Class: Episode 8 Advance Review

Note: Doctor Who TV’s pre-air reviews aim to be as detail-free as we reasonably can while still offering a critique, but as everyone’s spoiler sensibilities are different, we advise you read on at your own discretion.

The pre-title sequence of Class’ Series 1 finale sets the tone for things to come. As with the third episode “Nightvisiting”, what starts out as a lyrical pre-title sequence quickly takes turn for the grim side. And things don’t let up from that point on, leading to a tense viewing experience throughout. Especially when the numbers start counting up…

There are a host of things that happen in the finale that are just way too spoilery to talk about, making the proposition of previewing it a tricky one (as usual the BBC have already spoiled some elements they have embargoed, but alas). What can be said is that there are several events that have grave consequences for the Coal Hill classmates. Things that push the actors to challenging places and are not, at least here, easily reversed in some way, as has become a problem in Doctor Who of late.

For those invested in the show, this should prove a largely satisfying, if bleak finale. But while many of the ongoing story threads thus far reach a conclusion, “The Lost” does also leave a lot open. This could be frustrating dependent on outside factors. Creator Patrick Ness appears to be banking on another run, but the future for the show doesn’t look especially rosy at the time of writing, meaning these plot developments may never get resolved.

One final note: a very exciting moment in particular reminds you the show is very much a part of the Whoniverse. Sans the first episode, Class hasn’t really felt connected for the rest of its run, but something that happens could have implications for the main show, rather than confined to just this spin-off. This is just speculation, but we could perhaps be seeing a tease of Moffat’s Series 10 end game. We’ll have to wait and see!