It’s been nearly two years since Life on Mars ended its 16 episode run on BBC One. I, for one, have missed it. I gave the US remake a chance, but it paled in comparison, which is probably why ABC dumped it last week. Attempting to repackage the series’ unique genre-blending structure for American audiences proved to be a mistake. Oh well; no harm done. Luckily, our friends across the pond decided to produce a Life on Mars sequel. Ashes to Ashes premiered last night on BBC America. Despite a few hiccups, it looks like it could be a winner.
The series stars Keeley Hawes (MI-5) as DI Alex Drake, a psychological profiler living in 2008 with her daughter Molly. An opening hostage situation leads to Alex being kidnapped by a pale-faced stranger who claims to know her long deceased parents. After babbling incoherently, the criminal shoots Alex, which in turn ships her back to 1981, where she awakens on a party boat dressed as a hooker. Ahh… the ’80s – when there was a hooker on every corner. Pardon my nostalgia.
Warning! Warning! If you’ve never seen the original Life on Mars you may want to stop reading and attend to some overdue yard work. SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD!!
Before I carve into the meat of the debut episode, here’s some backstory. We learn in the opening scenes that Alex has been studying Sam Tyler’s file. Apparently, Sam died in April 2007 after being in a deep prolonged coma. Stamped across his photo is the word “suicide.” If you recall the last episode of the series, Sam jumped off the roof in order to return to 1973. I guess that’s why they labeled him a suicide. At any rate, Alex is well-versed in Sam’s time-traveling ramblings and therefore equipped to decipher her 1981 rewind, or so she thinks.
Alex joins a vice unit led by misogynistic son-of-a-bitch DCI, Gene Hunt. Philip Glenister reprises his role, as does Dean Andrews as Ray Carling and Marshall Lancaster as Chris Skelton. Together, the team of four work to uncover the identity of a big-time drug dealer. Alex tracks down the pale-faced stranger, a bloke named Arthur Layton, who she believes holds the key to getting back to 2008. Layton is the real kingpin, so she busts him. However, arresting him does nothing to alter her location. She’s still stuck in the decade of bad hair and worse music.
We also find out what became of Sam Tyler in the past. He was killed in a jewelry heist in 1980. Gene has not yet recovered from Sam’s death. On his office wall is a clipping about Sam’s funeral. I would gather his feelings about Sam’s passing will be revealed throughout the series. In all likelihood, while on a bender with Alex.
Thus far, the show captures the loud, awkward silliness of the ’80s perfectly. The writers/creators do their homework when it comes to depicting styles and trends. Life on Mars was a spot on representation of the hip, laid back ’70s. Ashes to Ashes looks and feels like an episode of The A-Team, done so on purpose I imagine. There’s even a scene where Gene, Ray and Chris (the “A-Team”) commandeer a speed boat and fire an Uzi at the bad guys. I kept waiting for Gene to utter, “I love it when a plan comes together.” I realize The A-Team didn’t hit the air until 1983; that’s why it’s amusing.
I was also happy to hear Gene’s signature off-color dialogue. After seeing Alex in her prostitute garb, he says, “If that skirt was any higher, I could see what you had for breakfast.” His response to Alex’s analytical detective techniques: “Where did you learn this hippie shit?” Gene Hunt never disappoints. The For Your Eyes Only poster hanging in his office was a nice touch too.
Overall, I’d give the initial installment a thumbs up. The beginning was choppy and Alex’s disorientation seemed a little forced, but I’ll pass it off as first episode jitters. I don’t anticipate the series being comparable to Life on Mars, so I’ll try to judge it on its own merits or faults. That being said, I’m looking forward to Ashes to Ashes, Saturday nights at 9pm on BBC America.
Clacked by Scott Tunstall 
on Mar 08, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
I enjoyed A to A – it was not as good as Series 1 of the British show, maybe not quite as good as Season 2, but way better than the US version. Just seeing Gene Hunt some more was worth it.
Fun Fact: Gene’s Quattro wasn’t actually released in the UK as Right hand drive until 1983.
But as for the show, it does get GREAT towards the end. I’ve seen all of the first series and I can’t wait.
I will say that I liked Life on Mars much more, but the ending really annoyed me.