Life on Mars - Life on Mars [UK] 1x03 Episode Re-Discussion

Andie · 03-30-2009, 12:09 AM

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Sam (John Simm) starts to feel at home in 1973. But as comfortable as he's become, he knows that he can't give up the 'fight' if he is ever to get home. Only problem is that he's not sure what that 'fight' is.

When Sam responds to a fatal stabbing at Crester's Textiles, he's shocked to discover that Crester's is the converted Mill where he lives in 2006. The dead man is quite literally lying in his kitchen. Sam sets up a forensic investigation but Gene (Philip Glenister) thinks he's wasting his time. According to him there's a rule in these sorts of cases - first one to speak did it. Sam's incredulous but Gene and the team are convinced that Ted Bannister, the first man to speak up, is guilty. Sam has found his fight.

As he gets to know Ted and starts to uncover the truth of what happened at the Mill, Sam realises just how much the concept of family and community has changed since 1973. Battle lines are drawn in CID and Sam and Gene set up their own little camps. Frustratingly for Sam, all the evidence seems to be pointing to Gene being right about Ted Bannister. As the evidence stacks up against him Ted confesses, but there's something about the confession that doesn't feel right to Sam.

Sam's persistence eventually pays off when his powers of detection reveal that faulty machinery was responsible for the death. Ted confessed out of loyalty to the mill, fearing that if news of the accident came out, it would mean the mill was closed down for good.

Source

Lost in Translation · 03-30-2009, 03:23 PM

Thanks for starting this, Andie.

It's hard to remember this episode, to be honest.

Andie · 03-31-2009, 06:40 AM

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Originally Posted by ~ Janet ~ (View Post)

Thanks for starting this, Andie.

It's hard to remember this episode, to be honest.

I guess you gotta re-watch the episode in that case

It's a pretty good one, makes Sam realise what counts in life

Lost in Translation · 03-31-2009, 07:47 AM

I should but I'm hella busy this week.

palegreen · 04-02-2009, 12:42 PM

I think this episode has one of the best cold opens of the entire series. I love Sam parroting Gene's line, "come around to your house and stamp on your toys," to the guy riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. Somehow, it's not nearly as intimidating when he says it.

And Gene racing the Cortina backwards down the alley has become iconic at this point. Can anybody think of this show and NOT see that moment clearly in their mind? I know I can't.

I liked that the murder wasn't really a murder, and that the father wasn't covering up for his son, but for the factory and their community. That was a nice twist.

I also love the scene at the end between Sam & Gene. Gene telling Sam that he'll listen to his tape recorder once in a while if Sam will start listening to his instincts. Sam & Gene's relationship is my favorite part of the series, so I love the little moments where they're learning from and starting to understand each other.

Not my favorite episode, but still a good one.

Lost in Translation · 04-16-2009, 03:26 PM

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I also love the scene at the end between Sam & Gene. Gene telling Sam that he'll listen to his tape recorder once in a while if Sam will start listening to his instincts.

That's awesome.