Life On Mars

The Man Who Sold the World

Season 1, Episode 7, Aired 11/20/08

Episode Summary

Sam Tyler learns his father may be involved in the kidnapping of a prominent family's child. As Sam and the detectives investigate the case, he realizes he may have discovered why his father had left town in 1973. As buried memories of his childhood begin to surface, Sam believes he might have been sent back in time to help his father and to prevent him from leaving.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Jason O'Mara

Detective Sam Tyler
Harvey Keitel

Lt. Gene Hunt
Michael Imperioli

Detective Ray Carling

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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A great episode.

10

"Perfect"

By tedwilliams406, Nov 26, 2008 Report Abuse

Love this show. Always loved any type of "time travel." This episode was very well done and helps with the mystery of why Sam is back in 1973. Why are they going off until Jan 28 for any new episodes ???
And will we ever find out WHY and WHEN this season. Will Sam regain his 2008 life.....and it would make a great final episode to return and then see the fellow detectives (retired...or dead) and say "see, I told you so, I wasn't crazy, I did go back(to 1973) and see their reaction. Be a great way to end the season but I guess it would then end the series.
This is one of the BEST new series this year!!!moreless

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10

"Perfect"

By Nikkles, Nov 21, 2008 Report Abuse

So, this review might give the episode way a bit and have a few spoilers, so if you've not seen the show you might not want to continue. This episode is absolutely pivotal to the show. We learn that Sam's Dad is not just gray but out and out bad. This show is very why is Sam in 1973 heavy, but its done very well in this episode as we actually work at the mystery rather than musing on it. For all these reasons this is a really good episode. The ending is really creepy however. What could be in the basement? Hopefully not Sam's mangled father, as I think it is bad enough being shot by your father without having to find his dead body. A really great episode of a great show.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Lee Tergesen and Dean Winters both appeared on Oz for six seasons, while director Darnell Martin worked with both actors in the show's first season. Edit
- The flash of a woman running through the woods in a red dress was first seen in "Out Here in the Fields" (the first episode) just after Sam was hit by the car, but before he wakes up in 1973. Edit
Notes
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- Music: "Everything I Own" by Bread "Reelin' in the Years" by Steely Dan "Life on Mars" by David Bowie "Spaceman" by Harry Nilsson Edit
- This episode takes its title from the David Bowie song "The Man Who Sold the World." The song is the title track of his third album, which was released in the U.S. in November 1970 and in the UK in April 1971. It was later re-released in 1973 as the B side for Bowie's "Life on Mars?" single. Edit
Quotes
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- Sam: Wait, he's missing eyes, ears and a nose. Chris: And hands and tongue. You can't see it in that photo. Sam: Ugh-h-h. Lee Crocker: Word on the street. The Pignatos wanted it known if you cross them, you have violated one of their five senses. They retaliate symbolically. Edit
- Sam: You're missing the point. Maybe this is the reason why I'm here. To figure out what happened to my family … and to prevent my father from leaving. Annie: Are you saying that that filthy kidnapper is your father? Sam: That's exactly what I'm saying … Happy Birthday to me. Edit
Allusions
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