elisi's humble abode

CLASS

2017-06-28T16:53:54Z

Time is not my friend at the moment, so a proper post on the amazing Class finale has not yet been written. However, I came across this brilliant post that you should all read, as it delves into all the ways the show is smart and so much more than what it at first appears to be:

THE TRUTH SNAKE: A Song for “The Lost”

MANY MANY SPOILERS FOR EVERYTHING.

Also:

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Class S1.7 The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did

2017-05-31T18:11:16Z

No show has any right to be this good, this early. Those of you not watching, you’re missing out. Just look at the title of this one. And in case you’re wondering – yes, it’s 100% literal. And coming just off Extremis too… Just goes to show how you can do exquisite meta, but in very very different ways. <3

(If this show is not renewed it’ll be the biggest waste since Firefly, just sayin’.)

This post contains no spoilers beyond episode 7 and PLEASE DO NOT POST SPOILERS IN THE COMMENTS. Thank you. <3

( Read more... )

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Class... <3

2017-05-24T20:47:23Z

For those watching now, I keep forgetting to link to my Class tag:

On LJ: here

On DW: here

I have written posts up to and including episode 6. No spoilers.

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(Not so) Subliminal message: Watch Class!!

2017-04-20T12:50:41Z

For those in the UK, it's on iPlayer

For those in the US it's streamed on BBC America.

So go forth & watch!! (And then come talk to meeee!)

Back in November I wrote a post on why I love it (on LJ here on DW here), no spoilers obviously.

Generally I just recommend watching the first episode & see if you like it. Yes it's a Doctor Who spin-off, but it's very much its own thing and firmly YA. I had zero expectations and then it just waltzed in and stole my heart. ♥

Also ONLY EIGHT EPISODES. (We are hoping it'll be renewed, which is one reason to get more people watching...)

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Class S1.6 Detained

2017-03-25T19:55:44Z

I’m sure one reason there’s been such a gap between the other reviews and this one, is that I’m not sure I can do this one justice. The final three episodes are all so good (and in such different ways) that I just sort of falter.

( Read more... )

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I made an icon...

2017-01-06T12:52:28Z

This came about mostly in response to the newest LJ issues.

I admit to a fair bit of hyperbole, but why not? My keywords are 'Change is bad'. :)

(I've also wanted a Tanya icon, because she's brilliant.)

Feel free to snag.

ETA: OMG, this is too perfect:

:D

And to have a happy item also, here's a nice video I found on facebook:

If you think things have never been worse, you need to watch this video.

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Right, TV shows...

2017-01-02T18:22:31Z

I am trying to remember what I watched in 2016...

( Quick rundown of stuff that I can remember )

But the important ones were/are these:

(Yes, I know S10 of Doctor Who hasn't started yet, but I found a banner with the three shows I actually care about, and it's too perfect not to use!!)

Now the thing about the other two shows is that they BOTH premiered on my birthday! I won the TV show lottery in 2016!! And in a shitty year, that was a pretty awesome thing.

We only started watching Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (re-imagined Douglas Adams, on Netflix) shortly before Christmas and mainlined it over the holiday period (yes, the whole family). And it is RIDICULOUSLY good.

( Trailers under here )

If you want something to completely take your mind off the current woes (or you just like superb TV) I cannot recommend this enough. It's completely mad and utterly brilliant. Like - it's impossible to describe. Just sit back and experience it.

And Class... Dirk is ~fabulous~ (and both he, and the show, most definitely is), but Class is the show that stole my heart.

Yes, it's well-written and performed and all the rest, but it's also a show that fits 2016/this point in time. Like I said in a previous post, it's a show built on the premise that suddenly one day your world changes. And you just have to deal with it, even if it's unfair, even if it hurts, even if you have plenty of problems already, and the universe just keeps dealing out more.

These words of Quill's are a good motto for the new year:

QUILL: Too big. Feels like [the pain] going to consume you. Well, the trick is to keep on living while it does.

Also I adore all of the characters (and the actors <3) and they are all too compelling and complex and diverse for words. More posts will be forthcoming, but episodes 6, 7 and 8 need... oh god, SO MUCH. Like, essays, each of them.

Anyway, for those that like trailers (even if it spoils certain plot points):

( Class trailer )

Generally though I'd just say watch the first episode. If you don't like that, you probably won't like the rest. It's coming to America in 2017... Nnnot quite sure when. And it's on iPlayer for those in the UK. (It's wonderful to have a show to be fannish about. Can you tell? *g*)

Also, is the formatting OK [this re. DW]? It should be fine, but I've changed my layout and the preview looks borked. The actual post looks fine, but I'm aware things look different for different people.

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Class S1.5 Brave-ish Heart

2016-12-18T20:31:55Z

As before, no spoilers beyond the episode.

( Brave-ish Heart )

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Classy...

2016-12-11T17:57:58Z

It was Saturday yesterday and there was no new Class... Am not sure what I'll do if it doesn't get a second season. It's easily been the best thing about 2016 - like, it seems so long since I've been genuinely excited about a show. Since I've had proper, new, intricate, fascinating characters and stories to delve into, with a 'verse teeming with possibilities, with a ton of layers. Not to mention a shiny new OTP... And it's so well written! (It was the best birthday present ever.)

I might have spent time I didn't spend on Christmas preparations making icons... (Christmas cards are done though! Thank goodness.)

