Class: Volume Four 4.1 - Mock by Alfie Shaw (MINI-REVIEWS)
Reviewed by Ellie, Sean, Ted & Jamie
Clarification: This episode is covered by a series of mini-reviews of the story from all four reviewers. In some cases, these may contain what could be considered spoilers. You have been warned.
Ellie says:
Easily the stand out audio for me. Mock focuses on the relationship between the Quill and Rhodians both before and after the Shadow Kin invaded. The Cleaver fits overall with Class' exploration of folklore (although from another planet) and belief, making it an interesting villain. The manipulation of the students before he was revealed was suitably creepy. The Rhodian lore I was hoping for was delivered, with the scene where Charlie is forced to acknowledge the scale of the Quills’ suffering standing out. Both his wildly inaccurate answers and the implication that Quill wanted most of all for him to understand reveal a lot about Rhodia (not as well learned as Charlie always boasted about). Another strong character driven story that proves both writer Alfie Shaw and Quill recast Dervla Kirwan understand the world of Class perfectly.
Sean says:
Easily the stand out audio for me. Mock focuses on the relationship between the Quill and Rhodians both before and after the Shadow Kin invaded. The Cleaver fits overall with Class' exploration of folklore (although from another planet) and belief, making it an interesting villain. The manipulation of the students before he was revealed was suitably creepy. The Rhodian lore I was hoping for was delivered, with the scene where Charlie is forced to acknowledge the scale of the Quills’ suffering standing out. Both his wildly inaccurate answers and the implication that Quill wanted most of all for him to understand reveal a lot about Rhodia (not as well learned as Charlie always boasted about). Another strong character driven story that proves both writer Alfie Shaw and Quill recast Dervla Kirwan understand the world of Class perfectly.
Sean says:
Mock is another strong boxset start, and is quite different as it focuses on Charlie and Miss Quill during mock exam season. This story is brilliant at establishing Quill and Charlie's back story in more detail. Alfie Shaw really gets who they are and explores that well. I also enjoyed the way in which this story is treated as a psychological thriller of sorts with the villain of the story taking form in their fellow classmates and faculty, using them as puppets to mess with Quill and Charlie. We also get to see some insight into Quill's relationship with fellow teachers and her true feelings on them. One other thing I did like a lot was Charlie's relatable reaction to mock exams (Which reminded me of when I had to take them in high school!). Overall, this was a great story to get your teeth into.
Ted says:
Shaw's script explores the power of telling stories, metaphorically and literally, beginning with an eerie retelling of Quill's life on Rhodia - which was great to have a counterpart of the story from For Tonight We Might Die, but from the Quill people's perspective. Dervla Kirwan embodies a superb portrayal of Quill’s scathing scorn and sarcasm.
The dialogue and characterisation flowed effortlessly through this episode. Shaw captured each voice perfectly and has a great ability to write compelling dialogue within the audio form. The threat that Quill and Charlie face felt very in keeping with Patrick Ness' style and was perfect for this series - the fear of the unknown and the power of stories.
Kirwan and Greg Austin had good chemistry in their roles and this story was a strong exploration of their unresolved trauma and inner demons. The series regulars and the ensemble cast really added to the world-building, in both realities that the characters find themselves in. Also the antagonist of the piece - without giving anything away - has great stage presence and was one of the most sinister characters from this series. I believe the Cleaver would be a great addition to feature in further Big Finish Who dramas, especially for an older audience.
The dynamic between Quill and Charlie was one of the most interesting part of the series - in television and audio - and this was a great story to really delve into that relationship. The entire cast really delivered with the perfect combination or drama and humour in this very dark storyline.
Jamie says:
A mock exam turned into something more dangerous and horrific. Wonderful! We get some more insight into Rhodia - delivered just as well as that which was given on TV - but this time, with a notable change in viewpoint. With us finally hearing of Rhodia and its history not from Bonnie Alien Prince Charlie but instead from Miss Quill, it's interesting to note the contrast between the luxury & beauty he knows and what we discover here... Though all of our main characters are present for some time within this story, the real standout has to be Dervla Kirwan. After a few minutes, she had me quite completely tied into Quill.
Her performance and the script combine to further illustrate her disdain with Earth life and the other teachers around Coal Hill. But we also get something drastically different in her reaction to the nature of the villain in this one (I shall say nothing more!); it's interesting to hear Quill so taken aback and it really does unsettle you. There's some cracking laughs in there too, though. Oh, and there's a magnificently done chilling yet kind of exciting moment in there. A group of people speak so perfectly in union... and honestly, it caught me offguard. How on earth (or Rhodia) did they do that? And of course, mention must be made to Greg Austin, who slips back in as Charlie superbly. He takes the recasting in his stride, and with some great chemistry with Kirwan, he's able to cement us into the story even further as Quill enlists him in her investigation of the present situation. Another strong starter!
Ted says:
Shaw's script explores the power of telling stories, metaphorically and literally, beginning with an eerie retelling of Quill's life on Rhodia - which was great to have a counterpart of the story from For Tonight We Might Die, but from the Quill people's perspective. Dervla Kirwan embodies a superb portrayal of Quill’s scathing scorn and sarcasm.
The dialogue and characterisation flowed effortlessly through this episode. Shaw captured each voice perfectly and has a great ability to write compelling dialogue within the audio form. The threat that Quill and Charlie face felt very in keeping with Patrick Ness' style and was perfect for this series - the fear of the unknown and the power of stories.
Kirwan and Greg Austin had good chemistry in their roles and this story was a strong exploration of their unresolved trauma and inner demons. The series regulars and the ensemble cast really added to the world-building, in both realities that the characters find themselves in. Also the antagonist of the piece - without giving anything away - has great stage presence and was one of the most sinister characters from this series. I believe the Cleaver would be a great addition to feature in further Big Finish Who dramas, especially for an older audience.
The dynamic between Quill and Charlie was one of the most interesting part of the series - in television and audio - and this was a great story to really delve into that relationship. The entire cast really delivered with the perfect combination or drama and humour in this very dark storyline.
Jamie says:
A mock exam turned into something more dangerous and horrific. Wonderful! We get some more insight into Rhodia - delivered just as well as that which was given on TV - but this time, with a notable change in viewpoint. With us finally hearing of Rhodia and its history not from Bonnie Alien Prince Charlie but instead from Miss Quill, it's interesting to note the contrast between the luxury & beauty he knows and what we discover here... Though all of our main characters are present for some time within this story, the real standout has to be Dervla Kirwan. After a few minutes, she had me quite completely tied into Quill.
Her performance and the script combine to further illustrate her disdain with Earth life and the other teachers around Coal Hill. But we also get something drastically different in her reaction to the nature of the villain in this one (I shall say nothing more!); it's interesting to hear Quill so taken aback and it really does unsettle you. There's some cracking laughs in there too, though. Oh, and there's a magnificently done chilling yet kind of exciting moment in there. A group of people speak so perfectly in union... and honestly, it caught me offguard. How on earth (or Rhodia) did they do that? And of course, mention must be made to Greg Austin, who slips back in as Charlie superbly. He takes the recasting in his stride, and with some great chemistry with Kirwan, he's able to cement us into the story even further as Quill enlists him in her investigation of the present situation. Another strong starter!
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