Class Series 1
Charlie: The Doctor said...
Miss Quill: Ah The Doctor! Because no one else in time and space can think for themselves.
'Class' is the new spin-off of Doctor Who written by YA novelist Patrick Ness and stars Katherine Kelly, Greg Austin, Sophie Hopkins, Vivian Oprah and Fady Elsayad. It follows aliens, Miss Quill and Charlie, and students April, Tanya and Ram as they face off with invaders and other such monsters that decide to venture through the cracks in time (or the bunghole) that have developed at the Coal Hill Academy. Coal Hill has been a regular location used in Doctor Who since the very first episode way back in 1963 and apart from the Peter Capaldi that is pretty much all the link we get to the parent show. This may seem like it would be in detriment to the series but in fact I think it's quite the opposite. The world and the ethos that the series has created and crafted is really quite astonishing. All in all series 1 of 'Class' was wonderfully engrossing with a fantastic story and incredibly surprising performances from Austin and Kelly in particular.
This series has really surprised me. With the fluctuating quality of Doctor Who in recent years and the premise that was released just being that this was based around Coal Hill, it seemed like a flakey excuse for a spin-off. Just a money maker, a cash cow if you will. That was my thought before the series began and I'm so glad it proved me wrong in the most glorious of ways.
The themes that 'Class' delves into, like slavery and especially genocide are written in such a way that they never shy away from things. As Ram says in the final, there is no one to help. And that is fantastically clear and utilised throughout. Gone are the times in Doctor Who, Sarah Jane Adventures and (in parts) Torchwood whereby through convoluted means, the hero saves the day. In 'Class' it is painfully real and characters are on many different occasions, are forced into decisions that are questionable in order to survive and save the day. And that is truly refreshing! The world isn't as happy and full of victories as in it's parent show. Victory comes at a cost and Class executes that perfectly. Ram's personal battles following the events of episode 1, Charlie's internal conflict throughout and just the entirety of episode 6. These are real people with real lives and emotions that come into play when things don't end up in the nicest of conclusions.
And that is in part testament to the acting skills of everyone in the cast. When I saw the announcement of the cast I had no idea about most of them. Katherine Kelly being of course the exception, although the only previous I have known her for is Coronation Street. Greg Austin above all is a revelation here. Every scene he is in as alien Charlie, Greg Austin is a complete and utter scene stealer. In the finale especially, Charlie is by far the stand out. I've fallen in love with Greg's acting talent. He gave me goosebumps on several occasions. Kelly too has by far outdone my expectations of her. She has one of the greatest episodes, a solo outing and a journey into Quill's mind. She makes a character that was perhaps deemed to be villainous seem relatable and heroic. Quill is a fantastic character and I wish we had more of her. Apart from the one solo outing in week 7, Quill seems to remain on the periphery. If (and hopefully when) series 2 comes around, we need an increase in Quill in all our lives! Even some of the other lesser known actors had some brilliant moments. My only problem with some of the characterisation in Class is that everyone is put through the ringer here. By the end of the series, with what everyone has experienced, it is hard to see how some of the leads will be anything less than permanently broken. Unfixable even. But that, as I explained earlier is part of the joy of this show! It never shy's away from the extremely bold choices. And kudos to writer Patrick Ness for taking that stance.
The Shadowkin grew on me throughout the series. And the alien species made by Ness and co really are inventive and interesting creations. From the Dragon Tattoo, to the Shadowkin and the killer petals, this is where the distance Class takes from the parent show really helps out. In the other two spin offs there has usually been an anchor villain that returns from Doctor Who and although we get hints of that toward the end of the final episode I hope this isn't to the extent that some people believe. Class is at its best when it distances itself from the Doctor Who world. Ness has had some fantastic creations so far appearing, I hope if a second series does get a green light, that he doesn't fall back on the plethora of creatures that have already appeared in the parent show. Use them sparingly and wisely.
So in conclusion, Class deserves way more credit and a far bigger viewship than I think it is getting. And by god it needs a series 2! The second half of this series definitely proved that Class can be smart, confident and enjoyable and can definitely stand on it's own two feet and with the parent show holding it's hand. The acting from Greg Austin and Katherine Kelly in particular is phenomenal, the monsters are effective and interesting and the storylines are shocking and morally questionable too. Bring on series 2! Please BBC!
