One Year On! (The Celebration Week P1)

Greetings Martians, today is a day of celebration. Exactly one year ago today I started this blog, to kill a bit of spare time. Why? Because I love the show of course. In 2006 when Life On Mars began, I got to see the first episode around a week after it aired in Britain. Once I watched it, I was hooked. A friend (which I won't name) sent me a copy of it, thinking that this guy likes Doctor Who so he must like time travel period. The friend was right, I eventually purchased the Series 1 box set. The rest is history.

This week is not only a special week for the site, but for the show in general as well. On the 9th of January 2006, LOM received its premiere screening on BBC1 in the UK. So this website turns 1, and the show officially turns 2. Okay you can get the party balloons and streamers out now, well what are you waiting for? To celebrate the shows second birthday, I'm going to do something you probably thought was forgotten about long ago. What is that, you may ask? Series 1 episode breakdowns, as we like to call them here. The series 2 ones have been up for ages, but with all of the recent repeat treatment LOM has been receiving of late (especially in Australia where I live) I decided that its time to complete it.

2007 was a great year for LOM. We finally got to find out whether or not Sam was mad, in a coma or back in time. Rather confusing statement when we were all watching it for the first time, we thought those were the only options. What a brilliant piece of writing deception that turned out to be. Congratulations are in order for Graham, Pharoah and Jordan. You guys stooged us, good and proper in the most Twilight Zonesque way. Thank You. Other developments in 2007 included, the announcement of the US Remake by David E Kelley and the spinoff Ashes To Ashes (which is about to hit our screens soon).

The year though was not perfect, well not for this site in any case. 2007 saw the first official artwork theft for this site, the announcement made quite a stir throughout the LOM fan world. It also brought with it sympathy from people who been affected in a similar way by the perpetrators, lets hope this stops. But I guess that's wishful thinking. Now I need to offer some thank yous to all of the people who have helped contribute to the site (and A2A.tv) over this last crazy year.

Firstly I would like to thank Fran Davies (from Philip Glenister Index & Dean Andrews Official Site), without your support Fran I probably would have given up a long time ago, cheers. Secondly Mr Mike Bosworth. Mike sent me numerous amounts of pics, info and other items surrounding the spin off Ashes To Ashes. Thirdly Badwolf, BW was one of the original guys visiting the site. He was always quick to report anything he found out to me, thanks dude. BW and I later partnered in the now discontinued site John Simm PR, I also contributed to some of his other sites as well. Other noteworthy people include, Dawn from (Fab Cards), Jack Harkness X2 (the one from Torchwood.tv & the one from DrWho News), Mark from Tardis & Torchwood Treasures, Rhys, Gaz, Cpotey and last but not least George Frangeskakis. George came as quite a surprise, as he hasn't even watched the show!

If I have missed anyone, I am truly sorry. Before I go any further, I'll point out the obvious. The P1 on the end of the post title, its there for a reason. There will be several posts this week to celebrate the occasion, the majority of them will be site related and will include downloads for you all to enjoy. Desktops, avatars and even a jigsaw are some of things set for the next couple of posts. Series 1 breakdowns too, of course.

'Til next time Martians, peace and may the countdown to A2A commence right . . . . . . . . . . . . now!




Cyberman

December Catch Up.

Hello again, over the past month there has been very little (in my opinion) happening within the world of LOM. What has happened though, you are about to be updated on. Firstly some US news, series 2 is finally getting a showing over on BBC America. BBC America's screening began on the 11th of December, and will continue through January. Some interesting news about there site as well, it has recently been given a flash makeover. While it looks great, the designer has made some very interesting and consistent errors with it.

We all know that LOM is set in 1973 in the original British version, we also know that David E Kelley's upcoming US remake is set in 1972. Well now it appears that there is another year to consider, 1974. All of the way through the new site it mentions the year 1974 and not 1973 (well '73 once), I guess confusion somewhere was going to happen soon. Now we know its destination, BBC America.

