Schooled in Murder

This is one of my favourite episodes in the whole series old and new. But be warned, it is a self parody of the series. Midsomer murders are nearly always theatrical, but to my thinking, this set of murders would likely not all have succeeded, e.g. the opening bludgeoning with a block of, albeit hard, cheese. The episode revolves around the making of gourmet cheese.

There is also a subplot about Sykes the dog, who for some reason, is being treated for dog bites, even though it looks suspiciously as if he were never bitten. The cinematography used to reveal the mystery is brilliant. I howled.

Maggie Steed as Sylvia Mountford is a treat. I would go to anything she does for the same reason I would go see anything Maggie Smith does. She reminds me of Peter Sellers as Grand Duchess Gloriana XII in the Mouse that Roared. She is so regally disdainful in her role. She would be a natural cast for an Oscar Wilde revival.

Jesse Fox as Jake Yapley (the hooded lurker) is probably the handsomest male ever to appear on the series, old or new. He is only on screen for a total of a few minutes. So savour. He has much the effect on me that Rudolph Valentino had in his day on his fans. A glance from his eyes is like a jolt from a defibrillator. Unfortunately, there is no photo of him at IMDb yet. (hint hint). However, I doubt any photo could do him justice. I hope Acorn reuses him in future episodes with a bigger role.

Child actress Eloise Webb as Poppy Ordish seems to have walked straight out of Mary Poppins. She could play Jane Banks in a Many Poppins sequel. She is the quintessential polite British schoolchild, utterly charming with her perfect diction.

Con O'Neill is over the top as the obsessed cheese maker who reminds me a bit of Harry Dean Stanton or perhaps Norman Bates.

As usual, I kept thinking I knew the culprit, only to have them bumped off in the next scene.

The height of my trip to England was visiting the Wookey Hole caves, which too are used for ageing fine cheeses. This helped cement my affection for the episode.

Even though, at the end, the culprit(s) (no spoilers here), mysteriously confess without any motive or pressure, I was left still puzzled exactly who committed each murder and why. Perhaps another viewing...

Interesting story, difficult to predict who done it, despite multiple murders. Main quibble: I wanted to see the real villain - the master manipulator- get what's coming, with a confessional at the police station and public shame. In so many of these Midsomer episodes, the ending is not satisfying. We build up a disgust at the perpetrator but never see the circle of justice completed. For all we know, this particular devious manipulator is still at work.

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

This episode of "Midsomer Murders" is set in a small town known for two things: its cheese as well as its snooty prep school.

Following a very contentious PTA meeting at the school, the angry mom who blew up at the meeting is beaten to death with a giant hunk of blue cheese! At first, you assume the woman was killed because she's the village slut, but soon more folks are killed in very violent ways...and so determining the who and why behind the murders is NOT easy. In the end, the killer's supposed motivation is given when they are arrested...but really it just boils down to them liking to kill people!

This episode is decent and the bit about the anniversary present is pretty funny. Enjoyable and worth seeing.

Yeah well. Not MSM's finest hour. There are too many red herrings, and other items that become irrelevant to the ultimate solving of the crime. The revelation of the killer, when it comes, is not compelling - it doesn't make much sense, and yet still manages to be somehow unsurprising. The guest cast are OK, especially Maggie Steed as the headmistress, but lifting this material is beyond them. A pity this was Jason Hughes' swansong as DS Jones, he deserved a better send-off.