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Review: 'Life on Mars'

Verne Gay | Off Camera

October 9, 2008

THE SHOW "Life on Mars," WABC/7, 10 tonight

REASON TO WATCH

Harvey Keitel, plus New York City, circa 1973.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT Viewers are dropped into present-day NYC, as Det. Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara) and partner/lover Det. Maya Daniels (Lisa Bonet) are trying to manage their relationship, when - whhhooosh - they're off to grab some perp who may or may not be involved in a series of murders. Later released, the guy may (or may not) be behind the snatch of Maya herself, and while in pursuit, Tyler is hit by a speeding driver. He awakens to discover that he's not in Kansas anymore, but in a city far, far away, whose denizens prefer polyester and (to his shock) so apparently does he. Leaning into a car, he studies an eight-track stuck in the dashboard, titled "Hunky Dory" by David Bowie (which includes a song called "Life on Mars?"). Sam finds his way to precinct headquarters, the 125th, where the gang - right word - is headed by Lt. Gene Hunt

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(Keitel) who's apparently been to the Andy Sipowicz School of Hard Knocks. "When my time has come," he tells Sam, "they will say he has been here. Of that, I am sure. He. Has. Been. Here." There's also Det. Ray Carling (Michael Imperioli in full sideburns) who's fast with his mouth and apparently his gun. Annie Morris (Gretchen Mol) is a member of "the Bureau of Police Women" and has to endure rampant sexism and what appears to

be Sam's psychosis.

BOTTOM LINE Deep into the fall, that nattering question - will it ever come? - becomes more insistent. "It" is the new show with heart, passion and beauty, something the networks can be proud of. "It" is the show that can establish, much as "Lost" or "Mad Men" established, that commercial TV can do fine, intelligent work that brings in audiences, and holds them. "Life on Mars" appears to be it. A remake of a Brit hit, "Mars" proves - as "The Office" did - that Yanks know how to commit TV larceny. Tonight's pilot - "Out Here in the Fields" - is gorgeous, intelligent, sly and often funny. The producers ("Alias" alums Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec) have created a Dickensian (with a nod to L. Frank Baum) universe, draped in shadows, pastels and mystery, while aurally wrapped in chestnuts from the Sweet, Five Man Electrical Band and the Ramones. This new series has enormous promise.

GRADE A