Is There Life on Mars? (Life On Mars: Complete BBC Series 2 (DVD))

Member Name: MizzMolko

Product:	Life On Mars: Complete BBC Series 2 (DVD)
Date:	10/04/08 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fab acting, scripts and characters

Disadvantages: Some obscure 70's references

The second series of the critically acclaimed Kudos/BBC drama made it's epic return on February 13th 2007. Being hooked by the edgy characters and fascinating storylines of the first series, I was under no circumstances positive that I would be watching the follow up.

Back story:
The first series of 'Life On Mars' created a new twist in the sometimes generic world of cop shows, crossing genres with sci-fi and comedy elements to make a memorable package.

Starting out with twenty-first century cop Sam Tyler, a bloke that prides himself on being politically correct and playing 'by the book', his whole world is soon turned upside down after a car accident in 2006.

From then on, the now DI Tyler is forced to play by the back handed rules, ending up in Manchester 1973, when he thought he was just four years old! However, the main question that keeps the viewer hooked each week is the almost rhetorical question in the opening credits. Sam, played wonderfully by John Simm, cries; 'Am I mad? In a coma? Or back in time? Whatevers happeneds, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, if I can find out the reason, maybe I can get home.'

Characters:
The second series also helped to evolve or in some cases, make the characters stay the same as they were in the first series. Sam and Boss Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) at the very beginning of series one, were constantly at logger heads, the battle for superiority over logic vs instinct. Although there is conflict throughout the cause of the second series, tension particularly high in episode three, the duo also are portrayed as extremely good friends, demonstrated to the bitter end of episode seven.

This partnership alone is one of the main reasons to watch 'Life On Mars'; the chemistry that John and Philip share is phenomenal, their timing so in sync with each other, it is very captivating to watch and to see unfold through out each episode. Whilst Gene is often seen as just the funny, overbearingly sarcastic drunk, Glenister manages to portray him in such a vulnerable, likeable way it is hard not to feel sympathy in some situations.

Sam's relationship with Annie (Liz White) gets a lot heavier too. During series one, it is plain to see that the pair are more than a little attracted to one another, Sam often defending Annie when she is the ridicule of seventies sexism ('Give a girl a gun and she'll complain it doesn't match her outfit!', claims the astute Hunt). This couple works incredibly well too, not only by the performances of both actors but of the well written plots; there are a lot of twists and turns through out and 'will they or won't they' get together scenarios, but the producers really kept you hanging on with this one.

The relationship with Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) and Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) haven't changed all that much, Chris still the dimwit of the show with Ray still irritated that Sam stole his promotion spot in series one. I think that it works with them two characters not changing because although they have been in contact with Sam, his opinions really haven't rubbed off too much on them, (despite his influence on Chris and 'MULTI-TASKING') as he is mainly in scenes with Gene and Annie, it makes sense that his relationship with them two went a step further than in the original series.

Despite John Simm and Philip Glenister being the real stars of the show, all of the other characters and their actors portrayals of them were essential in bringing a little more out of each storyline and creating a little more friction to the plots. None of them are without their merit.

Episodes:
Personally, I felt that all episodes of series two were very strong, possibly stronger than series one; I felt that the relationships between the characters were a lot more defined and I think the writers had a lot more confidence in exploring some of the major social issues of the 1970's, racism being the main example.

Episode 1 - They're back! Brilliant first episode to re-aquanaut with the lovable cast. Tyler's own boundaries of 'playing it by the book' are put to the test in 1973 as he fears his life support system is being fiddled with in 2006. Fearing it is the same man in both eras he failed to out about in the twenty first century, Sam goes to any length in order to stop them.

Best quote - 'Good work Raymondo, I'm bumping you back up to DS...this time it will stand for Detective Sergeant instead of Dog S***!' (Gene Hunt).

Marks out of 10: 9 - a brilliant way to get us back into the swing. 1973 style!

Episode 2 - A blast from Sam's future enters the world of 1973; his black mentor comes to town, the theme of racism entering the plot. However, the gang have bigger things to worry about when a suspect who Sam, Ray and Chris were taking back to the station for question gets away!

Best quote - 'Don't move, you're surrounded by armed b******s!' (Gene Hunt)

Marks out of 10: 8 - another great swerve hits the screen!

