The Tree of Truth

A seasonal episode as the villagers prepare for the Christmas pantomime, it is Inspector Mallory who thinks that a miscarriage of justice has taken place where a simple innocent young man pleaded guilty to the murder of a temptress who took part in the local amateur dramatics society.

Mallory' s investigation rubs a form police superior up the wrong way which includes the inspector and the sergeant being drafted in as pantomime dames. So he turns to Father Brown for help. As always Father Brown was already sniffing around and already had a line up of suspects.

A nice effective mystery, A few red herrings, Sid Carter returns for this episode as well .

Excellent that Mallory and Goodfellow were given more depth to their characters with bigger roles. Great Jack Deam scenes showing he has a talent for humor. The whole play was hilarious. The uppity director's reactions to the tryouts laying an egg were very funny. Emer Kenny as Bunty might of been preggers looking plump. No form fitting outfits here. Ending trapping the villain has been done many times before. But it didn't really matter, still a very good episode.

Not only is this a heartwarming Christmas time episode, but an excellent episode of the series over all. Good story involving an old murder, a wrongly convicted man, and a lot of good touching and funny moments as well as a chance for Jack Deam's Inspector Mallery to really shine, in moments both funny as usual (Sgt. Goodfellow "volunteers" a very unwilling Inspector Mallory to participate in the Christmas panto show, in "drag" no less as Cinderella's stepsisters! loved watching the scenes of them doing their bits on stage, especially funny visual of seeing the ever-scowling Mallory in "drag" dress as the wicked stepsister, still wearing his "cop mustache"!), but also surprisingly touching and humanizing as well. Mallory takes the lead for once in trying to correct an injustice-- he feels guilty when he realizes that a very simple and harmless young man (who's about the same age as his own son) has been wrongly convicted of murder and tries to genuinely do the right thing in re-investigating the case, which somehow seems to ruffle the feathers of an indignant superior officer of his, so for once Mallory welcomes the help of Father Brown (or the "Padre", as he always so amusingly calls him). Deam really shines in this one, and I wish they'd allow Mallory more episodes like this where we get to see the charmingly unexpected touches of humanity hidden behind his gruff exterior, which would make more sense both story and character-wise that at this point in the series, to finally have him evolve beyond always being resistant/reluctant/grouchy about Father Brown's help/assistance (funny though that is, that his apoplectic fits when the Padre always seems to convienently pop up and interfere when there's a murder to be solved) to finally grudgingly accept it since it would show he's smart enough to secretly admire the Padre deep down, and make for a charming comic friendship, not unlike Captain Stottlemeyer (played by another great mustachioed character actor, Ted Levine) finally did with overcoming his own resentment/reluctance at accepting quirky Adrian Monk's help on the other great and funny crime series "Monk". The writers of Father Brown would be smart to use the light humor and warm character dynamics of this particular episode (my favorite of the entire series) more often.

I love this episode so much! Inspector Mallory and Goodfellow are out to right a wrong and regardless of being threatened to being demoted to traffic cops, they search for the truth to clear an innocent man. Bonus, Sid Parker returns for this episode and Father Brown is the cleric that everyone wishes they had in their life. The ending is pure joy and shows the true meaning of a Christmas miracle.

A huge weakness in the "Father Brown" series is Inspector Mallory. Unlike the previous inspector, Mallory always treats Father Brown like an unwanted cockroach and never shows ANY growth or humanity...that is until this episode. I assume it represents a Christmas miracle...and he'll be back to the same grouchy feckless guy he's been up until now.

This is a Christmas episode and Kembleford is putting on a play. Bunty has one of the starring roles...and Mrs. McCarthy is sad she's been assigned a behind the scenes task.

While all this is happening, Father Brown is investigating a murder that happened years ago. The man in prison for the murder turns out to be a mentally challenged guy and it seems pretty obvious he didn't do it. Now here is the kicker...the Inspector agrees and works to free the guy as well! And, he never argues with Father Brown. And, during researsal, the Inspector is accidentally decked by the Sergeant...and you never see him scream or yell about this. What is happening here?!?!

I have long wanted Mallory to show some humanity...and as a result it's a very good and touching episode. Not to be missed.