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getbak · 11-14-2008, 09:29 PM

"Don't move. You're surrounded by armed bastards."

For my next pick, in the World category, Frozen TV Dinner is pleased to select, from the UK, courtesy the BBC, the original Life on Mars.

I'll admit, I had never heard of this series until last month when the US remake version began airing on ABC. I found it to be an interesting concept, and when I read many reviews praising the UK version, I "acquired" both of its 8 episode series.

At only 16 episodes total, the entire run of the UK version will be surpassed by the US remake before the end of this season (assuming it gets a full order). However, its short lifespan is one thing that makes the UK version so good, they didn't need to drag out the storyline for an extended, open-ended run.

The premise is certainly unique: Sam Tyler (John Simm) is a police detective in Manchester, England in 2006. During the course of an investigation, he is struck by a passing vehicle and knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he is in the same location, but his clothes and car are different and he finds that he appears to be living in the year 1973 (a time when he himself was 4 years old).

He returns to the police station that he works out of in 2006 and discovers that he was expected by the other detectives there as a new transfer from another district. In 2006, he had recently been promoted to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector, but in 1973, the station already has a DCI, Gene Hunt (played wonderfully by Philip Glenister).

Gene is definitely not a 21st Century cop. He's racist, sexist, and he isn't afraid to drink on the job. His tactics don't sit well with Sam, but they are effective. Also, together Sam and Gene have a strange chemistry that helps them solve the crimes they are confronted with each week.

Also in the mix in 1973 are the other detectives at the station, and Annie (the very cute Liz White), a young female officer who doesn't really have anyone's respect in the station. She may wear a uniform, but the most police work she gets to perform is consoling upset children. Being a "modern" man, Sam respects Annie and her skills, and eventually confides in her about his situation.

As the series progresses, Sam receives bits and pieces of information about what is happening back in 2006. As best he can figure out, he is in a coma in 2006, where his mother, girlfriend, and doctors are working to bring him back.

Because it had a definitive end-date, the series does have a satisfying conclusion (which I won't spoil here), which the US version will hopefully have as well. According to one of the clips I found on YouTube, the ending was named the best series ending of all time in the UK.

Here's a musical tribute to Gene (unfortunately, the music is too loud that you can't hear his lines some of the time)...

The character of Gene Hunt was so popular that a new series, called Ashes to Ashes, was commissioned. This time, the series had a female lead waking up unexpectedly in the 1980s. I haven't seen it yet, but the reviews were not so flattering.

11-14-2008, 09:29 PM	#482
getbak Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	"Don't move. You're surrounded by armed bastards." For my next pick, in the World category, Frozen TV Dinner is pleased to select, from the UK, courtesy the BBC, the original Life on Mars. I'll admit, I had never heard of this series until last month when the US remake version began airing on ABC. I found it to be an interesting concept, and when I read many reviews praising the UK version, I "acquired" both of its 8 episode series. At only 16 episodes total, the entire run of the UK version will be surpassed by the US remake before the end of this season (assuming it gets a full order). However, its short lifespan is one thing that makes the UK version so good, they didn't need to drag out the storyline for an extended, open-ended run. The premise is certainly unique: Sam Tyler (John Simm) is a police detective in Manchester, England in 2006. During the course of an investigation, he is struck by a passing vehicle and knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he is in the same location, but his clothes and car are different and he finds that he appears to be living in the year 1973 (a time when he himself was 4 years old). He returns to the police station that he works out of in 2006 and discovers that he was expected by the other detectives there as a new transfer from another district. In 2006, he had recently been promoted to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector, but in 1973, the station already has a DCI, Gene Hunt (played wonderfully by Philip Glenister). Gene is definitely not a 21st Century cop. He's racist, sexist, and he isn't afraid to drink on the job. His tactics don't sit well with Sam, but they are effective. Also, together Sam and Gene have a strange chemistry that helps them solve the crimes they are confronted with each week. Also in the mix in 1973 are the other detectives at the station, and Annie (the very cute Liz White), a young female officer who doesn't really have anyone's respect in the station. She may wear a uniform, but the most police work she gets to perform is consoling upset children. Being a "modern" man, Sam respects Annie and her skills, and eventually confides in her about his situation. As the series progresses, Sam receives bits and pieces of information about what is happening back in 2006. As best he can figure out, he is in a coma in 2006, where his mother, girlfriend, and doctors are working to bring him back. Because it had a definitive end-date, the series does have a satisfying conclusion (which I won't spoil here), which the US version will hopefully have as well. According to one of the clips I found on YouTube, the ending was named the best series ending of all time in the UK. Here's a musical tribute to Gene (unfortunately, the music is too loud that you can't hear his lines some of the time)... YouTube Video The character of Gene Hunt was so popular that a new series, called Ashes to Ashes, was commissioned. This time, the series had a female lead waking up unexpectedly in the 1980s. I haven't seen it yet, but the reviews were not so flattering. __________________ Turn up the good, turn down the suck! Last edited by getbak; 11-14-2008 at 09:59 PM.