Father Brown - General Discussion

[Enigma X]

I noticed that Brenda wears the same thing in every episode. I noticed because I am not a fan of the outfit. 

[Decker24]

On 8/27/2023 at 6:14 PM, Enigma X said:

For me, it was not that he wanted to get back to Scotland Yard but that he was so nasty and, often, unprofessional about it. I thought his first time around, he cared about justice and not just closing a case. I also thought he was better at his job the first time around.

Someone theorized that Sullivan was hastily rewritten into scripts that originally were supposed to star Mallory. A distinct possibility, because I would bet good money FB was supposed to end with S9, but the BBC resurrected it at the last minute with a newly-promoted production team who had to hit the ground running. Given S10’s extremely-weak writing, dubious casting decisions, and its choppy, haphazard feel, that would explain a lot—including Sullivan being out of sorts. It does make sense though that someone as rule-bound, ambitious, and honest as he is would feel trapped and angry that his hard work put him at the mercy of a corrupt boss—and back in the one place he didn’t want to be. And having to suffer Devine’s tedious simpering would be insult to injury…🤣😈

Edited August 29, 2023 by Decker24

[wanderingstar]

Teaser for season 11

[isalicat]

Watched Season 11/Episode 1 last evening (it is streaming - 2 episodes are up - on BritBox). Bleah. I am a big fan of the G.K. Chesterton original and this iteration has really lost the feel of what Father Brown is all about. And I just can't stand Brenda - she is so out of place/time and clearly a token character with no real purpose.

[wanderingstar]

Loved the first two episodes. The murder at the Olimpicks was a good mystery. I thought I'd guessed the culprit but that was a twist. Plus, I loved the random announcements over the PA ("We're out of Victoria sponge!")

I'm digging the pairing of Sullivan and Mrs. Devine. 

Edited January 27 by wanderingstar

[Decker24]

Ugh—this season is everything S10 threatened…er, promised to be. 🤮 It’s become a dumbed-down pantomime with irritating-to-dull characters and mysteries sunk by plodding uninspired development. The writers apparently have taken their cues from the ever-more-awful Devine and made everything teeth-grindingly cutesy. They are still trying to push her as this adorkable Grace-Kelly-crossed-with-Sherlock-Holmes that everyone jest loves, but, no. Just no.

And this version of Sullivan is a textbook case of how to screw up a fascinating character. Once a smart, focused cop, he barely seems to do his job, forget building cases. And chasing after Devine really makes him look like an idiot, for we still have no idea what he sees in her. (Heck, there are WWF matchups that have more erotic chemistry than these two. 😈) Brenda has yet to get any semblance of a believable inner life. She exists just to tag along after FB (and get condescended to by Devine. 🙄🙄) Tl:dr—this show has lost almost everything that made it worth watching. Life is too short to watch incompetent, poorly-executed stuff—especially when there are a lot better mystery shows out there. 

 

Edited January 26 by Decker24

[wanderingstar]

The Word of the Condemned - Loved seeing Lady Felicia, and I loved seeing her teaming with Fr. Brown, Mrs. Devine and Brenda. I guessed midway through that the "sister" was the culprit, but this was still an enjoyable watch. I'm enjoying the season overall, though I wish we saw more of Fr. Brown in the church/solving church-related mysteries.

Edited February 29 by wanderingstar

[Insert Username]

I am binging this delightful show (my husband has been watching for a couple of  years and recommended it) I am on Season 5, Episode 6 where Fr Brown is arrested for a murder.

Questions (not meant to be serious):

Don't the inspectors ever get reprimanded or even embarrassed by how they consistently arrest the wrong person without doing any real investigating?

How many mysteries does Fr Brown have to solve before one of the inspectors starts giving him a little respect?

How quick was the turnaround for executions in the UK? It seems like mere weeks. Aren't there any defense attorneys, appeals or due process in 1950s UK?

 

Fr Brown has the patience of a saint not to take a swing at one of the inspectors (especially Mallory, who is a special kind of jerk)

[wanderingstar]

Episode 11x05, "The Dead of Night"

Love an episode where Goodfellow gets to shine. He and Father Brown do make a good team.

That con artist vampire hunter reminded me of an episode of Last Week Tonight where John Oliver talked about so-called psychics who prey on grieving relatives. So gross. 

[Writing Wrongs]

On 1/25/2024 at 3:51 PM, isalicat said:

And I just can't stand Brenda - she is so out of place/time and clearly a token character with no real purpose.

I feel like they make her seem like a simpleton. She always has this dopey look on her face and the way she talks is annoying. I don't really care for Sullivan or Devine either. I miss the old crew.

[kitmerlot1213]

So I just watched the episode featuring Sister Boniface's being accused of a crime she didn't commit  and I was dying at Mrs. Devine's "I have a great plan, but it's a bit risky, especially for me,"  and it turns out all she did was wear a nun's habit and sit in the cell at the Kembleford police station.

I mean, is the show serious with this?  Are we supposed to see this rather lame act as extremely brave?  And I noticed Mrs. Devine wasn't overly praised about her Inspector Sullivan drawing--maybe there's hope for her yet :)

[Decker24]

On 12/11/2024 at 8:23 AM, kitmerlot1213 said:

So I just watched the episode featuring Sister Boniface's being accused of a crime she didn't commit  and I was dying at Mrs. Devine's "I have a great plan, but it's a bit risky, especially for me,"  and it turns out all she did was wear a nun's habit and sit in the cell at the Kembleford police station.

I mean, is the show serious with this?  Are we supposed to see this rather lame act as extremely brave?  And I noticed Mrs. Devine wasn't overly praised about her Inspector Sullivan drawing--maybe there's hope for her yet :)

Now, now, Devine is brilliant at every dern thing she does, remember. 🤣🙄 Wait till you catch the ep. where SPOILER

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

she gets locked in a room brimming with stuff-to-break-door-open with—and has to wait for Sullivan to rescue her always-resourceful self…but the killer knocks him out. 🤣🤣🤣

On 12/14/2024 at 12:56 AM, Decker24 said:

 

 

[Decker24]

On 12/14/2024 at 12:56 AM, Decker24 said:

And SPOILER

 

 

Spoiler

of course Sullivan’s dad will show up to most likely “tragically” part the lovers for a series or so…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pmw4m/episodes/guide

Airing January 10, 2025

Ep.01: The Battle of Kembleford

Father Brown investigates when a medieval murder is committed at a battle re-enactment.

Ep.02: The Kembleston Players

Father Brown investigates when rehearsals for ‘A Most Perfect Murder’ are derailed by a dramatic death.

Ep.03: The Horns of Cernunnos

Father Brown investigates when an old friend’s daughter is plagued by otherworldly visions.

Ep.04: The Invisible Friends

Father Brown investigates when murder threatens to derail the live broadcast of agricultural radio drama The Muckles.

Ep.05: The Cup of Calabria

Father Brown and Flambeau hunt for a priceless holy relic as a new nemesis lurks in the shadows.

Ep.06: The Lord of the Dance

Father Brown takes the lead when a television dancing contest turns deadly.

Ep.07: The Deserving Poor

Father Brown investigates when his old friend, Blind ‘Arry, is arrested for murder at an almshouse.

Ep.08: The Sisters of Aeschylus

When Lady Felicia invites a prestigious group of writers to Montague, her hopes of being published are eclipsed by a murder.

Ep.09: The Puzzle of Banburismus

Father Brown must untangle the mysteries that lie within the sewing circle when a seamstress is stabbed to death.

Ep.10: The Blessing of the Father

Mrs Devine and Sullivan’s wedding approaches, but can Father Brown stop a would-be killer from ruining their big day?