Ashes on Mars

I've been watching the American remake of Life On Mars this season, and I guess it's okay. It does a great job with the whole "period detail" like it's BBC predecessor, though it doesn't quite come across as believable. Mainly because the performances, though okay, feel a little to "earnest", like they're smirking at the in-joke themselves instead of letting the material do the smirking for itself.

It's still entertaining enough, and it has it's moments, but I had been feeling a little nostalgic about the original. And coincidentally, I somehow stumbled on a little bit of news I had totally missed: back in March, the BBC aired a sequel to Life On Mars called Ashes to Ashes! No wai!

Thanks to the power of the internets, I've just taken a peek at the first of the 8 episode season. And sure enough, it's 100% sequel. The police psychologist who interviewed Sam at the end of season 2 gets shot and sent back to 1981, with, you guessed it, Gene Hunt and the gang. In full 80's fashion and atmosphere. And music! (I have a crazy soft spot for that, go figure)

I'm travelling again this week (a little business, a little family), so I won't get a chance to watch more just yet, but I'm looking forward to the time that I can. Plus season 2 will be out sometime in 2009, so it won't be too long a wait to keep it going.