Review: GHTTB: LoM 2.5 and 2.6

Life On Mars, Series Two, Episode Five

Sam sees signs of his condition everywhere.

 "I can just about handle you driving like a madman, and treating women like beanbags, but I'll say this only once Gene: STAY. OUT. OF CAMBERWICK GREEN."

Something like this had to happen sooner or later. In an artificial world scenario, there'll always be one episode so completely psychadelic and mad that it defies explanation. Very strangely, this doesn't hinder this episode's strength, which lies in its use of techniques like flashback and unreliable narration, ideas alien to the series.
     The episode's calling card was that Sam has been given an accidental overdose and has thus been down and out for a few days. While he's been asleep, Simon Lamb (Reese Dinsdale, terrific actor. He's always being sad and deppressed, though) has come in asking for the release of Graham Bathehurst, the boyfriend and suspected murderer of a girl murdered last year. His family has been kidnapped by an unknown figure making the demands, and the approaching deadline forces Sam to go over the case files from that time last year (through use of flashback). I won't spoil the ending for you, but it is very good and connects well with the rest of the episode.
     Finally, an episode where the police procedural takes precedent over the sci-fi but doesn't completely overshadow it. The two aspects compliment each other, make each other stronger and more potent. When Sam goes into a deeper coma because of new stimulants, you share his frustration and want to get back to the case. It seems a little strange that this episode is improved by Sam's rather backseat position, but that's maybe because our 1973 vs 2006 argument is getting a little tired. But no, because it's that argument, that drama, that fuels this episode and makes it the best episode of the series.

Life On Mars, Series Two, Episode Six
"I could murder an Indian"
Toolbox

Episode Six takes a look at the birth of "immigrant culture" in Britain during the 1970s, a result of the Ugandan expulsion of Asians. In-universe this includes the father of Sam's 2006 girlfriend, Maya. As an episode examining prejudice it displays 1970s attitudes but doesn't say much about them, instead tying it in with the future storyline. It also tries to tackle the issue of heroin, bundling both in one go.
     Ugandan-Asian Depak Gandhi is shot, and found with Turkish heroin. Sam finds the victim's girlfriend Layla (a pre-Misfits Alex Reid). A prejudiced Gene goes round the local drug-dealer Rocket to find out more info, and after more heroin deaths employs local enforcer "Toolbox" (Ian Puleston-Davies, who's been in everything) to get info out of him. They "trace" it back to Depak's brother Ravi, who joint-owned the record store suspected of dealing out the heroin.
     After realising the Layla (real name Lesley Roy) is Maya's mother, Sam takes info from a skinhead about an antiques warehouse where the heroin is being stored. They raid the warehouse and Gene calls in Toolbox for further "investigation". When Sam and Annie try and get Ravi in safely, all three are knocked out by Toolbox's men. In the climax, it is revealed that Toolbox has been behind everything; the drugs, the shooting, and the racially motivated attacks.
The episode is very busy because of all the things it is try to do, an because of that it doesn't really manage to do any of them. It does, however, provide an interesting and thoughtful piece of entertainment, unfettered by any overt cultural references. It's very potent and concentrated, and comes off as a little over-serious for it. At the same time, Gene's flair for euphemistic similie and metaphor provide the reverse. Life On Mars is a study of contrast. Ultimately this episode provides at least an inspiration for thought about the issues at hand, but its mix of concentrated seriousness and thick, convaluted plot makes it something more than quiet Friday-night entertainment.

 Thanks.