Life on Mars.

[Joe_the_Lion]

Does anybody else agree this would have been a better programme if there was none of the nonsence about time travel etc? Perhaps Sam Tyler could just have been a politically correct detective, simple as that.

[Postdog]

nah!.....

[Goodsoulette]

No and no.

[CathH]

no!
I see where you are coming from Joe but its the subtle things from the future that Sam brings to the programme like taping the interviews (I had a tape recorder like that one) as well a being politically correct which makes the show what it is.

Although, if rumours are true, and I hope they are, if Gene got a spin off series, then there would be no influences from the future, but also no political correctness!

[Ethel]

No. It is a fantastic programme that highlights the very real difference in police attitudes over 30 years.

[Joe_the_Lion]

I agree ethel, but it could survive without the sci-fi. Just make it in the spirit of the 70's. Let's hope CathH is right about a spin-off.

[tonymclark]

No, the thing I love about Life on Mars is how the characters talking to him at his bedside, come through to his "life" in 1973.

[Pippa68]

It works just the way it is!

The first series in particular was great, as it showed so much how times have changed ~ expressions used, technology etc. I will never forget Sam asking for forensics to get results back pronto, and being told it would take a very long time. Also at the beginning when he told the policeman that he was driving a Jeep...''You were driving a military vehicle, sir?''

Obvioulsy this amusement wouldn't be there without the 'time travel' aspect.

[Ethel]

I'm not sure the word 'scrote' was in common usage in 1973 though.

Any thoughts?

[Pippa68]

I seem to remember 'scrote' being used on 'Porridge'.

Not sure what year that was, though!

[unruliejulie]

No, that would have just been another ordinary cop show! This way its different, fresh and loads of fun trying to work out whats what!

[magicbeatle]

No Joe, Come on mate! Have you no imagination? (No Offence!) The show is Fantastic. I wonder every single day about time travel. I wonder every day what it would be like to live in the past. It's a fantastic show that questions what you would do and how you would feel if you suddenly found yourself back in time.