Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 14 2010, 10:28 PM BSTReally?
Yes, I got the feeling of having seen it before. There's already been a plot in Life on Mars with a bomber being shielded by a loved-one taking the blame, we've had lots about racism, the station being full of arrestees is nothing new, and there's always the good cop, bad cop interview scene in the middle. For me, there's been some really outstanding episodes recently, but this wasn't one of them. Worth watching, but a bit ordinary.
Quote: Nogget @ May 15 2010, 6:56 AM BSTYes, I got the feeling of having seen it before. There's already been a plot in Life on Mars with a bomber being shielded by a loved-one taking the blame, we've had lots about racism, the station being full of arrestees is nothing new, and there's always the good cop, bad cop interview scene in the middle. For me, there's been some really outstanding episodes recently, but this wasn't one of them. Worth watching, but a bit ordinary.
For me the crime story was not what this episode was about, that was just background noise to the more interesting stuff that was going on, the wider mystery of Mars/Ashes.
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ May 15 2010, 12:04 AM BSTBut had they known how it would end in the first place it would have been a lot better.
Do we know they didn't know?
Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 15 2010, 9:46 AM BSTDo we know they didn't know?
We don't, and judging from the inventiveness if the writers, I've got high hopes that we will be given a really intriguing ending.
Quote: Jack Massey @ May 15 2010, 12:01 AM BST5. Why did the South African fellar just dissapear when speaking with Chris. They were talking about Nelson Mandella. Is that connected with Nelson from the Railway Arms?
Is that a joke? I had a most enjoyable LOL.
It's tense but it's all artifice. The story was weak and predictable the Nelson Mandela references mawkish. I suppose if they were trying to recreate the joys of Dempsy and Makepeace they're well on the way.
The Tyler thing is a bust. Unless they're rewriting 6 years of Hunt's character.
And the other 3's unmagical journey is just laughable. Ooh look we can all see stars!
Quote: sootyj @ May 15 2010, 2:57 PM BSTAnd the other 3's unmagical journey is just laughable. Ooh look we can all see stars!
That was bit naff, that bit. And made me think again of how the American Life on Mars ended.
Gene suddenly turning evil is remarkably similar to when Nono the robot turned evil for no aparent reason in Power Rangers.
Quote: chipolata @ May 15 2010, 7:31 PM BSTThat was bit naff, that bit. And made me think again of how the American Life on Mars ended.
I was thinking the same.
I never saw the US finale, but I read about it.
We're on a GENE HUNT on Mars.
GENE HUNT you say.
Yes GENE HUNT.
Didn't you used to be in the Sopranos?
I'm contemplating suicide.
Our Life on Mars finale was so unbelievably awful. I sat there stunned for a few moments, then I just yelled at my TV.
Plus, the whole series stunk.
There were some nice episodes but it was bad for the same reason that Ashes to Ashes was inferior.
That and Keitel was a surprisingly poor Hunt.
I remember watching the first episode and recasting everyone as I watched. All I kept thinking every time Keitel was onscreen was, "I wonder if he's standing on a box?"
I liked Ashes in the beginning, but I had a hard time staying with it.
Life on Mars was far superior, but I have been sticking with it.
Life on Mars has become my standard when judging hour long TV dramas.
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ May 15 2010, 11:33 PM BSTLife on Mars was far superior, but I have been sticking with it.
I recall that it had its own sagging parts in the middle of the shows, where nothing much happened. I'd say I still preferred it, but Ashes is not so much inferior, as different, imo.
Quote: Nogget @ May 16 2010, 8:53 AM BSTI recall that it had its own sagging parts in the middle of the shows, where nothing much happened.
I think very few 60 minute dramas work. 40 to 45 minutes is a far better length. Even 24 dragged when they did a full on advert-free hour episode to launch one of their seasons.