Let’s pray the stunt casting of Whoopi Goldberg as a ’70s-era gender-bending radio DJ named Brother Loverbutter (pictured) brought in some more viewers — even if yesterday’s episode’s really wasn’t up to Mars’ usual quality (“Ice Ice Baby,” Sam, really?). Well, at least not until the end when Gene punched Sammy in the gut and growled, “Draw your gun at me again and I’ll knock you so far back you’ll think it was 1933 and there was a Kosher butchers’ strike.”
But a female lawyer speaking in singsong? That was just way, too…I don’t know…out of a movie. Which made me think that maybe the fakeness of the show’s ’70s — and the anachronisms we’ve already pointed out — are hints that this world must be inside Sam’s brain. Just mull it over: If he was a kid in the ’70s, all these little details would be bubbling around in his mind. And who has a perfect memory? I certainly don’t. I grew up in the ’80s, but I couldn’t tell you off the top of my head if Poison hit it big before Bon Jovi, or vice versa. Yet, I’m sure that I used to jam to both of them in the bedroom I shared with my sister during elementary school.
addCredit(“David Giesbrecht/ABC “)
So, now that we’re six episodes in, let’s discuss: What do you thinkis happening to Sam? Sure, if you watched the British versionobsessively, you have an idea. But that’s assuming this show followsthe same course. And that (SPOILER ALERT for the next two sentences)ABC has the guts to be that dark. Or that bold. But this episode,titled “Things to do in New York When You’re Dead,” was just full ofclues that should lead us to something. We know Sam sees flashinglights at the oddest times. We know he can hear Maya’s voice talking tohim in the present. We know he sees dead people — like little girlswho’ve fallen off roofs. He’s being followed by a strange drifter, fondof cryptic remarks. Lastly, Annie, who says she doesn’t believe Sam’sstory about being sent back in time, ended the episode by telling himit was good that he got to say goodbye to Fletcher, who was waiting forhim. Then we find out Fletcher died in 2008.
Oh, my brain hurts. Of course, if you just watch the show as aprocedural then you don’t give a hoot. And though I may have ragged onthe episode above, I really did like House’s Edi Gathegi’s turnas Fletcher. Somebody get this guy his own Ashes to Ashes. Though the night’s best line belonged once again to Gene: “Nobody hurts littlegirls in my kingdom, and it is my kingdom. Huntlandia. Home of theblueberry crepe, where little kids are off limits.” Best song:Definitely the opening number, Garland Jeffreys’ "Wild in the Streets."
So what’s your verdict on yesterday?
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The BBC version already addressed all of this when it finished the series after season 2. I still can’t separate the two, with the original winning every time. Keitel and company do a good job, but the show lacks spark. So I guess I don’t care about the “subtle” subtext of the new version as it a pale in comparison to the one that I loved on TV already.
Was it me? I found this ep so confusing.
And a waste of Whoopi Goldberg. This show is sinking. Sad.
I thought this ep was sad with him having to say goodbye to his surrogate father. Am I the only one? And I also thought it was clear (he sees dead people) that he died and was either reincarnated into 1973 to teach them or is doing this as someone “sent back from heaven” to do a job. This seems the most plausible scenerio and I don’t think it will go the way of the British show. For one, they want it to last more than 1 or 2 seasons. This is NOT the BBC!
Since I didn’t see the original and have thus far ket myself from trying to find episodes online or look up info on it, I’m just enjoying the show. To this point it seems most likely that Sam is in a coma although the scenes at Keesha’s “memorial” seemed to indicate that maybe he had died. So that would make him in purgatory??
Also, is it just me or does Jason O’Meara sometimes look scarily like Mel Gibson? I think it’s the facial expressions ut it’s weird.
I love this show. I just hope it sticks around.
I find the story very interesting. Have not seen BBC version, hadn’t even heard about it. I like the series- hope it last 2 seasons to the end.
I like this show and while I know what happened in the BBC Life on Mars, I kind of don’t understand it (and Ashes to Ashes which is supposed to explain hasn’t started yet). I kind of hope that “Clams” becomes a regular character. I keep wondering though, if this show is only intended to last for two seasons and a show like Ashes to Ashes is actually already in the pipeline.
I think the old homeless man is Sam’s father, who may or may not be dead. Nonetheless, he is trying to make amends to Sam for deserting him.
I do have to wonder why Angel & his pregnant girl friend weren’t married.
This episode was a virtual “Wire” reunion – Cutty, Lester and Sobotka all in one episode? Sweet. Big Love didn’t seem old enough to be a detective though, goatee or not.
This was an excellent episode. I really feel for Sam. The gravity of the end really hit hard. It’s odd, though. The story wasn’t funny, but it was fun, and then BAM! the ending got me. Well done.
I love this show. With all the Female shows that we have on ABC, This one is a breath of fresh air. Not to mention it fills the void that The Journeyman left when NBC Canceled it. Loved the “Freestylin” to Ice Ice Baby, I might have had to rap Ice Cube’s “Today was a Good Day!” If I were back in time, I’d be writing down all kinds of today’s music and getting rich off of it!
I was actually LMAO off at Sam singing “Ice Ice Baby”.
All in all, I liked last night’s episode and it appears to have done slightly better in the ratings last night as opposed to last week (which was even better than the week before). It’s good that its holding its own and even slightly improving – I hope this means that ABC will give it a full season pickup very soon.
Doris,
I also thought about the possibility that the old homeless man was Sam’s dad.
