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Rating: Country: USA Release Date: September 29, 2009 Distributor: ABC Studios Cast: · Jason O'Mara · Gretchen Mol · Harvey Keitel · Michael Imperioli Related Sites: · IMDb: Life on Mars Grade: B+

Yet another casualty of ABC’s mass slaughter of all things worth watching (what are we left with now, retarded bullshit like Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice?), Life on Mars is the kind of series that would grow on people over time, as it’s deliberately slow to build and quite clever in its existential execution. Of course, the insight is limited to that of the typical man, so the central ideological crisis exists within dominant modes of philosophical beliefs and rests on macho male crap like ego as construct of father figure mimicry, but still, it is far wiser than say, CSI. This doesn’t really matter, however, as the show is gone, with only 17-episodes to tell a tale of making the most of our lot in life. Thankfully, the series wraps up with a proper finale, and while rushed, glib and uncomfortably literal, it gives an answer to the central mystery of “Why is Sam Tyler, a 2008 detective, trapped in 1973?”

Inevitably, folks will compare the series to the BBC original, which is certainly more intelligent in its psychological climax and more incisive with its humour, claiming this series is a disaster, but they forget the large portion of illiterate television viewers required to sustain a major network television series in North America. These viewers don’t pick up on subtlety, become impatient and change the channel to Dancing with the Stars or American Idol where they can excitedly bounce up and down on their couches while eating fried goods looking at the purty outfits and exclaiming “oh, I sure der like dat one.” Therefore, certain concessions need to be made.

For anyone unfamiliar, Life on Mars follows Detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara), a New York cop in 2008, settling in happily with Detective Maya Daniels (Lisa Bonet), a co-worker and lover. An unexpected accident transports Sam back to 1973, where he has an established alternate life as a police officer, unbeknownst to him. After the initial shock wears off, Sam settles into his role, bonding with Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), a female police officer known lovingly by her chronologically appropriate, sexist, colleagues as “No Nuts Norris.”

Sam frequently butts heads with Detective Ray Carling (Michael Imperioli), a true product of his time, and Lieutenant Gene Hunt (Harvey Keitel), his stubborn alcoholic boss whose role may have more significance than meets the eye.

Each episode follows a familiar procedural trajectory, with a crime driving the plot forward, but what keeps the series from being just another shitty CBS template drama is a tendency to attach the crime to a greater overall plot arc, wherein Sam receives telephone calls and television visions from the future where he lies in a coma. Essentially, our protagonist is dealing with his childhood demons, dealing with repressed issues in a very literal form, as many central crimes are linked directly to his mother and stepfather.

Included with the 4-disc DVD set are a handful of commentary tracks with producers and actors that, in all honesty, are quite dry and difficult to get through. On the upside, the supplement “To Mars and Back” features interviews and behind the scenes footage, discussing the overall intention of the series, its ending and all of the work that goes into re-creating the 70’s.

Also included is “Sunrise to Sunset with Jason O’Mara”, which is a brief day-in-the-life. The actor actually is injured at one point. On the awkward side, there is an set visit with Lee Majors, which is extremely uncomfortable to watch, mainly because Lee Majors seems like a pompous alcoholic.

Of course, deleted scenes and bloopers are available as well.