Life on Mars: Series 1 Episode 4

[Lord Emsworth]

Plot summary...

Sam arrests the henchman of Stephen Warren, a local Mr Big, when he learns the whole of CID are on Warren's payroll. Sam also visits his childhood home to interact with his mother, who was being threatened by the landlord, also one of Warren's men. Sam tries to help her by giving her some money and she misunderstands his gesture. When Sam tries to investigate Warren, Warren sets him up in a honey trap. The girl involved in the honey trap sees the error of her ways only to be murdered by Warren. Gene disagrees with Ray, who says that if they don't play the game, people get hurt and helps Sam bring down Warren, putting his own guilty conscience to rest.

Best episode so far

Sam meets his mother which adds an extra level of emotional resonance

The disco scenes at Warrens are the cue for some great 70s rock and glam rock...

David Bowie – The Jean Genie
Jethro Tull – Cross-Eyed Mary
Hawkwind – Silver Machine
Slade – Gudbuy T’ Jane
Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
Sweet – Blockbuster

But best of all Sam and Gene get their revenge on Warren - although it all seems a bit too easy

So where does this leave Gene, and his corruption? We know him and the squad habitually take backhanders but does this episode signal a sea change?

I genuinely can't remember

[Lord Emsworth]

Now I've got immersed in Budgie I'm going to Life On Mars for a while

Whilst it's very enjoyable I can take it or leave it.

I find it hard to care much about the how did Sam came to be there, is it all a dream? etc narrative. Although I realise it's necessary to create the fish out of water, 21st century sensibility clashing with the unreconstructed old school policing.

That said, there's much to enjoy and I know I liked it first time round though realise I can't have watched it all and, for whatever reason, I think I pretty much ignored Ashes to Ashes. I certainly don't remember much about it apart from it being on.

Anyway, when there's a gap in my viewing schedule I'll be back to continue the episode by episode musings.

Out of interest does the central question of how Sam got to be there ever get resolved? Either in LOM or Ashes to Ashes (I know he's not in Ashes to Ashes)? And, if so, is it worth the wait?