Class review: The Lost (Doctor Who spin-off finale)

After learning some of each other’s darkest secrets, the Class is divided. But when an old enemy returns, the team must unite once more to face their greatest threat yet.

And so, we come to the series finale of Class. It’s been an interesting watch, full of highs and lows. How well does The Lost resolve the series?

On the whole, I’d say reasonably well. At least, if this hadn’t been the only series of Class. But we’ll get to that.

The Lost deals with the consequences of both Detained and The Metaphysical Engine. The group is essentially broken. After learning so many secrets about each other, it’s now difficult for them to talk to one another. Especially Ram and Tanya, who have particularly separated themselves from the rest of the group.

However, when something terrible happens to both of them, events start to rapidly escalate. All the characters need to work together to stop the biggest threat that they’ve ever faced.

Having the episode begin with the deaths of not one but two recurring characters was definitely a shock to see. Especially as Ram and Tanya had been through so much in the series already. These particular deaths leave a clear impact on them for the rest of their lives.

Quill continues to be written well. She still gets plenty of gloriously snarky and witty lines, of course. But she’s also more fleshed out after the previous episode. We really get to see her acting like a genuine tutor at one point in this episode, which was great to see.

Apparently, I spoke too soon about Rami and April’s relationship being over. One thing this episode makes clear is that there’s still plenty of story there, at least according to writer Patrick Ness. It’s still not an aspect of the series that I’m keen on, but it is admittedly at its most interesting in The Lost, at least.

The gang face the Shadow King one last time in the series finale of Class.

(Image credit: Class/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Class website.)

Resolutions and beginnings

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However, what I really enjoyed about this episode the most was how it resolved so many key plotlines. The Shadow Kin, April’s heart, the Cabinet of Souls – all are brought to a close in this episode. And in a very satisfying way, too. The standoff during the final part of the episode was tense with a great payoff.

But just as some storylines end, others clearly begin. Particularly with the governors, where we truly start to learn a lot more about them.

I’ll admit, while I had heard plenty about the appearance of an old enemy, it was still satisfying to see their appearance, and how well it was set up.

But I didn’t expect the episode’s final moments. While Class resolved the story of both the Shadow Kin and April’s heart, it seems that April’s particular story is far from over.

I can see why fans were disappointed that Class was cancelled. It was clearly intended for there to be many more stories told with these characters. So the fact that the BBC cancelled the series is a shame. Particularly as it seemed to be finding its feet, more or less, in the last couple of episodes.

Still, it was an interesting watch, and The Lost was in some ways a satisfying finale to the first series, if not to the show as a whole. I’m more eager than ever to find out what Big Finish has planned with these characters.

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Do you think Class ended well? Was The Lost a satisfying finale? Do you wish there had been a second series of Class? Let us know in the comments below.

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