elisi's humble abode

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


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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...)

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.

As before, no spoilers beyond the episode.

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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.

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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.)

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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).

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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.

So you should watch it too! Look, I even made an icon. :)

Here it is on BBC3! :D

Seriously - good, interesting, well-fleshed out distinctive characters (SO DIVERSE YAY! IN GOOD WAYS!), nice conflicts (both plot-wise and character-wise) at the heart of everything, solid setting and they use the more adult feel to tackle stuff that sometimes gets a little brushed over on the parent show, and also deal with the aftermath. Only two episodes in and I want to spend a *lot* more time with these characters. ♥