Series 1: Episode 5 (Life on Mars)
Encyclopedia
The fifth episode of the first series of the British
time travel
police procedural
television
series, Life on Mars
, was first broadcast on 6 February 2006. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television
for BBC One
.
The night before the match, Sam, DCI Gene Hunt and WPC Annie Cartwright
go undercover at the Trafford Arms (posing as staff) in an attempt to garner information from the United-supporting clientele of the pub about the murder, and also to find out whatever they could about any plans for violence against City supporters the following day. They suspect pub regular Malcolm Cox, a United fan with previous convictions for assault, of murdering Clay and framing City supporters in an attempt to rile up United fans and provoke violence from both supporter groups. Their suspicions are compounded when Cox is seen to place a key between his knuckles when threatening to punch Gene - the use of a key could explain the stab wound that had killed Clay. Also that night Sam befriends another United supporter, Pete Bond, who tells him "once a Red, always a Red".
The next day Sam and Gene pay Malcolm Cox a visit which inevitably ends in a foot chase. When apprehended Cox admits playing a part in Clay's killing, but denies that he wanted Clay dead. He admits to have distracted Clay while Pete Bond hit him in the back of the head. However, Pete used his key (a trick Cox had in fact picked up from him) and Clay was killed. Cox also informs Sam and Gene of the whereabouts of the planned fight between United and City supporters, and Sam, Gene and DC Chris Skelton lead a team of riot police to the scene, a large deserted warehouse. While the other officers subdue the rioting fans, Sam finds and arrests Pete Bond. He confiscates Bond's ticket to the match and gives it to the son of the murdered United fan, Colin Clay.
At the end of the episode Sam sees his young self going to the match with his father - he had previously told Bond at the Trafford Arms that this was the last match he had gone to.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
time travel
Time travel in fiction
Time travel is a common theme in science fiction and is depicted in a variety of media. It simply means either going forward in time or backward, to experience the future, or the past.-Literature:...
police procedural
Police procedural
The police procedural is a subgenre of detective fiction which attempts to convincingly depict the activities of a police force as they investigate crimes. While traditional detective novels usually concentrate on a single crime, police procedurals frequently depict investigations into several...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series, Life on Mars
Life on Mars (TV series)
Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural....
, was first broadcast on 6 February 2006. It was produced by Kudos Film & Television
Kudos (production company)
Kudos Film and Television is a British independent film and television production company. It has produced television series for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and its productions include Spooks , Hustle, Life on Mars and its spin-off Ashes to Ashes, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard and M.I. High...
for BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
.
Synopsis
In the days leading up to the Manchester football derby between Manchester United and Manchester City, United fan Colin Clay is found dead a short walking distance from the United-dominated Trafford Arms pub. The cause of death appears to be a small stab wound at the nape of the neck. It is widely assumed that the culprit is a City fan, and the CID are worried that this incident would incite fan violence between the two clubs' firms. However, DI Sam Tyler suspects that the killing was not football-inspired, due to the lack of bruising on the body of the victim which suggested that there was no struggle or fight which led to the man's death.The night before the match, Sam, DCI Gene Hunt and WPC Annie Cartwright
Annie Cartwright
WPC/DC Annie Cartwright is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars. The character is portrayed by Liz White...
go undercover at the Trafford Arms (posing as staff) in an attempt to garner information from the United-supporting clientele of the pub about the murder, and also to find out whatever they could about any plans for violence against City supporters the following day. They suspect pub regular Malcolm Cox, a United fan with previous convictions for assault, of murdering Clay and framing City supporters in an attempt to rile up United fans and provoke violence from both supporter groups. Their suspicions are compounded when Cox is seen to place a key between his knuckles when threatening to punch Gene - the use of a key could explain the stab wound that had killed Clay. Also that night Sam befriends another United supporter, Pete Bond, who tells him "once a Red, always a Red".
The next day Sam and Gene pay Malcolm Cox a visit which inevitably ends in a foot chase. When apprehended Cox admits playing a part in Clay's killing, but denies that he wanted Clay dead. He admits to have distracted Clay while Pete Bond hit him in the back of the head. However, Pete used his key (a trick Cox had in fact picked up from him) and Clay was killed. Cox also informs Sam and Gene of the whereabouts of the planned fight between United and City supporters, and Sam, Gene and DC Chris Skelton lead a team of riot police to the scene, a large deserted warehouse. While the other officers subdue the rioting fans, Sam finds and arrests Pete Bond. He confiscates Bond's ticket to the match and gives it to the son of the murdered United fan, Colin Clay.
