Life On Mars (US): Series Finale
Thursday, April 02, 2009 at 12:24pm by GeekBoy“Whichever strange place you find yourself in, make that your home.”
RECAP DETAILS AHEAD (don’t read if you haven’t watched it yet) …
I’m not sure who else was watching Life On Mars this year, but I was. And I really enjoyed it , week after week, as much as — and sometimes more than — anything else I watched. If I chose not to blog about it, that’s because I tend to only blog about sci-fi shows, and for the most part, this series had minimal sci-fi content beyond the basic premise and the occasional robots of varying sizes that only Sam could ever see (and which could therefore be written off as delusions).
The strength of this series for me was in the characters. I cared about Sam Tyler, because what he was going through was a clear metaphor for the confusing point that everybody reaches in their life, when they ask themselves (to borrow anachronistically from the Talking Heads): “How did I get here?” As played out, Life On Mars ultimately became less about Sam trying to find a way to get back home to 2008, and more about accepting and embracing as home the strange place/time that he found himself in. Which, by the final scene (which I’ll get to in a minute), he was able to do. The series never shied away from dealing directly (and sometimes literally) both with Sam’s mother and father issues, and with the issue of what it means to grow up into person that you didn’t expect to be, and I appreciated that.
Equally satisfying was the story of Annie — a female cop at a time when the idea of a female cop wasn’t really taken seriously. Her romantic relationship with Sam never gets to bloom beyond a kiss, and that only in the last half of the finale, but we recognize from the very first episode that Sam’s ability to see Annie from a 21st century point of view, and to treat her accordingly, has been hugely empowering for her, resulting in her becoming a detective. Seeing herself through Sam’s eyes doesn’t so much give her strength as it gives her permission to tap into the strength that is already there. And likewise, her carefully reasoned acceptance of Sam’s seemingly crazy situation is ultimately what enables him to accept that 1973 might not be such a bad place/time to live.
So after enjoying those aspects of the show, in spite of the lack of traditional sci-fi elements, and after feeling that the series finale had pretty much nailed the dramatic ending with 6 minutes to spare … color me surprised when I actually LOVED the hard core sci-fi ending they capped things off with. We all knew there were only so many endings possible — Sam listed them all for us on the chalkboard in the first episode. So let’s face it, there was never going to be an earth-shattering reveal that nobody saw coming. In this case, the winner was: Virtual Reality. But in the same way that I’ve loved this series for its execution of the sci-fi premise more than the premise itself, I loved this series finale for the careful way in which it executed its Virtual Reality ending in a way that truly — for me — encapsulated every detail of the 16 episodes that came before it.
After a phone call in which Sam professes his acceptance of 1973, then hugs his obnoxious boss Lt. Gene Hunt, the world falls apart into pixels for Sam, and he wakes up in the year 2035, in a stasis pod, on a spaceship, and the first thing that pops into my head is that earlier in the episode, somebody told Sam he looked like an astronaut. Then begins the litany of parallel details. The number on Sam’s stasis pod is “2B”, like his apartment. The voice and name of the computer is the same as his neighbor, Windy. The system that maintains the VR experience is the “Synaptic TWIRL Network” — calling back Gene Hunt’s derogatory nickname for women.
And it doesn’t end there. The spaceship is “Hyde 1-2-5″ — incorporating both the town that VR-Sam worked in before transferring to the NYPD, and the number of his NYC precinct. The ship is part of The Aries Project (the mysterious project that had a file on VR-Sam), which is a Mars mission. The trip from Earth has taken 2 years, 3 months, and 22 days, which is why the stasis and a “neuro-stimulation program” (VR) are necessary — to keep everybody from going crazy as they make the journey in what seems to be a very small ship. Sam’s VR fantasy of choice was to be a homicide cop in 2008. But a meteor storm along the way (picture a meteor hitting the ship at the moment Sam got hit by a car) glitched his program, and bumped over to 1973 in the middle of the trip, with all his 2008 memories intact, but NOT his memories of being an astronaut.
