Class of '09 is a sci fi crime drama now airing on the FX channel and streaming from Hulu. The show follows four FBI agents in three different periods of their careers: as cadets in '09, as mid-level agents 2023, and as senior agents in 2034.
More importantly for sci fi fans, in 2034, the FBI has replaced most of its analysts with an AI that can predict crime and stop it before it happens.
In the pilot's first scene, which takes place in the future, the AI sends two agents who apparently haven't seen each other for years to arrest a man without explanation. But instead of finding him, they find a recording of the FBI director (another classmate) claiming the US is now the safest nation on Earth.
Without preparation, were suddenly thrust back to the moment they meet - their first day of training at Quantico. After a few moments seeing the characters here, then were sent back further in time to when one of them was recruited. (I almost turned off the show right there. I hate flashbacks within flashbacks.)
To write a fair review, I watched the first two episodes. But I couldn't get into the show. Time jumps happen frequently and without preparation. One minute we're seeing them in at training, then in the middle of an under cover assignment 14 years later, then back to training, then back to 2034. This totally destroys the rhythms of each story line, and makes it impossible to connect with any of the characters.
The events in each time period seem totally disconnected from the others. There's no mention of the AI in the 2009 or 2023 scenes. No mention of the 2023 crimes in the 2034 scenes. (At least not in the first two episodes.) And in the 2023 scenes, the agents are working totally separate cases. So you're trying to follow six different story lines. That is way too much.
In the future scenes, there are hints and accusations that the AI has gone rogue. But these scenes are so brief and the acting is so wooden, you don't care. Brian Tyree Henry, playing the FBI director, looks like he's stoned or sleep walking through these scenes. Kate Mara is nearly as dull. (The other two supposed leads are barely present through the first two episodes.)
While I normally like to see TV shows try new innovations, Class of '09 simply doesn't work.
I disagree.
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