At the end of the episode Sam sees his young self going to the match with his father - he had previously told Bond at the Trafford Arms that this was the last match he had gone to.
Cast
- Sam TylerSam TylerDCI/DI Sam Tyler is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars.In the original British version of Life on Mars, Tyler is played by John Simm and in the American version he is played by Jason O'Mara....
— John SimmJohn SimmJohn Simm is an English stage and screen actor. In recent years he is best known for his roles as Sam Tyler in the detective drama Life on Mars and as The Master in the revival of the science fiction series Doctor Who, but he has also starred in many highly acclaimed award-winning television... - Gene HuntGene HuntDCI Gene Hunt is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama Life on Mars and its sequel, Ashes to Ashes. The character is portrayed by Philip Glenister in both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, whereas in the American version he is portrayed by Harvey Keitel.The...
— Philip GlenisterPhilip GlenisterPhilip Haywood Glenister is an English actor, known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt in British television series Life On Mars and its sequel Ashes To Ashes.-Television and films:... - Chris SkeltonChris SkeltonPC/DC Christopher "Chris" Skelton is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars and its spin-off Ashes to Ashes.- Life on Mars :...
— Marshall LancasterMarshall LancasterMarshall Lancaster is a British actor. He has appeared in many television dramas, including Coronation Street, Holby City, The Lakes and Family Affairs, but is probably best known for playing DC Chris Skelton in the BBC time-travel police dramas, Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.Lancaster is a... - Ray CarlingRay CarlingDC/DS/DI Raymond Milton "Ray" Carling is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars and its spin-off Ashes to Ashes.-Life on Mars:...
— Dean AndrewsDean AndrewsDean Andrews is a British actor.He is most famous for his role as DS Ray Carling in the BBC Television drama Life on Mars... - Annie CartwrightAnnie CartwrightWPC/DC Annie Cartwright is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars. The character is portrayed by Liz White...
— Liz WhiteLiz White (actress)Liz White is an English actress, best known for her regular role as WPC/WDC Annie Cartwright in the BBC time travel drama Life on Mars, which began in January 2006... - Nelson — Tony Marshall
- Phyllis DobbsPhyllis DobbsWPC Phyllis Dobbs is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars. The character is portrayed by Noreen Kershaw, whereas in the American version the character does not exist except for a very minor capacity....
— Noreen KershawNoreen KershawNoreen Kershaw is an English television actress and director.She trained at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre and, at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre, originated the title role of the play Shirley Valentine, later made famous by Pauline Collins... - Test Card Girl — Rafaella Hutchinson (uncredited)
- Ryan Clay - Michael Lawrence
- Stanley Cooper (pathologist) — Ian BarrittIan BarrittIan Barritt is a British actor.His television credits include: Elizabeth R, The Tomorrow People, Secret Army, Blake's 7, Minder, Only Fools and Horses, Lovejoy, Between The Lines, The Bill, A Touch of Frost, Foyle's War, Life on Mars, Midsomer Murders and Doctor Who.-External links:...
- Pete Bond - Anthony FlanaganAnthony FlanaganAnthony Flanagan is an English actor most widely known for his portrayal of policeman Tony in Channel 4's comedy-drama series Shameless.-Biography:...
- Malcolm Cox — Joe Duttine
- Craig - Kris Mochrie
- Paul - Steven Blower
- Man in Pub - John Wilson
- Young Sam (uncredited)
- Voice of Vic Tyler - Lee InglebyLee InglebyLee Ingleby is a British film, television, and stage actor.He is perhaps best known for his roles as Detective Sergeant John Bacchus in the BBC Drama George Gently and as Stan Shunpike in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban...