The closest Sam’s mind was able to come to remembering his 2035 life in 1973 was to interject some of the names and themes mentioned above. And to include — in true Wizard of Oz fashion — all of his fellow astronauts into the narrative. Annie, Chris, and Ray are all there on the spaceship, and their personalities roughly align with their 1973 counterparts. Meanwhile, Morgan, the crooked cop from last week’s episode who claimed to know about Sam’s predicament, is part of Ground Control on Earth.
As for Gene Hunt … that’s a tricky one. It seems that the Mars mission is all about looking for a cure for cancer in the form of “genetic DNA”. In other words, they’re on a hunt for genes. A gene hunt. Gene Hunt. Yeah, it’s a bit of a stretch, but not if you think about things chronologically. If at any point prior to the mission, somebody in the media had referred to the mission as a “gene hunt,” then that phrase would have stuck in Sam’s head. And the same goes for all of these details, and is the reason why I find this ending so satisfying. Because as an occasional writer of fiction, this is the process I go through with names — pulling them not out of the air, but from people and places in my past and present, tweaked just enough to protect the innocent.
As for the VR Gene Hunt, played by Harvey Keitel, he’s there too, but his name in 2035 is “Major Tom” — a nod to all the Bowie references made throughout the series, and to the title of the series itself. This is especially funny to me when he talks to Frank ( think “Ground Control to Major Tom”). The twist is that Major Tom is not actually Sam’s boss in the real world, but his father, with whom he’s apparently had a rocky relationship over the years, which explains Sam’s working out of father issues in the VR world. It also adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the ending when you realize that the VR experience has helped Sam successfully work through those issues with his real life dad.
Closing up the emotional loop is Sam’s new appreciation for “Colonel Norris” (a.k.a. Annie) as a romantic interest. It seems odd to me that Annie would be the only woman on a mission like this in the year 2035 … but I’ll happily let that slide for poetry’s sake. Besides, as a colonel, I think she outranks everybody else on the ship. And the writers make a point of having Frank tell her that “President Obama” wanted to be there at ground control, and it turns out the Obama he’s talking about is one of Barack’s daughters … so between this and VR-Annie’s promotion to detective, the show’s forward-thinking feminist credentials are not really in question.
So in the end, this handful of astronauts embarks on what will inevitably be a life much different from the one they knew on Earth, on an inhospitable planet millions of miles from home, with no quick or easy way to return, which they must either accept or go crazy. Not so different from Sam’s VR predicament, except that they’ve all presumably chose to do it. From here on out, it’s “Life on Mars” for them.
As I said before, I love this series finale for the careful way in which it executed it’s Virtual Reality ending in a way that truly — for me — encapsulated every detail of the 16 episodes that came before it. I plan to buy this series on DVD one day and re-watch it, and I feel confident that when I do, I will believe that the creator knew where he was going with it from day one. Which is something you can’t say about a lot of sci-fi shows out there. (I’m looking at you, Ron Moore, and yes, I’m still bitter.) What’s more, as much as I would have liked to see what this series did with another season, and as much as I’ll miss watching the exploits of the 1-2-5 in 1973 (and I don’t usually like cop shows), I feel as if I got a full story in just these 17 episodes. Which is interestingly about the same number of episodes as the UK version.
Now all that remains is to actually go watch the UK version, and see what I think of that one. I’m sure I’ll love it. If people in the comments want to compare the two versions of the show on a qualitative basis, feel free. Just please don’t give away the “twist ending” of the UK series for those of us out there — like me — who haven’t had a chance to watch it yet. I hear it’s due out on DVD in the United States in July? But I hope to watch it before then, and once I do, I’ll come back and do a full comparison myself.
1. cin said ( Thursday, April 02, 2009 at 3:43 pm )
Ditto what GB said. Loved the show and the finale.
2. mason said ( Thursday, April 02, 2009 at 10:32 pm )
yeah…gb…everything you said.
