By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

The winter. It's cold, usually dull and damp, blowing a chilly breeze from dawn till dusk, certainly not the ideal conditions to go fishing in, not for me at least.

Not that I'm a big baby when it comes to enduring the cold winter months, it's just these days, I feel its chill a little more, and this encourages me to stay indoors and enjoy a bit of telly.

I don't see much afternoon telly on my days off, I'm usually nodding off by around 1:30pm. But since I've discovered the BBC are showing a series of Father Brown, I have sort of kept an eye open to watch it. Why? Well; that's a very good question.

I haven't the foggiest idea.

There's just something about the shear stupidity of this poorly written sleuth show that I find rather appealing.

The BBC's Father Brown; loosely based on the short stories originally written by journalist, essayist and novelist Gilbert Keith Chesterton (better known as G.K. Chesterton) is the sort of cozy Sunday evening, not too heavy on the brain telly that for some reason, I find rather pleasing to watch.

Although why the BBC show this typically Sunday evening show, on a weekday afternoon, after the news, of all things, remains a mystery.

The main character (Brown) played by Mark Williams (aka Arthur Weasley of the Harry Potter films) is a rather quiet, reserved and unassuming Roman Catholic Priest, who to the great frustration and often annoyance of the local police inspector, a Mr Mallory, played by Jack Deam (Marty Fisher: Shameless) has a unique ability to solve the crime or more typically, the murder, with much greater diligence and skill, than the floundering inspector Mallory.

There is also a bit of "Eye Candy" too, in the rather attractive shape of Bunty, played by Emer Kenny (Eric & Ernie) who in my opinion, despite having good intentions, being very bubbly and rather sweet . . .

She is a little . . . thick?

The priest's housekeeper; Mrs McCarthy, played by that lovely actress, Sorcha Cusack (Casualty) is the kind of character, who reminds me of an aunt I used to have. Straight forward, down to earth, and having a calm but firm authority about her, that neither I nor Father Brown I suspect, would argue with.

The script is thin, the plots are rather silly, and if the cast and acting wasn't so good, I wouldn't give the show any time at all! 

And as a closing afterthought; if I too had to deal with a local inspector, who investigates every single murder, in the fashion this questionable at best, Inspector Mallory does, then I think the whole of my hometown, would most definitely be behind bars.

However in spite of all the above, Father Brown has a watchable appeal, that for the moment, is holding my attention. Perhaps it's just the scenery, perhaps the cast, or maybe the characters, or the period in which the series is played out, or the acting? 

I'm not sure. 

It's hardly on a par with Agatha Christie, but it's definitely from a nearby camp, be it rather badly written. But maybe, that's the real appeal. Whatever it is, Father Brown, Gods rather feeble answer to Agatha Christie's, Miss Marple, does little or nothing, to compliment the original creator's, fictional work.

Whatever else Father Brown may be, he is certainly keeping me awake to watch him. And that alone; is a miracle.

Father Brown continues on BBC1 weekdays at 1:45pm.

If you're not sleepy in the afternoon, it might be worthwhile to give it a watch. On the other hand; you could just as easily fall asleep watching it. But it's a nice way to pass, a chilly winter's afternoon.

I think . . .

Thanks for reading.

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