Padre Brown

I've been gorging on UK TV (can't believe what I've missed) testing out this mystery series and that and discovered that I LIKE A lot but my preference after watching different styles, is the lighter, quirky, fun series like Father Brown. Lots of charming characters, gorgeous scenery and a lovely village. BBC is the BOMB!

I've tears in my eyes thinking about sitcoms I forced myself to watch believing this is was good as it gets. I'm stunned at the difference in quality television. I don't know what else to say except I have a lot of catching up to do! Father Brown, Cadfael, Death in Paradise, A touch of Frost Midsomer murders. I've been living in a bubble. I just said to my husband, the British camera moves leisurely, soaking up the countryside. Wonderful shots of landscapes and gorgeous plants of all kinds (I love the English admiration and respect for the art of gardening and nature in general). The camera pauses and lets you hear the wind and sounds of nature as the cast goes about their business.It actually adds to the tension so beautifully...a prolonged creaking sound, a shot of leaves blowing on trees. Our eyes are treated to gorgeous old buildings,streets, shops and quirky guest stars with their fabulous character portrayals. We see unusual hobbies, situations, an array of real faces and all ages in all their imperfected glory.Actors aren't chosen for cookie cutter beauty or age but the character that shows on their faces and ability to act. How wonderful to see all ages!!! I find the older the more great fun it is! BBC TV doesn't hide them away! We see distinguished, frumpy, classy, nutty, prissy, scatterbrained, intellectual,funny flirtatious. ...... On American TV there's one actress to portray seniors, Betty White whom is limited to either childlike, cranky or a dirty old lady. The TV mysetry/detective shows I was used to viewing are noisy, cheap and gimmicky. Ugly buildings and constant shots of car doors slamming shut with generic 30 somethings getting in and out passing off their ability to stride self importantly as acting...boring botoxed faces with capped teeth... detectives with no depth or range of emotions,no wit or charm or style as they storm in and out of ugly buildings interrogating guest characters that are all boobs, hair and teeth between 20 and 30. Graphic unnecessary sex scenes for shock...never again. I'm a convert. Father Brown is relaxing, highly enjoyable and plain old FUN!!!

... up to to a point and that point is season 9. Season 10 is where it all rapidly goes down hill. Father Brown himself stays the same, along with Goodfellow, but the replacements characters that were needed to fil the gaps left by Sorcha Cusack, Nancy Carroll and Emer Kenny are just dreadful. The only shining moment in this season was John Light as Flambeau, who put in a sterling performance as usual. How he never got his own series I will never know. My honest suggestion is, that if you haven't already watched it, then please do as it's very enjoyable, just stop at the end of season 9, you'll be doing yourself a favour.

Love father Brown, but season 11 is beyond boring. I used to look forward to new episodes, but this year I barely bother. It feels like Father Brown's actors just said "let's get through this year, pay us, and then we can retire." I love mysteries, police procedurals, etc. And just enjoy the ride without trying to figure out "who dun-it. But these episodes are so simplistic, I know who's done it without even making an effort.

The biggest problem, of course, was getting rid of Bundy and lady Felicia. There is now no access to the upper class with their peculiarities, their wealth, waywardness, mansions, free morals and the humor. No love/hate relationship between Mrs. McCarthy"s british steadfastness vs Lady Felicia aristocratic snootiness and Bundy's new found post-war bohemian wildness.. And all these quirky characters working with and against a setting featuring mid-century Catholic priest was the basis of Father Brown.

The two new protagonist, Mrs. Devine, a WW 2 war widow and new secretary and her assistant waif, although cute, really don't bring anything to the show...just middle class 1950 boredom. No drama, no tension, no surprises. So murders are no surprise either. The only brightness in this show is the wardrobe with the giant billowy skirts and tons of petticoats. Even the romance between Chief Inspector and Mrs. Devine is lackluster.

Flambeau finally shows up, and I was looking forward to his input, but this episode too was predictable and boring. Actually there is no mystery. The bad guy killed the guard.

Watch and rewatch seasons 1 to 10, jewel, or Mrs. McCarthy's strawberry but skip season 11. I never thought it could be this bad, Don't waste your time on season 11. . I would not be surprised if this show gets cancel, nobody is making an effort here.

It is wonderful to see Father Brown move into its seventh series, the show is quite wonderful, it's such easy viewing, it's funny, of course it's intriguing, it's just a great family show. Of course I love the heavy and complex mystery dramas on virtually every week, but there are times when you just want to sit back and watch a cosy, safe murder mystery. Forty five minutes of engaging, entertaining mystery, a genre which had seemed almost dead. Mark Williams has managed to inject something into the character of Father Brown, his performances are superb, he's a joy to watch, as are all of the cast. There have been a few duff episodes, but for every bad one there's a quality one, the likes of The Owl of Minerva and The Bride of Christ, they are great viewing. It comes as no surprise to me that the show is a big international success, I love it.

I've come to really enjoy this show. The cast has great chemistry and Father Brown couldn't have been casted better.