Last week I stated, pretty vehemently, that the mysterious person we saw on the phone in that episode was Detective Skelton. After seeing last night’s episode — which is finally in its proper order, by the way — I’m not so sure anymore.
If the writers for Life on Mars have things planned out such that Skelton turns out to be behind some sort of Russian time displacement experiment, they’re really making this guy out to be someone we’d never, ever suspect. Well, other than the fact that the Aries Project guy last week sure looked a lot like him, from what we saw.
Let’s assume for now that Skelton’s working for the Reds. Wouldn’t it be a bit of a stretch for him to feign being a complete fanboy for Sebastian Grace, just in the name of keeping his cover? I guess it’s possible he really is a fan, but he’s taking it one step too far. Were Russians particular fans of glam rock back in the day?
What draws me back to suspecting Skelton, from this episode, was him handing Sam the Saint Christopher necklace and why he thought Sam should have it. Was that a little hint of “I know what you’re really going through, so without telling you too much, take this?” If we find out later that Skelton is a part of the Aries Project, that scene would certainly make sense. Also, Skelton’s first name is Christopher, so who the hell knows — no wonder Sam has to go back to his mirror-o’-possibilities to mull them over from time to time!
One last tidbit, which could mean nothing at all. Jonathan Murphy, who plays Skelton, is the only cast member on the show’s IMDb page who has the most episodes listed under his credit, at 13. But we all know how reliable IMDb can be.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Feb 12, 2009 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
That episode last week that had someone who looked suspiciously like Skelton on the phone with the voice changer also had a quick snipped of dialogue from our mystery man sans voice changer. I think what was said was, “Got it?” or something like that to the person operating the tape recorder. While it was very brief, it really didn’t sound like Chris at all. I know it could still be him, but based only on that I have swung into the “not Skelton” camp.
I do not like where this program is headed, at all. All of the magic that made the UK version compelling is gone. I don’t “feel” anything from Sam. I was totally on board in accepting a remake of that brilliant series. I was open to seeing where else they could take it; some place different than in the original. Now I can barely force myself to watch.
I’d love to hear if anyone who watched the original is left watching, and what they think. I feel like they are trying to make this into Lost or the X-Files with all the conspiracy ideas and stories that seem to lack a destination. I’m disappointed.
That said, I cannot think of a reason that it should or could be Skelton, so I have to vote no.
I watched the original, which was awesome but I’m still watching this & enjoying it as a completely different thing.
For me, the UK version was great mainly because of the references to the UK (where I am) from not too long before I was born (which my parents tell me was fairly accurate)
This version is fun, and although it took a few episodes for me to get used to the characters being the ‘same but different’ I think it’s shaping up to be pretty cool.
As for the voice, I have no idea either
I never watched the original, but I love this show. I don’t have anything to compare it to, so thats why its so good.
Well, of course Russians were quite a fan of rock music. Not like they orchestrated in every culture they ruled that man can’t have long hair, and if they did they were just as much harrassed as hippies in the US. Ironically, there was a short period in 1968-69 where the East Block had playing with the idea of having Beatles over here, utilizing the hippi counterculture as an example against “chauvinist, imperalist oppressors” but they discarded the idea. The main reason was that with the appearing of RAF and Black Panthers, the same old ideologists placed this contradicting ideas as “perverted ways” of the same capitalist system.
Music was state controlled everywhere, even placing an LP took 5 years only if the committee didn’t changed their minds. After 1968 the Sovietunion changed tactics and instead of interning they expelled unwanted citizens, “alternatively thinkers” mostly.
As for the cover on the Aries project. I’m still more prone of thinking that it was a Soviet project that as usual got cancelled and/or its leader defected (like the guy said he did) and the CIA took over. Let’s not forget in this timeframe we are before the FBI/CIA separation act, and if a cop wasn’t Serpico they were either corrupt or undercover agents for the goverment (Nixon was an almost Orwellian ruler, but that’s no news).
And if the writers really would think this up as a Soviet super plan, that would leave me with the sad conclusion that they know how to make a neet looking Russian document, but don’t know anything about the people they once opposed.
P.S.: In reality there was a CIA spy of Chinese origin who was awarded by Nixon himself only to be revealed he was a double agent all along