Why is it

[karohemd]

that the 70s' nostalgia of Life on Mars filled me with glee while Ashes to Ashes feels like a bad 80s flashback? Possibly because I was more aware of the 80s, I guess.

Not sure if it's as good as LoM was but it's got something. At the moment it's like a low-budget British ripoff of Miami Vice (with a Calling setlist as soundtrack rather than cool tunes). I really don't like Shaz, though, she's just an empty-headed bimbo.

Comments

[miss-s-b.livejournal.com]

I thought the seventies held more of interest than the eighties, but on the plus side, I like Alex hella better than Sam.

[eryx-uk.livejournal.com]

Because the 80's were so good, and they are easily within memory for most of us.

LoM gave me some great flashbacks of nostalgia but I know that its more fantasy.

[new-brunette.livejournal.com]

It's not very good for the same reason that the Matrix sequels weren't very good. Once you get over the head-fuck of the original concept, rehashing it, this time with someone who's aware of what might be going on, just isn't very good. And was the automatic gunfire with nobody being killed a deliberate pastiche on the A team? Because it was just silly. As was walking round in a miniskirt flashing your stocking tops for a whole day.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

*nods*
Not enough explosions for the A-Team but yes, I think so.

That and Alex fainting I really didn't get. If she's supposed that strong woman who knows what she's doing, that doesn't work.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

It seems a lot more jokey and self-parodic than LoM, which at least appeared to take itself seriously for most of the first series.

The plot made a lot less sense and was more implausible in its details. The interesting thread in LoM about the contrast in police methods doesn't seem anything like as apparent, maybe because most of the changes had already happened by 1981.

OTOH the use of clown images in reflections, models etc was pretty effective. And the music is generally better!

I'll carry on giving it a chance, even though Alex has scary tendons in her neck.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Quite simple. Because the 70s were just BETTER than the 80s in all possible ways! :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Ace icon!

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

I want his shades! The hair-style would drive me crazy though...

[professoryaffle.livejournal.com]

I think at this point it time it has potential the first episode of any series is rarely the best and if it is it doesn't bode well for the sustainability of the premise

Alex seems more self aware than Sam which may or may not be a bad thing

I think writing off Shaz from the first episode is a bit rash. She was a bit 2D in this episode but I suspect they are setting the character up to idolise Alex being a strong woman so she has to start a bit limp otherwise it doesn't work