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» » Life on Mars Out Here in the Fields (2008–2009)

Short summary

After an accident, NYPD detective Sam Tyler inexplicably finds himself back in 1973, where he must help solve a murder that is eerily similar to a case he was investigating in 2008.

There are a few connections in the show to October Road (2007), an ABC show canceled before Life on Mars (2008) debuted. Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Bryan Oh, and Scott Rosenberg, who wrote "October Road," are also writers for "Life on Mars." Jonathan Murphy, who played Ronnie in "October Road", also plays Chris Skelton in "Life on Mars." Meanwhile, the name of the apartment building shown in both 1973 and 2008 is 'Cataldo Houses'. Ray Cataldo was an "October Road" character who built houses.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Yndanol
    I have now seen three versions of the same Episode 1, the first British one, the first pilot with Colm Meany and the revised one with Harvey Keitel as Gene Hunt Naturally I prefer the British version as it is easier to pick up shades of meaning which I could well miss in the American version. I do prefer Colm Meany to Harvey Keitel as Gene Hunt. I think the New York cast are better than the Los Angeles one with the possible exception of Annie who is far too pretty. The New York cast seem more believable than those in the first pilot. I thought that the music in the New York episode was very well selected. I hope to see the sort of banter between the characters which was present in the original series and which NCIS does very well. Gene Hunt will be the problem for any actor. He is such a complicated character. Philip Glenister played him superbly in the British version. There's a feeling over here that political correctness may have gone too far in some respects. Gene Hunt's machismo, direct talking and one liners made a great impression when the series was first shown in Britain. The writers were not afraid to point out the flaws and prejudices in the character. Gene Hunt was,however, prepared to learn even if he could not fully understand what Sam Tyler was saying. I do hope that the American version will leave the rough edges which make Gene Hunt such an interesting individual.
  • comment
    • Author: Fordg
    Had I not seen the British version, I would've given this episode a 10. Initially, I was disappointed by the similarities between this version and the UK version because it seemed to copy the British story, with the names being the same, only the location is different.

    However, there are some differences between the UK and the US version of this episode. The US version is a meaner than the UK version. The cops at the 125 are clearly more stressed out as they have to deal with a higher crime rate than their British counterparts, and both have to deal with mountains of paperwork.

    The music proves that you can sometimes fix something, even if it ain't broke! The 2008 scene begins with GROUND ZERO playing on the car stereo though Sam's iPod. But the rest of the story, taking place in 1973, also provides a musical journey down memory lane with such selections as "Signs" by the Five Man Electrical Band (which charted in May 1971 and peaked at Number 3), "Little Willy" by Sweet (which charted in January 1973 and peaked at Number 3), "Baba O'Riley" by the WHO (from the 1971 LP, "Who's Next") and closes out with "Out of Time" by the Rolling Stones (from their 1967 LP "Flowers").
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Jason O'Mara Jason O'Mara - Detective Sam Tyler
    Michael Imperioli Michael Imperioli - Detective Ray Carling
    Gretchen Mol Gretchen Mol - Annie Norris
    Jonathan Murphy Jonathan Murphy - Detective Chris Skelton
    Harvey Keitel Harvey Keitel - Lieutenant Gene Hunt
    Lisa Bonet Lisa Bonet - Detective Maya Daniels
    Clarke Peters Clarke Peters - Captain Bellow
    Phyllis Somerville Phyllis Somerville - Mrs. Raimes
    Mike Starr Mike Starr - Nelson
    Ken Marks Ken Marks - Scientist
    Michael Mulheren Michael Mulheren - Patrolman
    Austin Basis Austin Basis - Willy Kramer
    Michael Bertolini Michael Bertolini - Colin Raimes
    Carrie Getman Carrie Getman - Dora Keen
    Ramsey Faragallah Ramsey Faragallah - Raimes' Lawyer
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