British Network Television
‘Father Brown’: S03.E01. “The Man in the Shadows”
Sidney “Sid” Carter has a close encounter with a murderer
The Paul Gibson-directed third series premiere, The Man in the Shadows, opens with a murder already having been committed. Someone, a man not identified at the beginning of the instalment, is preparing to hide a body in the lake. At least one large stone is being tied to the body. This is anything but typical of a Father Brown opening sequence.
The lake, a popular location for Kembleford residents to go fishing, is where we find Sidney ‘Sid’ Carter heading when he spots the unusual happening. Sid’s presence, as it doesn’t go unnoticed, causes a problem for the villain. Chased to the nearby road, with the luck of happenstance, Sid is saved when he manages to flag down a passing motorist on his way into the village.
Inspector Sullivan, accompanied by Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow, doesn’t allow Sid or Father Brown anywhere near the crime scene. Father Brown merely wants to pray over the body. Inspector Sullivan, not thrilled by Father Brown’s presence, is most likely still annoyed that the Gloucestershire Constabulary Chief Constable honoured the Catholic priest with a commendation.
Back at the presbytery, even though Bridgette McCarthy expresses a modicum of frustration at Sid for not knocking, Lady Felicia Montague’s chauffeur isn’t there to speak with the parish secretary. Sid has news for Father Brown which suggests there is something rotten occurring in Kembleford. The body found at the lake, even though it never reached the water, was reported in The Kembleford Gazette as an accidental drowning.
Mrs McCarthy’s response to Sid suggests she believes everything she reads in the newspaper. If the internet had existed in 1953, not that the parish secretary would have used it, Mrs McCarthy would probably believe everything published online. Father Brown correctly recognises what is reported in the newspaper is based on details the police inspector gave to the newspaper editor.
The name Archibald Waterston, even though the Catholic priest is having difficulty recalling where he heard it, is familiar to Father Brown. After giving the situation some thought, Mrs McCarthy remembers the dead man was the best man at a wedding the previous year. The couple that were married, William and Marion Sheppard, were apparently close friends to this Mr Waterston. There is something about the name, even though Father Brown states it is none of his business, that remains puzzling.
Father Brown, not someone that usually allows issues to go unaddressed, pays a visit to the Sheppard residence. The Catholic priest offers his condolences to Mrs Sheppard on the passing of her friend. Invited to enter the residence, as Mrs Sheppard steps to one side, Father Brown immediately notices she is pregnant and offers the lady of the house congratulations.
Meanwhile, near Kembleford Police Station, Sid is minding his own business when we hear Inspector Sullivan state that he had been looking for him. The police inspector, not thrilled with him spreading the truth, wants Sid to stop telling people his version of the story.
Elsewhere, as Father Brown enjoys a cup of tea with Mr and Mrs Sheppard, the Catholic priest ponders the reason for Mr Waterston being at the lake. Whilst fishing is the most likely reason for him being there, an activity which took Sid to the lake, we know this wasn’t the case. There is a reference to him having lived in Little Haydock. Little Haydock, as Father Brown understands it, is at least seven miles from Kembleford.
Mr Waterston, according to Mrs Sheppard, specialised in the conservation of oil paintings. It is curious how Mr Sheppard stated they barely slept the previous night when Mrs Sheppard, when asked if they knew what happened, intimated they only became aware of his death when they saw it reported in the newspaper. What was it that was preventing them from sleeping?
Sid, having returned home, receives a knock at the door. Sid comes face-to-mask with the same person that wanted to kill him earlier. The sound coming from inside the caravan, when Father Brown arrives, initially suggests the chauffeur could be getting busy with a young woman.
Even though the Catholic priest knows exactly what Sid is like, on this occasion, Father Brown gets the wrong end of the stick. It is not until the Catholic priest hears Sid call out for help does Father Brown realise there is something amiss. Sid’s assailant, noting Father Brown’s presence, runs from the caravan.
The next time we see Father Brown, being driven by Sid, he’s in Lady Felicia’s company as they arrive at a large country house. Lady Felicia, wondering why it is Father Brown is suspicious of Mr and Mrs Sheppard, wants to know what piqued the Catholic priest’s curiosity.
Father Brown, remembering what was said to him when he was at their house, recalls how Mrs Sheppard discovered what happened when reading the morning newspaper and Mr Sheppard had stated they couldn’t sleep the previous night because of it. This, as Father Brown correctly observes, makes zero sense.
I possibly picked up on this inconsistency, having watched way too many Father Brown episodes, the same time as the Catholic priest. Father Brown, noting how Inspector Sullivan isn’t treating the case as routine, suggests Mr and Mrs Sheppard might have good reasons to lie. There is a connection between Mr Waterston and one of Lady Felicia’s close friends.