Now Mr Kelley's remake. Colm Meaney was recently interviewed by RottenTomatoes.com, where he talks about the differences between today and 1972. He also talks about the writers guild strike going on in the US at the moment, and states that everything is pretty much up in the air with US LOM until its over. One curious thing Colm says in the interview is the word film. He refers to the pilot as a film, this could possibly mean that the pilot will be a tele-movie which are usually around 90 minutes. Good news I suppose, if its true.

While we are on the topic of of Mr Kelley's remake, at present in our site poll the amount of people who "won't watch it on principle" and the people who are "Looking forward to new stories" are basically neck and neck. It could end up a tie at this stage, but we'll run it for another week or so before I post results.

On Australian tv, Life On Mars series 1 is again being screened on ABC (Channel 2) on Wednesdays at 9.30pm. Australian viewers get a double dose of John Simm on Wednesday at the moment, with Sex Traffic screening after it. UKTV in Australia has just finished there screening and has also posted winners to there series 1 DVD competition. Congratulations to those that won, to the people that missed out EZYDVD has just re-released the original series at a a cheaper price. The set can now be picked up for the extra cheap price of (AUD)$39.83, weird price point but much cheaper all the same. The question Australian fans are now wondering, is when will series 2 get a screening? I guess the answer to this is only know by the ABC, I will update you all when more comes to hand.

Happenings on the A2A front are starting to pour in now, but all A2A is covered by by AshesToAshes.tv so head on over there for your fix. 'Til next time Martians, peace and may you all have a happy Christmas or what-ever you chose to celebrate. Hey that was PC, we can't have that can we?




Cyberman

LOM.TV & A2A.TV for your own site

Hello everyone I am posting these for you today, which some of you may have already noticed on the 2 sites, LifeOnMars.tv and AshesToAshes.tv. These are known as, "Blidgets". Yes Blidgets, stupid name hey? But they look cool, or so I've been told. Any way what a Blidget is, is Blog turned into a widget. I have had several requests over the past month or so, asking me how I did them. Quite simply I set up a Widgetbox account. This can be applied to any blog, too.

If you are interested in keeping up to date with the latest Life On Mars news, or news coming in about its sequel series Ashes to Ashes you can now place these "Blidgets" in your own Myspace, Facebook, LiveJournal or many other different kinds of pages. All you need to do is click the "Get Widget" link under either or both of them and follow the prompts. Installation is very easy, now travelling into the past takes several leaps into the future.

'Til next time Martians peace, and if you happen to see a man in a Tan leather jacket tell him he looks better in black.

Cyberman

The Post That Got Stalled, But Couldn't Wait Any Longer . . . .

Well that has to be the longest title for a post so far, but there is method to the madness. From the title of this post, its blatantly obvious I have had some news to report but have been holding back on it. The reason I have been doing this, is because I was hoping to tell you something additional to what I am about to write. That was site surpassing 10,000 visitors, but as you can see by the counter in links tab it still has a few more visits to go. Any way the news.

First up I would like to report that everyones favourite DCI (Philip Glenister) finally now has his own official site Philip Glenister.com. Phil's new site offers fans pretty much everything they would want to know, and somethings they wouldn't (just joking) want to know about our man Phil. This includes a bio, news section, contact details for if you'd like him in your next movie, tv series or even for voice-over work. On top of all this, it also contains some quite exceptional stills of Phil at work on his various different roles and in the future also promises video as well. The site also finally gives out the start date on filming for Ashes To Ashes, More about that over at AshesToAshes.TV, LifeOnMars.tv's sister site.

Three cheers for Phil, and make his a brandy to go. I am certain no one will be happier about this than the lovely girls over at Philip Glenister Index, which is currently going through a site re-design. If you haven't visited Philip Glenister Index before, it is well worth your while. Although it now has competition with the official site, PGI is possibly one of the most brilliant and well researched sites on all things Phil. The administrators there Fran and Paula, also have a great forum there where you chat about Phil as well.

