rionaleonhart: final fantasy x-2: the sun is rising, yuna looks to the future. (so confused right now (art by zarla))
Riona ([personal profile] rionaleonhart) wrote2006-08-14 09:28 am

My Problem Would Rock Your World.

Apparently, BBC America have been stripping a lot of things out of their airings of Life on Mars to make room for adverts. I mention this just so any Americans who may be watching it will know. From what I've heard it seems that Gene's characterisation suffers a lot, which makes me sad.

(It seems that the episodes aren't so cut down on BBC America On Demand, though.)

I'm afraid that [livejournal.com profile] gayjunglefever just might have succeeded in her evil plot to get me addicted to Life on Mars. Oh dear.

I feel that perhaps I may have been focusing too much on Sam/Gene and, you know, Sam being freakishly adorable in my episode-by-episode posts, and not on the actual stories and the time-travel-or-not-time-travel? thing, which was actually the first aspect of it that I fell in love with. I love it when Sam comes across people or places who were significant in his past, or will be significant in his future. I love it when he hears voices, or when 1973 seems to reflect something that may or may not be happening parallel to it in 2006, or when he realises that something in the past affects the future and maybe - maybe - he can stop it. I love it when he's frustrated and upset and tries to bring something of his home into where he is now. The cases and policing (and Sam/Gene) are all very fun, but the time-travel/insanity aspect is a stroke of absolute genius and makes it so much better than it would be otherwise.

Another thing that I really like is the humour in serious situations, or the humour just before a completely unexpected tragic twist that changes the tone utterly. I'm just very impressed by the ability of the show to completely turn around and startle the watcher, or to change its mood in a second. There were similar moments in Doctor Who, but I think that those in Life on Mars actually have more of an impact. That twist near the end of Episode Four? I never saw it coming, and it brought me straight down from utter gleeful elation to sudden shock.

Why, yes, I am posting this in the slightly desperate hope that other people will be intrigued and watch it.

(Did I mention that Gene is hot? He's got a sort of stealthy hotness that you never see coming until suddenly you're an absolute raving Gene fangirl and can't for the life of you work out why you're finding him attractive.)

[identity profile] gayjunglefever.livejournal.com 2006-08-14 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
I WIN AT LIFE, ETC ETC!

You basically just described all the reasons I love the programme, so major props to you, and for rec'ing the fandom out. Hurrah! I am very glad you're feeling the Sam love as well, eee.

Another thing that I really like is the humour in serious situations, or the humour just before a completely unexpected tragic twist that changes the tone utterly. I'm just very impressed by the ability of the show to completely turn around and startle the watcher, or to change its mood in a second.

You know, I hadn't actually really noticed that, but you're right. Certainly in episode four, and episode two, indeed. Ooh, how Brechtian! *flails*

Did I mention that Gene is hot?

Well, duh!

[identity profile] melata-fic.livejournal.com 2006-08-14 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I love the bits where it's freaky parallel. I just... I don't know quite what's happening, and thus tend to gloss over it and go straight for the ZOMGTeamwork! aspect.

More people must see Life on Mars. Sadly, it's hard to describe it in a way that fully does it justice.

Life on Mars is more serious in general, which makes the funnier bits work. And it gets away with a guy hugging a TV and crying, which is weird.

(Hee! I'd just thought it was my liking of cynical people, but it seems I'm right. I always find that the scene with the hat and the fridge tends to help when it gets too worrying.)

[identity profile] melata-fic.livejournal.com 2006-08-14 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I discovered my Annie love some time afterwards, but she is too lovely not to like.

(Ever notice how most of the girls Sam likes, apart from Annie, tend to end up hurt? Whoa. Normally, I'd be a bit concerned about feminism and all that, but in this case, I think it's to do with Maya. Chalk one up for Sam's subconscious, in whatever form.

I was going to say there were other characters more of a threat to the ship, though not a long lasting threat.)

I like the fandom being small and quiet, because there is more good fic and discussions, and I'm deathly afraid that it's going to turn into the LoM equivalent of T&C at the drop of a hat, yes.

[identity profile] neuralclone.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I noticed some really interesting parallels between Maya and Annie in episode 8 - but I'm not going to "spoil" you for it. I'd be interested to see whether you pick them up!

I love your running commentaries about the LoM episodes - mind if I "friend" you?

