edited to add: From what I remember reading years ago, she wrote both Curtain and Sleeping Murder (the last Marple) years before they were published, with the intention that they be published posthumously, which they were.

I hadn't seen any of those spoilers, but when they replayed that scene last week, that was my immediate thought...he's talking to food. No, I certainly don't talk to food, why do you ask? :D

I really dislike when the overall film is too dark too see what's going on. It's been awhile since I've seen that version, but I do have a vague recollection that it was definitely dark. It's been even longer since I've read the book, but I think you're also right about some type of mental anguish that wasn't in the book. And on a different note, I am now off to google his travelogue about riding the OE!

Ugh, I watched several "Amazon Originals" Agatha Christie productions. I think all of them were different from the books. The ABC Murders, Ordeal by Innocence, and The Pale Horse. All of them were a waste of my time. If they make any more of them, I won't be watching. I'm a Branagh fan, but not in regards to his Hercule Poirot. David Suchet has spoiled me. There is no other Poirot.

The Agatha Christie Companion, which is a guide to all of her books actually says that the version where two of the characters survive came from Agatha Christie herself (when she adapted the book for the stage in 1943), because "she thought a romantic ending was more suitable for the stage." So most of the movies have used that version. I thought I remembered something about that, so I just looked it up. I'd forgotten though that the original title was incredibly offensive.