Episode 3 - Ray and Sam's childish rivalry hits breaking point when DC Carling nearly gets killed in a suspected IRA car bomb explosion. Yet, back in the twenty first century, it may seem that Sam is suffering some form of brain damage but in his new retro life style, can he convince his colleagues that the IRA were not responsible?

Best quote - 'It's not about impressing anybody, you moron!' (Sam Tyler to Ray Carling)

Marks out of 10: 8.5 - another solid episode, helping to progress the plot in both centuries.

Episode 4 - Sam and Annie, posing as Tony and Cherie Blair, are soon thrusted into the under cover lifestyle once again, trying to catch a killer at his own game at a seedy party. However, things soon get a little more than out of hand...

Best quote - (Gene) What do you think I spend my time doing here, Tyler?
(Sam - sarcastically, under his breath) Building a death star?

Marks out of 10: 9 - A strong episode pushing Sam and Annie's relationship further in a very amusing and meaningful way.

Episode 5 - Having taken an overdose in 2006, Sam can't control his illness in 1973. With a girl and her Mother kidnapped and with the team one man down, it is left nearly entirely up to Annie to solve the crime. But can the recently promoted DC do so?

Best quote - 'I can just about handle you, driving like a p***** up crack head and treating women like beanbags. But I'm going to say this once, and once only Gene. Stay OUT of Camberwick Green!' (Sam Tyler)

Marks out of 10: 11! - Honestly, probably my favourite episode of all time! Brilliantly produced and the Camberwick Green feature is something you can watch time and time again!

Episode 6 - Heroin has started to become a huge problem on the streets of Manchester. Meeting his twenty-first century girlfriends Mum whilst pregnant, Sam has a tough time in this episode, political correctness shown to have come a long, long way.

Best quote - (Sam, justifying his feelings for Mixed Race Maya) 'Because I loved her!'
(Gene) 'You great...soft...sissy...girlie...nancy...French...b ender...Man United supporting POOF!'

Marks out of 10: 8 - Probably seen by myself as the weakest episode in the series, it did however bring you up to date with the whole Maya and Sam relationship, prompting important business in the 70's.

Episode 7 - Uh oh - DCI Gene Hunt is in the frame for the murder of a man he was seen yelling 'I'll bloody kill you!' at a few hours previously. With his squad hastily deserting him, Sam stays loyal, helping the Guv in an attempt to clear his name. But can DI Tyler come through for the Gene Genie?

Best quote - 'Listen, you're not the one who's going to have to knit himself a new arse after 25 years of aggressive male affective in prison showers, I'm coming with you!' (Gene Hunt)

Marks out of 10: 9.5 - With a guest appearance of Tufty the squirrel, this episode helps to solidify the friendship between Sam and Gene in a very logic, heartfelt way. Beautiful acting.

Episode 8 - With new DCI Morgan telling Sam he can help get him home, and with another sticky situation soon proving too much for Manchester's finest coppers, does Tyler return home in peace, finally finding out the truth as to why he was really in 1973? Or does he think too deeply yet again?

Best quote - (Ray) I met a bird, a medical bird.
(Sam) Called nurses.
(Ray) Big t*ts, arse like two cox's pippins in a bag.
(Sam) She sounds enigmatic.
(Ray) No, she's from Barnsley.

Marks out of 10: 10.5 - a tear jerking finale that may have been left a bit too ambiguous for some people's liking. None the less, a brilliantly crafted piece of British television.

Extras:
All four of the series two disks contain extras of some sort. My favourites have been the return of Life On Mars, a detailed look at how the show was made from the eyes of the writers, cast and crew as well as the making of Episode 3's car bomb explosion. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any audio commentaries like with the first series as I found them very insightful and entertaining to listen to. Good value for money in terms of extras though.

Packaging and ease of use:
The box set looked a little too familiar to that of series one, the main difference being that it was blue instead of brown! Still, don't judge a DVD by it's cover and you'll be fine! Sticking with the same, cool CGI format of the Police office as the series one box set, the DVD plays well as is relatively easy to use.

Over all:
Take my advice; book yourself a few days off work - or school - buy the DVD and watch it religiously. You'll have the time of your life and never EVER regret it!

Possibly British television's finest sixteen hours!

(Originally displayed a long, long time ago by myself as MizzMolko on Ciao).

Summary: One of the best postmodern British dramas to date!