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thegirlwiththemouseyhairOh, Life on Mars. Full disclosure: I started watching this show because of its awesome early seventies soundtrack and use of one of my favourite Bowie songs for the title (see also my username). I stayed, however, because it is an awesome show with a really unusual and cool premise, strong characters, interesting plots and challenging questions about how the administration of law and justice have changed. Tonight, I have just finished inhaling the last season of its spin off, Ashes to Ashes, and so I wanted to do a post about this series.
Life on Mars follows the adventures of Sam Tyler, a very decent and 'evolved' 2007 cop from Manchester who gets into a car accident during an investigation and wakes up in 1973. He walks into his new life on the 1970s Manchester police force unsure if he's insane, traveling in time or hallucinating all this in some sort of coma or dying dream. The show explores Sam's overarching discovery of what's happening to himself as well as a stand alone plot or case in each episode; the spin off, Ashes to Ashes, follows a similar premise but with a different protagonist (and a somewhat disappointing tail end in my view, but oh well).
DI Sam Tyler
As I note above, Sam is an ethical, fair-minded 2007 cop who believes that policing must be done in a humane, by the book manner, and that justice should be done and seen to be done. He's a little appalled at the backwards attitudes and behaviours of his new, 1973 colleagues, and hopes he can figure out whatever he has to do in the past to get home to the future.
The flared jeans, button down and leather jacket nod to Sam's staple 1970s clothes, while the T Rex bag nods to Sam's brief meeting with singer Marc Bolan in episode 1.04 and his subsequent adoption of the alias 'Inspector Bolan' later that episode. Finally, the little planet necklace recalls his line about having "landed on a different planet" when he finds himself back in 1973.
DCI Gene Hunt
DCI Gene Hunt serves as Sam's foil. Hunt sees himself as an "armed bastard" who wants to stop "evil bastards" and scumbags causing trouble in his city. Although his prejudices and cowboy cop attitudes can be infuriating, he is very much the sort of person to have your back in a tight spot - trust the "Gene" Genie indeed.
The mustard blazer alludes to Gene's mustard/camel trench coat, while the aviators recall a really fun scene in the second-last episode of Life on Mars. Gun studs, a cuff bracelet and cowboy boots, of course, refer to Gene's attitude to policing and self-proclaimed role of Sheriff.
DC (later DI) Annie Cartwright
Annie Cartwright is one of the few policewomen who becomes a major character, and serves as a love interest and source of support to Sam. Her treatment at the hands of her 1973 colleagues underscores just how backwards attitudes still were then (no matter how great the music was). However, Annie consistently proves her competence and importance to the team.
After Annie gets a promotion in season two, she gets to dress in plain clothes and more professionally. I try to subtly emulate her tendency to mix prints with the chevron skirt and polka dot top; heart earrings underscore her role as love interest to Sam.
The 'Test Card' Girl
There's not a lot to say about the "Test Card F Girl", except that she's one of the figures Sam sees in visions and dreams and who seems to be speaking to him about what's happening to him in the "real world" (it's that sort of a show). She's a very creepy child, but has cute fashion sense, too.
'K, I can't believe I did a fashion post for Life on Mars, and may yet do an Ashes to Ashes one. (Also, note how my last two such posts, about two huge obsessions of mine, are both set in the 70s and totally titled after Bowie songs...).
Life on Mars follows the adventures of Sam Tyler, a very decent and 'evolved' 2007 cop from Manchester who gets into a car accident during an investigation and wakes up in 1973. He walks into his new life on the 1970s Manchester police force unsure if he's insane, traveling in time or hallucinating all this in some sort of coma or dying dream. The show explores Sam's overarching discovery of what's happening to himself as well as a stand alone plot or case in each episode; the spin off, Ashes to Ashes, follows a similar premise but with a different protagonist (and a somewhat disappointing tail end in my view, but oh well).
DI Sam Tyler
Low top, 14 CAD / BKE long tank, 7.01 CAD / Wet Seal faux leather blazer, 30 CAD / ASOS slim pants, 61 CAD / mel flat shoes, 16 CAD / River Island vintage jewelry, 34 CAD / Pendant jewelry, 22 CAD / Sterling silver bangle bracelet, 50 CAD
As I note above, Sam is an ethical, fair-minded 2007 cop who believes that policing must be done in a humane, by the book manner, and that justice should be done and seen to be done. He's a little appalled at the backwards attitudes and behaviours of his new, 1973 colleagues, and hopes he can figure out whatever he has to do in the past to get home to the future.
The flared jeans, button down and leather jacket nod to Sam's staple 1970s clothes, while the T Rex bag nods to Sam's brief meeting with singer Marc Bolan in episode 1.04 and his subsequent adoption of the alias 'Inspector Bolan' later that episode. Finally, the little planet necklace recalls his line about having "landed on a different planet" when he finds himself back in 1973.
DCI Gene Hunt
Ali & Kris woven shirt, 16 CAD / Mustard jacket, 44 CAD / rickis : womens: apparel, 10 CAD / Slim pants, 47 CAD / Cowboy booties, 25 CAD / Zipper bag, 47 CAD / Bee Charming chain necklace, 38 CAD / Stud earrings, 10 CAD / Aviator sunglasses, 17 CAD
DCI Gene Hunt serves as Sam's foil. Hunt sees himself as an "armed bastard" who wants to stop "evil bastards" and scumbags causing trouble in his city. Although his prejudices and cowboy cop attitudes can be infuriating, he is very much the sort of person to have your back in a tight spot - trust the "Gene" Genie indeed.
The mustard blazer alludes to Gene's mustard/camel trench coat, while the aviators recall a really fun scene in the second-last episode of Life on Mars. Gun studs, a cuff bracelet and cowboy boots, of course, refer to Gene's attitude to policing and self-proclaimed role of Sheriff.
DC (later DI) Annie Cartwright
Uniqlo long sleeve tee, 7.91 CAD / Ann Taylor chevron stripe skirt, 21 CAD / Bebaroque patterned hosiery, 51 CAD / Oxford shoes, 26 CAD / Twist jewelry, 55 CAD / ASOS , 31 CAD / Le Château: Wool Blend Herringbone Vest, 60 CAD
Annie Cartwright is one of the few policewomen who becomes a major character, and serves as a love interest and source of support to Sam. Her treatment at the hands of her 1973 colleagues underscores just how backwards attitudes still were then (no matter how great the music was). However, Annie consistently proves her competence and importance to the team.
After Annie gets a promotion in season two, she gets to dress in plain clothes and more professionally. I try to subtly emulate her tendency to mix prints with the chevron skirt and polka dot top; heart earrings underscore her role as love interest to Sam.
The 'Test Card' Girl
A|Wear belted dress, 31 CAD / Vintage top, 12 CAD / River Island boyfriend jacket, 47 CAD / Dune t strap flat, 34 CAD / ASOS collar necklace, 32 CAD
There's not a lot to say about the "Test Card F Girl", except that she's one of the figures Sam sees in visions and dreams and who seems to be speaking to him about what's happening to him in the "real world" (it's that sort of a show). She's a very creepy child, but has cute fashion sense, too.
'K, I can't believe I did a fashion post for Life on Mars, and may yet do an Ashes to Ashes one. (Also, note how my last two such posts, about two huge obsessions of mine, are both set in the 70s and totally titled after Bowie songs...).
