Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discussion

[Aragorn]

Spoiler: The Man Who Sold the World

Sam Tyler learns his father may be involved in the kidnapping of a prominent family's child. As Sam and the detectives investigate the case, he realizes he may have discovered why his father had left town in 1973. As buried memories of his childhood begin to surface, Sam believes he might have been sent back in time to help his father and to prevent him from leaving.

You know, the back and forth between Sam and Annie about when and where Sam's really from is getting old, and the preview for tonight's episode looks like there's going to be more of that. Isn't there something he can tell her about an events or events that will happen in the near future so she'll believe him. A sporting event outcome? The way a celebrity dies? How long before Watergate?

 

[firehawk12]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

So, this was another direct adaptation... but I think I liked this take on it better than the original.
Also, they really just got rid of that hippy girl, didn't they?

 

[Scott Delaney]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

The hippie girl will almost certainly show up again, I'm guessing the last couple of eps they've wanted to concentrate on finishing out the BBC's first season adaptations and she just didn't fit anywhere.

I think I liked the original's back-and-forth more, but this one was definitely more of a punch to the gut - very well done in that sense. And that last scene creeped me out completely! January can't get here soon enough...

Excellent episode overall. At this rate, they'll run out of original BBC plots to adapt or rehash by the end of the first season - if they get renewed (crosses fingers) I'll be utterly fascinated to see where they take the show from there.

It's also going to be utterly surreal having the US Life on Mars airing around the same time as the second season of the BBC's Ashes to Ashes...

 

[firehawk12]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

Oh wow, that was the mid season cliffhanger? Bastards!

 

[Scott Delaney]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

Oh wow, that was the mid season cliffhanger? Bastards!

My thoughts exactly...

 

[Aragorn]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

This can't be the last we see of Sam's dad, right? After Sam spills his guts to him -- is the cop a nutjob or is he really my son -- it's got to have some sort of effect on Vic, doesn't it? Especially since he shot him twice.

 

[firehawk12]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

In the original, learning the truth about his father was the climax of series 1. But who knows?

 

[deh34]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

great episode, once again! it was very "Lost" at the end with the out of nowhere plot twist, which was great.

I also liked that at the beginning with the stakeout and chasing Vic, it just felt like a 70s cop show more than any other scene.

 

[jep316]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

It's ironic that he used the name Luke Skywalker to give to his mother..because just like Luke..Sam learns the the truth about who and what his father really is and also like Luke ended up badly injured after a confrontation with his him.

 

[firehawk12]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

I'm guessing that's a biblical reference?

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

I'm guessing that's a biblical reference?

Luke Skywalker a biblical reference?

 

[Aragorn]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

Colossians 4:14: "Luke, the beloved Jedi, and Chewbacca, greet you."

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

One question:

The 'Uncle' guy, the one who we see cleaning up the blood off the pool table (and who was the one who really shot Vic), why do we see him at the end, as one of the gangsters surrounding Vic and Sam? Were those guys there to whack Vic, or were they his friends?

And is this really the last episode we'll see till fucking January?

 

[firehawk12]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

I'm guessing that's a biblical reference?

Luke Skywalker a biblical reference?

I thought he was talking about the book of Luke or whatever.

 

[Jax]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

I think its risky to have the midseason break now especailly as this episode hit a series low (ABC need to re run all 7 before back 10). There was 8 episodes in UK show so don't know why this didn't do a front 8 copying that last one off the UK version.

TBH, ABC should of started LoM with LOST at midseason since season 1 will be 17 episodes.

 

[Aragorn]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

Shows shouldn't air new episodes throughout December. It's suicide.

Are they going off the air or showing reruns? Once upon a time shows would just air reruns instead of vanshing into thin air.

 

[Sheep]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

I never thought I'd say this after seeing the god-awful, "stick a fork in my eye and end this misery NOW!" unaired pilot, but I like the ABC version as much as the original BBC version.

I gave this episode an excellent. It was tightly-plotted and I really wanted to see how the ABC version would play out. They did a great job here, IMO.

I like how the writers have actually stuck to a loose story arc and have ignored the obvious temptation to do a bunch of standalone stories set in the 1970's (which I'm sure ABC would have loved due to it being easier to sell those arc-free episodes into syndication). I like the chemistry between Sam and Annie, and US Annie is actually an improvement over her British counterpart. Yeah, nothing will replace Philip Glenister and John Simm, but I don't think anyone expected that.

Now let's see if this show lasts beyond one season...

 

[rac76]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

I loved this episode..was surprised that Vic actually hurt him. It just approves that his Dad is a jerk, and hopefully something bad does happen to him. Also it would be nice to see what will happen to his Dad, but at a later time. I do like the fact that they are taking their time with the relationship between Annie and him. Just remember that slow and steady wins the race!

Now off to get ready for Thanksgiving and then Christmas..and I will be well rested and ready for the return of LoM in January (yeah..I was shocked at first, then I realize it maybe a good thing since the Holidays are coming and everyone is usually too busy anyway).

Oh..the last 10 minutes..a bit spooky..who the hell is on the phone? and what's down in the basement? Can't wait for January!

 

[John Picard]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

Excellent episode; however, with two gunshots to the abdomen, Sam would have been in far worse shape and not have awakened in the hospital so quickly.

The ending cliffhanger was well done.

 

[DanCPA]

Re: Life On Mars: "The Man Who Sold the World" 11/20, Grading & Discus

Excellent episode; however, with two gunshots to the abdomen, Sam would have been in far worse shape and not have awakened in the hospital so quickly.

Especially given medicine 35 years ago... That said, I think it further reinforces the fact that he's dreaming it all up

The ending cliffhanger was well done.

I agree with you on that!