The Flashback Bistro Series is about all the great shows and movies you may have missed. Perfect for summer binge viewing to get you through until fall’s premiere season.
It’s time for another helping from The Flashback Bistro.
This menu item is the Mystery! series, Cadfael, starring Derek Jacobi.
Based on the Ellis Peters novels, and set in twelfth century England, the show centers around the former Crusader Cadfael, now living out his days as a keen minded monk with great healing powers via his
Derek Jacobi as Brother Cadfael
Photo credit: ITV
knowledge of plants and herbs.
These gifts are frequently in demand as there is plenty of murder and intrigue around the monastery. Cadfael uses his skills to solve crimes just as often as he cures the ill.
Every episode is a different mystery with a mostly revolving cast. As the show ran from 1994-1998, we get to see a young Sean Pertwee in several episodes as Hugh Beringar. There are also cameos by before they were famous actors such as Stephen Moyer and Jonny Lee Miller.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV / Rex USA ( 513879RP )
‘CADFAEL’ – DEREK JACOBI AND SEAN PERTWEE – 1994
VARIOUS
These mysteries are clever and take the viewer into every day life when the threat of leprosy was real, the Crusades were a very recent memory, and death was everywhere. Every episode has a depth that makes you look for clues along with Cadfael, and hope he brings the criminals to justice. Learning a bit of medicinal herb and plant lore, that is still used by some, is a nice link from past to present, although I cannot recommend trying Cadfael’s remedies!
Derek Jacobi plays Brother Cadfael with the level of perfection he brings to every performance. The few regular cast members besides Jacobi make you laugh or boo and hiss when they arrive onscreen. The show does deal with mature themes. There are bodies of victims, so keep that in mind if you plan on viewing with family, or if a little bit of blood makes you queasy.
This clever medieval CSI doesn’t have to deal with the modern day versions’ problems with personal relationships, reliance upon science jargon, or headline of the week being turned into an episode. There is enough tension between Cadfael and his superiors(who don’t always approve of his meddling) to keep you wondering how he will outsmart them and the criminal to get the conclusion.
So if mystery and revenge are to your liking, Cadfael is a dish best served …cold.
Enjoy!
