(NOTE: In the interests of the environment, this title has been recycled from one I used when reviewing a James Blunt album. Well, we've all got to do our bit, haven't we?)

LIFE ON MARS - Series 1 DVD BOX SET

I only saw a few bits of the first series of Life on Mars when it was on TV. Hubby watched all the episodes and loved them, so we bought the DVD box set. However, it was only after I got into Ashes to Ashes on TV, that I decided to watch Life on Mars, so over the past couple of weeks, hubby and I have sat down and watched all the first series.

It was televised in 2006 and did really well, getting great ratings and much critical acclaim. While essentially being a police drama, there is the added twist which makes it unique.

THE BASIC PREMISE

The main character, Sam Tyler, gets hit by a car in 2006 and wakes up in 1973. The over-arching theme of the series is whether he is dreaming, in a coma, has gone mad or if he has actually time-travelled to the past. Throughout the episodes, hints seem to suggest each one of these and it is up to the audience as to what they believe, as nothing is answered definitively in this series.

While Sam's journey is an ongoing theme, each episode is a self-contained story about a crime and how the local police team deal with it. There are obvious conflicts between Sam's methods from 2006, compared to the (now) old-fashioned ways of the 1970s. Sam's 'new ideas' of tape recording interviews and searching for forensic evidence are seen as strange in 1973, when the trusted methods of the day include violence, coercion and threats.

THE CHARACTERS

The drama is set in Manchester where our friendly local police force is headed by DCI Gene Hunt. A burly, instinctive, misogynistic man of the people, Gene is the kind of sexist bully you should hate. Yet somehow, you don't. Not only is he charming and charismatic, he is damn sexy too and I know a lot of women who fancy him, me included.

Gene is a complete contrast to Sam Tyler, who is (not surprisingly) much more modern in his outlook, far more politically correct and able to deal with the crimes in a logical, thorough manner. Over the series, Sam and Gene do learn from each other though and complement each other's ways of doing things. Their relationship is a joy to watch developing.

Gene's sidekicks are DS Ray Carling and DC Chris Skelton. While providing a great double act at times, they are both very different characters.

Ray is quite unlikeable in this series, in my opinion. He liked the status quo and is resistant to change, distrusting Sam's new ideas and resenting the new dynamic Sam brings to the station. He also feels Sam has pushed him out and Ray will always defend Gene over Sam. He is fiercely loyal to Gene and what he stands for, being completely entrenched in the old school style of policing.

Chris, on the other hand, is younger and more open to learning about new methods and procedures. While respecting Gene, he can also see that Sam has good ideas too, so Chris learns from both his superiors. This makes Chris a much more likeable character than Ray, as he has much less conflict with the other characters and generally comes across as very easy-going and popular.

WPC Annie Cartwright is one of the very few female police officers in 1973 and is used to sexist jokes and innuendoes, so Sam is a breath of fresh air in the police station. He treats her respectfully, appreciates her intelligence and recognises the talents she can bring to the police force.

THE CAST

The cast is excellent throughout and I really can't think of anyone I would like to re-cast, as the actors all seem beautifully suited for their parts. Life on Mars is an ensemble piece and although there are two stars, the others are also vital in creating the atmosphere and it is important they all fit in to the team.

John Simm is an extremely talented actor and in his role as Sam Tyler, he demonstrates the whole gamut of emotions. He is particularly impressive when he has intense scenes and moments where he is in the depths of despair. While it can be easy to make these scenes too over the top, he hits the right balance, so you are completely carried away by the drama and believe it all.

Philip Glenister is perfect as Gene Hunt. It could be easy for Gene to become a caricature or a parody, but instead, Glenister brings the character to life beautifully and he is very believable. He has some of the best lines in the programme and Glenister delivers each with a straight face, which makes the impact of the words much more effective. A joy to watch and listen to.

Liz White is lovely; she brings a great warmth and heart to the role of Annie. She manages to be both ordinary but special, anyone's next door neighbour and very approachable, but sassy, sexy and feisty when it is needed. Annie is a character both men and women like and Liz hits the portrayal at the exact tone so everyone loves her.

Marshall Lancaster and Dean Andrews are similarly effective as Chris and Ray, often fulfilling the good cop/bad cop roles. Marshall brings out Chris's qualities of openness and willingness to please, while Dean is harder and brasher as Ray, not as likeable but he isn't supposed to be at this stage.

THE DVD EXTRAS

The Series one box set has a good mix of extras. As well as the usual subtitles and audio options, there are featurettes with the production designer and the composer, commentaries to each episode, an out-takes section and a two-part documentary on the programme.

The two-part documentary is called Take a Look at the Lawman and includes interviews with many of the cast and crew. It explains the origins of the concept and the long process of its fruition from idea to commissioned TV series. As an aspiring writer myself, I found this very interesting.

I also enjoyed the interviews with the cast, especially the rather sexy Philip Glenister, although he is sexier as Gene Hunt, as Philip's real voice is a bit higher and he has a Southern accent in real life. Dean Andrews and Marshall Lancaster are interviewed together and it is obvious to see they have a rapport as friends, which must help their on-screen relationship as well.

I enjoy audio commentaries, but only watched the two featuring Philip Glenister. The commentaries have an impressive list of cast and crew featuring in them, so all the main names are included, except for Liz White. Even though some of the commentaries have lots of people involved, it is still easy to follow who is speaking.

I enjoyed listening to these and finding out about behind-the-scenes anecdotes, how certain shots were done and how much effort was involved in getting particular effects right. I always listen to the commentaries after watching the programme though, so I can get caught up in the flow of the programme. After first seeing it, I am then interested in discovering that sets are redressed, stunt doubles are used and apparently subsequent shots are filmed on different days.

OVERALL

I would definitely recommend Life on Mars, as I think it has something for everyone. It has the police element, the solving of crimes, the witty and often laugh-out-loud script, the fascinating relationships between the characters, the conflicts between the 200s and the 1970s, the weird extra dimension of Sam's journey, the spooky bits and the drama itself.

It has eight great stories to tell and each one is involving and absorbing. The characters soon make their mark on your psyche and you fit them into 'love them' and 'hate them' boxes, although some move about between these as their characters change and develop. You are drawn into their lives and want to know what happens and the clues about Sam's life are intriguing enough to ensure you don't miss the next episode.

For a child of the 1970s - as I am - the nostalgia is an important element too. While 1973 is perfectly recreated, it doesn't intrude in an invasive way. Personally, I noticed the fashions, the way houses are decorated, the music of the time, tape recorders of the time and cultural references like the girl on the test card with her blackboard and scary clown doll. All these little details help bring the programme to life.

I have very little I can say to criticise Life on Mars. Even without Gene Hunt, I would watch it. With him in it, I am completely hooked! Now we are going to start watching the second series and after that, it will be time to buy Ashes to Ashes on DVD. Bring it on!

PRICE

I bought Life on Mars series one from Amazon, where it is currently being sold for £13.98. You can also buy a box set of both series of Life on Mars for £42.98 and the soundtrack is available on CD too.