[identity profile] neuralclone.livejournal.com 2006-08-16 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
I knew that icon would be good for something! *G* OK, consider yourself added.

[identity profile] melata-fic.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I love that as well. Mind you, it'll be interesting to see which realisations are just coincidence, and which actually count. Sometimes I do wonder if people overthink it a little. ;)

[identity profile] melata-fic.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Hee!

I'd have thought the hospital scene with the doors shutting and lights turning off was the mataphor for that, though.

[identity profile] melata-fic.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Random. *grin* But it's less silly than some bizarre theories I've heard.

[identity profile] sarkastic.livejournal.com 2006-08-14 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
That's really a perfect description of why this show's so much more interesting and enjoyable than other cop shows. Because it's crazy, like Sam.

That thing about BBC America pisses me off. I wonder if I watch it on the Cable on Demand thing if it'll still cut stuff out. How long are the actual episodes (minus commercials) in the UK?

[identity profile] the-girl-sleuth.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
Clicked through from metafandom to share the "Life on Mars" love. I heard good things about it, tivo'd the first episode, watched it, and then watched it again a second time immediately thereafter. Great characters, mysterious mysteries, nice atmosphere, and just visually really neat. I'm sorry to hear that the episodes are so severely edited, although when the 4th episode aired tonight on BBC America it really came through.

Also, Gene is the DCI of me.

[identity profile] bluerosefairy.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Hung a left from [livejournal.com profile] metafandom, and yeah, I'm another "Life on Mars" American junkie who got it off BBC America On Demand. I'm curious to know exactly what they've been cutting out of Gene's character - and yes, he is strangely attractive, and I have the constant urge to just jump into my television and hug him - because I haven't noticed anything missing in his characterization, unless there are like, entire subplots that I haven't noticed.

Are there any places (LJ or elsewhere) where I can find more LOM fen or fic? Mmmm, Sam/Gene fic . . .

[identity profile] bluerosefairy.livejournal.com 2006-08-16 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
I can't imagine NOT liking Gene. I mean, I know it's kind of strange, seeing as while watching the pilot with my Dad (who finally, after 3 eps, admitted he liked the show), I cheered when Gene "retorts" to Sam's point that he doesn't scare Sam. Dad looked at me like I'd grown a second head and was like "how can you like him?" How can I not?! Gene's an unapologetic badass who wouldn't know the meaning of the term "PC" if they came labeled on a pint of beer.

Thanks muchly for the links. Will be joining [livejournal.com profile] lifein1973 and whatnot. And from what I've seen on the transcripts you pointed me to, you're right. The On Demand versions are fairly complete. So yeay!

[identity profile] mod-alcyone.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
best. show. ever.

and the slash? i mean, c'mon. so gay.

[identity profile] bonspiel.livejournal.com 2006-08-15 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
(Here via [livejournal.com profile] metafandom) Thanks for the info re the BBC America cuts. I admit that I haven't been particularly drawn to Gene so far (have seen the first 3 eps) because he does seem so unsympathetic, so I'm glad to hear that that might be due to bad cuts rather than writing.

[identity profile] darthfi.livejournal.com 2007-02-11 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Having just read this - and only just started watching Life On Mars (frantically working my way through in time for Tuesday) - I have to agree on Gene. Down the pub last week, I was discussing the programme and 'fessing up to finding him bizarrely attractive, there was a consensus among the women there who had seen the show that yes, Gene was bizarrely attractive and Sam isn't. Although it's one of the things that I like about the show - Sam is a relatively humourless man with a large side order of sanctimonious little prick and you just *know* that loads of his colleagues in 2006 don't like him either.

Sam is the sort of man who would look disapproving if you had more than two pints while down the pub with him. Gene, on the other hand, is a man who would refuse to buy me a pint if he offered me a drink, but would cheerfully buy me two halves instead.[1]

I've worked with Genes - I've been the young bird in the male-only office and while it's not pleasant at times, it *can* be worked with and can be wildly entertaining at times, particularly at the point at which you just chuck all your principles out the window and play them at their own game. Pillocks, on the other hand, always remain pillocks. Admittedly, the advantage is that you *can* make a formal complaint about the Genes of this world these days if it gets too much, but I've always preferred beating them at their own game.

[1] Yes, I know you don't drink, but it's the best analgoy I can think of.