Class - Ep5April and Ram fight in the Shadowkin realm as Quill is made an offer she can’t quite believe…

The conclusion to this two-parter doesn’t disappoint, as the two plotlines – April’s dealings with Corakinus, and the flowers on Earth – cross over, and a third element is thrown into the mix as the new head teacher suggests that she might be able to give Quill everything that she desires… that is, if Quill will just do something for her.

The flower invasion is something rather different – imagine Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors with the reproductive cycle of Star Trek‘s tribbles – and provides opportunities for some horrific imagery, as well as becoming the catalyst for Charlie having to make a very difficult decision, with Matteusz and Quill almost seeming like the Angel and the Devil on his shoulders as he weighs up what he must do. Jordan Renzo, Greg Austin and Katherine Kelly are all excellent in these scenes, with Pooky Quesnel making a rather different head than Oftsed might approve!

Charlie’s not the only one to have problems – April is faced with situations that two months earlier she would not have expected, although one suspects that her inner strengths would have meant she coped with them admirably even if the Doctor hadn’t dropped in on Coal Hill! These aren’t all connected to Corakinus by any means – her discussions with Ram, as well as her parents show her core steel. Sophie Hopkins grabs everything that Patrick Ness provides and gives it her all – I suspect a number of scenes from this two-parter (including the final one of the episode) will be on her show reel! Fady Elsayed never tries to push Ram forward when he doesn’t need to be.

Tanya’s not overlooked either – she delivers a scathing rebuke at one point that I suspect many teenagers across the land will be wishing someone would do on their behalf. It’s one of those scenes that could have gone horribly wrong if the performances weren’t pitched right – not just Vivian Oparah’s but those she’s talking to as well – and it continues this show’s refusal to stand still in terms of characterisation.

Verdict: A well-balanced mix of drama, science fiction concepts, humour and action – as we’re coming to expect from Class. 8/10

Paul Simpson

Read our interview with Class creator Patrick Ness here