Life on Mars

[Anthony G Williams]

I haven't been able to find any previous reference to a British TV serial, Life on Mars, which has just finished its second (and last) eight-programme series.

It is about a present-day police detective who is in a coma as a result of an accident, and finds himself living back in 1973 - still as a detective. He is aware of the accident, and occasionally receives "messages" from people in his previous existence, so he feels detached form his present surroundings, which he feels to be figments of his imagination. But despite that, he becomes more and more drawn in to what is happening.

The programme works on three levels: the detective plots in each programme, the hero's efforts to come to terms with his situation, and the great humour resulting from his clash of attitudes with the decidedly non-PC police in 1973.

It's been one of the best things on UK TV (although I'm not totallly convinced by the ending) and I understand that a US version may be being made. If so, look out for it, because if it's half as good as the UK series it'll be well worth watching.




Tony Williams
Scales (2007)
The Foresight War (2004)
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk

[Bill Ward]

I've been meaning to catch it on BBC America (caught maybe ten minutes once), its looks pretty slick.