Superman07

BBC AMERICA has acquired the U.S. premiere of Ashes to Ashes, the award-winning drama and eagerly awaited sequel to Life On Mars, premiering in March 2009.

I spoilered the description for those that may only currently be watching the American version or the original of LoM.

Synopsis:

Fire up the Quattro! I know this is a little early, but I just heard about the premier this morning. I only watched the pilot some time back, but enjoyed it. I will definitely put this on season pass and check it out.

mrpayroll

Thanx for the heads up. It's good to know it's finally coming to America.

Chris

DJLinus

Coincidentally, I finished watching the first season last night. I didn't like it nearly as much as "Life on Mars," but overall I enjoyed it (mostly due to Gene Hunt and the music).

My sister-in-law has an intense clown phobia. If I were a meaner guy, I'd play this show for her.

Groucho

I've seen the pilot, and wasn't impressed. Not nearly as good as Life on Mars. But I'm willing to give this show another spin.

Superman07

Figure it's time for this to get a bump since it airs this weekend. I'll definitely watch this through.

Meanwhile, looks like UK LOM is getting a US release: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lif...Series-1/11423

mrpayroll

$60 SRP for the first 8 episodes?

No thanx!

Chris

mrpayroll

And it looks like Ashes to Ashes only ran 8 episodes.

Chris

Meglos

Their second season is airing some time this year (over in the UK, of course).

mrpayroll

I only made that comment because the first series ran in Feb & Mar of last year.

But that is good news, as long as Ashes to Ashes is a good show!

Chris

Meglos

It's good, but not as good as LoM (cliched, I know, but true).

Semi-spoiler regarding Ashes season 2:

Cardiff Giant11

I liked it, will definitely keep tuning in. I haven't seen LoM (other than the final episode that was played just before this and one episode of the ABC remake) but I definitely will check out LoM when it finally comes to DVD.

marty888

According to a NY Times review (positive) the 2nd season starts in a few weeks in the UK, and here on BBC America will be broadcast immediately following Series 1.

mrpayroll

Really? I find that hard to believe that they are not going to make us wait at least a year for Season 2. Maybe they expect it to get very good ratings.

I saw the pilot just now and the female lead is a little irritating. She seems to be overacting a lot of the time.

And the writing on this first one was suspect at best.



Chris

BDB

She was great on Spooks!

Superman07

Could a mod change the title to include "Series Discussion"? I don't think this show will get much discussion on a week-to-week basis. Besides, it only appears to be 8 episodes.

Speaking of "Spooks", I need to watch series 6. Probably won't get to it until this summer though.

MrE

Thankfully, since BBC seasons are so short, a lot of imports run here in a 2-season format, like SKINS 1&2.

mrpayroll

I hope you're right!

Chris

movieking

I love how the BBC run their shows. Showcase airs a lot of them in Canada, so it is easier just to wait until all of the episodes are aired and catch up since it's only a few hours. I do hate when they butcher the shows though taking out stuff for ads (although I have seen Showcase airs some 1 hours BBC shows in slots that are 1:15, which allows for all of the show plus commercials).

Superman07

Well BBCA is supposed to play S3 of Torchwood on the same night that it airs in the UK. Sounds like they are doing as much as they can to be current and relevant.

Cardiff Giant11

Last nights was enjoyable, the clown continually manages to freak me out, reminds me of something out of Twin Peaks. Loved the nightclub scene with "Fade to Grey" playing and the discovery of Chris all glammed up. Solid episode.

Torchur317

I watched the first two episodes so far & it's pretty good....
I think it's ALOT better than the U.K. Life on Mars....
Keeley Hawes is great as the lead....

Superman07

I had only seen the first episode sometime last year. I rewatched it prior to watching the second entry to catch up.

I thought the first episode took more of an opportunity to poke fun at the lighter side of LoM rather than spending more time on setting up Alex and her situtation. However, this time I did notice a possible conundrum that I did not the first time through. How does her shooter know her? Is it a temporal paradox, or will we find out that he was somehow responsibile for her parents death and for some weird reason he feels compelled to kill her well? I thought I noticed in one of the flashback scenes that she was a child in the backseat of a car with him walking by. Either way seems a little similar to Sam's situation before with his dad.

I agree that the second episode came across as stronger. The emphasis - much like LoM - was the relationship between Gene and Drake and their different methods. It's interesting to see how they work together and still manage to get to the bottom of the issue by using both methods.

Also, as a creepy as that clown is I think the test card girl is worse!

mrpayroll

I'll say it again, Keeley Hawes is a terrible actress when it comes to scenes where she is in distress. Case in point, when she is in the car with the supposed bomb in there, her acting is so over the top as to be really unbelievable.

So far, Ashes to Ashes pales in comparison to the original Life on Mars. The stories are lightweight without much substance.

And what person would really believe after all this time and all the detailed things happening to her, that she is only in a coma and dreaming the whole thing?

6 more episodes to hopefully make this a decent show, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Chris

Ron G

One thing I will say is that Keeley Hawes has some incredible green eyes.

movieking