Class: Episode 5 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.

As the second half of a two-parter, Class fans will have a better idea of what to expect with this week’s concluding installment.

After entering the Shadow Kin’s realm, April once again is granted the greatest slice of the action. Fortunately for April, she has not only developed miraculous powers of healing but also sword fighting skills to boot. This leads to an inevitable confrontation with Corakinus and an action sequence bigger in scale than on the show thus far, just don’t expect it to challenge genre TV’s best. Sophie Hopkins, despite her best efforts, also struggles to completely sell her newfound role.

Regardless of some misgivings last week, the petal invasion of Earth ultimately ends up being the more compelling part of this episode. With the horror of the situation ramped up, this initially silly concept starts to gain more weight, and eventually cross over into April’s story. It also allows a tough dilemma to play out for Charlie; that being whether he should use the weapon in his possession, and the implications that may result. Quill too gets involved in this in a way that could change things for the show dramatically.

It’s not faultless, but Episode 5 does improve on its opening half. The two main plotlines that began last week reach their conclusion in a largely satisfying way, and hint at some interesting changes to come.