Ask Cindy.

Life on Mars finale:

Oh my God! Sam has Stockholm Syndrome!

Actually, in the end it most reminded me of that classic TNG episode "The Inner Light", if Picard had chosen to go back in the end. It was Sam's "This is DI Tyler... This is DCI Tyler" which did it for me; it's when Picard tries to open the door by pushing a button. But Sam goes back even though he knows it's not real.

Funny, the Guardian review thinks Sam is dead at the end, which is fairly plausible, although it didn't occur to me while I was watching. He hears another medical progress report in the car, so he can't be dead, right? But it's also true I don't think he could have survived that leap. From the review I also like: "Every week Sam Tyler (John Simm) would asked himself: "Am I mad or in a coma or back in time?" The answer is probably a bit of all three...."

Does anybody not yet know about the spin-off starring Gene Hunt, "Ashes to Ashes"...? I'm intrigued as to how they'll pull that one off.

And what will happen is that I'll say, "That'll give you, umm, bees." And they'll say, "I totally know! Wasn't that, like, the funniest thing ever? OMG, I read about that at the b.org and did I laff!"

And then, I'll try to say, "Wow, I am so impressed and charmed by your wit and knowledge of internet fandom. It's so engaging to find a person of your celebrity and stature who is aware of and involved in the fannish world. I can't believe you know that story about the bees!"

And what I'll actually say is, "Charm fans bees."

Ha! I do think, like the metaquotes post said, that's going to become a fandom legend of meeting-the-actor stories.

For any more "Life on Mars"ers out there: the Guardian TV blog.

Also, apparently one of the writers confirmed in a press interview (MEN) today that Sam Tyler commits suicide when he jumps off the building.

And finally some more info about the spin-off series here. I see they are sticking with the same premise. I do have to admit that the sentence "It's a touch of Moonlighting teamed with a measure of Miami Vice," fills me with dread.

Edit: Aaaand I just found an interview with Matthew Graham here which clarifies a lot of points. OK, I think I'm done now.

You're killing me with the whitefont, Fiona, but I shall resist! I'm ahemming as we speak.

Oh sorry, Jon, but really: don't read it until you've seen the episode! It gives everything away.

I'm just frustrated because I want to discuss the ending with somebody!

Dang. Does anyone know if/when Life on Mars is supposed to run on BBCA? I tried looking but I quickly discovered I'd be quite spoiled if I looked any further.

The first series already ran. I can't find anything on the BBCA site about series 2, sorry.

hmm, I guess we'll have to wait and see if I am justified in ahemmmming it.