Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Derek Jacobi | ... | Brother Cadfael | |
Mark Charnock | ... | Brother Oswin | |
Terrence Hardiman | ... | Abbot Radulfus | |
Michael Culver | ... | Prior Robert | |
Julian Firth | ... | Brother Jerome | |
Valentine Pelka | ... | Richard Boterel | |
Eoin McCarthy | ... | Hugh Beringar | |
Robert Cavanah | ... | Oliver de Bretagne (as Robert Cavanagh) | |
Ronan Vibert | ... | Le Gaucher | |
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Amelia Curtis | ... | Ermina Hugonin |
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Albie Woodington | ... | Sergeant Warden |
William Mannering | ... | Yves Hugonin | |
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Guy Oliver-Watts | ... | John Orvel |
Tim Barker | ... | Reyner Dutton | |
Éva Madarász | ... | Sister Hilaria (as Eva Madarasz) |
A young nun is found violated and murdered, while the brother and sister she was escorting have disappeared. A mysterious forest ranger dedicates himself to rescuing the children, while Brother Oswin blames himself for Sister Hilaria's death. Cadfael must identify the killer and do what he can to aid in the children's rescue. Written by mama.sylvia
This episode of Cadfael is a bit different from the norm. While there is a body and a crime to solve, so much of the show consists of Cadfael and others searching through the winter snows for people who might have been killed by a gang of brigands who are terrorizing the countryside. However, well into this search a few horrible discoveries are made among the many victims of these marauders. First, Cadfael's assistant, Oswin, is found nearly dead. He's delirious and what exactly happened with him in uncertain--but naturally, Brother Jerome behaves like a judgmental idiot (what else is new there?). A bit later, a naked dead woman is discovered in the ice. When the ice is thawed, they discover she's a missing nun (poorly named 'Hilaria')--a nun who has been raped and murdered. Could Oswin be responsible for this? If you ask Jerome, the answer is of course! Can Cadfael tease out exactly what occurred?
For the most part, this is a decent but not especially great episode. However, near the very end comes a HUGE shocker--HUGE. You learn some secret about Cadfael and his life during the Crusade....and it comes to bite him back after all these years. I can say not more--just watch this one for yourself and you'll know what I mean. Well worth seeing and, as usual, impeccably made and written.