The official site has a ton of good stuff (such a million behind-the-scenes videos), but my favourite so far might be Class Fan Art - especially the banner made by seventhdemigod. Basically perfect. <3 (Spoilers for ep 4 I suppose, if you want to be pedantic.)

Also I don't think I've ever re-watched a show as much as I am this one - of course I always re-watched to write meta, but with Class I have to keep telling myself to remember to take notes, because I just want to watch, and catch all the little details and wallow in the characters. ♥

Anyway, since my reviews take time (and I am strict with spoilers!), I figured people might want to talk to me about the episodes I've not gotten to yet (to yell or to cry or to just flail) - if so, this is your post. :)

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Class S1.4 Co-Owner of a Lonely Heart

2016-12-09T18:32:12Z

My initial reaction upon watching this episode was this:

I knew I should probably have started to write up my thoughts sooner, but damn, for the most part my brain has quite simply been doing that gif on repeat out of sheer delight.

Lots of sections below the cut. ☺ And, as before, no spoilers beyond this episode.

( Read more... )

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Class S1.3 Nightvisiting

2016-11-29T19:34:11Z

There is a difference between ‘This is a really good show, I really like it, I can’t wait see what happens next’ to ‘This show now has a hotline to my soul’.

It’s sort of unnerving and wonderful when the latter happens. It doesn’t happen all that often (and I don’t watch all that much TV, honestly) and it takes a certain kind of show, that special something that probably changes from person to person. For Class, for me, ‘Nightvisiting’ did it. I don’t think any show has ever won me over so completely so quickly… (With the possible exception of Firefly. But then I was ready & prepped to love Firefly, all of fandom singing its praises, and I bought the DVDs to watch. Class took me unawares.)

( Read more... )

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Class ep 7 (The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did)

2016-11-26T12:46:13Z

I don't think I have a gif that can accurately sum up what I've just watched and how I feel.

*incoherent*

ETA: Never saw this. But it might be useful?

Where to Watch Class Around the World

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Class S1.2 The Coach With the Dragon Tattoo

2016-11-25T21:00:40Z

And we’re onto the season proper!! The thing with short seasons is that there’s no space for filler episodes; and this is very clear in Class. I don’t think it’s spoilery to say that from now on, the episodes are pretty much character-centric, each character getting their own episode (more or less).

( Read more... )

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Class S1.1 For Tonight We Might Die

2016-11-23T13:19:08Z

Happy Birthday Doctor Who. This was not deliberate, but my thoughts on the first episode of Class are finally done. No spoilers for later stuff, enjoy.

(This is long. I didn’t know how to tackle it, but in the end I decided to do it episode-by-episode, as that way I hopefully wouldn’t miss anything, and the episodes are so good that they all deserve a write-up.)

( Read more... )
In short: SHOW IS AMAZING AND EATING MY HEAD. ♥

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You should watch Class

2016-11-12T16:40:01Z

Yes, I know the world is collapsing, but surely that's all the more reason to find a show to disappear into for a little while?

It's being said that Class is like Buffy, and that's very true (with caveats). Much like Torchwood was the Angel of the Whoniverse (with its own Billowy Coat King of Pain), there are also differences...

Similarities: Both set in 'high schools' (the students we follow are in Sixth Form, so 16 - 17 year olds), and Coal Hill Academy has its own version of a 'hellmouth'. The structure is in many ways similar, with a 'monster of the week' and that whole richness & depth of writing that we knew and loved.

Ways Class stands out: Buffy was named for its lead character, and revolved around her. Class is truly an ensemble show. The cast is white, Asian, black, gay, straight, and with lots of amazing female characters. (No trans characters, at least not so far.) And oh god, what characters they are. I have rarely seen a show start off with a group of characters so interesting and complex right off the bat. I challenge anyone to say that these 'kids' aren't as complicated or engaging as some tortured 30 year old. (Besides, there are adult characters too...)

If you have never watched, or never liked, Doctor Who don't worry. The Doctor pops in for a guest appearance in ep 1 to help set things up, but it's perfectly self-contained.

Mostly I hope it runs forever because I am RIDICULOUSLY invested in these characters. They are hopeful and vulnerable and conflicted and angry and sad and fall in love and hold grudges and this goes for ALL OF THEM. The women are allowed to be angry. The boys get to be vulnerable. Everyone is a person first and foremost, and plenty of stereotypes are confronted, even as the show isn't shy about looking at issues like toxic masculinity & privilege.

Also, most shows take time to build up, can have a wobbly first season, unsure how to pitch itself (*cough*Torchwood*cough*), but Class hit the ground running. For sheer confidence & excellent writing the best example might be Firefly. This show understands TV and storytelling and it goes places the parent show can't. Partly b/c Doctor Who is aimed at a younger audience, and partly because Doctor Who can't do the multi-character story-arc.

Really, I'm sort of failing to find the right words. I'll be writing proper episode write-ups, because this show is eating my head. It's just so good. It premiered on my birthday, and it's undoubtedly one of the best presents I've ever had. Like - if someone wanted to design the perfect show for me, this would probably be it. I can't really believe it's real. (I watched today's episode on tenterhooks - I understand every narrative trick and yet it completely pulled me in. SO GOOD.)

Sadly I don't know how to watch it outside the UK, but if you can - do. And here are the official opening credits:

ETA: I believe it's available on iTunes? If you can afford a season pass.

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