Lord Hugo Masters, as Father Brown recalls, is a member of the House of Lords. People in the House of Lords, from Lady Felicia’s perspective, are typically as mad as a hatter. Out first introduction to the character, with him playing croquet in his drawing room, suggests Lady Felicia’s assessment of the man could be accurate.
Monty, Lady Felicia’s husband, is apparently hosting a swaray and has decided to invite Lord Hugo. Whilst they might be having the event, something lady Felicia does a lot, this invite is really only a way for her and Father Brown to get their feet in the door whilst Sid snoops. Sid does his thing a little too well and his soon caught by and unsavoury secretive chap that has him detained by the local police. Sgt Goodfellow tells Sid that he was warned.
It soon turns out, according to Lady Felicia, Daniel Whittaker works for MI:5. If you’re wondering what MI:5 is, an organisation within Britain’s intelligence services, look to the television series Spooks for clarification.
Curiously, when Father Brown references Archibald Waterston, Lord Hugo tells the Catholic priest that he had been expecting him. Mr Waterston had apparently left a letter for the Catholic priest with Lord Hugo for safekeeping. How could Mr Waterston have known Father Brown would be calling on Lord Hugo? The letter, a single sentence, reads: I’ll take the secret to my grave.
Later, in St Mary’s Catholic Church graveyard, we see Father Brown recalling where he remembered the name Archibald Waterston. Archibald Waterston, as Father Brown recalls the funeral, was only 18-months-old when he died.
Mr Whittaker, at Masters Hall, speaks with Lord Hugo regarding Mr Waterston. Lord Hugo tells Mr Whittaker of his conversation with Lady Felicia and Father Brown.
Father Brown is discovered on his hands and knees in the graveyard snooping around the child’s gravestone. Even though the Catholic priest promises to not do anything silly, something he frequently does, Mrs McCarthy isn’t amused.
Noticeably, as Mrs McCarthy tries to straighten the appearance of the grave, the parish secretary accidentally switches the vase. As the camera lingers on the black vase, noting how the previous one was cream, we know there is something about this switch that will cause issues.
Mr Whittaker, understanding Father Brown has solved numerous crimes, recognises the Catholic priest is no bumbling idiot. Father Brown, even though he believes himself an idiot, sees patterns to things other people frequently overlook.
The Catholic priest, recognising how Mr Whittaker knows more than he should, finds the MI:5 officer most curious. Mr Whittaker notes how Father Brown has shown up on their radar several times.
Father Brown takes a moment to speak of the letter. It obviously wasn’t meant for him. Recognising how Mr Waterston evidently didn’t trust his colleagues, something which is apparently common within that particular line of work, the letter wasn’t for them either. It must have been for Mr Whittaker.
Mr Whittaker, when asked why his officer used that little boy’s name, informs Father Brown that it is easier to use real people’s names for new identities. Using the name of someone that died when a child makes life exceedingly easier.
Whilst this might seem distasteful to some people, Father Brown included, it is just the way MI:5 operates. Mr Whittaker reminds Father Brown, referencing Sid, finding people after they have been disappeared can be difficult.
Elsewhere, at Kembleford Police Station, we find Lady Felicia wanting to speak with Sid. Sgt Goodfellow has orders from on high to not allow anyone near Sid. Mr Whittaker takes over Inspector Sullivan’s office like he owns the police station. The police inspector, looking at Sgt Goodfellow, is lost for words.
Lady Felicia wants to know what it is that brings Mr Whittaker to Kembleford. Mr Whittaker, not exactly forthcoming, thinks Lady Felicia is complacent. The MI:5 officer uses Sid as leverage to get Lady Felicia to tow the line and do what he requires. He believes Father Brown has something he needs. The only thing Mr Whittaker needs, as Lady Felicia sees it, is a conscience.
Meanwhile, at the presbytery, Mrs McCarthy is annoyed because someone broke the vase on Archibald Waterston’s grave. Father Brown correctly recalls the vase on the child’s grave was cream. The Catholic priest, after noting Mrs McCarthy’s error, smashes the cream vase and finds a postcard addressed to a Mrs Wendy Jones.
Interestingly, recognising the postal address, NW1 is London’s Camden Town. That’s not too far from where the MI:5 building is currently located. Father Brown, with people to see and places to be, entrusts Mrs McCarthy with the postcard.
The Catholic priest returns to the Sheppard residence and informs them that he knows their positions at Masters Hall is merely a cover story. Father Brown, even though he had some details, hoped Mr and Mrs Sheppard would fill in the missing pieces.
With them working the jobs they do, noting the importance of the Official Secrets Act, they weren’t at liberty to divulge anything. Father Brown, believing it isn’t his place to reveal what was in the note, declines Mrs Sheppard’s inquiry.
