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There's hardly a week goes by in TV land without the launch of some 'eagerly-anticipated' programme or another, but for once Ashes To Ashes (Thursdays, 9pm. BBC1) really is a show that fits that billing.
A spin-off from the critically-acclaimed and ratings success Life On Mars, Ashes To Ashes moves the action from the '70s to the '80s and the drama now centres around DI Alex Drake, played by Keeley Hawes.
It's not giving anything away to say that the first episode sees Drake 'travel back in time' from the modern day to 1981 following a shooting.
Just like Sam Tyler before her, Drake finds herself working alongside DCI Gene Hunt and his colleagues while she tries to find a way of getting back to 2008.
The tone of the series is a lot more knowing this time around - Drake has been working as a pyschological profiler for the police and has been studying the files of Sam Tyler so she dismisses Hunt and co as figments of her imagination.
A lot of the first episode is spent scene-setting so it's a bit too soon yet to decide how this series is going to pan out. Nostalgia fans will love all the 80s references and, in particular, the soundtrack, however, fans of Life On Mars might find things just a little too contrived this time around.
While the concept of that show felt fresh, it's a bit more difficult to swallow the set-up a second time around. Gene Hunt is still the best thing in it and the chemistry between him and Drake will no doubt add a spark to the series. There's also much humour to be had in the culture clash between the '80s and the present day but overall the jury is still out on this one...
Let us know what you think...
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You correctly stated, that this series was indeed eagerly anticipated, well at least in this household. I think your assessment is spot on..... at the end of the first episode, I asked my wife what she thought: and she remarked that the initial chemistry between Hunt and Drake didnt seem to be as good as that of Hunt and Tyler!, and I commented that it all seemed too contrived now! Sure it was groundbreaking stuff first time round, and I thought Life On Mars was the best episodic TV in years. Interestingly, the BBC were showing the last episode of Life On Mars, straight after the first episode of "Ashes" on their sister channel BBC4 I think, and I couldnt resist tuning in to watch it again. It still had an impact on me... brilliantly written, and choc full of emotion! However, like you said, it is early days, and we still yet have a chance to become emotionally attached to the new gal, much as we did to Sam. Cant help thinkin we really have seen all this before though
Posted by: sirpaultribute on Thu Feb 07 11:40PM | Report abuseDisappointed really, a parody of the first series, all a bit too contrived but good fun none the same!
Posted by: trh1511 on Fri Feb 08 09:05AM | Report abuseVERY GOOD Clive henderson
Posted by: godfatherclive on Fri Feb 08 10:48AM | Report abuseI thought the music waa fantastic!
Posted by: aliedrake on Fri Feb 08 01:19PM | Report abuseWatched with anticipation, yes repeation of Life on Mars but was better than anything else on at the moment. Already some pointers for further revelations of this world, Hunt stating she has to stay longer as if he knows who she really is and Sam'a body never found! lots of potential hopefully.
Posted by: robertkirton on Fri Feb 08 03:36PM | Report abuseAs a complete Life on Mars geek I was looking forward to Ashes to Ashes as much as the next LOM fan and was not let down. Keeley Hawes, although strange to get used to as she is so different to Sam, was excellent. Gene Hunt...what a legend! Although is it me or has he become a little more PC? Looking forward to the next one. I'm sure this series will not disappoint. Give it a chance for those of you who are not sure.
Posted by: zoesheldon on Fri Feb 08 04:01PM | Report abuseSo disappointing... I fully expected to enjoy every moment and waited for the story to kick in, or for the banter between the characters to start to amuse. At a point two thirds in, all those sat around the tv agreed - turn it off. It felt like the Christmas special of a much loved programme that either has different writers or no real story to carry it along - and failed dismally. What a shame.
Posted by: sowerby99 on Fri Feb 08 06:57PM | Report abuseLike everyone else,I think Life on Mars was a brilliantly written piece of work.The first episode of its sequel, Ashes to Ashes was cool but a bit contrived.I doubt if it will have that freshness like Life on Mars did, but let's wait and see! Gene Hunt and the other two are brill.I wonder if they could bring back Sam in some weird storyline mmmm Something to think about.
Posted by: adonisl on Fri Feb 08 07:15PM | Report abusethe best thing on t.v at the moment. its the way the old bill should be still but for the dum and lack of common sense p.c brigade it ain't. but the shows producers "slight" obsession with david bowie i find abit of concern. there was more to the eighties than david bowie. more gene hunts on the street please. its good and i reckon it may follow the same sort of panache' and vigor to the stories in following episodes, but with different out comes for endings than we may think otherwise it will be the poor "relation" in the series
Posted by: jo_sheldrake on Fri Feb 08 08:59PM | Report abuseFantastic!! As a child of the 80's i loved the sound track. DCI Hunt was his usual caricature of a past era and the 'Miami Vice' scene, with speed boat, machine guns, and Whatever Happened To The Heroes blasting out was brilliant. Of course, it does not have the freshness and originality of Life On Mars and DI Drake is not going to be as convincing a totured soul as Sam Tyler, but it looks like the entertainment value is going to be as high as ever. Gene Hunt is a God...
Posted by: gkenward on Sat Feb 09 09:56AM | Report abuse