Doctor Who Spin-off Class Needs to Hit the Ground Running
By David Hill
Every new television program has that moment of truth when fans learn whether or not the show can live up to the hype. For the latest Doctor Who spin-off, Class, that time is now.
Typically, with any new program, it takes a few episodes for the show to find its footing. Hell, for some shows, the entire first season can be considered a test of sorts, as the show looks to find its way. It is even something that we see on Doctor Who when a new Doctor comes in; the first few episodes are spent feeling out the new incarnation.
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That is a luxury which Class will not be afforded. With only eight episodes in the first season, there will not be any lengthy time for development. The characters, and the show itself, needs to hit the ground running. Considering that the Doctor will be appearing in that first episode, running will likely be a literal description.
It is also a sign that Class is expected, or rather, demanded, to be an instant hit. The big guns are out, and will be coming through immediately. Books based on the series are being produced. The BBC is placing a hefty wager that the show will be the next hit, and success will have to be immediate.
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This is a situation where the shortened series, being just eight episodes, certainly works against it. While that may be the perfect duration to let Class to test the waters, it may not be enough time to truly develop the program.
Instead, the hopes are that a finished, polished product will be presented to the public. A show that will have seemingly been on the air for years, where everything runs like a fine tuned machine. That is likely to come to pass, considering the franchise from which it is derived. We are not overly worried. From the trailers, the show looks like it will be fantastic. If not, it will at least have been an interesting experiment.
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