Spent tonight watching the finale of the US version of Life On Mars, having spent over 12 hours getting emotionally involved in this excellent reworking of the British version (which I’d only seen the 1st episode of, but have heard how the series ended – I’d also seen some episodes of the follow-up Ashes to Ashes). I was looking forward to the pay-off moments in this final episode, Sam & Annie getting it on, Annie getting the recognition that was hinted at a few shows back, one final blow out delivery of a Ray-ism by the fantastic Michael Imperioli, maybe even Harvey Keitel hamming up his Gene Hunt to get close to Phillip Glenister’s version!
Yes we got almost all of those, and some extra bonus moments but no “Sizeable Ted” in the finale? Disappointing… BUT we get an ending that comes so hard and so fast out of left field it knocked the wind clean from my sails – not in a good way though. I was stunned by what i witnessed, i felt cheated. 16 and half episodes I’d enjoyed so much, eagerly waited for the next episode every week since September, told anyone who listened that oneday this great show would come to our screens and it was good and worth watching. What will I say now? “Err.. yeah… don’t bother with it you’ll feel like your time has been wasted”.
I wonder what the actors thought to themselves as they read the script for the last few scenes? Horrified I bet!
But then I took some time to digest what I’d just watched, and casting my memory over the 1973 parts of the 17 episodes, and the signs were there in plain sight. Its just that they were nonsensical until the final 7 minutes or so of the series. Obviously the writers had this in mind from when the show first broadcast, and maybe with a deservedly longer run this ending wouldn’t have been so bitter to swallow. Personally I’d have preferred a more “real-world” explanation or a straight time travel ending, maybe with the final scene mimicking the end of the British version.
To me this show was always about getting Sam & Annie together in the final scene. Oh and seeing Gretchen Mol in uniform every week!
On a side note, finally listening to the Elbow CD “Seldom Seen Kid” – absolutely FANTASTIC!!
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