ABC
(Season 1, Episode 3)
Life on Mars is showing that it’s not going to pull many punches (no pun intended) when it comes to how the ’70s are portrayed, and this episode was a prime example of that. And Sam is finding, more often, that he’s going to have to adjust his own way of thinking to accommodate for those not ready for 2008.
I’m sure we all wondered since the first episode when Sam would eventually happen upon his younger self. You could see it was going to happen as soon as Sam mentioned going to a Knicks game with his dad during the finals. I like that we got that out of the way so early in the series, though I’m sure it’s not the last we’ll be seeing of young Sam.
The scene with the Maharishi was one I had to go through a few times to make any sense of it. I think I even pulled on my face with my palms like Sam did at one point. I recall when reading about the U.K. series that there was a point when Sam had to wonder if 1973 was the reality and 2008 was made up in his mind. I’m not sure how he or anyone watching this could think this is a possibility, when he’s rattling off facts about the future. Though I do have a theory on that I’ll mention later.
What is curious, however, is his memories about what he’d find in the loose baseboard in his old home. Instead of G.I. Joes, he finds a girl’s photo and toys in a box. At first I thought this might be Maya’s stuff he found, but I have no idea how old she’s supposed to be. I don’t believe Maya’s supposed to be older than Sam, and that girl seemed older than four.
Here’s something I hadn’t considered before with what’s going on with Sam. If 1973 is the reality, and 2008 is an illusion, it’s certainly possible that the writers could be telling us: “What makes you think the show’s 2008 is our 2008?” What I mean is, what if Rock Hudson really isn’t gay in Sam’s 2008? What if Soylent Green really isn’t people?
As the episode ended, we heard the sound of a heartbeat when Sam saw his child self walk by and look back at him. In past episodes, we heard clear hospital machine noises, so a heartbeat could mean just about anything really. To me, it means he’s very much alive and not visiting this world in any sort of purgatory or hell.
Last crazy tidbit from this episode: It appears Sam invented the word “gaydar.”
Songs from this episode:
Tommy James & The Shondells – “Sweet Cherry Wine”
Dusty Springfield – “Just a Little Lovin'”
Marmalade – “Reflections of My Life”
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Oct 24, 2008 @ 03:00 EST5EDT
The first episode of this series left me wondering whether what I just watched was brilliant or maybe the opposite but I found myself wanting to see more. I put my finger on why I am feeling good about the series and it’s the parallels to another series from long ago that the critics bashed early too. Maybe it’s just me but doesn’t this series remind you of Quantum Leap? Both heros trapped in time trying to find their way back home. For both the key to find their way home lies in discovering why they are there in the first place. In both that key seems to be in their being the right person at the right time in the right place to effect the lives of another at that persons time of crisis and in so doing they get closer to to their own quest. At the end of each episode in both everyone around them is better for their being there, more enlightened, more at peace, more understanding. A lot under the surface of both series, “we’re all put here for a purpose”, “why are we here?”.
I’ve read critics blast it but I’m looking forward to more and I’m sure it’s underlying theme will win over more and more viewers.