I know you've received a lot of questions and commentary on Death on the Nile but after having seen MOTOE, what were your thoughts on the reference? I honestly wasn't expecting it but then again I'm sure no one EXPECTED it to happen. I'm curious to see where it goes and see how much the poirot-verse and the world of Agatha Christie become more exposed! I'm excited for new fans and for those of us who have already been here indulging in our little cinnamon roll.
** MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD ABOUT ONE SCENE IN MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS MOVIE **
Hey there, Labours! *waves* Thank you for your ask! The Christieverse and all the Poirot adaptations gettingmore exposure because of the MOTOE movie is the beginning of a new Poirot era. The new Agatha Christie Cinematic Universe has begun, dvds of previous Poirot films are getting re-releases, and Christie books are coming out with new fancy covers and as limited editions. Fans that just got introduced toSuchet’s tv version are falling in love with him as predicted, and they’relooking into books and anime and other Christie tv series (I recommend the 2015 And ThenThere Were None mini series for starters). I’ve got a bunch of asks on thevery topic I need to reply today and tomorrow!
Poirot getting asked for help with a murder case on the Nilewas spoiled for me ahead of the movie via critics reviews. But that’s ok, muchof the film was spoiled for me, maybe 80%, and knowing of the referencebeforehand didn’t make my MOTOE watching experience any less exciting! Before I readabout the scene on several websites, I hadn’t expected Ken to include a reference to a sequel either but once word of the little tease got out, I couldn’t wait to see the scene for myself. And I thought it was well done. :)
It’s been speculatedKen will try to retcon the reference in the sequel because in the book,Poirot’s on holiday in Egypt when the murder happens, he doesn’t get summoned thereas per the reference in the MOTOE movie. Much like the set up in the MOTOE novel, in DOTN we first follow thecharacters on their journey - “the most romantic journey on earth” the steamer service is called - and learn what brought them to Egypt, before tragedystrikes again.
With Ken’s Poirot joining them after the murder has alreadyhappened, we don’t get that important set up, or we get one sans Poirot, which isfar less fun and would change the story drastically. I think Poirot should be there with the suspects before anything goes down. Because MOTOE was faithful to the book, people expect DOTN to bethe same, hence the speculation about Ken tweaking the reference in MOTOE a littleso the DOTN movie can follow canon as closely as possible after all. I don’t know if he’d just wave the reference away and have Poirot pretend there was no summons?
Someone suggested a retcon would not benecessary if the reference was to some other random crime on the Nile, but not THEfamous case. Poirot could go to Egypt as planned, solve this “urgent matter”, finallytake a deserved holiday, only to get involved in yet another mystery, thistime concerning a murder boat instead of a murder train! Poor cinnamon rollcan never put his feet up. Justlet him rest with his books and cakes! :D
What do you think? How would you proceed with DOTN? Thanks again for your message! <3