Life On Mars

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 9, 2008
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 101
  3. Negative: 10 out of 101
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User Reviews

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  1. AxeT
    Jul 19, 2015
    8
    What a terrific little sci-fi limited series. From the beginning besides the period re-creation and colorful cast, I knew there was a reason I kept watching and I wasn't disappointed!
  2. PolisKanin
    Feb 8, 2014
    5
    Without the charm of Philip Glenister as Gene Hunt and John Simm as Sam Tyler, the charm of the real series just isn't there. I couldn't make it through the first episode, it left me wishing for John Simm. Whether or not theres Life on Mars, theres no Life in this tv series.
  3. KieranDevlin
    Dec 11, 2009
    3
    It has the music, at least, but this remake of Life On Mars UK was entirely unnecessary and extremely poor in comparison to the great original. I don't need to watch more than 10 minutes before hitting a WTF moment, as something not in the original is included. Maybe I haven't watched enough, but it was genuinely awful from what I saw.
  4. ChuckT.
    Aug 1, 2009
    8
    This show was great. It definitely wasn't just another cop show. There was a great twist and the mystery behind the plot was refreshing. I would have given this a perfect 10, but ABC canned the show for some reason and the last episode (whether ABC's or the writer's fault) was absolutely horrible. It made no sense to the show and ended so wrong.
  5. BryanB
    Apr 9, 2009
    10
    It took some time in the beginning to hit stride, but the series eventually found its niche and was incredibly strong the second half of the season. Great cast and visuals throughout. The nuanced and multifaceted Sam/Annie love story was the best of the season and one of the strongest in television history, and the surprise twist at the end of the series tied everything together well. The It took some time in the beginning to hit stride, but the series eventually found its niche and was incredibly strong the second half of the season. Great cast and visuals throughout. The nuanced and multifaceted Sam/Annie love story was the best of the season and one of the strongest in television history, and the surprise twist at the end of the series tied everything together well. The series will be missed.… Expand
  6. VickyH
    Apr 7, 2009
    10
    This show is and was amazing! Too bad they cancelled it.
  7. monac
    Apr 6, 2009
    10
    The three best shows I have seen in the past several years are Life on Mars, Mad Men, and True Blood. It's a crying shame that Life on Mars has been cancelled. That said, the finale was extremely well done. I kept waiting for the writers to lapse into psychobabble or present an ending that was poorly thought out or broke the basic rules of storytelling -- but they didn't. It The three best shows I have seen in the past several years are Life on Mars, Mad Men, and True Blood. It's a crying shame that Life on Mars has been cancelled. That said, the finale was extremely well done. I kept waiting for the writers to lapse into psychobabble or present an ending that was poorly thought out or broke the basic rules of storytelling -- but they didn't. It worked very well. And it made a chump out of me, because I'd been watching for it like a hawk and still didn't manage to predict it, with all the hints right there in plain sight. Bravo!… Expand
  8. timm
    Apr 3, 2009
    10
    This was a fantastic way to make a series of one season. I believe that this is a new-wa and exciting way to make a series. The beginning was or fantastic the plot was captivating.
  9. [Anonymous]
    Mar 29, 2009
    9
    One of the best shows in the current season, so why oh why was it canceled?
  10. MikeD
    Mar 13, 2009
    10
    Love this show. Great music, entertaining episodes, great cast. Heard it won't be coming back for a second season and I'm very disappointed.
  11. CharleneC
    Feb 20, 2009
    10
    I love this show! Finally I feel entertained by quality acting and a storyline that is not insulting to the intelligence of it's viewers. I hope it stays a quality program and that it gets the audience it needs to keep it going.
  12. DarenL
    Feb 19, 2009
    8
    Good show overall, not accurate on the soundtrack though, some songs weren't released until 75 or later. Realism is a must to get into the show.
  13. EttaA.
    Feb 5, 2009
    9
    I loved the original, but ABC has done a wonderful job. I love Jason O'Mara and Mr. Kietel
  14. BillN
    Jan 22, 2009
    9
    I was a huge fan of the British version and had a lot of questions as to whether the US could really adapt it. But they are doing great. Of course they may have assembled one of the best casts in television drama history and it is paying off. A premise that easily could have been handled wrong has kept close to the original conept of the the Brits. Focus on the new guy and his boss and I was a huge fan of the British version and had a lot of questions as to whether the US could really adapt it. But they are doing great. Of course they may have assembled one of the best casts in television drama history and it is paying off. A premise that easily could have been handled wrong has kept close to the original conept of the the Brits. Focus on the new guy and his boss and their extreme differences as the young gun brings in modern techniques. THe otehr great thing they have continued from the original is the use of music. Many great classics and a few more obscure "B" tracks make you believe that it really is NYC in the 70's. Hopefully ABC will put out a soundtrack album.… Expand
  15. ArtH
    Jan 10, 2009
    9
    Life On Mars is very good detective show with a science-fiction twist. I find it inteligent and entertaining.