Miss Quill: Ah The Doctor! Because no one else in time and space can think for themselves.
'Class' is the new spin-off of Doctor Who written by YA novelist Patrick Ness and stars Katherine Kelly, Greg Austin, Sophie Hopkins, Vivian Oprah and Fady Elsayad. It follows aliens, Miss Quill and Charlie, and students April, Tanya and Ram as they face off with invaders and other such monsters that decide to venture through the cracks in time (or the bunghole) that have developed at the Coal Hill Academy. Coal Hill has been a regular location used in Doctor Who since the very first episode way back in 1963 and apart from the Peter Capaldi that is pretty much all the link we get to the parent show. This may seem like it would be in detriment to the series but in fact I think it's quite the opposite. The world and the ethos that the series has created and crafted is really quite astonishing. All in all series 1 of 'Class' was wonderfully engrossing with a fantastic story and incredibly surprising performances from Austin and Kelly in particular.
This series has really surprised me. With the fluctuating quality of Doctor Who in recent years and the premise that was released just being that this was based around Coal Hill, it seemed like a flakey excuse for a spin-off. Just a money maker, a cash cow if you will. That was my thought before the series began and I'm so glad it proved me wrong in the most glorious of ways.
The themes that 'Class' delves into, like slavery and especially genocide are written in such a way that they never shy away from things. As Ram says in the final, there is no one to help. And that is fantastically clear and utilised throughout. Gone are the times in Doctor Who, Sarah Jane Adventures and (in parts) Torchwood whereby through convoluted means, the hero saves the day. In 'Class' it is painfully real and characters are on many different occasions, are forced into decisions that are questionable in order to survive and save the day. And that is truly refreshing! The world isn't as happy and full of victories as in it's parent show. Victory comes at a cost and Class executes that perfectly. Ram's personal battles following the events of episode 1, Charlie's internal conflict throughout and just the entirety of episode 6. These are real people with real lives and emotions that come into play when things don't end up in the nicest of conclusions.
And that is in part testament to the acting skills of everyone in the cast. When I saw the announcement of the cast I had no idea about most of them. Katherine Kelly being of course the exception, although the only previous I have known her for is Coronation Street. Greg Austin above all is a revelation here. Every scene he is in as alien Charlie, Greg Austin is a complete and utter scene stealer. In the finale especially, Charlie is by far the stand out. I've fallen in love with Greg's acting talent. He gave me goosebumps on several occasions. Kelly too has by far outdone my expectations of her. She has one of the greatest episodes, a solo outing and a journey into Quill's mind. She makes a character that was perhaps deemed to be villainous seem relatable and heroic. Quill is a fantastic character and I wish we had more of her. Apart from the one solo outing in week 7, Quill seems to remain on the periphery. If (and hopefully when) series 2 comes around, we need an increase in Quill in all our lives! Even some of the other lesser known actors had some brilliant moments. My only problem with some of the characterisation in Class is that everyone is put through the ringer here. By the end of the series, with what everyone has experienced, it is hard to see how some of the leads will be anything less than permanently broken. Unfixable even. But that, as I explained earlier is part of the joy of this show! It never shy's away from the extremely bold choices. And kudos to writer Patrick Ness for taking that stance.
The Shadowkin grew on me throughout the series. And the alien species made by Ness and co really are inventive and interesting creations. From the Dragon Tattoo, to the Shadowkin and the killer petals, this is where the distance Class takes from the parent show really helps out. In the other two spin offs there has usually been an anchor villain that returns from Doctor Who and although we get hints of that toward the end of the final episode I hope this isn't to the extent that some people believe. Class is at its best when it distances itself from the Doctor Who world. Ness has had some fantastic creations so far appearing, I hope if a second series does get a green light, that he doesn't fall back on the plethora of creatures that have already appeared in the parent show. Use them sparingly and wisely.
So in conclusion, Class deserves way more credit and a far bigger viewship than I think it is getting. And by god it needs a series 2! The second half of this series definitely proved that Class can be smart, confident and enjoyable and can definitely stand on it's own two feet and with the parent show holding it's hand. The acting from Greg Austin and Katherine Kelly in particular is phenomenal, the monsters are effective and interesting and the storylines are shocking and morally questionable too. Bring on series 2! Please BBC!
Comments
Post a Comment