3. AM said ( Friday, April 03, 2009 at 12:06 am )
I kind of thought that it would have been a good endingafter the kiss with Annie and the phonecall where he says maybe I don’t want to go back. On the other hand I really liked the actual ending as well, especially with all the tie ins mentioned above. I would have liked to have seen some acknowlegment from Colonel Norris (Annie) That the romantic ending in 1973 was part of her virtual reality as well. Over all well done, though I would have liked another season or two of this show as well
4. freakgirl said ( Friday, April 03, 2009 at 8:54 am )
I loved the ending; thought it was clever and weird, just like the show. Well done.
5. Superboy said ( Friday, April 03, 2009 at 10:26 am )
The UK version is better, grittier, and doesnt end with such a naff easy to think of ending. I mean come on, my 6 year old son could of thought that up, and its not clever to add in all the references, its just lame trying to talk you into it all. Please watch the UK version and you will not be dissapointed by the ending, its more realistic.
6. freakgirl said ( Friday, April 03, 2009 at 10:30 am )
No need to be an asshole about it, Superboy. Your opinion has been noted.
We’re not comparing this show to the UK version. We’re talking about it as a standalone. When we watch the UK version, we’ll talk about it here on its own merits.
7. Rain said ( Friday, April 03, 2009 at 5:40 pm )
I wasn’t that big of a fan of the UK version, or of its ending, but I thought it was a much better ending than this one….
It might just be that I have a personal aversion to any kind of “it was all a dream” endings. I find they are rarely anything but a cop-out, and usually come off as lazy screenwriting. I thought the “Life On Mars” US ending was so bad, it was almost a parody of “dream” endings. Like the writers were pissed about the cancellation, and decided to just give the network a screw-you ending…
8. freakgirl said ( Friday, April 03, 2009 at 5:46 pm )
I know the writers said they couldn’t do the same ending as the UK version, because well, it was already done. I think we’re lucky we even GOT an ending, to be honest. Obviously the ending was always going to have something to do with Mars, though, because hadn’t they been featuring that little Mars rover thingie throughout the season?
I really enjoyed this show, but I didn’t see every episode and it wasn’t on my “MUST WATCH” list. So maybe that’s why the ending didn’t bug me at all.
9. Roger said ( Monday, April 13, 2009 at 9:41 pm )
Hi
As being an individual that these shows (UK/USA) are almost tailored for…
I lived in both england and the usa in the 70s and I am the same age as Sam.
I enjoyed both shows as a scifi and a cop format…
But the UK one wins hands down. The level of social commentary between the
to shows is vastly different. The US one a part from big collars and no computers
only scratch the surface of almost 40 years of difference. At times it could have been mistaken for contempory. I always found US culture slightly stagnet, from MY own experience. I found US culture always dreaming of the Eisenhower / Kennedy years and wanting to remain in the school prom era of Back to the future; With music and technology moving on within the frame set that best suits the Andy Griffith show or leave it to beaver. The UK show digs at the surface and gets heavily in to social change and cultural differences. Starting immediately with Sam half cast girl friend Myia.
Maybe this is more noticable in the UK version because of how immigration has changed the UK map in such a short time. US immigration has slowly been ticking over for the last 300 years so it is not noticable from the view point of a single life time. I filmly believe that the US viewer will not be able to pick up on the subtle 1970s UK references. Example, when Sam is drugged and has the Camblewick Green vision.
The UK viewer will be able to follow the USA show as it is simpler and after watching years of Starsky and Hutch and Streets of San Francisco, an English view will know how to follow an American format easier. I don’t remember any of my American friend watching minder or the sweeney! Therefore a US audience will generally prefer the culture they understand and the hand feed answers to question that the english show leaves the viewer to decide for themselves. The big disappointment I have with the US show is how they had been leading Sam and Annie together in every episode then he gets one Kiss (roll to credits let us make up our minds…, but no it becomes) “Open your Eye” or the US remake “Vanilla Sky”. He wakes in 2035, which doesn’t work as all the little thing he recognised as he was a boy in 1973 are no long relevent at all as when he was a boy has now changed to 2000. And Gene being his dad… Come on!!! But American Annie is sexier!!!
