Class: Volume Three 3.3 - Sweet Nothings by Michael Dennis (REVIEW)

Class: Volume Three 3.3 - Sweet Nothings (by Michael Dennis) Review

By Ted Ryan

Clarification: This is a review that may in certain points discuss at points details that could be considered spoilers.

This one is focused primarily on Quill - ever frustrated with her life on Earth - and finds small ways to vent her frustration... mainly insulting Charlie in front of his peers. Katherine Kelly's portrayal of Miss Quill was absolutely flawless, so I was apprehensive of the past being recast. Thankfully, Dervla Kirwan takes on this character with equal sarcasm and confidence. Dennis has written Quill's voice perfectly, finding the perfect blend of drama and humour while also going into some deeply emotional character moments.

Dervla Kirwan as Miss Quill

Quill's mundane existence is interrupted by Richard Mylan's The Man, whose presence initially irritating and is met with her usual scorn, but slowly she starts to let her guard down. Whisking her away to other worlds, he reignites her flare for action and feelings she had long since suppressed. As well as giving an insight into Quill's humour, we are given moments of real vulnerability as Kirwan and Mylan's chemistry plays out so naturally.

While Quill is off fighting intergalactic wars and punching out aliens who try it on with her date, Charlie and Matteusz are not used to all this freedom without their abrasive guardian. While Matteusz wants to take advantage of having "alone time", his innuendos and heavily flirtatious hints fall on deaf ears as Charlie is more preoccupied with what he insists is studying.

As she starts to have a life outside of Coal Hill and protecting Charlie, Quill's mood improves - she even gives Charlie small praises! Dennis wrote that shift with nice subtlety, but unfortunately it doesn't last long when she's stood up... Her day gets worse when she walks in on Charlie and Matteusz in the middle of a passionate encounter in the living room. (Matteusz's kinky side came up before in Tell Me You Love Me, but he seems more self assured and less insecure here.) Failed seductions aside, Matteusz gets into nature documentaries and Charlie attempts domestic bliss - both of which were very humorous.

However, Quill’s romance comes to a disheartening end. When she investigates a subtle but sudden oddity, it all comes to light that her new man, The Man is... a manifestation of some alien energy... created and, to some degree, controlled by Charlie. The story ends with a rather heated confrontation in which Charlie and Quill are clearly at odds with each other.

The script and character dynamics were perfectly written and acted, making this one of my personal favourites from the Class range.