British Network Television
‘Father Brown’: S03.E06. “The Upcott Fraternity”
Father Brown returns to his alma mater
This Father Brown episode opens with a curious scene where we find a seminary student running. He is later for morning service. When he arrives, something that should immediately leap out at anyone that has seen the series, this is Sidney “Sid” Carter (Alex Price). Does Sid seriously expect anyone to not recognise him simply because he’s wearing eyeglasses? It’s not as if we’re talking about DC Comics superhero Clark Kent/Superman.
The post-opening titles scene opens, set one week earlier, with Father Brown (Mark Williams) arriving on his trusted Bucephalus at Upcott Seminary. Upcott Seminary, as we can see from the signage, was established in 1863. The seminary Latin motto, with all such institutions possessing them, is Ad Maioraem Dei Glorium (English: For the greater glory of G-d).
Father Brown, greeted by a seminary student, is there to hear confessions. This is where we properly meet the seminary student Ciaran Wolfe (Ed Brody). Whilst Mr Wolfe correctly informs Father Brown he needs to escort him into the building, when Father Emlyn Lewis (Tim Treloar) arrives, it is revealed the visiting priest is an “Upcott old boy.” Upcott Seminary, if you hadn’t guessed, is Father Brown’s alma mater.
As Mr Wolfe heads to lectures, in conversation with Father Brown, Father Lewis comments that he has recommended the seminary student for the Westminster Archdiocese. Father Brown remarks how a posting to this particular diocese, not one that is easily come by, is high praise.
Quickly changing the subject to the rector, as Father Brown is inclined to do, there is a reference to Father Francis Palfreyman (Dudley Sutton). It is Father Lewis’ belief, because of Father Palfreyman’ mounting years, that the rector might want to consider retirement. It is suggested Father Palfreyman has become more than a tad forgetful in his old age. Noting the referenced concerns, as Father Brown immediately observes, Father Palfreyman retiring would leave the rector position open for Father Lewis.
Our first glimpse of Father Palfreyman, surprised by Father Brown’s presence at the seminary, adds substance to Father Lewis’ beliefs. Father Palfreyman had forgotten he had invited Father Brown to Upcott Seminary to hear confessions. Whilst there could be something to what Father Lewis states, noting the tone used, there is more than a hint of self-serving in his words.
With the Feast of the Assumption only a week away, noting how Father Brown enjoys a good celebration, Father Palfreyman invites the visiting priest to attend. The Feast of the Assumption, for people unfamiliar with the celebration, recognises when the Virgin Mary being brought into heaven.
It is here that Father Brown references an inquest. Based on this partial conversation, indicating confessions isn’t the only reason for Father Brown’s presence, there is seemingly a mystery for the priest to solve. Later, with a reference to Douglas Hitchens’ passing, there is confirmation of an unexpected death.
Clarence Risley (James Dryden), picking vegetables in the garden, is a seminary student just like Mr Wolfe. Father Palfreyman, recognising how hard working Mr Risley has been, insists that he find someone else to peel them as he shouldn’t feel the need to do everything himself. Whilst Mr Risley looks like the kind of person that would take on too much of a work load, noting the other seminary students, they seem likely to let him. Father Palfreyman’s comment, “Mr Risely — serial volunteer,” supports the notion the other seminary students aren’t so forthcoming with their time.
Father Palfreyman introduces Father Brown to Thomas Potts (Matthew Tennyson). Mr Potts, particularly studious, is a seminary student. Father Palfreyman, because Mr Potts is seemingly always ill, presents the student with some herbs to make into a tea. Mr Potts, in his seminal year, shouldn't be wasting away in the infirmary. Addressing what Father Lewis might teach at the seminary, with a quick reference to Theory, Father Palfreyman provides the answer.
Curiously, after Mr Potts arrives in class with his fellow seminary students, it is revealed at least a few of them have something to hide from the institution’s faculty. Mr Wolfe and Hugh McKenna (Daniel Easton) are visibly concerned with Mr Potts’ behaviour as it could potentially land them in significantly hot water. Mr Wolfe wants Mr Potts, if he wants to remain one of them, to bear the burden of his conscious quietly. Mr Potts, with what he knows, doesn’t feel he is one of them anymore.
