At the factory where the world-famous Midsomer Blue Cheese is made, a dairy worker is brutally murdered by a giant round of weaponized cheese.At the factory where the world-famous Midsomer Blue Cheese is made, a dairy worker is brutally murdered by a giant round of weaponized cheese.At the factory where the world-famous Midsomer Blue Cheese is made, a dairy worker is brutally murdered by a giant round of weaponized cheese.
Photos
Pamela Betsy Cooper
- Dairy Farm Worker
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhile Inspector Barnaby is grilling Beatrix on the landing at the school, the sign board behind him has the name Sykes on it.
- Quotes
Kate Wilding: What's the occasion?
DCI John Barnaby: Well, uh, fifteen years of married bliss.
Kate Wilding: Ah.
DCI John Barnaby: So, just bring yourselves and a bottle.
DS Ben Jones: Fifteen years. Wow. It's pretty, um...
Kate Wilding: Terrifying.
DS Ben Jones: I was going to say inspiring.
- ConnectionsReferences The Stepford Wives (2004)
Featured review
Murder by cheese
When in its prime (a vast majority of Seasons 1-9), 'Midsomer Murders' was a great show and one that is watched and re-watched frequently. Seasons 10-13 became more uneven, with three of the show's worst episodes coming from Seasons 11 and 13, but there were a few solid episodes and "Blood Wedding" and especially "Master Class" were gems.
After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same, if anybody's read my reviews for the Season 14 episodes the reasons are detailed in those. After a mostly disappointing Season 14, with three decent-and-more episodes out of eight ("The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust" faring best, while "The Night of the Stag" and "Echoes of the Dead" are especially bad), Season 15 started off promisingly, with "The Dark Rider" and "Murder of Innocence" being surprisingly good, before jumping the shark with "Written in the Stars". Unfortunately, "Death and the Divas" despite an inspired premise is little improvement and neither was "The Sicilian Defence".
"Schooled in Murder" however while not a 'Midsomer Murders' classic is one of Season 15's better episodes and the best since "Murder of Innocence. It is not without imperfections. Fiona Dolman and Tamsin Malleson do nothing with their characters, not helped that Sarah and Kate have always been not very well written, Kate being bland without much personality and Sarah being rather condescending and lacking warmth. Her chemistry with Dudgeon still doesn't convince, one doesn't even get the sense that they're in love let alone husband and wife.
The last murder does go way too far with the cheesiness, even for an episode with a cheese theme and with a deliberate over-the-top parody-like vibe. Con O'Neill overdoes it in his role.
However, as ever the production values in "Schooled in Murder" cannot be faulted as usual. It's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
The writing is thoughtful and there is some welcome humour of the gentle and quirky kind, wisely not taking things too seriously despite the high body count and while things are over-the-top it nearly always is in an entertaining way and rarely in an uncomfortable one. The story is never simplistic, neither is it convoluted, with a surprising ending, an amusing subplot with scene stealing Sykes and two of the most inventive murders of the John Barnaby-era.
Neil Dudgeon and Jason Hughes acquit themselves well, and their chemistry is stronger and less demeaning than previously and their characters not written as smugly or idiotically. Of the supporting cast, Maggie Steed is particularly delightful.
Overall, good episode and one of the better ones of Season 15. 7/10 Bethany Cox
After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same, if anybody's read my reviews for the Season 14 episodes the reasons are detailed in those. After a mostly disappointing Season 14, with three decent-and-more episodes out of eight ("The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust" faring best, while "The Night of the Stag" and "Echoes of the Dead" are especially bad), Season 15 started off promisingly, with "The Dark Rider" and "Murder of Innocence" being surprisingly good, before jumping the shark with "Written in the Stars". Unfortunately, "Death and the Divas" despite an inspired premise is little improvement and neither was "The Sicilian Defence".
"Schooled in Murder" however while not a 'Midsomer Murders' classic is one of Season 15's better episodes and the best since "Murder of Innocence. It is not without imperfections. Fiona Dolman and Tamsin Malleson do nothing with their characters, not helped that Sarah and Kate have always been not very well written, Kate being bland without much personality and Sarah being rather condescending and lacking warmth. Her chemistry with Dudgeon still doesn't convince, one doesn't even get the sense that they're in love let alone husband and wife.
The last murder does go way too far with the cheesiness, even for an episode with a cheese theme and with a deliberate over-the-top parody-like vibe. Con O'Neill overdoes it in his role.
However, as ever the production values in "Schooled in Murder" cannot be faulted as usual. It's beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the haunting theme tune is one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
The writing is thoughtful and there is some welcome humour of the gentle and quirky kind, wisely not taking things too seriously despite the high body count and while things are over-the-top it nearly always is in an entertaining way and rarely in an uncomfortable one. The story is never simplistic, neither is it convoluted, with a surprising ending, an amusing subplot with scene stealing Sykes and two of the most inventive murders of the John Barnaby-era.
Neil Dudgeon and Jason Hughes acquit themselves well, and their chemistry is stronger and less demeaning than previously and their characters not written as smugly or idiotically. Of the supporting cast, Maggie Steed is particularly delightful.
Overall, good episode and one of the better ones of Season 15. 7/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•2019
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 13, 2017
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Shiplake College, Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, UK(Midsomer Pastures preparatory school)
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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