I have also received news about the Life On Mars (RP) Site from its administrator "Sam", yes Sam Tyler! Well that's what he calls himself, is back up and ready for your participation. I unfortunately don't get to spend a lot of time there personally, but when I do I'm Nelson. Most of the main characters have already been taken, but hey its all just fun any way. I wonder if anyone has signed up as Alex Drake yet?

On the merchandise front, still no details on the complete series box set but I am sure this will change soon. Contenders' marketing department have advised me that when they know something, they will pass it on to me. Thanks guys, always nice to be able to offer exclusive news. I have also news to report that Hot Animation's brand new website has finally launched as well, after a few set backs. I say this because they initially announced a date last month, which for some reason or other didn't happen. Oh well all of us hit snags in business for some reason at some stage. If you don't remember Hot Animation were the team responsible for the Camberwick Green sequence, featured in the Season Two promos as well as Episode 5 of Season Two. They are also known for their world wide hit series "Bob The Builder", ok so you aren't 5 years old but you should still have heard of it.

With the broadcast of LOM Season One finally completed in Australia, the next thing you would expect the Australian media to jump on would be Season Two. Wouldn't it? Well instead of that "The Green Guide" (TV Lift out from The Age newspaper), jumps straight to Ashes To Ashes. Bridget McManus (no relation to Channel 10 TV show host Rove McManus) reports the following in her weekly column "Networking".

"Life On Mars Continues

Fans of UK crime series Life On Mars can look forward to its sequel, which has a title continuing the David Bowie theme, Ashes To Ashes. Starring Spooks' Keeley Hawes as a DCI nick-named "Posh Knickers", the sequel is set in 1981. It is unlikely that the new series will air here this year. Neither will the next series of Spooks, which is quietly gathering dust in the ABC's programming cupboard."

Well Bridget you would be correct Ashes To Ashes will not air in Australia, until at least Season Two of Life On Mars is shown here. Also Bridget it needs to have been filmed first as well, or perhaps you've discovered how to travel through time yourself. Please don't tell Keeley the secrets if you have, otherwise A2A will be a one episode series. Don't you just love sarcasm?

Finally you may have noticed several minor changes to this site, itself. If you haven't, one of them was staring you in the face when you opened the page. That one is the amount of time this site has been online for, and as of yesterday has just passed 200 days. Quite good for a fan blog really, another change is the cbox is now a pop-up. The cbox change has its advantages too, the main one being that you can still have it open and go to other sites.

Well that was a truly mammoth posting, I hope you all enjoyed it. 'Til next time Martians peace, and if you are an Australian media critic don't state the obvious its not news.




Cyberman

Bits and Pieces

Greetings Martians, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is John Simm (Sam Tyler) has not been told his Doctor Who appearances have finished, by Russell T Davies or the BBC. The bad news is John, dispelled all rumours last week on the Richard and Judy show that he would be appearing in Life On Mars's spin-off, Ashes To Ashes.

Probably the only person happy to hear this, would be Ashes To Ashes recently cast female lead Keeley Hawes. She'd only be happy for the reason that she doesn't have to share the spotlight now, with anyone other than Philip Glenister (Gene Hunt). Oh well, John had his show, now Keeley is getting hers. John also discussed his latest stage play with co-star Adrian Bower, to the two hosts.

Well Martians, at least we have some clarity now. Next up I wish to report, I am now writing for yet another blog. John Simm PR has asked me to contribute to the site, which I have already commenced doing. If you are interested in watching the John (Richard & Judy) interview, the site has video for you there. So that brings my total web presence up to seven. Four blogger sites of my own, two I contribute for and a website. Sounds like I'm reciting the 12 days of Christmas, oh well.