Father Lewis, on seeing Mr Potts in class, references the student’s latest malady. It seems Mr Potts can’t go a day without falling ill from one thing or another. The symptoms suggest possible allergic reactions to pollen. The Theory teacher is concerned, because of his absence from study group, Mr Potts might be falling behind.
Speaking of falling behind, with mediocre grades, Father Lewis doesn’t believe Mr Risley is academically pulling his weight. It turns out, with Mr Risley having been afforded a seminary scholarship, Father Lewis feels the financial award is wasted on the seminary student. With a possible bias towards Mr Wolfe, noting that the student writes with rare insight on Theophany, there is possibly something between them that doesn’t exist with the other students.
Father Lewis’ condemnation of the class attendees, except for Mr Wolfe, causes Mr Potts to excuse himself from the room. He claims a headache. momentary glances between Mr Wolfe and Mr McKenna suggest that their shared secret is far more than a benignly innocent joke.
The first confession of the episode finds Mr Potts, via the required separate confessional stalls, speaking with Father Brown. Mr Potts references Mr Hitchens and his death. Mr Hitchens, when on retreat in Rome, apparently drowned in the shadow of the Apostolic Palace. Apostolic Palace, a clear reference to the Vatican City, is the pope’s official residence.
Mr Potts tells Father Brown that they took an oath of allegiance. When asked to identify the people involved, not mentioning specific names, Mr Potts speaks of “The Chosen Few.” The Chosen Few are now, in Mr Potts’ eyes, far from G-d. Mr Potts, hearing the sound of a plate clattering on the floor, does reveal to Father Brown what happened in Italy. The seminary student, fearful one of The Chosen Few might have been listening, runs from the confessional stall. Picking up the plate, noting something curious left behind, it doesn’t escape Father Brown’s attention that there is a tiny amount of blood on the floor. How significant is the blood?
Mr Potts, as he runs through the seminary building, is soon confronted by both Mr Wolfe and Mr McKenna. The juxtaposition of Mr Potts’ frantic behaviour, coupled with his visions of Mr Hitchens’ death, heightens the intensity of the drama significantly. Mr Potts, having made it to the roof of the tower, looks unnerved. Cutting to Father Brown exiting the church, nearby, Mr Potts is seen falling to his death. Examining Mr Potts’ crucifix, noting the words Better Men Better Lives, Father Brown finds it most curious.
It is intimated, based on a partial conversation between Father Brown and Father Palfreyman, Mr Potts might have jumped from the tower. Noting Inspector Sullivan’s (Tom Chambers) presence, Father Brown rushes to speak with the police inspector.
The police inspector isn’t surprised to see Kembleford’s resident Catholic priest. Father Brown informs Inspector Sullivan that Upcott is his alma mater. The priest questions the possibility of it being a suicide because the position of the body. If Mr Potts did jump, which is highly unlikely, he must have jumped backwards as he landed on his back. Inspector Sullivan remarks that Mr Potts might not have been one capable of looking death in the face.
Inspector Sullivan and Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow (John Burton) momentarily question Mr Wolfe, Mr McKenna, and Mr Risley. When Sergeant Goodfellow asks about their whereabouts at the time of death, noting Mr McKenna’s response, Mr Risley immediately picks up on the lie and states that he was actually loitering in the quad. He was nowhere near the chapel. Father Lewis, making his presence felt, vouches for Mr Wolfe.
Mr Risley, even though he recognises Father Lewis lied for Mr Wolfe, remains silent. Father Brown, commenting that he had heard Mr Potts confession before he died, is unable to tell Inspector Sullivan any details. The confessional seal forbids disclosure of information discussed in confession. The police inspector feels the seal of the confessional is somewhat convenient. Convenience is a matter of perspective.
Nearby, as Father Lewis converses with Father Palfreyman, it is intimated the rector no longer possesses the leadership skills required for his position. Father Lewis suggests to Father Palfreyman that he might want to consider retiring to his office for a mid-afternoon rest. Father Palfreyman, with a visibly stoic facial expression, seemingly knows what Father Lewis is plotting. The conversation, as Father Brown rarely misses anything, doesn’t go unnoticed.
