Ashes to Ashes Series 1& 2 Boxset [DVD] [2008]

Philip Glenister summed up the problem that this series initially had when he said that the makers of the earlier Life on Mars had spent six years perfecting the series before they started filming. With Ashes to Ashes they had six weeks.

In LoM the makers were in control. So the series hit the ground running from the first moment and offered a seamless mixture of great characters and intriguing plots all told with style and wit. That's not the case here. A2A gives the impression that the writers are making up the rules as they go along. Early episodes try things out as they root around for a distinctive new style.

Some things work, most don't, but gradually order appears and by the end of season 1 they've got things together. But at the start it's a mess. We see the 1980s through the eyes of new character Alex. So the characters Sam created while in a coma have been changed to suit Alex's feminine viewpoint. Gene is no longer the sheriff. He's now a rough-diamond heartthrob who has been battered down by time and police regulations to be less than he was. He can no longer beat confessions out of whomever he fancies for the crime. This is logical, (except for him turning into a wine drinker) but a lesser Gene is tough to watch.

The other characters have also been re-imagined. Ray and Chris have more to do, but are now a fun double act. There's no edge to them, but whether that's a bad thing is up to the viewer. The biggest problem is the lead. Sam Tyler was an everyman, someone it was easy to sympathise with, but Alex is posh, arrogant, unsympathetic and unlike Sam she cares nothing for the world she finds herself in. Her antipathy was a brave choice, but if Alex doesn't care about her imaginary world, why should we?

When the format settles down season 1 works, but inevitably it had mixed reactions. The writers listened to the criticism and so season 2 is as dark as anything LoM produced. Two main story arcs develop. One arc concerns the bigger mystery of how Alex can return home. This is moved along by the addition of a new mystery character who haunts Alex and sends her roses. The other arc delves into police corruption and uncovers a sordid underbelly to the force in which anyone could be involved. Both arcs work with well-paced resolutions of the mysteries that keep you guessing up until the big reveals.

The stories are grittier than season 1's and they are filmed in a grittier style. In LoM everything was nicotine-stained. Season 1 turned away from that with a world that was bright and colourful. Now everything is claustrophobic again. The sets are the same, but not all the lights are on; characters aren't filmed in full brightness. Cameras are put in odd places such as filming from the floor and close-ups are uncomfortably close. The outside sequences move from the bright warehouses to a sordid litter-strewn part of town.

The characters are no longer played for comic effect. Ray takes a bribe in episode 1 turning his character back to way he was in LoM. Chris is still an idiot, but he has interesting character developments later. Hunt is back to the less-heroic man we weren't sure about. Most thankfully Alex has a soberer hairstyle, and she's no longer made-up like a cosmetic model in a tv advert and is instead allowed to look her age.

Despite all the grit, the series provides as many laughs as before, except this time they have an edge to them. By the time the season reaches its jaw-dropping ending, you'll be pleased that there will be a season 3.

Following on from Life on Mars this series catches up with 'Sheriff' Gene Hunt and the gang again - this time in the 80's plus the new Character of DI Drake. There are subtle changes in the Hunt character but his approach is still brash and harsh by today's anodyne Police dramas such as "The Bill". I was somewhat sceptical about how the same formula could work again having enjoyed Life on Mars so much but I found that the pace and strong story line held together very well. This is another good value product

Haven't quite finished the second series yet (still have 2 more episodes to watch), but I am thoroughly enjoying it. The drama is fast-paced and excellently written, the jokes are laugh-out-loud funny and the music is a welcome addition. Furthermore, the characters are lovable and well-rounded - I don't think there's a single (recurring) character I don't like in this series.

After watching Life on Mars and loving it, I was not able to see Ashes to Ashes until now. Let me tell you, the wait was worth it. Ashes to Ashes is the perfect follow-on to Life on Mars, and I love the references to Sam Tyler which are littered about the series. The story arcs are well conceived and the individual storyline of each episode is fulfilling, unlike many dramas, which leave feeling that the story could have gone further.

Overall, I would strongly recommend seeing this (especially if you saw and liked Life on Mars!). I look forward to watching Series 3 ASAP!