  16. JeanW
    Jan 3, 2009
    9
    I love this show; time travel is one of the oldest sci-fi premises and one of the most intriguing. It's interesting to think how one could change the future if one could change the past...
  17. KathryneA.
    Dec 28, 2008
    10
    Absolutely one of the best TV shows put forth in years. As one of the critics so perceptively insinuated, several distinct movie genres are rolled into one to carry out this uniquely successful time-travel/cop show concept. I am an active 56 woman well able to keep up in this 21st Century techno world. I believe I have almost forgotten the days of civil rights marches and intense female Absolutely one of the best TV shows put forth in years. As one of the critics so perceptively insinuated, several distinct movie genres are rolled into one to carry out this uniquely successful time-travel/cop show concept. I am an active 56 woman well able to keep up in this 21st Century techno world. I believe I have almost forgotten the days of civil rights marches and intense female subjection. Every episode of 'Life on Mars' extended me a ticket on the time travel continuum between the 70's and present, and because I have already been there the journey is very personal and real. Just as real as the present. Jason O'Mara's acting, especially, is inspired.… Expand
  18. LucyG.
    Dec 7, 2008
    9
    Actors and characters are outstanding.
  19. DavidS.
    Dec 2, 2008
    1
    It's already been done, and done better. The british Life on Mars was the dog's bollocks. This is just plain bollocks.
  20. RobB.
    Nov 23, 2008
    10
    A week is too long between episodes. LOM captures the fun of a TV Cop show, and then intricately intertwines character depth, emotional stories, and an element of the supernatural flawlessly.
  21. KretzM.
    Nov 22, 2008
    9
  22. JimM.
    Nov 22, 2008
    10
    Engaging, entertaining broadcast television, what a concept! Outstanding. Only HBO's John Adams held my attention better. Dense, well acted, thinking television. Maybe too well done for an old-media lowest common denominator US broadcast audience. Unqualified A+ from this non-broadcast television watcher (I gave up long ago.) If major networks make more series this good they just Engaging, entertaining broadcast television, what a concept! Outstanding. Only HBO's John Adams held my attention better. Dense, well acted, thinking television. Maybe too well done for an old-media lowest common denominator US broadcast audience. Unqualified A+ from this non-broadcast television watcher (I gave up long ago.) If major networks make more series this good they just might survive. Or at least get my eyes/business again.… Expand
  23. JamesW.
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Best new show of the year! I watched the Season Premiere and was instantly hooked.
  24. EricP.
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    I'm too young to have been there in the 70's. I've heard from people that this show is very close to how it was.
  25. RogerV.
    Nov 11, 2008
    10
    Damn near the only thing I watch regularly on TV anymore. Hoping for a full season, if not more.
  26. JasonM.
    Nov 9, 2008
    8
    This is a good show. The elements of an old school cop show are very good. I do wish they would do more with Michael Imperioli. It seems all his character does is complain. I do question whether things were as insensitive as they are portrayed.
  27. KathleenE.
    Nov 7, 2008
    10
    I absolutely love this show...the interaction between the attitudes of the 70's and the present are wonderful. I am turning into a huge fan of Sam Tyler and te Loo.
  28. LisaD
    Nov 6, 2008
    9
    I'm so excited for Thursday nights now. This is the first show that i've been interested in in a long time. Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli MAKE the show!
  29. FrazierF
    Nov 2, 2008
    10
    Love love love this show...it's been a long time since I have rewound my TVO to watch a scene from a TV show for a second time...by far the best show of the season. Oh and the music is a huge bonus.
  30. GioR.
    Nov 1, 2008
    9
    Loving the show, loving the music. I watched the first 4 episodes on the web tonight and am totally hooked. I was reluctant to add a new show to the long list I already watch, but after viewing it tonight, I can't resist. It's been added to the DVR!
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best TV Season of 2008
12
#12 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Gillian Flynn
    75
    Based on a popular BBC series, Life on Mars, like Mad Men, makes a long-ago era feel both alien and nostalgic, like in the sweet moment where Sam wanders into a record store and just beams.
    Read full review
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    75
    If the ambition of the pilot continues, American television may get another remake right. We'll have our first hint this next week. In the meantime, enjoy the pilot.
    Read full review
  3. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    83
    The premise of ABC's Life on Mars is ludicrous but irresistible.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »