British Network Television

‘Father Brown’: S03.E08. “The Lair of the Libertines”

Madame Chania is organising a weekend of hedonism

Screen Capture: Nancy Carroll and Rae Baker as Lady Felicia Montague and Mimi, respectively, in “Father Brown”

This episode, The Lair of the Libertines, opens with a curious scene where we discover a motorcycle and sidecar being ridden on what is essentially a primitive farm lane. The motorcyclists are certainly not dressed in accordance with their environment as high heels tend to not fair all that well in the middle of a muddy field.

The scene also features, as a voice-over, the sound of a female choir singing. Taking us from the motorcyclists to the choir, with a quick transition, the identity of at least one of the choir members is confirmed. One of the voices, as series fans will correctly observe, belongs to Lady Felicia Montague (Nancy Carroll). There is nothing about the choir’s attire which suggests any thought was given to a composed appearance.

Screen Capture: Mark Williams as Father Brown in “Father Brown.” In the image is an unnamed child actor.

The Cotswolds’ Annual Choir Competition, with the St Mary’s Catholic Church Choir competing, doesn’t play a huge part in the episode as we soon find the narrative take a significantly darker tone to previous instalments.