Life On Mars: "Out Here In the Fields" 10/9 - Grading & Discussion
- Thread starter Aragorn
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Honestly, I think the first two acts of the LA pilot were much better. But then again, they also had the full hour to play with the introductory preamble.
Both don't quite seem to evoke the 70s very well though...
Both don't quite seem to evoke the 70s very well though...
I liked it quite a bit. I'll certainly watch it next week.
I get the impression from clips on YouTube that this version is actually closer to episode 1 of the original series than the first American pilot was. Is that true?
No, no. The LA pilot kept the original ending. And if I remember correctly, Maya wasn't in trouble either.
"On the internet" is probably as specific as I can get here...
But you know, places involving pirates and bays would be probably a good place to start.
But you know, places involving pirates and bays would be probably a good place to start.
"On the internet" is probably as specific as I can get here...
But you know, places involving pirates and bays would be probably a good place to start.
Man... One of these days I have to figure that whole deal out.
Oh well.
It's not hard. Honestly, the Wikipedia article on bittorrent is as good a tutorial as any... specifically the links at the end.
Didn't get to catch more than a few minutes of it. My hubby and I are SUCH diehard fans of the original, and he couldn't stand to see a remake. I'm a bit leary of it myself.
But I am curious---if there's no BBC testcard-girl to pop up and freak him the hell out, what do they use instead?
But I am curious---if there's no BBC testcard-girl to pop up and freak him the hell out, what do they use instead?
At the moment, they've just used the black and white instructional video thingies.
That was AMAZINGLY better than the unaired U.S. pilot. 
Then again, watching a static screen for an hour was better than the unaired pilot.
A few notes:
1. Harvey Keitel makes a much better Gene Hunt than Colm Meaney did, although I don't think anyone will ever top Philip Glenister's performances. That man IS Gene Hunt.
2. Moving from LA to NYC was a great idea. 1970's LA seemed about as exciting as watching smog hover around and just wasn't that compelling a backdrop for the show, while NYC (as overexposed as it is) might actually be okay.
3. The writing in this new pilot wasn't a straight adaptation of the BBC original. Unlike the unaired pilot, this one added in its own elements, many of which enhanced the show.
Good to see that this group of writers and producers actually improved the product. My enthusiasm for this show went from less than zero to pretty freaking high if they can maintain this level of entertainment. I just hope they don't go too far into the over the top 1970's comedy route like the trailer for the next episode suggests.
Then again, watching a static screen for an hour was better than the unaired pilot. A few notes:
1. Harvey Keitel makes a much better Gene Hunt than Colm Meaney did, although I don't think anyone will ever top Philip Glenister's performances. That man IS Gene Hunt.
2. Moving from LA to NYC was a great idea. 1970's LA seemed about as exciting as watching smog hover around and just wasn't that compelling a backdrop for the show, while NYC (as overexposed as it is) might actually be okay.
3. The writing in this new pilot wasn't a straight adaptation of the BBC original. Unlike the unaired pilot, this one added in its own elements, many of which enhanced the show.
Good to see that this group of writers and producers actually improved the product. My enthusiasm for this show went from less than zero to pretty freaking high if they can maintain this level of entertainment. I just hope they don't go too far into the over the top 1970's comedy route like the trailer for the next episode suggests.
Just finished watching the pilot to Life on Mars: NY. It was really interesting seeing what they kept verses what they changed compared to the original and the LA pilot.
It looks like the only added element from the LA pilot that survived, along with Jason O'Mara, was the line about MP3 players and CDs sucking compared to records (which doesn't exist in the original UK episode). Otherwise no hint was left of it.
I for one was surprised they kept the Sam's father storyline bit from the original (when he is passing out after being hit and is walking in the fields and sees the red coat).
It looks like the only added element from the LA pilot that survived, along with Jason O'Mara, was the line about MP3 players and CDs sucking compared to records (which doesn't exist in the original UK episode). Otherwise no hint was left of it.
I for one was surprised they kept the Sam's father storyline bit from the original (when he is passing out after being hit and is walking in the fields and sees the red coat).
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Doesn't the defibrillator moment pretty much say he's in a hospital after being hit by the car?
You have to admit it'd be pretty freaky to live that far back in the past from what your present is used to, all the modern day conveniences that go right out the window. The lead should bet on sports and buy up some stocks (maybe grab some collectibles for down the road) to make a better life for himself in 1973.
You have to admit it'd be pretty freaky to live that far back in the past from what your present is used to, all the modern day conveniences that go right out the window. The lead should bet on sports and buy up some stocks (maybe grab some collectibles for down the road) to make a better life for himself in 1973.
Hmm, from what people are saying here I might have to eat my words. Gonna try and watch this at the weekend.
To those complaining about the "sci-fi elements" (ie Temis) - I don't know about the new pilot, but try watching the original and getting your facts straight.
To those complaining about the "sci-fi elements" (ie Temis) - I don't know about the new pilot, but try watching the original and getting your facts straight.
Being better than the garbage pilot doesn't mean this was good.
Quantum Leap meets Starsky and Hutch... I'm unimpressed
Quantum Leap meets Starsky and Hutch... I'm unimpressed
I'm about quarter of the way in to the episode, and it seems much more in the spirit of the original, but also pretty much a copy. Although not as good.Hmm, from what people are saying here I might have to eat my words. Gonna try and watch this at the weekend.
To those complaining about the "sci-fi elements" (ie Temis) - I don't know about the new pilot, but try watching the original and getting your facts straight.
"Poor" here. We really need to stop trying to do American versions of British television. Especially the really GOOD British television. Reality crapvision like Idol and Survivor is one thing. Shows like Life on Mars are on a whole other plane of existence.
O'Mara is so much NOT John Simm. He's not trying to do a John Simm impersonation, thank heaven, but still, I'm nostalgic for John Simm while watching.
And who was stoned off their ass enough to think Harvey Keitel could even hold a candle to Philip Glenister? That was just painful to watch.
It's sad when Michael Imperioli is getting the best lines. Those should not be going to Carling.
Give me the BBC DVDs so I can remember what this show is supposed to be like.
O'Mara is so much NOT John Simm. He's not trying to do a John Simm impersonation, thank heaven, but still, I'm nostalgic for John Simm while watching.
And who was stoned off their ass enough to think Harvey Keitel could even hold a candle to Philip Glenister? That was just painful to watch.
It's sad when Michael Imperioli is getting the best lines. Those should not be going to Carling.
Give me the BBC DVDs so I can remember what this show is supposed to be like.
Agreed, Keitel is great in this. So is Gretchen Mol.
Agreed again. Plus, you get that great shot of the WTC which drives the premise home in a visual and visceral way in an instant.
This is interesting - what I could tell from the YouTube clips was mainly the visual similarities, that there seem to be shot-for-shot copying in the second pilot and the BBC version whereas the first pilot looked different. Even O'Mara's costuming in the aired version looked more like Simm's.
Well, one of the things I see praised about the BBC version here is so-called "dramatic irony" consisting of quoted dialogue that's just "Back To The Future" style humor. So I agree in hoping that the American version downplays that.
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Pegg's? You mean Simm's, surely. We do have more than one actor over here y'know!!!!!
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