As the episode begins, we see Hercule (John Malkovich) walking through a tunnel. He approaches someone wearing the same outfit as him. Hercule is shocked by what he sees. It makes him think about his past. He wakes up from his nightmare moments later. After the intro, Inspector Crome (Rupert Grint) is harassed by the media. The mail arrives at Hercule’s place. We jump over to Thora Grey (Freya Mavor). She prepares to enjoy breakfast. Franklin (Andrew Buchan) is sleeping in a bed nearby. Their relationship becomes intimate. Lily (Anya Chalotra) covers up Cust (Eamon Farren) and removes the stocking from his eyes. She says that he seems very poorly in the head. He wakes up and says that he doesn’t want to be a monster. Hercule doesn’t believe they’re going to receive any more letters from the killer.

Sergeant Yelland (Michael Shaeffer) tries to convince Crome to stop cooperating with Hercule. Crome orders Yelland to get him tea. Hercule contemplates whether or not he knows the killer or their face. They wonder if the killer is someone who hates Hercule. We see the shooting flashback once again. Cust is shown on a train. He arrives in Embsay. Megan Barnard (Bronwyn James) and the others listen to a news report about the murders. Cust loses it in a bathroom. He pulls himself together and notices that he is bleeding from the mouth. He has taken another life. A man enters and uses the bathroom. Cust grabs his hat and remains hidden. The man finds the dead body. Cust makes a run for it. He manages to get away. Crome tells his officers about the murder.

They spread out and look for him right away. The murder weapon is found a short time later. The victim is identified as Ernie Edwards. Cust’s hat and coat are also discovered. Hercule looks through Ernie’s briefcase and finds a package of stockings. Cust sleeps near a homeless man. Hercule speaks with a man at the stocking factory. Hercule asks him for a list of his salespeople. He learns about a bulk buy from London. Yvonne and the man tell Hercule about an oddball who wrote them a letter. It is signed Alexander B. Cust. Cust’s apartment is searched a short time later. Crome finds evidence that Cust could be the killer. Lily makes a run for it. Lily tracks down Cust and tells him about the police. She gives him money and tells him to go elsewhere. Crome spots him and Cust makes a run for it.

Cust ends up hurting his leg on a railroad track. He is nearly hit by a train. He goes into shock and is rushed to the hospital. Hercule speaks with Crome about the evidence. Hercule wants to speak with the suspect. He tells Crome to have Peter Asher released because he is innocent. Lily speaks with Hercule. She tells Hercule to tell him that she has his backgammon board. Lily tells Hercule about the parcels that he received. Lily doesn’t believe Cust did it. She isn’t sure how he could have killed the man in Doncaster and have been back home by seven. Hercule explains that the pain from Cust’s back was a distraction from the agony in his skull. Hercule speaks with Rose (Shirley Henderson) about abusing her daughter. It is clear that Rose doesn’t want Hercule sticking around. Donald (Jack Farthing) and Betty’s mother speak with the media. They want Cust hung for the crimes.

Franklin and Hermione (Tara Fitzgerald) learn about the arrest too. Thora contemplates her new like as a Clarke. Hercule visits Cust. Cust is asked about the letters. He admits that he doesn’t remember writing the letter. However, he does say chin-chin. He admits going to all of the places. It was on a list that Tinkle Toes gave him because it would be easier for new salesmen to work alphabetically. Hercule tells him that the manager of Twinkle Toes has never heard of him. Cust says that the typewriter was given to him. The idea of becoming a salesman was given to him as someone who beat him at backgammon but was always kind to him. Cust admits he likes order. He cannot remember who gave him such ideas. He insists he doesn’t want to be a monster. Hercule tells him that he is not. Later, Hercule speaks with Franklin. Franklin tells Hercule that he is looking better.

Franklin tells Hercule that he is going to be a husband. Hercule explains that he gave his word to the dead and had to find the killer. Crome is shown on a train. Thora finds an outfit on her bed. Hercule tells her that he found it in her wardrobe. Crome stands over Franklin. Thora doesn’t believe Hercule can prove that she covered for Franklin. She opens the wardrobe and finds everything missing. Hercule reminds her that Franklin has no money until Hermione dies. Hercule tells Thora that he would have killed her as well. Hercule rips the propaganda poster from the wall. Crome confirms to Hercule that Franklin’s fingerprints matched the unknown ones on Cust’s typewriter. Hercule says that Cust was being worked and words were put into his mouth.

We see Cust playing backgammon with Franklin. Franklin offers to do him a favor. We see that Franklin wrote the letters. He also delivered the packages before Cust arrived at his apartment. Franklin murdered Carmichael. He threatens Thora. Cust had a seizure in the bathroom after Franklin killed Ernie. Franklin tells him that he is outliving his usefulness. Crome asks Hercule what he was before he moved there. Hercule tells him that cruelty is not new. Hermione finally passes away. Megan is given the opportunity to marry Donald. She doesn’t seem eager this time around. Thora goes on the hunt for a new sugar daddy. Rose yells for Lily. Lily waits for Cust despite hearing that he might not wake up. She has his backgammon board. Franklin is paraded in front of the press. We see the flashback once again.

Hercule calls for the locals to run into the church. He is wearing a vicar’s outfit. He tries to keep the locals calm as the soldiers approach. He goes out and speaks with them. A young soldier holds him at gunpoint. The boy is told to shoot him. He doesn’t and the boy is shot by a comrade. Hercule is punched and knocked out. The church has been set ablaze. Hercule visits Franklin at the prison. Franklin wants to know what got him caught. Franklin tells him that he spent all that time looking for enemies. He should have been looking for someone who loved him. Franklin admits he got addicted to it all. He admits he felt completely alive when Hercule was chasing him. Franklin believes he helped restore Hercule. Franklin claims that it is Hercule’s fault so many people are dead.

He reminds him of Hermione’s birthday party and the murder games. He was spellbound. Franklin admits he wanted Hercule to admire him. Franklin wants to know what drives Hercule. He asks about the scar on his head. He wants to know Hercule’s secrets. Hercule tells him that he gave him the breakfast he requested. He will get nothing else. Franklin is executed.

 

The ABC Murders Review

After watching the first two episodes, I wasn’t totally blown away by The ABC Murders. I haven’t read the book. I found the finale to be excellent. It was definitely the best episode of the series. The acting was great from start to finish. I am not too fond of Andrew Buchan, but he did good here. Malkovich and Eamon Farren are the standouts though. The finale was very sad and depressing. I enjoyed it. The twists were great. The finale scores a solid 8 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of The ABC Murders now!