It is interesting, from Mr Potts’ quarters, one can see out of the window the tower from which is supposedly jumped. Is this coincidental or a deliberate plot point for Father Brown to explore? The presence of a small metal tea cup, with a strange odour, is perplexing. Father Lewis, having discovered Father Brown snooping in Mr Potts’ room, suggests the he leave Upcott Seminary before he has him escorted from the property.
Father Lewis refuses to recognise Mr Hitchens’ death as anything more than a tragic accident. He, noting the tone in his voice, is obviously hiding something. Father Brown, instead of leaving the institution, visits with Father Palfreyman in his office. When Father Brown speaks of Mr Potts’ crucifix, the rector recalls Mr Hitchens owned a similar item. Noting how he had been told to leave the seminary, given little choice, Father Brown asks Father Palfreyman if he can plant a mole at the institution.
Father Brown, having returned to the presbytery, tries to convince Sid to act as his mole at the seminary. Both Bridgette McCarthy (Sorcha Cusack) and Lady Felicia Montague (Nancy Carroll), with more than a hint of scepticism, feel it inappropriate for Sid to go undercover as a seminary student. Mrs McCarthy, not polite to either Sid or Lady Felicia, continues to demonstrate a certain degree of hypocrisy. Her commitment to the Catholic faith, noting the number of times she has lied over the years, is a tad questionable. Sid’s new appearance as a seminary student, more Harry Potter than anything else, is set in stone.
Meanwhile, at Upcott Seminary, we find Mr McKenna conversing with Mr Wolfe. Mr McKenna suggests to Mr Wolfe that his ministry placement with the Westminster Archdiocese is likely a formality. Mr Wolfe notes he is still awaiting approval from Bishop Talbot (Malcolm Storry). With Mr Potts dead, noting that they need to stick together, Mr McKenna hopes that Mr Wolfe might put in a good word for him with the right individuals. The pledge they made when in Italy seemingly means nothing to Mr Wolfe as he has his eyes set on greater things. A threat of ruining Mr Wolfe comes from Mr McKenna. Mr Wolfe promises to speak with Father Lewis on his behalf.
The next time we see Sidney, having been awoken by Mr Risley, it is 05:45 the following morning. The room Sidney had been allocated was the one previously occupied by Mr Potts.
Sidney Carter, from the Diocese of Suffolk, immediately makes an obvious mistake which Mr Risley oddly doesn’t pick upon. The Catholic institution Sidney is actually referencing is titled the Diocese of East Anglia. It covers the counties Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Peterborough.
Shortly thereafter, with Sidney having dressed himself appropriately for his undercover position, we find him conversing with Mr Risley. Mr Risley is really doing the lion’s share of the talking. The other seminary students, loitering in a corridor, meet Sidney Carter for the first time. Mr McKenna quickly picks upon Sidney knowing a lot about what apparently happened to Mr Potts.
Father Lewis, when Sidney references seminary gossip, berates him for such sinful behaviour. Gossipers, as Father Lewis correctly observes, speak of the failings of others. This is essentially why the Catholic Church sees it as a sin. Maybe, if Father Lewis could speak with Mrs McCarthy, he might find away to stop Kembleford’s parish secretary from gossiping so much.
Seemingly testing Mr Carter, after referencing him having come to Upcott Seminary from Allen Hall, Father Lewis speaks of Father Pinkerton. Father Pinkerton suffers from gout. Mr Carter, speaking of a man he doesn’t know, suggests to Father Lewis that Farther Pinkerton isn’t a man that likes to suffer in silence. That is an accurate assessment of anyone suffering from the malady. Mr Carter seemingly passes Father Lewis’ obvious test.
Father Palfreyman, having got everything about Mr Carter’s cover story wrong, calls him Mr Cartwright and suggests he is from Londinium. Londinium was the name of the Roman settlement established where the City of London is now located. Father Lewis seems pleased Father Palfreyman is not completely with the program. Mr Carter, noting how both Mr Wolfe and Mr McCarthy express their thoughts, suggests they seem to run the place.
