Must-See TV: Life On Mars Returns For Second Season On BBC America
Since the TV writers are on strike and we will soon be devoid of new comedy and drama programs on the networks (which will, unfortunately, be replaced by even more inane reality programs and game shows), now is as good a time as any to sample the wonderful UK drama Life On Mars on BBC America. As luck would have it, Life On Mars returns to the air tomorrow (Tuesday) night for its second season. The program features a great early 1970s soundtrack (the show is named after the David Bowie song of the same name) and spot-on fashions of the era.
Life On Mars stars John Simm (above, center) as Detective Inspector Sam Tyler of the Greater Manchester (England) Police. DI Tyler has an accident in the year 2006 and finds himself sent back in time to 1973, when police work was much more rough-and-tumble than the by-the-book way to which he is accustomed. Tyler is unsure if he has gone mad, is in a coma, or has actually been transported to the past.
Tyler’s boss is Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt, portrayed by Philip Glenister (above, second from left). DCI Hunt wants the “scum” off of the streets of Manchester and uses methods that would be considered very questionable by today’s standards to achieve that end. Glenister claims that he based his portrayal of DCI Hunt on some of the legendary gruff managers in English soccer, like Nottingham Forest’s Brian Clough. To Glenister’s mind, those old-school soccer managers were the ultimate boss: They spoke, you listened. Period.
DI Tyler’s desire to return back to his life in the 21st century is complicated greatly by the burgeoning relationship with one of his 1973 colleagues, WPC Annie Cartwright. WPC Cartwright, portrayed by the wonderful Liz White (above, right), is one of the few women employed by the Greater Manchester Police, and she takes a good deal of sexist guff from her male colleagues on the job. A psychology major, WPC Cartwright is not sure what to make of Tyler. Liz White probably has the most beautiful eyes of any actress on television, and there are times that her portrayal of WPC Cartwright will absolutely break your heart. She is definitely a talent to keep your eyes on.
The first season of Life On Mars was really special. At times laugh-out-loud funny and quite moving at others, Life On Mars is television that is worth your time and will stay with you long after you’ve watched it. I can’t wait to see what transpires in the second season.
Further information on Life On Mars can be found at:
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/294/about2k.jsp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/
December 23, 2007 at 5:10 pm
It is a time dislocation of extraordinary magnitude.
July 19, 2008 at 9:37 am
i simply love this show.being brought up on a diet of cop shows like kojak,starsky and hutch,the sweeney,the bill and many others along with the time travel sci fi aspect,l o m is fabulous television.brilliantly scripted,with excellent casting,it is unmissable telly.the use of classic 70’s rock and pop as the soundtrack is another stroke of genius.the best show the bbc have made in a very long time.
July 19, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Thanks for the comment, Peter. As it turned out, I did really enjoy the second series of Life On Mars. The characters were really easy to connect with, and I was sad when the show concluded.
That said, I’m currently watching the DVD of Series 1 of the follow-up series, Ashes To Ashes. It is an excellent show in its own right. Moving the action to London of 1981 was a smart move on the part of the show’s creators.