Ep 1. The Rose Rent

In Cadfael season 3 episode 1, titled "The Rose Rent," we find ourselves once again in the company of the medieval sleuth Brother Cadfael, played by the talented Derek Jacobi. Set in the idyllic border town of Shrewsbury, the episode opens with the arrival of the beautiful young Gwytha, also known as the "Rose of Love". She has come to the town to fulfill a promise made by her late husband - to offer the rent from a nearby property to St. Peter's church. In this way, she hopes to secure the intercession of the saint for herself and her loved ones in the hereafter.

However, not everyone in Shrewsbury is happy with Gwytha's arrangements. The widow's plan is complicated by the fact that the property in question has been subject to a long-standing dispute between two local landowners, the Malvern brothers. When Gwytha is found murdered in her chambers, the local sheriff quickly arrests one of the brothers for the crime. But Brother Cadfael is convinced that the man is innocent, and sets out to discover the true killer.

As Cadfael begins his investigation, he finds himself delving into the complicated web of relationships that surround the Rose of Love. Gwytha was not only a beautiful and virtuous woman, but also a canny businesswoman who had managed to make many powerful friends and allies. But she had also made some powerful enemies, and Cadfael begins to suspect that the solution to her murder might lie in some tangled thread of love, vengeance, or money.

As always, Cadfael is the master of deduction, and he uses every tool at his disposal to unravel the mystery. He employs a mix of careful observation, shrewd intuition, and clever manipulation to coax the truth out of those who knew the victim, and gradually pieces together the disparate clues into a coherent whole. Along the way, we are treated to glimpses of medieval life - the hustle and bustle of the market, the clamor of the city streets, the solemn ritual of the church service.

The acting in "The Rose Rent" is uniformly superb, with Jacobi once again turning in a masterful performance as the wily monk. He brings both a subtle wit and a deep compassion to the role, allowing us to glimpse the tender heart behind the sharp intellect. The supporting cast is no less impressive, with standout turns from actors such as Mark Charnock as the wrongly accused landowner and Eleanor David as the doting mother of Gwytha's servant.

Perhaps the greatest strength of "The Rose Rent," however, is its ability to weave together multiple threads of narrative into a satisfying whole. The murder mystery is just one aspect of the story, albeit a crucial one. But the episode also explores themes of love, loyalty, and duty, and gives us a glimpse into the complex web of relationships that underpinned medieval society. It is this attention to detail and nuance that makes Cadfael such a compelling and enduring series.

Overall, "The Rose Rent" is a strong addition to the Cadfael canon, and a must-watch for fans of the show. It combines a gripping central mystery with a richly detailed historical backdrop, and features top-notch acting and direction. Whether you're a die-hard devotee of the series or a casual viewer looking for a good whodunit, this episode is sure to satisfy.