The premise of the limited series “Class of ‘09” is a familiar form of dystopia: in the near future, law enforcement has come to rely on technology that skirts the line between police work and a po…
), an insurance executive who will eventually become the Bureau’s director. They’re guided by Drew and Gabriel , two instructors who mentor the recruits who excel — and ruthlessly cull those who underperform. The connections, conflicts and disagreements among this group start from their earliest days at the academy, then snowball into wider rifts and higher stakes.
To its credit, “Class of ‘09” keeps a clear distinction between its three main threads. Directors Joe Robert Cole, Amanda Marsalis, and Steven Canals craft separate aesthetics that situate the viewer in each timeline, avoiding the confusion that can come with overcomplicated thrillers. 2009 has a warmer palette, tinged with nostalgia; 2034 has subtle bits of science fiction, like self-driving cars and Poet’s new prosthetic eye; 2023 is a straightforward drama.
After four seasons on “Atlanta,” “Class of ‘09” marks Tyree Henry’s return to FX in his first leading role since earning an Oscar nomination for “Causeway” earlier this year. The actor remains a performer of profound sensitivity, but the chilly, cerebral remove of his latest project calls for more muted turns by both Tyree Henry and his co-lead Mara. When Poet, in 2034, joins the search for agent turned anti-algorithm dissident Amos Garcia , she finds footage of Tayo playing in an endless loop.
“Class of ‘09” poses worthwhile questions about the competing risks of human error and technological overreach. But even if the specific application is relatively new, questions of freedom versus security are as old as the idea of an armed state. By erring on the side of intellectual exercise, “Class of ‘09” deprives itself of the chance to give a fresher take on this evergreen dilemma. It’s a show more engaging to think about than it ultimately is to watch.
The first two episodes of FX’s “Class of ‘09” premiered on Hulu on Wednesday, May 10, with new episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays.
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