(by MartinHafer on 1 December 2013)

In previous installments of "Cadfael", the shows gave hints about the early life of the title character before he joined the priesthood. However, some of these glimpses are hashed out further. You know he went off on the Crusades and that he'd lost his fiancée as a result. However, here you actually get to meet her--and both she and Cadfael are surprised by their chance meeting. I like that the film gives you more insights--and makes the character even more multi-dimensional.
The show starts with a nasty landlord disinheriting his step-son. You KNOW based on previous "Cadfael" shows that he's likely to end up dead--and he soon is. However, Cadfael is pulled into the case because it's his unguent that is used to poison the man. While no one suspects Cadfael, it is an interesting coincidence that the dead man's wife is Cadfael's old fiancée! And, out of his life and respect for her, he decides to intervene in the case even though the temporary head of the order declares that Cadfael is NOT to get involved. Can he figure out the real murderer? Well, duh! But it's worth seeing exactly how all this is worked through and the plot twists.
This is a better episode of the show. It's not only because of his past coming into play but because of the interesting way it all works out at the end--since Cadfael feels sorry for the killer and seemed to feel that the dead man had it coming! My only qualm is that the show seems to be establishing a pattern--rich people are evil and will die in the episode! Well worth seeing regardless.