British Network Television & Radio

Revisiting: “The Smallest of Things”

Is Detective Inspector Gerald “Jerry” Mallory capable of murder?

Screen Capture: Jack Deam and John Burton as Inspector Gerry Mallory and Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow, respectively, in “Father Brown”

‘The Smallest of Things’, directed by Bob Thomson from a teleplay penned by Father Brown series co-creator Tahshin Guner, isn’t exactly everyone’s favourite instalment. Curiously, despite this point, there is much that can be said for the fifth series episode.

The past and present collide, in Thomson’s ‘The Smallest of Things’, when Father Brown investigates the macabre world of diorama crime scenes. The shear artistry it takes to create such dioramas, focusing on the smallest of details, is staggering.

Crime scene dioramas, because of how the models are used, much be exact in every detail. Authenticity is of paramount importance. Father Brown, because of his frequent attention to detail, clearly appreciates the effort gone into making the dioramas perfectly reflect real crime scenes.

Agnes Lesser puts a lot of work into making these dioramas exact in every aspect. Miss Lesser, for her work, is presented with an award. Father Brown, at the ceremony, is present when she unveils her latest work. The diorama, in no short measure, shocks her father.