Life on Mars and authorial intent

[tzikeh]

Since we often talk about whether it matters to an audience just what the artist *meant* to say (whether it be in tv, movies, books, or fanfiction), I present to you this morning's Manchester Evening News interview with Life on Mars's lead writer and co-creator, Matthew Graham.

Warning: this article has extensive spoilers for the finale in particular, the whole series in general, and what the future will hold for our pals in CID.

I do believe that if I can get through today's classload and take a nice nap, I will write up extensive thoughts on the finale, and series in general, after all. Huh.



They chose "Hyde" to parallel Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde with Sam and Gene; the two sides of every man. I took it as read that Gene was named Hunt to give the audience "hunt" and "hide". So much for Matthew Graham. :)

Also - and I hate to say this - while I was originally happy about a spin-off, what Graham has done with the story is making me itch. No. No. Just... no. Not that Sam's not in it, and not that it's 1981 and London. And it's not even because I'm a slash fan; slash fans have quite a bit of practice when it comes to getting around anything they throw at us. It's just a... WTF? Are they making a standard American network tv show now? "Will they or won't they! And what of the Missus! Tune in next week!" Gah.

And it's too bad, because the "how" of it is brilliant - she's read Sam Tyler's trauma file and is extremely familiar with the people in it, she then suffers a violent trauma herself and ends up with them? AWESOME. Sexy sidekick? Not so much.

I may tune in because I cannot resist Gene Hunt (and yeah yeah, neither can the sexy sidekick so who am I to talk), but my gut instinct is that I will end up with my feet, and my mind, firmly planted in Sam's final second of life of Mars, stretching out through eternity. It's a great place to be.

Comments

[cereta.livejournal.com]

Closing my eyes to spoilers, just to poke you about sending me the eps ;).

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

How odd that you should pop up just now - as I am taking care of your little problem as I type this. :)

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

I may tune in because I cannot resist Gene Hunt (and yeah yeah, neither can the sexy sidekick so who am I to talk), but my gut instinct is that I will end up with my feet, and my mind, firmly planted in Sam's final second of life of Mars, stretching out through eternity. It's a great place to be.

Amen.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

In fact, today I said to a friend - "You know what? It's somebody else's tumor." And that's what I'm going to call the show.

[dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com]

*icon love*!!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

:D I didn't make it - that honor goes to pink_bagel.

Isn't it PERCEPTIVE?