... well, not really, but for NYPD Detective Sam Tyler, he might as well be living on another planet! Life on Mars on ABC network is an American adaptation of the hit British television series in 2006. I watched the entire two seasons on BBC America, and absolutely loved it. So, when I heard this was going to be re-told American-style for the new fall line-up, I was pretty jazzed. And, after watching the premiere online last night, Life on Mars didn't disappoint.

The story revolves around Detective Sam Tyler trying to nail a serial killer in New York City. His partner and lover, Maya Daniels, finally catch the man they have been after for so long, but finds he has a solid alibi during a murder. Colin Raimes was recorded while gambling at a casino. Raimes is released, but Maya decides to follow him. Back at the station, new evidence is found that Colin Raimes had a twin, Lawrence ... a compulsive gambler, of course! Maya calls Sam to tell him she has her sights on him, but the call is abruptly cut-off. The police scramble to get to Maya, but are too late ... only finding her blood stained shirt. Sam becomes beside himself, fearing the worst ... gets a call on his cell, and leaves his car to get some better reception, and gets slammed by a speeding vehicle ...

• Detective Sam Tyler, NYPD - Jason O'Mara (alternatively seen as a scary serial killer on TNT's The Closer, Resident Evil: Extinction, Space Truckers)
• Detective Maya Daniels - Lisa Bonet (Enemy of the State, Angel Heart and of course, Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and A Different World)
• Captain Bellow - Clarke Peters (Meadowlands, K-PAX, the classic scifi film - Outland)
• Colin and Lawrence Raimes, serial killer - Michael Bertolini

This is where all the fun comes in ... instead of waking up in 2008, he finds himself in 1973 New York. A very emotional moment, as he lifts his eyes to see the Twin Towers, in all their previous glory. Of course, his car has turned into the 70's muscle car of the day. And as he makes his way to his office at the 125th Precinct, he finds a dark, smoke-filled room ... no cell phones, no computers. Trying to maintain some sense of sanity, he meets his new team of fellow officers:

• Lieutenant Gene Hunt, Sam's new old-school boss - Harvey Keitel (National Treasure films, Little Nicky, 2000 tv version of Fail Safe, Fairytale: A True Story, From Dusk Till Dawn, Point of No Return, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Saturn 3)
• Det. Ray Carling, Sam's occasional nemesis - Michael Imperioli (Christopher from HBO's The Sopranos fame, Shark Tale, and watch for him in Peter Jackson's upcoming horror film, The Lovely Bones)
• Det. Chris Skelton, Sam's naive sidekick - Johnathan Murphy (Ronnie Garrett in the all-too-short-lived series - October Road, Scarecrow: Resurrection)
• Officer Annie "No-Nuts" Norris, Sam's new friend and confidant - Gretchen Mol (yes, The Notorious Bettie Page, The Thirteenth Floor)

Det. Sam has some advantages and disadvantages, at this point. Forensics was basically non-existent, and no fancy equipment or internet to aid in the solving of complex crimes. But, using what he does knowcan steer and teach new techniques to his current department ... if anyone is willing to listen. He is also wayyy out of his element, culture-wise, so he has to learn to adapt to his surroundings rather quickly. Sam Tyler doesn't know if he has somehow transported back in time, or if he has lost his mind completely. However, some clues to his current predicament are the strange messages he occasionally receives from the radio or television set. Is someone talking to him as he lays in some hospital bed, suffering from a coma from the car accident? If so, what can he possibly do to wake himself from this nightmare? Or is this some divine intervention, some task or tasks he must perform here in 1973, before he can return safe and um, sound in his own time.

All these questions will be answered, to one degree or another, as the series progresses. With minor, yet obvious cultural, exceptions, the show is holding true to the BBS series. Of all the replaced actors, Jonathan Murphy plays the character of Det. Chris Skelton to a tee. They even left "some" of the excessive smoking and drinking of the period, intact. Of course, it's always hard not to prefer an original to a new adaptation, but I am letting the art flow through me and try to enjoy what ABC can do with this story. So popular in the UK, the series went on to spawn an spin-off with a female lead being thrust back into the 80's, attempting to follow in Sam's footprints for a way back in the series (yes, continuing the David Bowie theme), Ashes to Ashes. By the time all that is wrapped up, don't be surprised by a 3rd series sending some poor soul back to the 90's ... EEK!

For more on the new show Life on Mars, visit the ABC website (which I have to say, was the absolute best experience watching a full-lengthed show online, I have had to date):

http://abc.go.com/primetime/lifeonmars/

Curious about the original Life on Mars ... check out the BBC America website:

http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/294/index.jsp