Life On Mars Series Two

Life On Mars experiences a subtle change between series one and series two. Sam has somewhat embraced his life in 1973, and we seem to have taken for granted that he is in a coma, so the questions about what is going on are pretty much gone. Except for some strange phone calls he is receiving.

Since we are led to believe that he is indeed in a hospital in 2006, most of the show is dedicated to Sam trying to change his friends and co-workers in 1973. He brings his postmodern sensibilities (open mindedness, lack of prejudice, careful investigation) to the table in an effort to make the department better.

Most of the voices and visions he has this season are from his hospital room, but those calls mentioned before are not. Someone in Hyde is calling him about a mission—something that they think he knows about—but it is as much a mystery to Sam as it is to the viewer. This storyline comes to a head in the last two episodes and we are shown what is really going on… or are we.

The show continues to satisfy up until the last 5 minutes. Then it raises even more questions—not about the world the show has created, but about issues far more serious—about life and what we believe. To be honest, the approach the show takes is quite disturbing.