Life On Mars - The TV Addict Discussion

[strangevisitor7]

BBC America has finished the run of "Life On Mars". As sad as I am to see this show end, I loved it soooo much. If you haven't seen it , why not? It is a truly excellent show.

Any recommendations for some good fic about LOM. I can't let it go just yet.


The question I have for my flist is this: What is the accepted interpretation of the finale.

I'm guessing Sam is dead and 1973 Manchester is his after life? Or did he really go crazy after emerging from the coma and now is in a little room dreaming of 1973.

Funny but solving the mystery of Sam was never why I watched. I didn't care if he was in a coma etc. I just loved the cast. Gene Hunt is such an incredible character. The relationship between him and Sam is pitch perfect.

And I was so happy Sam finally kissed Annie.

I've heard they are making an Americanized version - It will have to suck. Who could possibly be Gene Hunt? I just can't see enjoying watching a bunch of American cops run around New York in 1973 - I grew up with those cop shows. The story was much more facinating and surreal for me because it was set in Manchester - someplace i was completely unfamiliar with. That definitly added another dynamic to my enjoyment of LOM.

So please, share you thought and theories.

Comments

[sophiedb.livejournal.com]

Well, there are a lot of slash LoM fics, but gen too. I never quite saw the UST myself :p lifein1973 has many a link. Even I wrote a couple, pre-finale *lol*

My take is that it was all in his head/afterlife, although what makes a comatose copper come up with Gene Hunt is beyond me (much as I do love the Gene genie and cannot wait for Ashes to Ashes!).

Last I heard, Colm Meaney was set to be the "American" Gene. I still can't see it, but apparently the Office worked so you never know..

Ref the surrealism of Manchester - that's funny, because I enjoyed more for having lived there XD

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

If COlm Meaney is to be Gene - is he going to play him as an Irishman. But I'm with you I still don't see it.

Yes AtoA! The Gene sequel series and i am hoping BBC america will broadcast. i heard it was set in the 80's. Will it be completely void of Sam Tyler then?

Yay For the surealism of Manchester.
I loved LoM and i don't know anyone in Real Life who has even heard of it. Yay for LJ friends from across the pond :)

BTW I loved the UK office hate the USA office and don't watch. So I suspect a similar feeling for the USA LoM

[sophiedb.livejournal.com]

No idea what accent he'd be using, or whether he can do a decent New York accent *lol*

AtoA - 100% Sam-free as I understand it, and set in 1981. They've swapped the Cortina for a Quattro, Manc for London, camelhair for snakeskin, and Alex is the new Sam. Apparently she's read Sam's post-coma pre-jump psych files and can't believe her eyes :)

I only live in Manchester for a year, but it was fun :) Long enough to know that the run off a roof scene was not filmed in Manchester!

[lark_ascends]

When I initially heard about the Americanised version, I thought, it's going to be crap.

But then I heard about Colm Meany as Gene - and that I can see.

Plus, the one who's playing 'Sam' (last I heard) is another English/Scottish actor, who was in Monarch of the Glen and has been in American stuff. He's very good looking. I like him, too.

As to the ending, I have no idea... I still haven't made up my mind what was going on.

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

I love Colm Meany but an American Cop not so sure. Still if they are doing it with Brits why remake it at all.

i didn't need a definative ending but maybe 1973 manchester is an alternate reality where all people in comas go. Gene is there to make sure you have enough fight in you to get better. :)

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

So the "new Sam" falls into a coma and relives Sam's delusion. So I guess it is kind of like Dante's Inferno; everyone get's their own guide through hell except for here it is a coma and Gene Hunt is everyone guide through unconsciousness

[unbreakableburr.livejournal.com]

Fic for LOM can be found here: http://community.livejournal.com/lifein1973 with links to more information about the show.
David Kelley is producing the American version and I just... I don't know, it will really hinge on who's cast as Sam and Gene. I'd love to see Peter Wingfield or James Marsters as Gene but Sam... no clue.

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

Thanks.
While i like you Peter and James. Gene needs to be a big bruiser of a guy. I actually think Peter would make a better Sam. unfortunately the casting is done and the pilot is in post production
From IMbd Life on Mars (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0787490/)

[unbreakableburr.livejournal.com]

I think that's why I wish Peter or James had been Gene, I think, despite the size difference they could totally handle the menance and bluster that Gene has. But yeah I saw it was cast and was like...Meh.

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

That was pretty much my reaction too. i don;t see why they can't just show the original are Americans in general to narrow to accept the accents or what. Because the world watches our stuff with no problem. *shakes head* i don't get it

[unbreakableburr.livejournal.com]

No, it's not even that, it's that David E. Kelley hasn't got an original idea in his head and needs something.

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

You're right of course the producers get nothing if they don't make new shows and stealing is always easier.

[unbreakableburr.livejournal.com]

Exactly!