Life on Mars (UK)

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BBC (ended 2007)
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Welcome to the Life on Mars guide at TV.com. A detective chief inspector from 2006 is investigating a serial killer when he is knocked over by a speeding car. Waking up, he finds himself apparently in 1973. Is he mad, in a coma, or has he travelled back in time? Initially struggling to come to terms with his situation, Sam Tyler has to come to terms with the old-fashioned technology and attitudes of the day, convinced that, if he can find out how he came to be trapped in the past, he can find the way home. The actor John Simm described the show as "a cross between Back to the Future and The Sweeney". It makes effective use of the disorientation of the unwitting time-traveller while taking a post-modern romp through 1970s fashions and technologies, with due tribute paid to the classic police dramas of the day, to fashion a truly unique programme. A sequel series, Ashes to Ashes, followed in 2008.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 2 :  Ep 8 Aired 4/10/07
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S 2 :  Ep 7 Aired 4/3/07
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S 2 :  Ep 6 Aired 3/27/07
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S 2 :  Ep 5 Aired 3/20/07
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S 2 :  Ep 4 Aired 3/13/07
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Fan Reviews (61)

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  • Fantasy sci-fi cop show. Present day Manchester DCI Sam Tyler gets to meet his 1973 counterpart.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By molfluon, May 03, 2009
    Mad, mad idea. Quite original but derived from shows like Quantum Leap and Back To The Future. It's a real testament to the acting and script that although the basic plot is so silly you sit back and enjoy it so much.

    Sam Tyler a modern CSI style techno cop is having problems with his girlfriend who happens to be a fellow member of the team he leads. Not only that he seems dissatisfied with his job and to cap it all said g/f has now been abducted by the serial killer he's presently hunting. Distracted by frustration and tearfulness he inadvertently wanders in the path of a speeding car and suffers a head injury which puts him in a coma. From Sam's point of view however he's been transported 33 years into the past, been demoted to DI and gets frequent visions of what's happening to him whilst he's lying on his hospital bed back in the future. Or at least that's one of the options he's exploring. Could be that he's hallucinating the whole thing. There's no way to know.

    After a memorable first meeting with his new 1973 colleagues involving violence and an offer to cover up a possible drink driving offence on his part he finds out that the case they're presently working on is most likely the same guy he was after in the future. Confused? Try watching the pilot episode. It tells the tale much better than I ever could.moreless

  • Great story of the adventured of Sam Tyler

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By mrsfleeshman, Jan 03, 2009
    Life on Mars follows Sam Tyler as he tried to get home to the 21st century after waking up in 1973 when he is hit by a car. He is a police officer in Manchester who finds himself working with Gene Hunt, the complete opposite of the modern police man that Sam tries to be. Initially, he struggles with the situation and there are some great comedy moments as Sam and Gene get their wires crossed and disagree about the right course of action.
    The star of the show, for me, is Gene Hunt, who is played absolutely perfectly by Philip Glenister. Gene is a drinking, smoking, un-PC detective and still we love him for it!moreless

  • A detective chief inspector from 2006 is investigating a serial killer when he is knocked over by a speeding car. Waking up, he finds himself apparently in 1973. Is he mad, in a coma, or has he travelled back in time?moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By robbjj, Oct 07, 2008
    Right from the start this show grabs you. And keeps you interest. Is he nuts? Is he in a Coma? I can not imagine the American show even being close to as good. Half way through the first episode I was in love with Liz White, and wanted to spend the rest of the day watching the series. Each character on the team is fascinating and worth knowing more about. It is so fun and almost decadent.
    And god i hope ABC at least uses the David Bowie song...Life on Mars with out Life on mars whould be pretty lame.moreless

  • Astonishing!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Android2020, Sep 21, 2008
    The first time I saw Life on Mars I had some doubt but then after the first 3 episodes I was hooked. This show tell the story of Sam Tyler a cop who had a car accident in the present day and traveled back in time in 1973. Everything in this show will suddenly get you back in 1973, cars, places, musics, characters, costumes (you even got coppers with long mustache), all the details are perfectly tuned furthermore the plot its great, it isn't the basic time travel plot neither the classic 'cop show'. 10 out of 10 Watch it.moreless

  • Excellent retro-influenced cop show, with sterling performances from everyone involved - cast and crew. Even if you weren't there in the seventies, you'll love it anyway.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Lady_B1983, Apr 12, 2008
    The show is about DCI Sam Tyler who is somehow transported from super-contemporary Manchester back to 1973 and the old-school policing of Gene Hunt and his unit. All he has to do is bide his time until he works out how to get home...

    The best thing I've seen in years: excellent concept, excellent execution and wonderful heart. The level of detail is also remarkable and it has a fantastic sense of style.

    While it is near inconceivable for me to admit anyone couldn't like this show, I guess I should warn you that it is extremely British in places and some of the references could be a little obscure to an international audience.

    To conclude: very British but that's what makes it great.moreless
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Drama, Science Fiction

Themes

blatant misogyny, corruption, fish out of water, gunfights, illegal activities

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