Plan B Forum

I took a free trial week of a streaming service called Britbox to check out a show that a couple of friends had recommended to me, Life On Mars...:

After being involved in a car accident in 2006, DCI Sam Tyler wakes up to find himself in 1973, the era of 'Sweeney' type policing, Mark III Cortinas, and flared trousers.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478942/

It's got an 8.4 rating, and it's a very well crafted blend of drama, comedy and mystery....

It also really captures the look and feel of the early 70's. (It's set in Manchester. There's also an American version that was made a year later) The chemistry between the star John Simm (as Tyler) and the primary co-star Philip Glenister (as DCI Gene Hunt, his hard-boiled 70's era boss) is fantastic, and their 70s copper versus 21st Century copper culture clash provides a lot of the best comedy in the show.

My favorite exchange between them:

Gene Hunt: I think you've forgotten who you're talking to.

Sam Tyler: An overweight, over the hill, nicotine-stained, borderline alcoholic, homophobe with a superiority complex and an unhealthy obsession with male bonding.

Gene Hunt: You make that sound like a bad thing.

The rest of the supporting cast is also excellent. (Except for Simm, who I played "The Master" in Dr. Who, I had never seen any of the other actors or actresses before)

Another great feature of the show is the way it uses music from the period. (I especially liked the way they used 70s style cop-show background music for the a lot of the action and chase scenes)

Here's a trailer:



I don't want to give any spoilers for folks who might want to see it, but I have to say I had mixed feelings about the ending...

There are 14 total episodes:

https://www.britbox.com/us/

I found that I've either already seen or have available through other sources most of the service's programming, so I didn't spring for the $6.99 monthly fee, but it's well worth signing up for the free trial just to binge watch Life On Mars...

Love that show, have it on DVD.

There's a follow up series "Ashes to Ashes" not quite as good, but still watchable.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1008108/

I checked out Ashes To Ashes after we finished LOM, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to currently be available on any streaming service, (even on a pay-per-episode basis)

One thing I found really funny was some of the online comments I read about the show...

While apparently the show was very popular overall when it ran, there were a number of folks who were deeply offended by it...

A lot of outrage and offense at all the sexism, homophobic comments and cigarette smoking in the show...

Yo, Snow Flake Morons:

The show is set in 1973 idiots...

Homophobic comments, sexism and cigarette smoking were all the rage...

You were expecting zero tolerance for sexual discrimination, smoke free environments, and openly gay cops?

If you're such a pearl clutcher that a realistic portrayal of the era that the show takes place in gives you the vapors, DON'T WATCH THE SHOW...

I will check this out, sounds right up my alley.

As to your comments about the folks offended by it; last week I re-watched one of my all-time favorite cop movies, L.A. Confidential. I consider it one of the best films ever, and certainly it was critically acclaimed. But it occurred to me as I was watching it that it probably wouldn't get made today, or might possibly be made but not be lauded as it was just 20 years ago, even though it very accurately depicts the time period in which it was set.

I am very progressive and very supportive of the movements of today aimed at achieving equality for all persons and addressing the victimhood of some persons at the hands of others - but I'm beginning to feel very uneasy about some of the tactics employed by some of my fellow progressives, especially the push to whitewash history. There is a difference between removing Confederate statues from places of honor in our communities and banning Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because it liberally uses the N word. I don't understand why people don't get this?

eta: I recently watched HBO's Fahrenheit 451 - it is definitely an imperfect adaptation of fantastic source material, but it is entertaining and hits on many of Bradbury's essential points, especially the loss of history through the loss of literature. I think it's worth a look.