Ashes to Ashes

[Dave]

The 'Life on Mars' sequel, 'Ashes to Ashes' begins in the UK on Thursday February 7th, BBC One @ 9pm.

A number of the central characters - including DCI Gene Hunt - are back. Gene will be joined by a female detective from the 21st century, DI Alex Drake, who is stranded in 1981 after an accident. She will be played by Keeley Hawes. Also reappearing are Chris Skelton (who is stated to be a "technical wizard") and Ray Carling. All have transferred to the Metropolitan Police in London and Chris and Ray remain loyal to Gene. There will be a new recruit in the form of WPC Sharon 'Shaz' Grainger to replace WDC Annie Cartwright.

[gully_foyle]

I take it then that Sam Tyler is not in it. As much as I love Gene Hunt, it was Simms' Tyler that drew me in.

[Dave]

You're correct he's not in it. I understand what you mean, but I thought the writing was good. Difficult though it is to strike Gold twice, they may pull it off. It's the same production company who make 'Spooks' and 'Hustle'. I have some concerns too - the time travelling character is now a woman, the setting has moved to London - but I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[Dave]

I've found a little extra infomation:

Philip Glenister: "I admit I initially didn't want to do Ashes to Ashes, but three things nailed it for me - the fact that it was filmed near my home in London; Keeley Hawes, of course; and the Audi Quattro. How could I say no to that?"

Spoiler for first episode:DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) is a psychological profiler and a single mum. The new series begins with her driving her daughter Molly to school. On the front seat of her car are case notes on Sam Tyler, whom she was treating. Sam has told her all about his trip to 1973 and working with Gene Hunt.

Responding to a call, Alex confronts a crazed gunman and is taken hostage. The man appears to know her and fires a bullet. Alex passes out and when she wakes up, she's in an Eighties brothel sporting a dodgy perm...

[Dave]

So, no one watched it, or no one wanted to comment. I recorded it and have just seen it. They decided to go a bit more weird than the first time, and Alex immediately knowing what was going on was odd.

It didn't quite capture the eighties to me, the way that 'Life on Mars' captured the seventies, but there is time yet.

Alex seems to have serious clown-phobia.

[Anthony G Williams]

I agree, not such a good start as LOM, though the music brought back memories. Keeley Hawes might be nicer to look at than Simms (depending on your preferences) but she didn't engage my sympathy in the same way.

[iansales]

The clown is from Bowie's video for 'Ashes to Ashes'.

[Ursa major]

I found the first episode Ashes to Ashes strangely uninvolving. Perhaps it was the direction, which seemed melodrammatic, to say the least. I half wondered whether it was meant to be a full-on comedy, or even a spoof of itself.

Life on Mars had a strong comedy aspect, as we compared Simms's (and our current) take on life with that of Gene Hunt and his team. Ashes to Ashes was not prepared to let us see this happening, but wanted to flourish the directorial equivalent of a highlighter pen, in case we were too dumb to notice for ourselves.

I can only hope the directing of Episode Two is rather more subtle. (I rather suspect, though, that the cartoonish feel is part of the makers' attempt to get into the '70s spirit.)

[Dave]

Originally Posted by iansales

The clown is from Bowie's video for 'Ashes to Ashes'.

Thanks Ian, I don't remember seeing that video, but it explains it.

Originally Posted by Ursa major

I found the first episode Ashes to Ashes strangely uninvolving.

That is exactly it. I didn't really care whether Alex was really there or not, because I already knew she was not.

[Briareus Delta]

I was also unimpressed by the first episode. Apart from lacking the 'intrigue' element of Life on Mars, I didn't find the Keeley Hawes character, DI Drake, a very realistic female police officer from any era. At least, she's not like any I've ever met. I'll probably stick with it though, as Phillip Glenisters portrayal of DCI Gene Hunt is always very watchable.

[thaddeus6th]

I was somewhat disappointed with it, but there's plenty of time to get into the groove.

I think Hawes isn't a patch on John Simms, and LoM was great partly because of the Sheriff and Deputy dynamic. However, maybe if she stopped psychobabbling so much and paused for breath it'd be better.

A bit too cheesy as well, I felt. I was never really gripped.

Plus sides: Skelton and Ray are both amusing, and Hunt's presence is of course great. The clown is test card girl's equal in scariness (I used to be afraid of the test card girl and don't like clowns either. Happily I'm quite at ease with Zippy and George).

Hopefully episode two will give HUnt, Skelton and Ray more screen time.

[rune]

Im trying to keep an open mind as i so enjoyed Life on Mars and hoping the writing is as good as that series. Im not sure why there is a woman in that situation this time, perhaps they are hoping for a bit of sexual tension with Hunt