Later, at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Mr Sheppard catches up with Father Brown. The Catholic priest tells Mr Sheppard that he knows a broken man when he sees one. Father Brown believes it was Mr Sheppard that Mr Waterston was trying to save.
Father Brown takes Mr Sheppard’s confession. There is something clearly off about the confession which Father Brown picks up on instantly. There is a reference to a dead drop and messages to the Soviets.
Even though this part rings somewhat true, noting how smoothly Mr Sheppard tells the story, the part about Mr Waterston’s death feels contrived. There is more to Mr Waterston’s death than what Mr Sheppard reveals.
Mr Sheppard refers to himself as being a former Soviet spy. Whilst he states his wife knew nothing of his espionage, noting his demeanour, it is likely that that isn’t entirely true. He talks about being with his wife helped him change his views. Did Mrs Sheppard help her husband change his views? Did Mr Sheppard enlist his wife as a Soviet asset?
Father Brown, recognising how Mr Sheppard is the one that attacked Sid earlier that day, refuses to absolve him of his sins. There was nothing, no matter how frightened he might have been, accidental about this attack on Sid.
Even though Mr Sheppard tells Father Brown that he will take the train to London, the Catholic priest isn’t interested in hearing his plans. These plans, coming from a proven spy, are meaningless.
Lady Felicia, arriving at the presbytery, runs into Mrs McCarthy. She’s looking for Father Brown. Mrs McCarthy tells Lady Felicia about the postcard. Noting Father Brown’s arrival, Mrs McCarthy leaves Lady Felicia in the kitchen as she tends to the Catholic priest’s needs. Lady Felicia takes the postcard.
Before leaving the presbytery, Lady Felicia hands to Father Brown a copy of the police report detailing how Mr Waterston was murdered.
The next time we see Lady Felicia, at Kembleford Police Station, she’s handing to Mr Whittaker the all important postcard. The information Mr Whittaker seeks, a single slide of microfilm, is found under the postage stamp. After examining the microfilm, Mr Whittaker realises the man he’s been looking for is Mr Sheppard.
Mr Whittaker gets Inspector Sullivan to have his people cover the roads leading out of the village whilst he heads to the train station. It is here, cutting to a scene of the train station, where we see Father Brown rushing to catch a train. Even though Mr Sheppard had stated he was heading to London, knowing he’s a spy and a liar, Father Brown anticipated he would be taking the train to Birmingham.
When Mr Sheppard asks how he was so easily found, noting we’re talking about a spy, Father Brown states that he really meant something else when he referenced his London destination. Father Brown, unaware both Mr Whittaker and Sgt Goodfellow followed him onto the train, tells Mr Sheppard the truth as he sees it.
Mr Sheppard, when trying to escape the long arm of the law, comes close to pushing Father Brown from the train. Seeing no way out, hiding in the restroom compartment, Mr Sheppard takes a cyanide pill and kills himself.
Later, at the Sheppard residence, we find Sgt Goodfellow delivering the bad news. Back at the police station, wanting to know how it is the Catholic priest knew which train Mr Sheppard was on, Mr Whittaker questions Father Brown. It is here that Mr Whittaker reveals, because of Lady Felicia’s actions, he has the postcard.
After leaving the police station, not satisfied with how things stood, Father Brown pays another visit to Mrs Sheppard. Mrs Sheppard, seeing Mr Whittaker approaching the house, realises the gig is up.
Father Brown, unbeknownst to Mrs Sheppard, sees her place cyanide powder in her tea. Asking for sugar, partially because he has a sweet tooth, Father Brown takes this opportunity to switch their cups.
Mrs Sheppard, as Father Brown sees it, is the one that killed Mr Waterston. The report shows Mr Waterston was stabbed in the back. Mr Whittaker makes his presence known.
Father Brown, back at the police station, crosses paths with Lady Felicia. Lady Felicia apologises for her actions. Before Mr Whittaker leaves, noting how skilled the Catholic priest is, he tells Father Brown that he believes he’s wasting his time in Kembleford.
The episode closes with MI:5 closing their Masters Hall operation down. Lord Hugo is baffled, boggled, and bewildered as to what they could have been doing for the past 18 months.
Main Cast …
Mark Williams … Father Brown
Sorcha Cusack … Bridgette McCarthy
Nancy Carroll … Lady Felicia Montague
Alex Price … Sidney ‘Sid’ Carter
Tom Chambers … Inspector Sullivan
John Burton … Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow
Recurring Cast …
Daniel Flynn … Daniel Whittaker
Guest Cast …
Chris Webster … William Sheppard
Florence Hall … Marion Sheppard
John Bett … Lord Hugo Masters