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The third episode of the first series of the British time travel police procedural television series, Life on Mars, was first broadcast on on 23 January 2006. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television for BBC One.
[edit] Synopsis
Sam is called to a murder at a textile mill, the site of his bachelor flat in 2006. DCI Hunt suspects an outspoken union rep, but Sam tries to use his knowledge of forensic science to find the killer.
[edit] Cultural References
- When Chris draws a very bad sketch of a crime scene, Ray tells him he should "send that into Vision On. Vision On was a British children's television programme, expressly for children with a hearing impediment. The presenters were Pat Keysell and the artist Tony Hart who made pictures in every imaginable medium and encouraged children to send in their own paintings to 'The Gallery'.
- Tina said "I mean not thin like Twiggy." Twiggy was the professional name of Lesley Hornsby, she became a 1960's pop icon and supermodel. She was famous for her androgynous look and extremely thin frame which has become the standard for catwalk models up to the present day.
- Gene said "Say Goodnight, Gracie." The signature signoff of George Burns and Gracie Allen's vaudeville routine and later television performances became part of the popular vernacular and the title of Rupert Holmes' 2002 play about the couple.
[edit] Production
[edit] Anachronisms
- The vehicle that Gene Hunt drives is a Ford Cortina Mk3. The registration plate, KJM 212K, shows that it was registered between August 71 and July 72. The vinyl roof and four headlights show that it was one of the top of the range models and the GXL badge which is clearly shown in close-up confirms this. However, the vehicle has some strange anachronistic features. The dashboard is from the 2000E model. Also shown in close-up is a badge comprised of the letter E surrounded by a laurel wreath. This was the badging used on the 2000E model, which replaced the GXL model late in 1973. The car should not be carrying badges for both models, especially as the 2000E model would not be released onto the market until six months after the time that the episode was set.[1]
- Dialogue in the episode states that the date was 16 March 1973. However, in the first scene, the song that is played on the soundtrack is "Ballroom Blitz" by The Sweet, which was not released until August 1973.[2]
- Sam conducted the taped interview, stating that it was 'Wednesday 16th March'. In 1973, 16 March was a Friday, not a Wednesday. However, 16 March was a Wednesday in 2005, the year the episode was written.[3]
- Hunt asks DCI Litton whether his fragrance is Blue Stratos, but Litton replies that it is Paco Rabanne. Blue Stratos was launched only in 1976.[4]
Goofs
- In the scene where the guns are placed in the portaloo, there is a reflection of a Super Space-Cab Daf Truck (in the portacabin's window), but it wasn't released until at least 2001, yet the show is set in 1973.
[edit] References
[edit] External Links
