(This post is part of a series on the 14 Top TV Dramas
You've Never Seen)
We continue our countdown of The Top TV Dramas You’ve Never
Seen with Number 13, Life on Mars. I’m referring to the original UK series, not
the lackluster American remake.
Detective Sam Tyler (John Simm) has a near fatal car crash in 2007 and
wakes up in 1974. Is he dreaming? In a coma? Dead? Or is something else responsible?
Tyler has to solve the biggest mystery of his life while reprising his role as
a police detective in the politically incorrect racist and sexist 1970s. Tyler uses
his knowledge and techniques of the future to solve crimes in the past, as
viewers try to discern clues about his present dislodgement in time.
Philip Glenister steals the show as DCI (Detective Chief
Inspector) Gene Hunt, who views police brutality to be a job perquisite and
often clashes with Tyler, who calls him “an overweight, over-the-hill,
nicotine-stained, borderline alcoholic homophobe with a superiority complex and
an unhealthy obsession with male bonding.” Hunt takes it as a compliment. Tyler
favors forensic evidence and modern investigative techniques to Hunt’s
heavy-handed style. Still, the two develop a grudging mutual admiration and
friendship.
Most of Hunt’s witticisms are unprintable here, but these
may suffice: “If you were Pinocchio, you would have just poked my eye out!”.... “He's more nervous than a very small nun on
a penguin shoot.”.... “Drop your weapons!
You are surrounded by armed bastards!” When
Hunt orders a detective to arrest the landlord of the Trafford Arms, the
detective asks on what charge. "Think of something on the way," Hunt
replies. Later, he notes, "In a bizarre twist of fate, the landlord was
arrested this afternoon... on suspicion of cattle rustling."
The answer to Tyler’s time travel mystery isn’t revealed
until the finale of Ashes to Ashes, the sequel to Life on Mars, (yes, both
series titles come from David Bowie songs and his music can be heard throughout
the series). Ironically, Tyler does not appear in the sequel. I would include
this show on the Top TV Dramas list if for no other reason than the last
episode of Life on Mars (Season 2, episode 8). The last 20 minutes were the
most original, dramatic, emotional, and mind-blowing I've ever seen on
television. Even though it didn't completely answer the question that had nagged viewers for two seasons, it was riveting
drama.
[Spoiler] Tyler abandons his friends and lover amidst an ambush and
gun battle in 1973 in order to return to 2007. Sitting in a boring police procedural
meeting, someone points out he has cut his finger on his pen. He is surprised;
he hadn’t felt it. He recalls asking the bartender in 1973 how you know
something is real and his reply was you just feel it. Tyler bursts out of the
room, climbs the stairs and stands on the rooftop, breathing in the fresh air
and taking in the view of the city. His expression changes. He has made a
decision. He knows what he has to do. He runs. Toward the horizon, toward the
blue sky, until he nears the edge and then he leaps. The screen goes black. And
then… But why give it away? Watch the
series for yourself (make sure you watch the original U.K. version and not the American remake, which had a completely different ending).
Below, you'll find links to the show's listings at the Internet Movie Database, TV.com, an episode guide, a fan Web site, a clip from the series hosted on YouTube, and a link to purchase the DVDs on Amazon. The clip I've chosen is from the finale and takes place after Tyler has returned to the present and it ends five minutes short of the conclusion of the series.
Below, you'll find links to the show's listings at the Internet Movie Database, TV.com, an episode guide, a fan Web site, a clip from the series hosted on YouTube, and a link to purchase the DVDs on Amazon. The clip I've chosen is from the finale and takes place after Tyler has returned to the present and it ends five minutes short of the conclusion of the series.
No comments:
Post a Comment