Before some personal issues conspired to prevent it, I was going to write a column for today or tomorrow about the premiere of the second and final season of "Life on Mars" on BBC America. I've only had the time to watch part of the premiere (featuring Marc Warren from "Hustle" as the villain), so I point you to Mo Ryan's review for now. Given the number of shows that are running out of episodes right about now, I may have to move "Life on Mars" into the regular blog rotation, probably starting next week.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Return to 'Mars'
Before some personal issues conspired to prevent it, I was going to write a column for today or tomorrow about the premiere of the second and final season of "Life on Mars" on BBC America. I've only had the time to watch part of the premiere (featuring Marc Warren from "Hustle" as the villain), so I point you to Mo Ryan's review for now. Given the number of shows that are running out of episodes right about now, I may have to move "Life on Mars" into the regular blog rotation, probably starting next week.
Please do, Alan. I watched the second season through alternative means, and I thought it was excellent.
ReplyDeleteSeconding rick's request that you do cover LoM regularly. It's a fantastic show and I haven't yet tired of reading opinions about it.
ReplyDeleteOh, please do, Alan! I've been on the edge of my seat, waiting for BBC-A to decide to run the second season. The first season was just brilliant--well-conceived, well-executed, compelling television. And John Simm is such a terrific actor! I would love to drink in your words o' wisdom on season two!
ReplyDeleteThis is an incredible show and the second season is actually better than the first, but you are doing yourself a disservice by watching the hacked together, sanitized BBC America version. Do yourself a favor and get the complete original BBC 60 minute versions of the episodes.
ReplyDeleteNot going to spoil anything but in my opinion the ending of the show is handled perfectly.
2008 will see the spin-off series Ashes to Ashes with the Gene Hunt character as the lead, set in the 1980's. Should be interesting.
I fifth the request. It was a brilliant series and the ending still makes me think.
ReplyDeleteI am however peeved that the DVD set can't be purchased yet for NA region... even series 1, which has aired already.
There are only 8 episodes (I think) and so this wouldn't take up that much of your time.
I am not sure how I feel about the spinoff yet, but will discuss that after the finale has been aired.
And Gene Hunt is so indelible, a character that seeing Philip Glenister in period dress in the series Cranford, threw me for a loop at first.
Alan - Admittedly the wrong Mars but we obviously haven't needed a Veronica Mars post since the 3rd season dvd's came out (or at least since I've watched the special features)...
ReplyDeleteAt one point in the commentary, there's a reference to feedback from 'a certain NJ TV critic'. Anyone we know? I've been dying to ask...
End hijack of post. And I apologize if this already showed up elsewhere!
I can't wait to see the season 2 premier of the series tomorrow night, and I hadn't even thought about the "Mad Men" comparison until Mo mentioned it - good call.
ReplyDelete"Mad Men" is the better series but I trust that "Life on Mars" wouldn't end a season as terribly as "Men" did w/ that ridiculous pregnancy storyline.
As someone who has always found David E. Kelley shows to be complete crap and Kelley to be an untalented hack, I am really not looking forward to his sanitized and dumbed down American version for ABC.
The only thing compelling me to try his version out is learning that Colm Meaney (the wonderful Chief O'Brien on the best Trek series ever, DS9) is taking on the role of Gene Hunt - now it's hard to imagine anyone as amazing as Philip Glenister, but Meaney is the 1 actor they could have cast that could be just as good.
Even more ironic about the 'American' series is that the two main roles - Hunt and Tyler - will be played by Irish actors.
Yay, yay, yay. I can't want to see the first episode tomorrow--I was thrilled to see it was premiering here finally. I'd love to read what you have to say about it.
ReplyDeleteAdd me as another voice hoping you'll cover LoM on a regular basis. And also as one who keeps checking TVShowsOnDVD to see if the first season has been released in a US format yet.
ReplyDeleteLast year, the character of Gene Hunt was one of the "winners" of a Toobit Award over at my blog. What a fantastic role for Glenister!