Every evening before bed I sit down and watch one or two episodes of Father Brown. It has been my sanity anchor during this last year of total isolation (I live alone). One of my favorite places in the fictional world is the big table in the presbytery kitchen, preferably with a pot of tea and a big plate of strawberry scones. (I've never read any of the G.K. Chesterton stories, so I don't have anything to say about authenticity.)
I love that Mrs. McCarthy always wears a hat, even inside. I love that all the women wear gloves all the time. I love Lady Felicia's crooked smile, and the fact that no matter how many dead bodies are strewn around, a cup of tea will always make things better. I love that Fr. Brown is non-judgmental and compassionate, NOT typical of a 1950s Catholic priest (IME).
I have some favorite episodes that I watch over and over-- one of them is "The Last Man," and it has led me to YouTube videos explaining the game of cricket. "The Bride of Christ" where Fr. Brown has some help from a young Agatha-Christie-reading nun. "The Daughters of Jerusalem" where a pajama-clad Fr. Brown solves the crime from his attic convalescent room with the help of his two right-hand women. "The Rod of Asclepius," which finds the two women hospitalized and on the trail of a murderer.
There are some mistakes and anachronisms regarding Catholic liturgical ritual. Some scenes show post-Vatican II changes, which would not have been used in the 1950s. The Council occurred in 1963.
But my biggest gripe is with Lady Felicia. Being called Lady FELICIA means she's the daughter of a peer. If so, then how can her husband be the Earl of Montague? OTOH if the estate is his, and she married him, then she would be "Lady Montague," not Lady Felicia. And for God's sake, do not have her introduce herself with her title! A titled lady would never do that-- she would introduce herself simply as "Felicia Montague." This bugs me every time she does it... but obviously I can live with it.
I love that Mrs. McCarthy always wears a hat, even inside. I love that all the women wear gloves all the time. I love Lady Felicia's crooked smile, and the fact that no matter how many dead bodies are strewn around, a cup of tea will always make things better. I love that Fr. Brown is non-judgmental and compassionate, NOT typical of a 1950s Catholic priest (IME).
I have some favorite episodes that I watch over and over-- one of them is "The Last Man," and it has led me to YouTube videos explaining the game of cricket. "The Bride of Christ" where Fr. Brown has some help from a young Agatha-Christie-reading nun. "The Daughters of Jerusalem" where a pajama-clad Fr. Brown solves the crime from his attic convalescent room with the help of his two right-hand women. "The Rod of Asclepius," which finds the two women hospitalized and on the trail of a murderer.
There are some mistakes and anachronisms regarding Catholic liturgical ritual. Some scenes show post-Vatican II changes, which would not have been used in the 1950s. The Council occurred in 1963.
But my biggest gripe is with Lady Felicia. Being called Lady FELICIA means she's the daughter of a peer. If so, then how can her husband be the Earl of Montague? OTOH if the estate is his, and she married him, then she would be "Lady Montague," not Lady Felicia. And for God's sake, do not have her introduce herself with her title! A titled lady would never do that-- she would introduce herself simply as "Felicia Montague." This bugs me every time she does it... but obviously I can live with it.