Ep 3. Episode 3

Poirot, who is a retired Belgian police officer, is a private detective that is approached by Japp, a former colleague of his from Scotland Yard. Japp enlists Poirot's help when a killer who calls himself "ABC" starts taunting him with cryptic letters detailing his next murders. Poirot and Japp are struggling to solve the mystery behind ABC and are continuously one step behind. Episode 3 opens with the discovery of the third victim, a beautiful young woman named Betty Barnard. She was found on a local beach, strangled with a pair of stockings.

Japp's team immediately starts gathering clues, and Poirot takes a different approach by interviewing the locals and trying to figure out Betty's relationships. The character development in this episode reaches a new level as we explore the complex relationships of Betty and those involved in her life. From a jealous ex-boyfriend to a father who is stern and distant, every character has a motive that Poirot must investigate.

As Poirot delves deeper into Betty's past, he finds himself struggling to stay on top of the case. He's frustrated by the lack of evidence and the fact that the killer appears to be always one step ahead of him. The audience also witnesses how the pressure of the case starts to take a toll on Poirot's mental wellbeing. However, his determination to solve the mystery keeps him going.

In the middle of this investigation, Poirot receives another letter from the killer. This time the letter contains a clue that only Poirot can understand. It appears that the killer has become familiar with Poirot's methods and is taunting him directly. Poirot recognizes that the letter's cryptic message is a riddle, which leads him to a local pub where he meets an old acquaintance. Poirot and his acquaintance exchange coded words and Poirot begins to understand the complexity of the message.

The episode builds up to an intense finale, and we see Poirot piecing together all the clues. The tension is palpable as Poirot prepares to make an important deduction. The final scene of this episode is both thrilling and shocking, setting up a perfect cliffhanger for the next episode.

Overall, episode 3 of Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders is a well-crafted and well-acted mystery that keeps viewers hooked until the very end. The pacing and storytelling remain consistently strong throughout, and the character development takes center stage. The audience leaves the episode eagerly anticipating what's to come next in this enthralling narrative.