Ep 11. The Time Machine

Father Brown Season 3, Episode 11 - The Time Machine

In this episode titled "The Time Machine," set in the post-war years of 1950s England, Father Brown investigates the peculiar death of a local scientist, as well as the disappearance of his invention - a time machine. The sense of adventure and mystery is palpable throughout the episode as Father Brown delves into the circumstances and unravel the clues related to the incident.

As the story goes, Professor Ambrose Holt, a renowned scientist of Kembleford village, mysteriously dies in his workshop. A machine-like device resembling a time machine is standing nearby, and it becomes evident that the device is missing a crucial component. While police suspect Ambrose's assistant, Joseph, who has disappeared, Father Brown looks at other possibilities. The father gets intrigued by a diary that Ambrose maintained, which mentions a curious fellow who visited the lab a few days before the incident.

As Father Brown embarks on his investigation, he encounters a bunch of interesting characters that bring in added layers of the show. There's the reclusive poet Agnes Vanderpluck, who lives secluded in her chapel. There's the aristocratic Blaise McCorquodale, who has his reasons for vitriolic hatred toward Ambrose. The detective also meets a helpful young scientist, Delia, who is peculiarly interested in Ambrose's work.

As the investigation progresses, more and more clues pile up, leading to a birdwatcher's cottage and a woman with a unique obsession with a mutant bird. In contrast, Agnes and Delia also know pieces that contribute to unraveling the mystery surrounding the time machine's disappearance. It isn't long from here that Father Brown begins to piece together the truth behind the device's mysterious disappearance.

The Time Machine episode prominently features the iconic title character of Father Brown, portrayed by Mark Williams. A soft-spoken, observant, and humble priest, Father Brown is never deterred by outside appearances and always looks towards essential clues to get to the truth of the matter. Alongside Father Brown, the episode showcases a diverse cast of investigators, each with their quirks and personalities.

As always, the scenic landscape of the English countryside sets the tone for this episode. The setting is authentic, and the visuals offer a sense of calm and tranquility, establishing a perfect backdrop for the show's tense and mysterious plot. The showrunners have done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the show's era and location, creating a tangible atmosphere that sets it apart from other crime dramas.

Overall, "The Time Machine episode" sees Father Brown and his team aimed at solving a puzzling crime through sheer skill and observation. As is typical with the show's episodes, the case is filled with misdirections and red herrings, keeping viewers guessing throughout the episode. The show lives up to its lofty reputation as an enjoyable blend of intriguing whodunit stories, fascinating historical settings, and quirky characters. Anyone looking for a gripping and entertaining crime drama should add Father Brown to their watchlist, especially this episode, "The Time Machine."