The Headmaster’s plans are coming to fruition…

This is an object lesson in doing a series finale – Emma Reeves pulls together all the disparate plot and emotional threads from the show to date (both those that come from the 1990s incarnation and from the nine preceding episodes) and gives pay-offs that are true both to the concept of the show, and all the various characters’ different arcs. Each of the Hazelbrook Academy resistance members, old and young, has to get beyond the various facades that the Headmaster has given them, and prove that they are stronger together. And even the Headmaster comes face to face with something that he can’t beat.

And that’s not the Prime Minister, who thankfully isn’t a caricature of either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn (although there’s part of me that thinks seeing either one of them experience the humiliation that the Prime Minster here does face might be quite fun!). We’ve known from before transmission started that Terrence Hardiman would be reprising his role from the 1990s series in some way and it’s done very cleverly – and even for those who don’t know the old series, his very presence is menacing (let alone his final two words!).

There’s great performances across the board, with Nicholas Gleaves’ Headmaster desperate to keep control as the PM’s visit disintegrates in front of him, and the others revelling in things collapsing. Ellie Botterill, Dijarn Campbell, Lori Stott, Jordan Rankin and Jordan Cramond have been the heart of this show (and a shoutout to Jade Chan for a consistent portrayal of Sophie that has a lovely moment of faltering in this episode), with Shonagh Price, Sally Oliver and Kevin O’Loughlin strong as the regular adults. I’ve not previously commented on the music but Philip Curran has once again knocked it out of the park with a score that homages the original series where appropriate but is definitely its own thing – a CD or download would be great.

At the time of writing, there’s no announcement regarding a second year, which I would hope, given the strength of writing, direction and performances should be automatic; however if, for some reason, it doesn’t return, all involved can look back at this as a job very well done.

Verdict: The perfect ending to this series – with enough tantalising hints to set up a second without leaving the audience feeling cheated. Catch it all on iPlayer. 10/10

Paul Simpson