(uncredited)
Cultural references
- Gene says "There will never be a woman Prime Minister as long as I have a hole in my arse." Margaret ThatcherMargaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
would become the country's first female Prime MinisterPrime Minister of the United KingdomThe Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
on 4 May 1979. - Sam says "We have to put up perimeter fencePerimeter fenceA perimeter fence is a structure that circles the perimeter of an area to prevent access. These fences are frequently made out of single vertical metal bars connected at the top and bottom with a horizontal bar. They often have spikes on the top to prevent climbing. Residential perimeter fences are...
s, herding people like animals. Then how long before something happens, how long before something terrible happens and we are dragging bodies out?" Sam is likely to be referring to the Hillsborough DisasterHillsborough disasterThe Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
on 15 April 1989. There was a massive influx of Liverpool supporters into the already crowded central bays just before kick-off, which resulted in the fans at the front being crushed into the perimeter fencing that had been installed to help prevent hooliganismHooliganismHooliganism refers to unruly, destructive, aggressive and bullying behaviour. Such behaviour is commonly associated with sports fans. The term can also apply to general rowdy behaviour and vandalism, often under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs....
. Whilst the situation was not immediately recognised and the game started, within 10 minutes of play fans had forced a small gate and were streaming onto the pitch to escape the crush, police initially believed it was a pitch invasion and sent in reinforcements to stop the escaping fans. By the time the truth was known, many fans had been crushed to death whilst still standing. A total of 96 people lost their lives at the scene or as a result of their injuries. - Gene tells Sam "You do that, Sherlock, and if that doesn’t work try the butler." Gene is drawing a comparison between Sam and Sir Arthur Conan DoyleArthur Conan DoyleSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
's world-famous fictional detective, Sherlock HolmesSherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
, and to the classic mystery clichéClichéA cliché or cliche is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel. In phraseology, the term has taken on a more technical meaning,...
that whenever an unexplained murder occurs in a rarefied setting the suspicion always falls on the butlerButlerA butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
. - The rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United is longstanding; matches between the two is known as the "Manchester DerbyManchester derbyThe Manchester derby is the name given to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United. The local derby centres on the City of Manchester and Greater Manchester with approximately four miles separating the clubs with City based in east Manchester at the City of Manchester Stadium...
". The only 1973 Derby - and thus final day of this episode - took place on 21 April on United's home turf, Old TraffordOld TraffordOld Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
; the final score was 0-0.
Music
- Call the Police - Thin LizzyThin LizzyThin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
- Good Thinking - Status Quo
- The RockerThe Rocker"The Rocker" is a song by Irish rock group Thin Lizzy, included on their 1973 album Vagabonds of the Western World. It was also released as a single in a 2:41 edited format, the original album track stretching to 5:17, most of the extra length being taken up by an extended guitar solo by Eric Bell...
- Thin Lizzy - White RoomWhite Room"White Room" is a song by British "supergroup" Cream. The song was a psychedelic rock number written by bassist Jack Bruce and poet Pete Brown. It originally appeared on the US release of their double album, Wheels of Fire, by Atco Records in July 1968 and was released as a single in September 1968...
- CreamCream (band)Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker... - JeepsterJeepster (song)"Jeepster" was a 1971 single by the British glam rock band T. Rex, both taken from the group's second album, Electric Warrior....
- T.RexT. Rex (band)T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name... - Would You Believe - Roxy MusicRoxy MusicRoxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
- Urban Guerrilla - HawkwindHawkwindHawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
- Ejection - Hawkwind
- I Can’t Live Without You - ColosseumColosseum (band)Colosseum is a pioneering British progressive jazz-rock band, mixing progressive rock and jazz-based improvisation.-History 1968 - 1971:The band was formed in September 1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman, tenor sax player Dick Heckstall-Smith and bass player Tony Reeves, who had previously worked together...
- Mother of Pearl - Roxy Music
- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be FreeI Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (song)"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" is a song written by Billy Taylor & Dick Dallas, most well known for the recording by Nina Simone in 1967 on her Silk & Soul album. Billy Taylor's original version was recorded November 12, 1963 and released on his Right Here, Right Now album the...
- Nina SimoneNina SimoneEunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
External links
- Episode 5 at bbc.co.ukBbc.co.ukBBC Online is the brand name and home for the BBC's UK online service. It is a large network of websites including such high profile sites as BBC News and Sport, the on-demand video and radio services co-branded BBC iPlayer, the pre-school site Cbeebies, and learning services such as Bitesize...
- Episode 5 at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Episode 5 at TV.comTV.comTV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...