by Heid the Ba » Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:13 pm
The original BBC series is quite good, though perhaps each series is an episode or two too long. The song gets played as it is what is on his car stereo when he gets knocked down. This isn't a spoiler as it happens in the first two minutes. I'm not sure how many of the references will work outside the UK as it is a pastiche of so many shows from the era. A familiarity with The Sweeney or Minder helps.
The second series makes less sense but clarifies matters.
It was probably stretched out as it must have been dirt cheap to make, unknown actors and all shot on one street/building/derelict factory.
Ashes to Ashes (the follow up) makes no sense at all and the US version is awful.
Edited after I realised I had confused Life on Mars' second series and Ashes to Ashes, the follow up.