A RUNDOWN OF THE SERIES FINALE
Apparently there was actually some literal significance to the show's title brought to light in the series finale of the US version, unlike the wrap-up of the UK show. But part of me can't help but be a little apprehensive of whether the writers took the title a little too seriously (read: literally).
I was initially attracted to Life on Mars because I've always been a fan of time travel shows like Journeyman and Quantum Leap because it makes one question the way the timeline of life is supposed to work. On the other hand, I've never really been a huge fan of the low-budget science-fiction films that portrayed space trips to Mars. And that's what this ending exuded for me. While I applaud the writers for attempting to make the major plot line(s) of the show—mostly from 1973—make sense, it still escapes me as to how we, as innocent viewers, are supposed to make sense of the rest of Sam's visions/dreams/stimulations.
I find particularly bothersome, still-unanswered questions in the following:
- Who was Maya? If 1973-Sam's detective crew were 2035-Sam's spaceship crew, where did the people in 2008 come from?
- Why did Sam have to save his 1973 self before he could wake up? I mean, technically if he's in his late 30's in 2035, he wouldn't have even existed in 1973… And I'm chalking up the question of how he even knew what went on in the '70s to 2035-Sam's education's worth of history lessons.
- Why did he have to discover that Annie was "the one"? Don't get me wrong, I love-love-loved Sam & Annie as a couple. So much chemistry and sexual tension! But the kiss upon Sam's discovery that Annie was "the one" kind of lost its sentiment once it was revealed who they all were (astronauts on a mission to Mars). I would have liked to have seen more of a connection between 2035-Sam and 2035-Annie. Were they lovers? Married? What? Other than that quick little glance between them, I saw virtually no connection between the futuristic duo.
Final Thoughts:
- The conclusion of the series finale, "Life is a Rock", made everything that happened in the series finale make sense. Many things outside of the series finale still don't add up.
- Though completely predictable and logical, it would have been much more preferable that they stick to the "Sam's in a coma" twist like the UK series.
- This episode (and probably the other 16) warrants another viewing before attempting to make much more sense of the show I've loved since day one.
- I wish my dreams were as vivid and interesting and fleshed-out as Sam's!
Final Statement:
The Life on Mars series finale was as much of a nonsensical, twisted enigma as David Bowie's lyrics to the song of the same name.