The Pale Horse

[maggiebee]

Did anyone watch the second part of this? If so, would you please explain what happened. I was none the wiser at the end.

[Ringlet]

Same here. I got very confused and lost interest.

[Buenchico]

Everything you could ever want to know (er, possibly, that is!):
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-02-16/the-pale-horse-ending-agatha-christie-different/
(Scroll down to "How does BBC drama The Pale Horse end? Here’s the explanation…")

[Old_Geezer]

Got distracted near the very end but seems he killed his first wife, seemingly unintentionally when he swung out angrily and knocked the mains radio into the bath. The other apparent potential victim on the list turned out to be the killer of those on the list, and had strung him along having deduced he had a guilty secret and thought this could be useful. But pushed too far the main character struck the killer with the crowbar taking him out. About then I was interrupted but it looked like it turns out, no surprise, he still gets nightmares about the past.

I'll now go read Chris' link.

[Old_Geezer]

Both Hermia and Mark were only given limited amounts of poison, not to kill but to confuse investigators. I see no reason to assume Mark had died. Hermia simply got through it. I think we can rule out magic.

[carolegif]

It was rubbish! Nothing like the Christie novel. Her family should sue! The atmosphere of the early 1960’s was brilliantly done. But for the plot? Forget it!

[pastafreak]

I found it dreadfully confusing last night. That link has explained a few things. But, who was the woman Mark was having an affair with...he found her dead in bed, and left her to be found several days later if I'm not mistaken.
He was a very unlikable character.

[carolegif]

She was Mark’s ‘bit on the side’. Actually an heiress. He woke up beside her and realised she was dead so he legged it! Her stepmother was the woman he went to see to ask about the witches.

[Ken4155]

What grounds would the Christie family have for suing? This mini series was 'based' on the novel. Just as Endeavour is 'based' on characters created by Colin Dexter.

[jno]

beware of Radio Times fun facts. The Witchcraft Act was passed in 1735, not repealed. The last prosecution was in 1944 (yes, nineteen )and it was repealed after that.

[marval]

Buenchico's link helped a bit, but i am still a bit befuddled.

[retrocop]

Another description of the ending was that Hermia recovered in hospital, from a lighter dose of Thallium, surrounded by the three witches. Mark succumbed to his dose of Thallium and was a ghost. At the end when he screamed 'Not again' it was his naughty past being returned to haunt him when he killed his first wife with the electric fire.
I was so relieved he didn't meet his maker whilst driving that Lagonda and it survived without a scratch. :-)