[Guido]

I could not have agree more with anybody else. The episode per se was simply pointless and did not make an effort to give any hints to indicate a connection with the general plot.

It was disconnected or isolated from the point of conflict to the story. The hijackers turned out to be people from the town, therefore, their need was justifiable to rob and steal any cargo that crossed the only route that communicates the town to the outside world.

The very few things that salvage this episode from total awkwardness were:
1) No Oland going against tanks this week just like in the last two episodes.

2) What is interesting about Oland's Ghost-Lantern mode is he's not just a monotone and walking, killing machine. He still maintains his perception and cognitive skills to play out an effective strategy to catch enemies off guard.

There was no way for Oland even in he's self-induced, psychotic mode to hit all those agile and swift targets all one-by-one, therefore, he shot the snow hill to cause the avalanche.

3) This week even in his Ghost mode Oland's looks were not depicted threatening or psychotic when the bandits leader confronted him face to face.

4) Oland talks sense to Lt. Alice not to make such a little ruckus when she snapped at Oreld for smuggling out the food supplies from HQ. All four were amidst a precarious situation with a man injured in tow, cornered into a seemingly inescapable situation by bandits, and just heck freezing to their bones.

What I conclude from the time limit is either (the logical assumption) the serum is a perishable product and if not delivered in time to be synthesized for a thorough administration, then the medicine is lost. Or the patients at the town would not have been able to endure the disease which afflicts them for after the time limit expires.