In addition to my new site I'm contributing for, you may well have noticed quite a few changes to my sites lately. The most obvious I suppose being the clocks, and yes people the time is correct to where I am situated so need to keep asking. Besides the clocks above the chatboxes on LOM.tv and A2A.tv, I have included a retro arcade game on each site. LOM.tv has PONG, yes not very exciting but then again neither was 1973 no major game release came out that year. PONG was actually written in 1972, but I am sure Sam played it out the back of the Railway Arms in 1973. maybe this will come up as a deleted scene in the definitive box set arriving later in the year. A2A.tv has Donkey Kong the Nintendo favourite from 1981, so there is method to the madness.

Any way that's basically it for the moment. The picture below of John was the artwork for a movie he did in 1999 called Human Traffic (about the rave scene in Cardiff). I as well as the sites creator Bad Wolf, will be doing a critique on the 2 versions of the film available, Human Traffic & Human Traffic Remixed over at John Simm PR. 'Til next time Martians peace, until Mrs Hunt and Alex Drake go to war.

John Simm in Human Traffic



Cyberman

Alex Drake sorted!

Back again Martians, earlier than expected. For the last couple of months the BBC has left the public puzzled, since the final episode of Life On Mars. When the show finished, fans were left with the questions "Will Sam Tyler be in Ashes To Ashes?", and "Who is Alex Drake?". The later has finally been answered, with casting confirmation coming in this week, via a BBC press release.

LifeOnmars.TV was originally tipped off about this by "Paul: Earth Defence", a fellow blogger and regular visitor to the site. Thanks Paul. You can find the full story over at LifeOnMars.TV's sister site AshesToAshes.TV, the role was originally expected to be taken by 'ER' and 'Mission Impossible II' beauty Thandie Newton. Well Thandie, you missed out. The winner of the much sought after role of Alex Drake has ended up going to Keeley Hawes of 'Spooks' and 'Tipping The Velvet' fame.

Congratulations Keeley! Now all you have to do, is make it back to 2008 from 1981, don't get lost along the way. Sam Tyler (John Simm) ended up winning his dream of returning to modern day, will Alex Drake? Only time will tell. 'Til next Martians, peace and where does Gene Hunt's wife figure into all of this?




Cyberman

Writing about Tuesday on Monday

Life on Mars stars John Simm and Philip Glenister have reunited for a heist movie set in the 1980s, called Tuesday. The low-budget film, which is currently shooting in the UK, sees the duo ditch their TV police persona's and take on the characters of career criminals. "John and I are the bad boys," Glenister told BBC Radio 2. "We rob a bank. We rob a few banks, actually."

Glenister, who said he was "contracted" to work with Simm once a year, is currently dividing his time between Tuesday and the Cranford Chronicles - a BBC costume drama based on three novels by Wives and Daughters author Elizabeth Gaskell. "I'm flitting from the 1880s to the 1980s on a daily basis," he said. "I'm all over the shop."

The actor will also begin filming the sequel to Life On Mars, called Ashes To Ashes, in July this year. Simm's character "Sam Tyler" will not appear in the new series, with a female detective "Alex Drake" from the 2008 taking his place. For more information on Ashes To Ashes, head on over to AshesToAshes.tv.

(This time the squad car is after the John and Phil.)

'Til next time Martians, peace and remember, somebody else has an accident soon and wakes up in 1981. Is Alex more prepared than Sam? Only time will tell.



Cyberman

The "Original" Bowie Factor

Over at LifeOnMars.tv's sister site, AshesToAshes.tv I have recently posted both the song lyrics as well as the video for the song "Ashes To Ashes" by David Bowie. I have done this to help explain the show, mainly because very little is known at this stage about how the show will be. Well I'm not stopping there. Here at LifeOnMars.tv, I intend to bring you every little piece of trivia that I can.

