Class review: The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did (Doctor Who spin-off)
By James Aggas
While her students are in detention, Miss Quill faces a very difficult test in the penultimate episode of Class, The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did.
Let’s get this out of the way right now: I absolutely bloody loved this episode. I liked Detained, quite a bit, in fact. But The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did, was even better. In fact, it’s definitely my favorite episode of Class.
I think the biggest reason for this is who the episode focuses on. From the very first episode, Quill has easily been my favorite character of Class. She’s intelligent, angry, snarky and has a wonderfully complex history with Charlie.
So an entire episode that focused on her was always going to be a winner for me. But even I didn’t expect how much I’d love this episode. Because it’s not just how much it focuses on Quill. It’s also an episode that wonderfully fleshes her out considerably.
We find out so much more about Quill in this episode. Particularly her history, from the moment she was born, in fact. Even better is that we find out exactly what impact the past has left on her. And we even explore her more emotional side, too.
With so many sides to her character focused on in this episode, Katherine Kelly had a lot to work with. But she more than rises to the task. She portrays all the different aspects of Quill brilliantly in this episode, and gave me many, many more reasons to love her character by the end.
While her students are ‘Detained’, Quill faces her own deadly challenge in ‘The Metaphysical Engine’.
(Image credit: Class/BBC.
Image obtained from: official Class website.)
Ballon
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Chike Okonkwo’s character of Ballon also helps to bring out different aspects to Quill. Watching their relationship throughout the episode is fascinating to see. You can really see them bond, which is impressive, considering the episode is approximately forty-five minutes long.
We find out more about the kind of person Dorothea Ames is. The more I see of her character, the clearer it becomes that neither she nor the governors should be trusted. So naturally, she’s a character I’m eager to see more of. (Having said that, I’m fairly aware of what happens to her at the end of the next episode.)
With some brilliant ideas, strong performances and some excellent handling of one of my favorite characters, The Metaphysical Engine is easily my favorite episode of Class. A satisfying story on so many levels.
Next. Class review: Detained. dark
What did you think of The Metaphysical Engine? Did you enjoy learning more about Quill? Let us know in the comments below.