General Chat

Anybody else been enjoying this series? Think its great. A copper being transported back to 1973. First thing missing is the mobile phone. Something is missing from each episode. This week he makes them put a tv in a pub so they can watch the sport. Course everybody thought it was a strange idea. Then came the sweepstake for the grand national and he asked somebody to swap with him cos he wanted red rum. GLoria

Bumping this up 'cos it's on BBC1 tonight at 9pm. I'm really enjoying this series, which is halfway through now, but don't let that put you off if you haven't watched it yet! John Simm and Philip Glenister are excellent as the bewildered, time-travelling detective Sam Tyler and the hard-bitten DCI from 1973, Gene Hunt. I'm finding both their characters likeable/entertaining and there's plenty of dry humour. If you remember the early seventies it's great fun (there are very few inconsistencies) with the bonus of good soundtrack music. BBC drama has several pages at www.bbc.*co.uk/drama/lifeonmars/ (remove the *) Well written cop drama + brilliant actors + blast from the past - what more could you want on a Monday evening? Linda :o)

I am totally addicted and can't wait for tonight! lol Every week we come up with a new theory as to what's going on. Two weeks ago we had decided that he really was alive in '73 and the coma in 2006 was the bit where he was travelling to! Last week we decided, no he was travelling back to 1973 and the character played by Philip Glenister was his Dad. Are you with me! LOL

Yes, I love it too. It would be awful if it happened to you wouldnt it. And as we all know he is in a coma in 2006 and now and then when he hears a voice calling him back. Makes me shiver. I liked the first week when he went in the office and said, Wheres the PC Console - and they all said they didnt know a PC with that name. And the way everyone in the office has a fag in their mouth all the time and the terrible way the WPCs are treated.

Yes adicted too I can't decide whether it is a coma or time travel. There are some good funny bits too. Well worth watching Germaine x

Gotta go out now but just wanted to say, I think Nelson in the pub knows more about what's happening than he is letting on!

Well, now Lost isn't on any more I have to be addicted to something and this is it! I was just starting secondary school in '73 and it brings back loads of memories of the time. I must confess that I just love Philip Glenister and find his character strangely attractive ... am I the only sad one? Sometimes I'm falling about laughing at his one-liners. Linda :o)

Really enjoying series and the soudtrack. Don't worry Linda - I agree with you re Philip Glenister's role. Reckon it's the best thingon the box a the moment

I'm relieved there are like-minded people! I've just been watching the preview video clip for tonight's episode and Sam's dad is brought into the story. I wonder if we actually see him or find out any more? My other nagging query is about the shoes running on grass Sam sees each time he is hallucinating - I'd like them explained. Linda :o)

I'm really enjoying life on Mars too, and what a great soundtrack! Interstin theory about Nelson Jeanette, I shall look out for that one. I hope the endings not going to be a let down though. Kaz :o)

I think a new series of this is already being planned, so it might leave us in suspenders at the end! lol

I think this is a great series. First, there;s the puzzle - is he time-travelling/in a coma/hallucinating etc. Then there's the fab 70s setting - awful wallpaper, ghastly brown suits (just like the ones my husband wore!) and music. Finally, the acting, and especially the relationships between Sam and Gene and Sam and the WPC. In particular, the clashes over idealogy/ways to tackle a case are excellent in illustrating how policing has changed over the last 30 years. I also think Philip Glennister is great and he does have some cracking lines - his brother Robert is another great actor, whom I've actually seen on stage. nell

I also think is brilliant I too was just starting secondary school in 73 i am going to tape tonight so my children can see what it was like when i was younger

What about when he saw Marc Bolan in the club and told him to beware of cars especially minis. Love it. It is brilliant. What you 'aving for lunch....I'm 'having 'oops.

I feel like shouting at the tv when its on. Especially when they had a swwpstake. Felt like saying back red rum Gloria

The white dog poo made me laugh! So why don't you see white dog poo anymore!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

I love it too, but as I go to evening classes on Mondays, hubby has to video it for me. Its jsut finished, so I'm off to watch it now. See ya! Carole

Some of my thoughts after last night's episode FWIW :oD Gene rules OK! 'I'm a ... proffeshional ... polishe ... offisher' *falls off table* 'There won't be a woman prime minister while I have a hole in my **** ' (hint: it wasn't shoe and began with 'a') Is there more to his name than we think re. Jeanette's theory that he's Sam's biological father (Gene Hunt = gene hunt )? That test card girl with her creepy clown is really freaking me out =8O I liked the parallels between football hooligans then and other tribalism now - racist/religious - but perhaps I'm reading too much into it. Matthew Graham, a co-producer and writer on the show, posted on the BBC site and said he enjoyed all the theories as to what was really happening and ends with: 'Much still lies in shadow. Listen to the music. It will guide you ... And remember, 'Rule Britannia is out of bounds, to my mother, my dog and clowns ...' Hmmm ... *checking Life on Mars lyrics* Linda :o)

Thanks for that Linda. Must get over to the BBC website for a look! Had never thought about Gene Hunt being significant. Very good! BUT i thought my theory had been blown out of the water by the fact that Gene was a City supporter. When Sam passes his younger self in the street, the man holding his hand (I assume his Dad) is a United supporter. Maybe there's more to find out about this. Right who's knicked off with me Hunky Dory cd!!!!!!!

Hi Jeanette, I was thinking that maybe his 'dad' isn't his natural father - could his mum have had a fling with a married detective before she settled down with Sam's dad ??? I can't say I've come up with original theories - they've either been aired on the BBC official site or discusssed on the IMDb message board. There's a thread on IMDb about who might be Sam's father at: uk.imdb.*com/title/tt0478942/board/nest/35595316 (remove the *) Linda :o)