This does not exclude the song lyrics, or the video from which the show took its name. I've called this post 'The "Original" Bowie Factor' for the obvious reason that Life On Mars came before Ashes to Ashes, both as a song, video and series. Another piece of trivia, unlike "Ashes To Ashes" which was released in 1980 not 1981 in which the spin off is set, "Life On Mars" was released in 1973. The 22nd of June, 1973 to be precise.

You may notice the lyric "Take a look at the Lawman, Beating up the wrong guy" this more than likely is where the writers (Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan & Ashley Pharoah), got their inspiration for Gene Hunt's character. At the very least, they used it for a name of a special feature on the Season One DVD box set. Any way here they are, the lyrics and video for your enjoyment.

LIFE ON MARS - David Bowie (1973)

It's a god-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling "No"
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks
through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it
ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on

[CHORUS]
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man!
Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse
has grown up a cow
Now the workers
have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cause I wrote it
ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on

[CHORUS]
Dring-dring-dring......
[Mind the phone]



'Til next time Martians, peace. The next post will be the 50th on LifeOnMar.tv, if you haven't been counting from 42, so expect it to be big. Also don't forget for all the latest on Ashes To Ashes, head on over to AshesToAshes.tv for your fix of all things 1981 (at least Gene Hunt's 1981).



Cyberman

Martian Merchandise

So far we've seen the release of the season one and season two dvd box sets, as well as a book (1973 Annual) and a soundtrack cd. A lot of you out there are saying that's not enough, I want tshirts, video games, toys, audio books and other stuff. Well part of that wish has come true.

The company "Size Does Matter" has come to the rescue with interesting interpretations of our favourite characters Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt. Currently they are offering online via their ebay.co.uk page, tshirts, mugs and key rings with various different captions. I would personally be hoping that they also offer warmer versions (long sleeve tshirts, windcheaters and jackets) as well, excellent start any way guys.

You can find all of the cool gear they have available at SizeDoes' Ebay Store. Lets hope the merchandise doesn't stop here. I am personally hoping for a second soundtrack cd and some of the "Hot Animation" characters, from the Camberwick Green sequence to be produced as figurines. They rock, come BBC people want 'em!

Whilst I speculate about merchandise, one thing for certain is the release of the complete series (seasons one and two) on dvd on the 24th of September 2007. It will be interesting to see if the dvd set includes additional special features over the individual season releases. Maybe it will have a sneak peek at Ashes To Ashes, while we all wait eagerly for its broadcast.



'Til next time, Martians peace. "Does anyone have any Garibaldies?"



Cyberman

LifeOnMars.TV has a little sister?

Welcome all, a lot of you out there have been speculating about where this site will go now that Life On Mars has ended. Well, quite simply nowhere and everywhere. Don't you hate it when someone won't give you a straight answer? By that I mean, this site will continue to provide you all it has in the past. The focus will however be, strictly Life On Mars. That means (BBC) LOM Seasons One and Two, as well as the new US re-imagining (which is yet to air) by David E Kelley.

As for Ashes To Ashes, news regarding this will be mentioned but only in brief. For full comprehensive news covering the new spin-off, head off over to AshesToAshes.TV, for your fix of all things 1981. AshesToAshes.TV will cover the further adventures of Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) as well as Alex Drake (yet to be cast). So look at the two sites this way LifeOnMars.TV is the Sam Tyler Site (1973), AshesToAshes.TV is the Alex Drake Site (1981).

In other site news, I'd like to welcome the addition of LIFE ON MARS PR, this is a site created by Pop not myself (who is a frequent visitor as well as being a Blog partner with TORCHWOOD PR). Cheers Pop, I hope all goes well.

You may also notice a new addition to the site being, "Cyber Sites" well this explains itself. They're all sites by yours truly. Also there is now a LOM role playing site LifeOnMars RP, so head on over and check it out. A lot of the main characters have been taken, I'm Nelson (if any one's wondering) so be quick or you could end up being "Sticky Dickie Fingers" or DCI Morgan (the who destroyed Sams world).

