I just finished watching Season 1 of Life on Mars and feel rather underwhelmed. Is this really one of the best TV shows of the last decade? Among the finest to have come out of the UK? Is it indeed Worthy of the praise heaped upon by critics and viewers alike? No, no and no. If you are not a TV connoisseur you'll certainly enjoy it. If you have time only for groundbreaking and innovative TV shows, then move along, folks, there is nothing to see here.
Probably the only original aspect of Life On Mars is its premise. DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm) has a traffic accident in 2006 and wakes up with a concussion 33 years early and one stripe short to DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister). "Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time?", he asks at the beginning of each episode. Yet, by the end of the second episode there are enough signposts to suggest that he is neither mad nor traveling in time. There goes the mystery! By the end of third episode, the hints are so obvious the story so formulaic that the only thrill left is to wait and see how the characters will react when they find out the butler (or someone similarly obvious) has done it again! There are a few dramatic moments but nothing fantastic. So which genre does it really belong to? I'd say it is comedy first, and everything else second. And a fairly average comedy at that.
The choice of 1973 for the setting is impeccable for it avoids the excessive familiarity in popular culture of both 1960s and the 1980s. Indeed, 1973 is probably the least conspicuous year in the least known decade since the Second World War. Any TV show set in that era could offer unique opportunities for a creative team provided that the elements of the era could skillfully be woven into what are essentially universal story lines. And nothing beats a good story that comes with a large dose of culture shock. A case in point is Deadwood. Another good example is Rome. One can even say Battlestar Galactica. Each of these examples brings out the most gritty aspects of the era it's set in.
In Life On Mars however one sees plenty of smoke and booze and paperwork and many characters wearing leather jackets and riding several old cars and mini-vans. (Is this meant to be 'The Streets of Manchester'?) Yet the grand sexism of the era is showcased very little. Racism is non-existent. I can't remember a single swear word spoken in all 8 episodes. Sure, the police are as rough with each other as they are with the suspects, but is this meant to be something unique to 1970s? A few details unique to the era have been captured perfectly well, however; such as the illegality at the time of porn film production and distribution.
The plot lines often seems quite unbelievable, like the supposedly "nerve-wracking" hostage situation in Episode 6. (How many times do they have to wrestle the hostage-taker who looks older than Tyler and Hunt combined?) The characters are mildly interesting, except for the officer-goons of a rival police department who truly deliver some comic relief to the screen. The acting, in most part, is very, very ordinary. They don't seem too ruffled even when looking down the barrel of a revolver. Reservoir dogs, they ain't either.
Watching Life On Mars has been an unsatisfying experience. Perhaps, I expected too much from it. If you lower your expectations you may well find it enjoyable. 7/10
Probably the only original aspect of Life On Mars is its premise. DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm) has a traffic accident in 2006 and wakes up with a concussion 33 years early and one stripe short to DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister). "Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time?", he asks at the beginning of each episode. Yet, by the end of the second episode there are enough signposts to suggest that he is neither mad nor traveling in time. There goes the mystery! By the end of third episode, the hints are so obvious the story so formulaic that the only thrill left is to wait and see how the characters will react when they find out the butler (or someone similarly obvious) has done it again! There are a few dramatic moments but nothing fantastic. So which genre does it really belong to? I'd say it is comedy first, and everything else second. And a fairly average comedy at that.
The choice of 1973 for the setting is impeccable for it avoids the excessive familiarity in popular culture of both 1960s and the 1980s. Indeed, 1973 is probably the least conspicuous year in the least known decade since the Second World War. Any TV show set in that era could offer unique opportunities for a creative team provided that the elements of the era could skillfully be woven into what are essentially universal story lines. And nothing beats a good story that comes with a large dose of culture shock. A case in point is Deadwood. Another good example is Rome. One can even say Battlestar Galactica. Each of these examples brings out the most gritty aspects of the era it's set in.
In Life On Mars however one sees plenty of smoke and booze and paperwork and many characters wearing leather jackets and riding several old cars and mini-vans. (Is this meant to be 'The Streets of Manchester'?) Yet the grand sexism of the era is showcased very little. Racism is non-existent. I can't remember a single swear word spoken in all 8 episodes. Sure, the police are as rough with each other as they are with the suspects, but is this meant to be something unique to 1970s? A few details unique to the era have been captured perfectly well, however; such as the illegality at the time of porn film production and distribution.
The plot lines often seems quite unbelievable, like the supposedly "nerve-wracking" hostage situation in Episode 6. (How many times do they have to wrestle the hostage-taker who looks older than Tyler and Hunt combined?) The characters are mildly interesting, except for the officer-goons of a rival police department who truly deliver some comic relief to the screen. The acting, in most part, is very, very ordinary. They don't seem too ruffled even when looking down the barrel of a revolver. Reservoir dogs, they ain't either.
Watching Life On Mars has been an unsatisfying experience. Perhaps, I expected too much from it. If you lower your expectations you may well find it enjoyable. 7/10