What can I say? Well, as always this episode is littered with beautiful locations & scenery, it's beautifully shot and all characters are played to perfection by the regular wonderful cast. So all is good! Mm well not so it would appear for a number of reviewers, comments about the original author Chesterton spinning in his grave if he viewed current story lines, well I think not for a second. I think he would be smitten because of the love and protection shown by his character Father Brown for his flock with every episode. These episodes are a modern take on a classic 'who done it' mystery series of stories. Times change and the viewers needs change over time. Similar to a Hammer film of 1959 being granted a 'X' classification on its original release, and now it would barely make it to a '12' rating because audiences have become more sophisticated and very much use to how the world works, ie we are not as naive as reader and viewers from a by gone age? The same is true for tv dramas, they have to evolve in line with modern day values. I love British and American 'who done its' from the 1970's & 1980's and as much as I enjoy them the storylines are so very soft when compared to modern dramas and if they were made in the same way today no one would ever watch them. So, I think Father Brown hits the mark with its modern take on the classic GK Chesterton stories.
It's now 2024 (this episode filmed around 2020) and yet an episode that has a storyline that includes homosexuality triggers so much hate and negativity should surprise me, yet it doesn't given the current climate. We existed back when Chesterton wrote these stories but is was less socially acceptable to include the LGBTQ community is his writings, so to suggest he would 'spin in his grave', or his estate should 'sue' for our inclusion now says more of the reviewer than GK himself. For me the BBC should continue with its modern interpretations of classic novels.
This continues to be a beautifully made series and I am amazed every time I watch another episode how it's made for the minuscule budget on offer by comparison to evening drama productions. Long may Mark Williams wear his cassock and spread his version of Father brown to his loving flock.