I also need to mention the Season One site poll, in the links bar. The poll will close at the end of the month, so if you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for. For your convenience, there is a brief episode Breakdown of each episode linked underneath the poll for those who's memories are starting to behave like Sam Tyler's. Full Series One breakdowns, will be added shortly, along with a new Season Two poll. So come on guys, start clicking, you know you want to. . . . .



Cyberman

Reminders

Hello people, just a quick note to remind you all that this week Canada gets the final episode of Life On Mars. So Canadians do you want the episode partially spoiled? Well I'm not going to do that. If you chose to look at the episode breakdown now, well you've done it to yourself.

Last week it screened on Tuesday in the UK, with an audience somewhere in the 10 million range. If you missed it, or didn't tape or disc it the usual BBC4 repeat is not on this week. It is instead replaced by Frontline Iraq, as if we don't hear enough about Iraq on the news already. If you did miss it the dvd boxset is out today of Season Two, so rush down to your local store and pick up a copy.

After all, Ashes to Ashes seems to have the green light now. This means a big wait until next January or February, to see the next installment of Gene Hunt's world (or is it Sam Tylers). I know I can't wait that long, my copy is probably getting packed as I speak. 'Till next time Lifers / Martians (I'll decide on a name for you all some day), peace and watch out for DCI Morgan. He may lead you astray.


Cyberman

Naughty, Naughty GUV!

In almost a scene from Life On Mars, Philip Glenister decided to play up to the cameras during a recent game of golf. After a few bevy's, which could of been from the Railway Arms our Phil decided to relieve himself in public. Well, pretend to anyway. Obviously Nelson never discovered the law book for the responsible serving of alcohol.

Phil, Phil, Phil, what will we do. The program, though now finished has recently received a bad rap by teachers in UK schools. The main concerns they have put forward, is its lack of political correctness. Gene's homophobic nature, is something they do not like about the show. They are teachers, they need something to complain about.

Obviously the teachers in question, must be under 25 as if they were older they would actually understand it. One of the main points behind the show, is to show people the differences between the two time periods and how far we've come. When I was in school, teachers used to complain about the rock band KISS stating they were servants of Satan. This is just really the 2007 version of the KISS complaining.

It seems now that Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), has a line up of lovely ladies wanting to play the female lead in Ashes To Ashes. The number one bet at present, is on Thandie Newton from Mission Impossible II fame. Thandie is tipped to play DCI (2008) / DI (1981) Alex Drake. More on Thandie as it comes to hand.


Thanks again, need to be given to George Frangeskakis for alerting me to this story. Well spotted George, cheers. Maybe your brother Michael could send me something, seeing as he actually lives in England. 'Til next time Martians, peace and Phil keep it in your pants. I am sure the lovely ladies over at PHILIP GLENISTER INDEX may beg to differ though.

Easter On Mars

Happy Easter Martians / Lifers, from LifeOnMars.tv. Instead of getting us all chocolate Sam Tyler's, the BBC have decided to give us the final episode of Life On Mars on Tuesday 10th of April 2007. After this and my final episode breakdown, the direction of the site will start to change focus.

A few posts back, I put up brief episode synopses of Season One to help you remember the series as a whole. I did this for two reasons, to refresh your memories of Sam's journey and also to help you vote in the poll. Well, I'm going to expand on them so as they end up like the Second Series ones.

In addition to this, I will start bringing you more news about the proposed spin off Ashes To Ashes. When or if it appears. I will also continue to bring you news about David E Kelly's US Re-imagining, as it comes to hand. Merchandise will no doubt continue to be released, and I will report on this to you as well.

All our questions about Sam will soon be answered. Will this be the end of Sam's adventures though? There are many stories about Sam, that could still be told. Perhaps novels bridging the gaps between episodes will appear. This has been the case with Doctor Who, why not Life On Mars? The count down now commences, 'til Sam's fate is known, Hyde is coming to get you . . . . . . . .


