Class

Wasn't sure what to expect, but I wasn't disappointed. No spoilers here. It was pretty entertaining. Not as "kiddie" as The Sarah Jane Adventures (which I did enjoy), but sort of along those lines. Too soon to judge the format after watching only one, but it seems to mix the idea of a monster of the week with an arcing subplot. I was hoping for grittier visuals but they fall more along the lines of the RTD era of Doctor Who. We all already know it's a spin-off, so I don't think this is a spoiler - but just in case - a guest appearance really elevates the episode. I'm only going to go 6 out of 10, based on the single episode, but I could see future episodes bringing that rating higher. Hoping for more character development as we go on, which I can't imagine not happening. All in all a solid start, not earth shattering, but strong enough to get me to see episode 2.

***Updated*** Okay, I'm 4 episodes in, and re-rate this a 7.5 (it only gives whole number options), it's getting better. Not Doctor Who good, but worth watching. At the end of episode 4, I'm left wanting episode 5. And that is how good television should be.

Class is the new spin off from the world of Doctor Who, revolving around a group of youngsters at a Coal Hill School or Academy. Together they are earths first line of defence against new threatening aliens entering the world through cracks in space and time.

The first two episodes of Class really through out what show is, by implying and hinting what we may expect from the series. Bottom line is you have really fun easy to watch science fiction drama, that still has that Doctor Who atmosphere but with a different audience. It clearly shows off that it wants to be dark, bloody, scary, and adults for young mature audiences.

Granted the show hasn't quite lifted off the ground yet it does have a few issues so far it needs to work on. Its pacing and structure are not quite perfect yet and need a bit more consistency throughout the 45 min limit. There is some dialogue that kind of losses itself and doesn't quite work, and a reasonable anticlimactic end to some of the adventures.

Episode 3 Nightvisting, was a massive improvement though, with a clear passion and emotion that the show wants to express, really well executed in round 3. A much more puzzling story as well which is good, and less awkward acting and dialogue.

So though we are only 3 episodes in Class is rally good fun, Patrick Ness has got a lot of ideas he wants to put forward which is good, but should become a gradual process rather than throwing all of it right at us, But a satisfactory start so far, hope this picks up further on in the series. 8.3/10

OK, so Class is, on its own, a very good show if you are a young adult (like myself) and are into sci-fi. Of course, compared to Doctor Who, it can't compete but by looking at it from an objective, individual point of view its rather brilliant. After watching the first two episodes, I wasn't hooked but I liked it. But by episode 3, I think the best episode of the series (so far), it really highlighted Ness's capability as a writer. Class was still going through its growing pains for the first couple of episodes but, for me, the series started to shine as it progressed. The characters really developed into something unique and special, particularly April who has become one of my favourites. 'Her' two parter focused on her character's development which was done really well, even if the actual story wasn't amazing. After watching "Detained", the sixth episode, made me start to properly love the series as much as Torchwood. The acting, particularly by Greg Austin (Charlie) stood out and helped the lesser experienced actors along Episode 7 was different. But in a good way. Ms Quill, who had really been the comic relief of the series had uncovered a completely different side of her character, opening up to the viewers in a way. I am really looking forward to the finale, the trailer looks amazing and hopefully Patrick Ness can really end this new, ambitious series on a high. I would love a second series and I think not only will it help the show itself but also Doctor Who since there hasn't been a spin- off, which makes the Whoniverse bigger, for 5 years

Overall, a decent television series with a whole lot of potential in it

Having watched every available Doctor Who episode from the beginning, K9 (2009), The Sarah Jane adventures and Torchwood I have seen a wide range of stories from the Doctor Who universe. This series is an odd mix from the SJA and Torchwood. It is geared to a younger audience but not too young. The blood, violence, and partial nudity seem out of place for a viewer too young. Overall the series feels like kids from SJA being thrown into Torchwood but without Captain Jack. That said, previous programs had an anchor that makes the show interesting and is a focal point. The Doctor, Captain Jack or Sarah Jane all fit that mold. This show lacks a leader or a team effort (so far). This may change since at this writing only three episodes have aired. The plots are pretty basic and the characters have a long way to go in development. However, this is true of any new show (case in point Star Trek: TNG took two seasons to hit it's stride). The brief appearance of the Doctor also felt very forced and not well written. The board on the school wall of student names was a nice touch though (freeze frame it to see several names you recognize). The show has potential but right now it is fair at best. I am hoping for better writing and character development. I even grew to like Matt Smith a little after he grew into the part of the Doctor after David Tennant left so there is hope if the production team put some effort into this.

Despite not having major advertisement, Class still managed to grasp my attention. Doctor Who used to be one of my favorite shows, and to see another spin off, aside from Torchwood was great.

We are introduced to our characters in a very well filmed opening tracking shot, as the camera pans on each of them. But I still can barley remember any of their names, unlike a TV show like Skins where I managed to learn all their names in the first episode. I couldn't learn them because the characters are boring, aside from two, that I found to be very interesting, these two tie heavily into the plot, and you'll know them when you see them.

But despite the boring characters, the plot of the pilot is pretty great. So great in fact, that I can remember nearly everything from it.

One last thing before the verdict, when seeing the trailer, I really didn't think it was going to be that good, I thought it was going to be a poorly acted, directed and cheap knock off of a British classic. But I was wrong, Class bring something to the table that Doctor who doesn't, a violent, well told tale about a group of regular teenagers defending their school. Sure the dialogue sounds unrealistic in some places, however Class is a fun teen drama that makes you think twice about the world of Doctor who.

My final verdict for Class is a - 7.3, as it's fun and has a brilliant narrative, however I found the characters to be a little boring and unrealistic.