BBC
LONDON-The final episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, starring David Suchet as the moustachioed detective, bowed out with an average of 5.2 million viewers.  Watched by 23% of the audience, the ITV crime drama beat competition from a special Children in Need episode of DIY SOS, watched by 4.6 million. The two-hour Poirot episode peaked at 5.8 million in the first five minutes.  A review in The Telegraph said Curtain: Poirot’s Final Case proved the show was “one of TV’s greatest achievements”. Giving the episode a five-star review, James Walton saluted its “unshowy brilliance”. “After 24 years, 70 programmes and the triumphant realisation of David Suchet’s dream of covering every Poirot novel and short story, the series could certainly have been forgiven for bowing out in a burst of self-congratulatory glory”, said Walton.
“That, however, has never been its style - or the secret of its success.” The episode saw elderly detective Hercule Poirot call on old friend Captain Hastings for help as they returned to Styles Court, the scene of their first case. It did not achieve the highest viewing figures of the series however, with two October episodes watched by more than six million people. The Guardian’s Sam Wollaston said the finale’s slightly complicated plot had left him with little idea of what was going on.