Life on Mars

[Dave]

Netflix streaming has pretty much been the death of my motivation to do anything other than watch all the old SF series I missed out on first time around.

I like this show, maybe more than it deserves since I relate to the 70's period. Anyone else catch this?

[Jaqhama]

You talking about Life on Mars, the original UK series, Dave?

It was excellent.
Gotta say we only watched one episode of the American version, it lost the terminology and grittyness of the UK show.

[Dave]

Alas, no, I'm talking about teh American one. I don't think the UK one would resonate with me. I recognize the clothes and cars and set props I see in the American one - don't know if that would translate. UK one not available on Netflix streaming.

Honestly, I think I like it more than it deserves simply becasue of the whole 70s thing. I like the characters and the relationships between the cops, and it's fun seeing modern sensibilities transplanted into that era. And the cars are cool.

I've seen episodes 1-8, and after 8 was the only time I went 'meh....' They only did 19 episodes for the US version. That means, of course, there probably won't be a satisfactory resolution.

Which means I'll be left hanging just like I was at the end of Sarah Connor: The Terminator Chronicles, which I really enjoyed.

I mean, the end of Battlestar Galactica sorta sucked, but at least it ended....

[Jaqhama]

It is a PITA when a series doesn't have an actual ending isn't it?

I get what you're saying about American culture in the 70's being a trip down memory lane for you.
Linda and I picked up a four episode disc of Starsky and Hutch from our local library and have been enjoying watching and remembering the clothes and the cars that were 'cool' back then.

For the best in British crime drama and culture there's nothing better than John Thaw and Dennis Waterman as Regan and Carter in the 70's UK TV series The Sweeney.
Plenty of clips available on You Tube.

Life on Mars isn't the only UK to USA adaptation.
Linda and I really enjoy the UK series Ultimate Force, about the British SAS. The USA version was the equally good series, The Unit.

Chers: Jaq.

[Dave]

Oddly enopugh I've tried watching some of the actual series from back in teh day - The Magician, Columbo, McMillan and Wife, The Magician, Rockford files - but they've fallen flat for me. Same for some of the 80s stuff I enjoyed so much too - Buck Rogers, Hulk, 21 Jump Street, Magnum PI. I recall all these shows with great fondess, but trying to watch them again sort of ruin the memories.

I do enjoy modern shows transplanted though, like Life on Mars. And I adore That 70s Show. Taht was me, right there, down to the room in the basement with the door, which, of course, I used to sneak out of and into!