Was Sam mad, in a coma, or back in time - I still don't know (Life On Mars: Complete BBC Series 2 (DVD))

Member Name: Benjiboo

Product:	Life On Mars: Complete BBC Series 2 (DVD)
Date:	20/09/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny

Disadvantages: This great show was too short

This is the second and final series of the crime drama produced for the BBC. It is 15 rated, 8 episodes long and each episode is approximately 53 minutes. It contains some strong language and some offensive references.

Please also see my review of the first season for a fuller explanation.

This continues the story from the first season with Sam Tyler still living in 1973 working as DI in the Manchester police department. The format has not changed from the first season: the main characters, actors and the format are the same. Each week Sam and the team - Gene, Annie, Ray and Chris - investigate a different crime ranging from wages robberies to suspected IRA bombings to drugs and murder. Each episode also contains more "twilight zone" goings-on about Sam's actual condition as to whether he is "mad, in a coma, or back in time".

As this is the final series I am glad they kept the same format because if it isn't broke don't fix it. They have not tried to pack too much in but have instead concentrated on developing the established story and characters. In developing these characters we get to see more emotion and vulnerability especially from those we don't usually see it from: Gene, Ray and Chris. This is a good balance with the light-heartedness of their usual roles. We also get to see the seemingly flawless Sam make mistakes resulting in sometimes series consequences.

At the end of the first episode there is a crucial little teaser dropped in which gives us a little insight into Sam's situation - this is well placed and helps to keep you interested. At the end of the series we do find out what Sam's hazy visions of running through a forest are about. In the final episode there is a good twist but I was still not entirely sure what had happened to Sam. Some would argue that this ambiguity is good as it leaves you thinking and others would argue not getting a definitive answer after two series is rather frustrating. I was happy with the ending - it left me with a smile.

One reason it can be argued that this is better than the first series is that I found it to be much funnier. The writing has improved and there are some great one-liners and repartee that had me in stitches. I've included some of these below.


Chris: Boss? Bloody hell, you look like something out of the Addam's Family.
Sam: Up all night.
Chris: Oh aye. What was her name?
Sam: Migraine.
Chris: German bird?
--------------------
Gene: The rules go like this; you're my officer, you do as I say!
Sam: I was following my instincts...
Gene: Well, I should charge your instincts with wasting police time!
--------------------
Sam: It's called surveillance.
Gene: Doesn't sound very manly.
--------------------
Chris: What's a vol-au-vent?
Ray: It's a puff pastry shell filled with a savoury meat mixture.
Chris: So its a pie then.
--------------------
[The show opens with the introduction to Camberwick Green]
Camberwick Green Narrator: This is a box. A magical box, playing a magical tune. But inside this box, there lies a surprise. Do you know who's in it today? [A toy version of Sam appears] It's Sam Tyler! Hello, Sam.
[Toy Sam waves]
Camberwick Green Narrator: How are you today?
[Toy Sam puts his head in his hands]
Camberwick Green Narrator: Oh dear. Not very happy. Is it Gene Hunt?
[Toy Sam nods]
Camberwick Green Narrator: Is he kicking in a nonce?
[Toy Sam points - cut to a toy version of Gene Hunt, beating up another toy in a dark alley. Toy Gene and the nonce wave to the camera, then Gene hits the other toy repeatedly with a dustbin lid]
--------------------
Sam: I think we need to explore whether this attempted murder was a hate crime.
Gene: What as opposed to one of those I-really-really-like-you sort of murders?

Summary: A great follow up to the first season, even funnier, you must see it.