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.