Alone in Time
Is there really Life on Mars?
Or something close to it? That’s the question the recent BBC foray into cop shows ask when it was premiered in England. Not only is it a gritty cop show that oozes with male chauvinism, but the time-traveling factor throws the whole thing off-kilter. Yet nothing stands in the way of good writing which sets this show apart from the likes of other regular cop shows.
For one, there’s the science fiction elements that makes it one step ahead of other cop shows that hit the air. John Simm plays Detective Chief Inspector Sam Tyler in a modern day England tracking down a killer. In the process of the investigation, Sam Tyler gets hit by a car in a brutal accident that sends him to a coma. Or is it a coma? Perhaps something more devious.
He wakes up in 1973 complete with exaggerated shirt collars and bell bottoms. The people of 1973 has a different language as they don’t even know what a mobile phone. They might as well be from Mars. But the character Simm plays is determined, forceful.
He’ll do whatever is right and by the book. He’s the modern day cop set out to do everything within the law. But the cultural clash between himself and the police tactics differ greatly. It’s like night and day. Black and white. There’s a huge chasm between him and the rest of the police department. He is a prisoner of time. Or perhaps a captive of his own inertia.
Back in 2006, John Simm’s character seems bland, almost lifeless. He is like a cardboard character. But in 1973, everything is far more lively. He becomes more explosive, filled with rage, fire, his emotions erupting.
It’s hard to know if this is real or a dream. Or vice-versa. Much like that song by the Beatles “A Day in the Life.” Where the dream and reality remain interchangeable. Is John Simm playing someone in a coma or has he truly found a doorway back in time. Will he be able to change his life?
I managed to see this series via DVD when ordered out of England as it was the only way I would see it. But I haven’t seen hide or tail of it here on the shelves in the United States. That’s too bad. As I find this particular cop show to be interesting, filled with a good sense of humor.
The writing is pretty damn good. Intelligent, witty. It doesn’t insult the viewer. Instead it takes you by the hand as it pulls you through 1973 in the eyes of the main character. The series really does revolve around Sam Tyler. His world. And how he deals with it.
The rest of the cast ensemble is excellent. Another sampling of how an entire crew of people can really help bring the show to another level. The fellow who plays the DCI of 1973 Gene Hunt is full of gusto, a very rowdy, violent cop. He charges in a situation with a spirit of a British bulldog. But he believes in what he is doing is right. He and Sam Tyler lock horns a-plenty in season one. They punch each other out. Hunt plays dirty. Played to perfection by Phillip Glenister.
Though I'll bet on Tyler winning the fight any time. You'll eventually see why after seaon one.
Liv White plays Annie Cartwright who is a female on the police department, often ignored and not used for special cases. But she really lifts a scene with human spirit. She is the focus of the group. She is highly intelligent. That could be a dangerous thing for a woman in the 1970s. The rest of the crew is equally great. And you learn more about them in season one and two.
Then there's John Simm.
Every scene involves him in some way or form. He is the center of the show. And he acts with brilliance. You'll see him again in the final episodes of the Doctor Who series this year.
The soundtrack in Life on Mars evokes a lot of the past, bringing forth the spirit of the 1970s. It’s great stuff. You find yourself drowning in the lovely sounds created by the essential bands of the 1970s such as the Who. You hear Elton John playing in the background which carves a cultural background for the series. Of course, there’s David Bowie with the ghostly, enchanted piano mix and guitar riffs in Life on Mars that plays on the radio.
Life on Mars is a rare treat on television. There’s a self-contained story in the first season which you can follow through. But you find that Sam is still locked into his own battle within himself and the rest of the world around him. So he finds a home in the 1970s. Maybe it’s a contemporary stay. Or has he found residence within his insanity as he hears voices from the future? The series hits hard with a dramatic edge as one learns more about Sam and his out-of-time journey. Life on Mars is worth taking a look at.
Or something close to it? That’s the question the recent BBC foray into cop shows ask when it was premiered in England. Not only is it a gritty cop show that oozes with male chauvinism, but the time-traveling factor throws the whole thing off-kilter. Yet nothing stands in the way of good writing which sets this show apart from the likes of other regular cop shows.
For one, there’s the science fiction elements that makes it one step ahead of other cop shows that hit the air. John Simm plays Detective Chief Inspector Sam Tyler in a modern day England tracking down a killer. In the process of the investigation, Sam Tyler gets hit by a car in a brutal accident that sends him to a coma. Or is it a coma? Perhaps something more devious.
He wakes up in 1973 complete with exaggerated shirt collars and bell bottoms. The people of 1973 has a different language as they don’t even know what a mobile phone. They might as well be from Mars. But the character Simm plays is determined, forceful.
He’ll do whatever is right and by the book. He’s the modern day cop set out to do everything within the law. But the cultural clash between himself and the police tactics differ greatly. It’s like night and day. Black and white. There’s a huge chasm between him and the rest of the police department. He is a prisoner of time. Or perhaps a captive of his own inertia.
Back in 2006, John Simm’s character seems bland, almost lifeless. He is like a cardboard character. But in 1973, everything is far more lively. He becomes more explosive, filled with rage, fire, his emotions erupting.
It’s hard to know if this is real or a dream. Or vice-versa. Much like that song by the Beatles “A Day in the Life.” Where the dream and reality remain interchangeable. Is John Simm playing someone in a coma or has he truly found a doorway back in time. Will he be able to change his life?
I managed to see this series via DVD when ordered out of England as it was the only way I would see it. But I haven’t seen hide or tail of it here on the shelves in the United States. That’s too bad. As I find this particular cop show to be interesting, filled with a good sense of humor.
The writing is pretty damn good. Intelligent, witty. It doesn’t insult the viewer. Instead it takes you by the hand as it pulls you through 1973 in the eyes of the main character. The series really does revolve around Sam Tyler. His world. And how he deals with it.
The rest of the cast ensemble is excellent. Another sampling of how an entire crew of people can really help bring the show to another level. The fellow who plays the DCI of 1973 Gene Hunt is full of gusto, a very rowdy, violent cop. He charges in a situation with a spirit of a British bulldog. But he believes in what he is doing is right. He and Sam Tyler lock horns a-plenty in season one. They punch each other out. Hunt plays dirty. Played to perfection by Phillip Glenister.
Though I'll bet on Tyler winning the fight any time. You'll eventually see why after seaon one.
Liv White plays Annie Cartwright who is a female on the police department, often ignored and not used for special cases. But she really lifts a scene with human spirit. She is the focus of the group. She is highly intelligent. That could be a dangerous thing for a woman in the 1970s. The rest of the crew is equally great. And you learn more about them in season one and two.
Then there's John Simm.
Every scene involves him in some way or form. He is the center of the show. And he acts with brilliance. You'll see him again in the final episodes of the Doctor Who series this year.
The soundtrack in Life on Mars evokes a lot of the past, bringing forth the spirit of the 1970s. It’s great stuff. You find yourself drowning in the lovely sounds created by the essential bands of the 1970s such as the Who. You hear Elton John playing in the background which carves a cultural background for the series. Of course, there’s David Bowie with the ghostly, enchanted piano mix and guitar riffs in Life on Mars that plays on the radio.
Life on Mars is a rare treat on television. There’s a self-contained story in the first season which you can follow through. But you find that Sam is still locked into his own battle within himself and the rest of the world around him. So he finds a home in the 1970s. Maybe it’s a contemporary stay. Or has he found residence within his insanity as he hears voices from the future? The series hits hard with a dramatic edge as one learns more about Sam and his out-of-time journey. Life on Mars is worth taking a look at.
posted by K.M. Paters at 10:24 AM
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