If I made any spelling mistakes please forgive me, it is 3 in the morning, good night!
10. Roger said ( Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 1:45 pm )
…anyone want to discuss how US Sam slept with his sister?????
11. GeekBoy said ( Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 2:03 pm )
Rgoer, I’m tired of that sister line. He didn’t sleep with his sister, because Gene wasn’t his father in his 1973 fantasy. Somebody else was. If we actually saw that actress portray his sister in the future scenes, or even heard mention that he has a sister at all the future scenes, I’d say it was relevant. Otherwise, it’s just nitpicking for the sake of being clever and/or making the point that the US version was inferior.
As for your fairly heavy-handed implication that American audiences are too stupid and/or lack enough knowledge of UK history to fully appreciate the UK version of the show, and are therefore better off being “hand feed” (sic) answers by a “simpler” US version that represents our “stagnet” (sic) culture … I’m not entirely sure how you expect those of us born and bred in the US to not be insulted by that assessment.
But thanks for chiming in.
12. freakgirl said ( Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 2:13 pm )
Something that bugs me about the British vs. American version is that people are acting like both versions ran side-by-side on television and we idiot Americans had a CHOICE of which to watch, and we chose the American version because we’re a bunch of drooling simpletons.
Not everyone has BBC America; we weren’t even aware there was a British version until it was already over. We’ve been patiently waiting for access to the DVDs or find downloads, and in the meantime really enjoyed the American version.
It doesn’t make us stupid or simple. I also really hate when people act like this about the two versions of The Office. Whatever. Get over yourself.
13. GeekBoy said ( Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 2:23 pm )
Good point, Freakgirl. I’ve actually been trying to catch the UK version for the past couple of years, and the few times it’s been replayed on BBC America, I’ve only managed to learn about it after it already started. And this isn’t the kind of series you’d want to miss the first few episodes of. As for them waiting until this upcoming July to release the series to DVD in the US, that frankly boggles my mind. You’d think BBC would have wanted to take advantage of the interest created by the US version. Maybe they wanted to give us all time to learn a bit more about UK history beforehand, so that it wouldn’t hurt our brains too much?
14. Roger said ( Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:34 pm )
To GB: The sister act:
GB said “…it’s just nitpicking for the sake of being clever and/or making the point that the US version was inferior.”
I think you may have completely missed or you are down playing a brilliant bit of writing with regards to the US Version. Firstly, as episode 17 stands Gene or Tom is Sam’s father. And even though the final episode made a complete mess of exposing it, the other 16 episodes have so outstanding writing with father son struggle and confrontation issues. The first day at work Sam rants about having his office like a spoilt brat which daddy quickly sorts it out. etc…
And given that Gene is his real father the idea of a sister real or imaginary is another bit of insight by the writers as this is a brilliant bit of Sigmund Freud, if it is a dream (Which it is) then this is an expected reaction in psychology…
Sexual activity in a dream needs on no account to be interpreted sexually. With these images, the dream is indicating the need for a more intimate, intensive or more complete relationship with someone who has been neglected in conscious life. This holds particularly true for incest dreams.
…Or Maybe you think I am still having a go at americans and not trying to make a decent point worthy of comment????
All I was trying to point out is that I know for a fact that a US viewer will get very confused over some of the British cultural and period termology. General history has nothing to do with it. If I am wrong then you can explain the camblewick green scene for me or the use of the term red rum in the US version in about ep 4 or 5 I think, (without quickly googling it!)
I just don’t see any US termology used in the show that any brit won’t recognise from other shows. They probably won’t know who Jim Croce is, that about it…
FG said: “It doesn’t make us stupid or simple. I also really hate when people act like this about the two versions of The Office. Whatever. Get over yourself.”
just to note… I hate the office US or UK!
