One of the problems I remember having after watching the first episode of the BBC version of Life on Mars was that I never felt that John Simm played Sam Tyler bad ass enough to be the top cop in Manchester. Jason O'Mara doesn't have that problem. You see him squaring off, going one one one with a suspect right away. In my opinion, this is one way the American LoM outdid it's British counterpart. Simm eventually won me over, but O'Mara gets off to a very good start in my book.
Sadly, I didn't think that Harvey Keitel was imposing enough as Gene Hunt when placed next to the turbo-charged American Sam Tyler. But here is where I think they could do something interesting. They're never going to satisfy all the fans of the BBC version if they keep following the exact storyline of the original. They could separate from the BBC version by shaking up the precinct one more time by bringing in a new lieutenant that's bigger and badder than even the British Gene Hunt. I know, it's heresy to suggest that Keitel isn't the tough guy he once was -- sorry.
Sam Tyler's knowledge of modern criminology must be set in contrast to the old school method of just cracking skulls. Since they have buffed up the American Sam, his foil needs to be someone that you could imagine knocking him out in one blow.
Sadly, I didn't think that Harvey Keitel was imposing enough as Gene Hunt when placed next to the turbo-charged American Sam Tyler. But here is where I think they could do something interesting. They're never going to satisfy all the fans of the BBC version if they keep following the exact storyline of the original. They could separate from the BBC version by shaking up the precinct one more time by bringing in a new lieutenant that's bigger and badder than even the British Gene Hunt. I know, it's heresy to suggest that Keitel isn't the tough guy he once was -- sorry.
Sam Tyler's knowledge of modern criminology must be set in contrast to the old school method of just cracking skulls. Since they have buffed up the American Sam, his foil needs to be someone that you could imagine knocking him out in one blow.