Ten years ago, Ashes to Ashes aired its final episode, closing the curtain on a five-season metaseries that kicked off with 2006’s Life on Mars. The pair of BBC series followed Sam Tyler and Alex Drake—two modern-day police officers whose respective brushes with death sent them on time-traveling odysseys to the eras of their childhoods. After by-the-book Sam Tyler navigated the rough-and-tumble world of 1973 Manchester, Alex Drake navigated being the sole female officer in 1981’s Fenchurch East police station. And in both cases, Sam and Alex found themselves on the turf of DCI Gene Hunt: tough and arrogant on the surface, but driven by a strong sense of justice.
With a Life on Mars group watch underway and a third and final series in the works, there’s no better time to watch (or rewatch!) the story unfold. There are plenty of good reasons to take the shows on—retro action, an amazing soundtrack, and a mystery to uncover, to name a few—but this is Sartorial Geek. And the way to this community’s heart is through ships. Which, lucky for you, these shows have in spades.
As you’re watching, look forward to the shows’ three great couples:
Defining Reality: Sam Tyler and Annie Cartwright
Imagine you’ve just been hit by a car and woken up 33 years in the past. Your job has been taken over by a complete stranger who seems perfectly willing to beat you up. You’re trying to solve a murder case with obsolete practices. And saying “I’m from the future and hear hospital noises in my head” probably won’t get the results you’re hoping for. Even if you’re not sure what’s real, you’ll probably talk to anyone who’ll listen.
WPC Annie Cartwright is Sam’s only true listening ear in this new (old) world for quite some time, but he’s not even entirely sure what that means. Is she a figment of his imagination as he lies in a coma, or a real person with a real life? Meanwhile, Annie seems to assume Sam has had some sort of nervous breakdown, and treats him accordingly. But there seem to be feelings between the two almost immediately, and it’s not surprising that their potential relationship becomes a driving factor in Sam’s understanding of his situation.
Tom Graham’s tie-in novels, which explore the space between the two series, adds bittersweet context to the pair’s romance. But one thing’s certain: Sam and Annie are the OG OTP of this series.
Friends and Lovers: Chris Skelton and Shaz Granger
In Life on Mars, Detectives Chris Skelton and Ray Carling were an inseparable duo. The initially comical pair grew over time—Chris sheepish in the face of authority as Ray struggled to please his betters. No matter what, they always had each other . . . and then, in Ashes to Ashes, Shaz Granger entered the equation.
The romance between Chris and Shaz is almost like watching a pair of high schoolers figuring out dating. Both are absolutely crazy about each other, but Chris’s knowledge of how to treat a woman begins and ends with the blokey talk he’s traded with his fellow detectives. They’re both trying, though, and it shows—occasionally with them trading jean jackets. They’re also both totally devoted to each other, like that couple you know that’s adorably perfect to the point that you almost can’t stand it.
Nothing is easy in the world of Ashes to Ashes, though, and this mostly sweet courtship will be put to the test. Just how is up to you to find out—but there’s plenty of cuteness between the two to balance out the tough times.
Slow Burn: Gene Hunt and Alex Drake
Not every fan of Life on Mars would have pegged the door-kicking, scotch-slugging Gene Hunt as a romantic lead—plenty of us did, don’t get me wrong. But that’s just what happened when Alex Drake arrived on the scene.
For reasons that carry a massive “Spoiler” tag, Alex is much more self-assured than Sam ever was when she finds herself confronted with Gene Hunt. She’s written him and his entire department off as psychological constructs from the word “go.” But her expert prognosis doesn’t hold up for long—especially when the posh Alex and the brash Gene start hitting it off.
The “Will they or won’t they” aspect of Gene and Alex’s partnership becomes a driving force of the series. As secrets come to light (both within the show’s cases and regarding its Big Mystery), much of how they’re handled comes down to the pair’s trust and feelings for each other. There’s clearly something there—even they come close to admitting it—but what that actually means will hinge on the truth of their situation. Along the way, though, expect lots of bickering, lots of tension, and some unexpectedly sweet moments that will melt (and maybe also break) your heart.
Both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are available to watch on BritBox. At the time of this writing, the creators are hosting a group watch for an episode of Life on Mars every Wednesday. Whether you jump on with the group or venture into Gene’s world on your own, you’re in for a wild ride. Once you’re done, the Final Chapter awaits… but we’ll all have to wait for that together.
Comments are closed.