I never called you stupid or simple, but Americans do look at things in a very black and White ways, how about reading between the lines or seeing the grey? If I say something that offends you then I am having a go at all americans(?), which I am not. I am mainly having a go at the majority of TV networks over there which water things down and make sure you are not thinking heavy thought when they want you to pay attention to the commercial breaks! The US television for the last 5 years has been outstanding, with the non commercial station (HBO, Showtime) really taking the lead in creating some amazing story arcs. The brain dead era of gilligans island and the beverley hillbillies has long past. But unfortunately Life on Mars US – which I did enjoy, still falls into a pale reflect of the UK version because the US TV execs didn’t want the audience to make any of their own conclusions, it just seems easier, happier and more homogenized. It becomes another conversion failure like threes company, sanford and son or all in the family! Remember I am not insulting you just making an opinion on a TV show, think Grey!
15. freakgirl said ( Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:51 pm )
I agree in that it seems silly that successful British shows need to be re-made “American.” I guess because it creates jobs and makes money here, so it’s just economic. I get it.
Anyway, this was a discussion of the Life on Mars US finale, not a debate about the merits of British vs. American television. Which actually would be an interesting discussion!
I guess my main point is that the remake of Absolutely Fabulous is probably going to make me want to kill myself.
16. Roger said ( Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 3:54 am )
What… They are remaking AB Fab, oh my god, why? Starring who, Rosanne Barr and Betty Ford?
No need for it, everyone State side has already seen it and it need no translation. Fine as it is!
…Sorry, back to the finale… and the point I made earlier and no one has commented on…
The big disappointment I have with the finale is how they had been leading Sam and Annie together in every episode, then he gets one Kiss (roll to credits let us make up our minds…, but no it becomes) “Open your Eye” or the Tom Cruise remake “Vanilla Sky”. He wakes from a VR programme in 2035, which doesn’t work at all. The little thing he recognised as he was a boy in 1973 are no long relevent to the entire show at all as when he was a boy has now changed to the year 2000. If this is the case he no longer fits the show and all the details with in the show become meaningless.
17. freakgirl said ( Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 7:02 am )
Don’t you think a lot of that can simply be chalked up to the fact that the show was canceled and they just did the best they could in the time they had? I’m sure there was a bigger blueprint to the show overall.
18. Roger said ( Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9:33 pm )
Hi FG
No it not a rush job to finish the show because of cancellation, as there are too many hints and references which are obvious on reviewing; and the US series is one episode longer than the UK series any ways. The many visions of the mars rover during the season, Ray continally calling him spaceman, Hyde, 2B and Windy. All these links had to be resolved before the end of the season regardless of a new season next year regardless of story twist. The 2035 thing was always going to happen. One question is if they had of continued with the show would this also been a dream… 70s wallpaper on the ships wall and the vision of 70s Genes foot stepping onto Mars. But a jump forward also makes little sense as a continued dream (…unless, read on…) . I much prefer the suicide/ coma/purgatory idea over the vanilla sky VR dream. The bigger picture you mentioned for many seasons rather than one may have been on the drawing board, but that is starting to ring alarm bell as a possible subtle rehash of Time Tunnel 1967 (?) or even quantum leap. What do you think? Sam popping up in all sorts of different time with the same buddies following him about and he still can’t find a way home.?????
19. freakgirl said ( Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9:58 pm )
Um, I don’t know what you want me to say. Neither of us are writers for the show, so neither of us really know what the plan was. Obviously you disliked the ending immensely. Point taken. We get it.
20. GeekBoy said ( Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 10:53 pm )
Roger, I don’t agree that the ending we got was always the series ending that they intended. But as Freakgirl says, we don’t know, unless the actual writers tell us. We got what we got. I liked it as it was — you thought it was simplistic and wanted something different. All the details in the show aren’t “meaningless” to me, because they work as a narrative in and of themselves, with or without the trick ending.
Anyway, I can’t speak for anybody else, but I’m kind of bored talking about this now. Seems like we’re just going around in circles, neither of us offering anything new to the discussion. You’re allowed not to like it, and there’s nothing you’ll say to me that will make me not like it. It wasn’t nearly profound enough of an ending to warrant still talking about it two weeks later.