Mr Carter, giving the excuse of having forgotten his prayer book, heads to Mr Wolfe’s room where he picks the lock to gain access. Mr Carter, snooping in Mr Wolfe’s room, soon finds the prayer book having once belonged to Douglas L. Hitchens. It is dated 1948. Seminary attendance, if one graduates according to schedule, for the Roman Catholic Church is apparently four years. That places Mr Hitchens graduation date, if he hadn’t have died during a trip to Italy, 1952.
Mr Carter, using a nearby telephone box to call Father Brown, relays information he has discovered. Mr Hitchens’ pray book, found in Mr Wolfe’s room, suggests something untoward. All the time Mr Carter is speaking with Father Brown, most of his attention is occupied elsewhere as he looks at a woman standing nearby. The vow of celibacy, something Mr Carter tosses out of the window faster than one can say chastity belt, he soon finds himself on the wrong side of Mr Risley. Mr Risley’s comment about there existing a fraternity at Upcott Seminary piques Mr Carter curiosity.
With the arrival of the Feast of the Assumption, noting how Father Palfreyman had invited Father Brown, we see him return to the seminary. Father Palfreyman had momentarily forgotten he had made the invitation to Father Brown. Father Lewis, hoping he would see Father Brown at the seminary anymore, has his hopes dashed. Father Palfreyman, once again getting Mr Carter’s name wrong, is showing his forgetfulness.
Father Lewis, observing Mr Carter as he tells fellow seminary students a seemingly benign joke, doesn’t appear amused. His stoic expression suggests not a hint of amusement. Mr Carter, visibly making fun of Mr Risley, makes a sceptical of himself. This is intentional as he wants the fraternity crowd to notice him. There is an immediate reference to the fraternity which Mr McKenna finds disconcerting. Mr McKenna, having checked with Allen Hall, found no one there that had heard of Sidney Carter. It is clear Mr Carter is coming very close to having is cover blown.
During the blessing of the fruits, a prayer which Father Palfreyman leads, Mr McKenna becomes violently ill and throws up. Mr McKenna, other than drinking too much, had merely consumed a berry. Deadly Nightshade is the cause of Mr McKenna’s condition, with Father Brown’s assistance, Father Palfreyman quickly ascertains.
The police inspector’s arrival, shortly after Mr McKenna is rushed to the infirmary, is in connection with Mr Potts’ death. There was something added to the tea concoction that Father Palfreyman gave to Mr Potts shortly before his death. This could explain his erratic behaviour.
Elsewhere, in the chapel, Mr Carter observes Father Lewis and Mr Wolfe conversing in a rather unfriendly manner. Father Lewis questions Mr Wolfe’s suitability as a priest. Mr Carter, having seen Father Lewis leave the chapel, takes this opportunity to confront Mr Wolfe. There is a compelling story that must be told. Is Mr Wolfe the killer?
Looking for Mr Wolfe, crossing paths with Mr Risley, Mr Carter soon discovers he had the wrong end of the stick. Mr Risley, with a bloodstained clothe in his hand, had struck Mr Wolfe with a candlestick. It was the ever ready volunteering seminary student responsible for killing Mr Potts and poisoning Mr McKenna.
Whilst much of what Mr Carter discovered pointed to Mr Wolfe as being the killer, with Mr Risley being in the garden more than any other seminary student, Father Brown and Father Palfreyman realise the identity of the killer.
Noting the presence of blood droplets on the floor, with a reference to a cilice, Father Brown suggests to Father Palfreyman that Mr Risley wears such an archaically barbaric device. This explains the blood that was found on the chapel floor shortly after Father Brown exited the confessional stall.
Mr Risley has been seeking revenge on the fraternity for taking away from him his only friend. Caught between Father Brown and Mr Carter, with nowhere to run, Mr Risley reveals the truth behind Mr Hitchens’ death and what drove him to seeking revenge.
Father Brown, with news of Mr Risley having been arrested for crimes against his fraternity, confronts Father Lewis. Mr Wolfe, once patched up, will be charged in connection with the death of Mr Hitchens. Whilst Father Lewis wanted to save the seminary students, without missing a beat, Father Brown recognises he failed.
The episode closes with Inspector Sullivan, even though it wasn’t even a crime back then, arresting Mr Carter for impersonating a priest. Father Palfreyman, having resigned his position, decides to take a holiday. The police inspector ultimately releases Mr Carter.
