(TV REVIEW) LIFE ON MARS (2008-2009)

Sometimes you wonder why strange and quirky TV doesn't last longer than it does. Sometimes it just doesn't find the audience, it's "groove", or the character development never really shapes up. Regardless, this is always part of why these projects fall to pieces. So, why did this show die? I think it has a tiny bit to do with ALL of those.

Storyline: In 2008, Detective Sam Tyler is struck by a vehicle and awakes to find himself  stranded in 1973 with no way of knowing how to get back. As he moves into a new detective job in 1973 he begins to solve cases that, in some instances, he remembers from his childhood. But when he starts to get messages from someone claiming to be able to help him get home (back to his own time) he finds that his world begins to make less and less sense. In the end, Tyler makes his way out of 1973...but is it the right "home"?

Thoughts: This was actually a fun little show to watch. I can't imagine that it would have gone on for too many seasons, but the "throw back" cop show with a supernatural twist actually worked in a lot of ways. Sure, the writing was a little weak, the show never had a huge audience, and the character development was a liiiiiiiitle lacking....it was still a pretty fun show. Check it out on netflix some time. With only 17 episodes, the show doesn't have time to get stale and makes for some interesting, albeit sloppy, TV.