Cyberman

Season Two Episode Seven - Part One (The Breakdown)

I usually don't do this, but this time around I'm going to start this "Breakdown" with a warning. To all our Canadian visitors, read the previous post not this one. Why because you'll otherwise partly spoil this weeks episode. That's right folks, Canada is only trailing the UK by one episode. This week you find out what ultimately happens to Sam Tyler, our Canadian friends will find out next week. Life On Mars screens Wednesdays at 10.00pm, on BBC Canada.

Now that's out of the way, the "Breakdown". We start in a courtroom for a change, instead of Sam's dreams where Gene is acting as a witness for the prosecution. The case in court, centres on an assault. The victim feels intimidated in court and ends up denying the beating, the case is then thrown out.

Gene is majorly pissed, and that's in both senses of the word. Angry and drunk. He decides to stumble over to the perpetrators house and starts screaming abuse at him. Sam arrives on the scene to pick up Gene, but in the confusion Genes gun goes missing. After leaving with Sam, Gene decides to go back to retrieve his gun. Falls asleep at the perpetrators house, only to wake up and find him murdered.

Of course Gene is then suspected, he had motive, may be. All of this sets the scene for the episode. It was interesting to see a Gene-centric episode, I quite liked it. Perhaps it was a taste that the BBC was giving us, of what to expect from Ashes to Ashes. The clothes will obviously be different, but you know what I mean. Hmmm, here's hoping.

Some interesting moments in the episode are when at different stages, we get to see both Annie, then Gene wearing a "Safety Squirrel" costume. Sam is also given an indication that he will be going home soon, this comes from DCI Morgan. Morgan is an overseer put on from Hyde because of Genes' predicament.

As the episode progresses, we find Gene becoming the prime suspect in another murder. Of course Gene is proven innocent in the end, but I'm not going to explain to you how it happens. You should know already. If you don't, remember the dvd box set of Season Two is released on April the 16th.

Right now, if you pre-order it from Sendit.com, you get it for only £25.89 when its released. A saving of £14.10, now that's worth it. I got my order in, I can just see it next to my copy of Season One right now. 'Til next time Lifers / Martians, may peace and memories of '73 be with you.




Cyberman

Ashes To Ashes

LIFE On Mars may be ending as we know it but there’s good news for fans of the hit TV drama set in 1973. BBC1 bosses today confirmed they are developing a spin-off show – also to be named after a David Bowie song – which could be filmed in Manchester next year.

Ashes To Ashes is set in the 1980s and is due to feature some cast members from the original show, if it gets the go-ahead. The BBC has advised that they are in talks with Life on Mars production company Kudos about the proposed new drama. But it’s still early days and the project has not yet been fully green lit.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “It is in development with Kudos and it is set in the 1980s. No cast, characters or any further details have been confirmed as yet.” That hasn't stopped BBC1 controller Peter Fincham getting rather excited about the whole idea. “We’re thrilled to have this spin-off in development,” he said at a TV industry lunch. “It will be more Miami Vice than The Sweeney. Hopefully, we’ll have several main characters rolling their sleeves up for us.”

The second, and final, series of Life On Mars – filmed in Manchester and Stockport – is due on screen in January. By the end, viewers will finally learn how modern day detective Sam Tyler, played by John Simm, ended up stranded in 1973. But his fate, along with that of seventies cop Det Chief Insp Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister, is in the balance in what is promised to be a “natural and explosive climax”.

Sam was transported back in time after an accident beside the Mancunian Way at the start of the first series.

The idea for the spin-off, which would be broadcast in 2008, is to re-visit at least some of the seventies Manchester police team some eight years later. “It will be interesting to see how their lives have changed in that time,” added Mr Fincham. “No doubt they’ll have swapped their flares for shoulder pads.” For those too young to remember the original Miami Vice TV series, it started in 1984

(Originally from the Manchester Evening News)