The show is quickly becoming somewhat formulaic. And please, somebody issue a memo to stop giving Whoopi Goldberg acting jobs. Leave her to “The View.”
While it may confuse some people I do like this show, I just like the original better. Kind of like cover songs, some times a cover is better, like All along the Watchtower when Jimi did it, and other times the original is untouchable.
The BBC cast had me from the first seconds of the show and regardless of how many stars they put in this version is still does not favorably compare to the BBC TV series. I think that the vagueness of the original is what is so appealing to me. Besides, this American show is based on it.
I wish they’d cast Michael Imperioli as Sam instead of Jason O’Mara. I don’t think Jason’s a good actor and he brings a weird comic sensibility to the character of Sam that undercuts the show (certainly if you’ve seen the British version). He brings no sense that he’s fighting for his life. I think the whole show is miscast – Annie should really be a younger character and Harvey Keitel doesn’t balance the menace and humor as well as Philip Glenister did. I’m about to remove it from my DVR schedule.
I find it really annoying when people always have to compare shows to the original. Some of us didn’t see that show and don’t care, let us enjoy the show as it is. I think the Office has turned out OK. I also thought the Ice Ice Baby was great. I certainly wouldn’t bust out any gansta rap that constantly uses the N word in that situation.
I enjoy this show. As someone born & raised in the Bronx,NY (during the 70’s & 80’s) the depiction of New York is spot on.
With the majority of television over run with reality show nonsense, it is nice to have a show that has substance to it.
I have not seen the British version, and I am sure it was good. But enough with the comparisons already. If you don’t like the show, don’t watch it.
If Sam sees dead people, which we know he does, was Angel really dead at the end of the episode??
Hey, Anglophiles, if you love the BBC version–goodie for you. You probably also think the original Office kills our version. Whatever. Watch the BBC then. I am enjoying the American version and the cast.
I like the show, too, but it does seem to be searching for itself. growing up in the 70s, I’d like to see the show resemble a grainy, gritty Kojak episode more. Or, more like the film “3 days of the Condor.” You really get a sense of the 70s there. Right now, “Life On Mars” strikes me like those computer-generated talking animal films that use the voiceovers of comedians; it’s a vehicle for somebody else’s standup routine when it could stand on its own. It’s great to see Michael Imperioli regardless.
Wow, last nights episode was great! I loved Clams and Sam in every scene together!
I was so saddened by Angel’s story and to SPF, Angel didnt die, they took him out like that so that there wouldnt be a mob mentality on him if he came down alive and standing. Remember, it was red paint?
I also thought the homeless guy was his dad, but he would recognize him, I would think. All signs pointed to Purgatory for Sam.
Again..all you BBC’ers, we get it..America’s version is not as good…blah blah blah..whatever! I am thoroughly enjoying this American version, thank you very much!
I love this show! I’m not sure why the recap would talk about the fake ’70s vibe. Its’ exaggerated, I suppose — it is TV — but it seems fairly realistic for a show somewhat based in fantasy. I love the sense of humor, I love the ’70s crime show-style soundtrack music when they chase bad guys, I love the rest of the music, I love the wisecracks among the cops, and I love Jason O’Mara in the lead role. Imperioli is perfectly cast as the wise-guy cop — can’t see him in the O’Mara role, where he needs to have some wide-eyed wonder at what the heck is going on. Shows like this don’t easily fit into an established category and I think that’s why they struggle for an audience. But here’s one fan who really hopes the show is here to stay.
I love this series. I suppose that the writing could be tighter, but the viewer must suspend belief to enjoy the story. I can’t wait to see more!
I love this show, I hope it stays on the air. I disagree with the casting I think they did a great job. I have found that when they bring shows across the pond and you loved them on the BBC you aren’t going to like the US version.
I can’t decided if Sam is dead or in a coma. One or the other.
And does anyone else think that Michael Imperioli, looks like the Eagles Glenn Frey from their early days. It took my husband and I a couple of episodes to think of who he reminded us of.
my favorite episode so far this season. what’s wrong with ice ice baby? that was pure comic relief!
This show is awesome! The next quintum leap with out the sidekick! But he stays in one year and I’m sure this year in life is the keystone to all of Sam’s journey through life. It is said that lifes journey can hold many details but most can be summed up in one year of decisions we make along the way! I love the music who ever gets to pick the songs is great! Hey if he or she reads this pick some Montrose yes Sammy Hagers first band! In 1973 thier first LP came out and has a song called “Make it Last” which would fit this show well! Great job though on the music! I am a musician and the content and music of a show make all come together like a good stew or chocolate chip cookie all the ingerdents have a effect on the out come if its going to be great or just ordinary! This show if they don’t get lazy will last so like the song “Make it Last!” see how that just happened to work no accidents in life or ON Mars!
this show is the worst garbage on the air right now. i decided to give it yet another (undeserved) try last night as my husband, who’s just started watching the BBC version (five episodes in) can’t really get into it because the cultural references generally escape him. anyhow, he wanted to check it out.
twenty minutes in, he was cringing. i asked him what he thought and he said that he thought it was the most poorly written, annoyingly over the top thing he’d ever seen. he loves harvey keitel and michael imperioli and thought they were both terrible. don’t get me started on what he thought of jason o’mara. ‘what a waste of time’ were his exact words.
seriously, this show is so bad. even people who have only marginally fond feelings for the original can’t get invested in this show. it is horribly bad.
Another great episode, full of great comedy, mystery, and drama. And great acting, wiritng, music…
I like this show. It holds my attention. Sam is a likable character.
I hope it stays but they need to get to why he’s back in 1973.