I thought the first episode of Grantchester was pretty lackluster myself. It wasn't until the Geordie/Sydney friendship blossomed that I got hooked. But you're right; it's no Father Brown.
Will Davenport is no Sidney Chambers. I'm glad they didn't try to clone Sidney. The post-Sidney show tends to try too hard at times, but I still find it interesting. But I probably wouldn't pay for it. Hence the free-trial binge.
