This should have been at least a 7 or 8, but the ending completely destroyed any hope of me giving this show a good review. ABC pretty much told all the viewers that they were morons for watching it in the first place (I could go on and on about how the networks always seem to do this so I won't) When i first heard the show was being canned, I like many fans were disappointed, but that was nothing compared to the disappointment from the last 5 minutes of the finale. It premiered on April 1st, so after it was over, I kept watching the TV PRAYING (i'm an athiest) that it was some sort of cruel April fool's joke and that the real finale would be on next week, but that would have been too kind to the viewers. Ever since the finale I haven't watched a single show on ABC, and I encourage you all to do the same.

The story telling is first rate. This show is perfectly balanced. It doesn't take itself too seriously, yet it is sober enough draw me in emotionally. The characters are portrayed in rich detail, and the actors deliver solid performances- all of them.I was genuinely interested in the characters, and I was never let down as their stories unfolded. Not too hurried, not too slow. The world of 1973 is beautifully detailed, the characters are interesting, yet familiar, making it easy to lose yourself in this once in a lifetime series.As for the story itself. A great idea to begin with, matched with masterful direction and just the right amount of metaphysical, tempered with police procedural, and a touch of humor.I found myself wishing for a sequel. ( I know there is a sequel in the UK, but I did not think it a worthy competitor. Perhaps the cultural references are part of the charm. Interesting but not deep. ) Sequel please!

I am a A2 media student and for my coursework I am looking at the cross cultural difference between Britain and America through Life on Mars both the UK and the US versions. I have only watched the first episode of both versions but I was completely blown away by the UK one, it is smart and funny and keeps it audiences at the edge of their seats. It doesn't treat us like idiots it lets us form our own opinions about what is going in regards to who the killer is and then adds a huge twists, one even the characters didn't see coming. The casting in this is great and their is a fantastic relationship between Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt in it as well. The US version however is a complete let down. It is in my opinion a very poor imitation of the UK one. The script is virtually the same expect they have added an identical twin and several chases, one involving guns. I guess a guy using a baton stick to take down a suspect isn't exciting enough or dangerous enough for American audiences. Then you have the characters they do not in any way live up to the originals, the relationship between Hunt and Tyler is non existent in fact the guy playing Hunt isn't any good at all, he lacks something that made the British Gene Hunt a perfect character. all in all I think that the Americans should stop remaking British shows and just leave them how they are. The originals are brilliant and should not be messed with. No one Life on Mars US flopped!

Our hero is thrust back in time by unknown means from 2008 to 1973 he is mysteriously holding a cops ID and is expected at the station house as a new transfer into H Keitels "team" of detectives. Its all confusing to him but he pulls himself together and for some reason goes to work every day as a new york detective working cases and living adventures with his new partners. We get to experience the culture shock first hand. There is also a dark unknown force always teasing Sam as to why he is there and that Sam is following someones unknown plan....There are funny moments which are played out quite well almost looking like they are happening for real. Its a credit to the cast that they can pull it off considering the script quality.more light hearted than the UK version and not quite so edgy. Even so in its own right its a decent show. the characters are intriguing and make you want to know more. As normal with yank shows there is always some big moral backdrop to the story which a lot of UK fans will find cheesy but the Americans love that stuff.....each episode has its own story though they are all linked, I think the show could do with a bigger arc for us to get our teeth into spread out over several episodes or a season, though I would say it does look like its heading that way.excellent cast. Though Harvey Keitel and Gretchen Mol both outshine Jason O'Mara the lead. He doesn't seem very realistic as a character and I wish he would take more advantage of the fact that he's from the future to make him more believable. in summary thumbs up, good entertainment.