FINALLY - I've ben avoiding this thread like the plague - I may be able to read some of the earlier posts soon! Hooray!
I saw the ad too - I squeed ...
LOL - I laughed (with glee) when I saw the Quatro rolling along at the start of the ad the other night! You guys are going to love it.
Ashlings' guildleader
14 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Master of Obernewtyn
Just a quiet reminder...
ASHES TO ASHES STARTS ON ABC IN 26 MINS!!!!!!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Need I say more?
Aw man, I missed it! I was watching Dr Who season 2 on ABC2 for the gazilionth time! :P
I have seen the first few episodes of Ashes to Ashes already though, and can I just say about the first ep:
I'm really happy with the way they explained away the fact that Sam was no longer on the team. It was the thing I was most fearing about Ashes to Ashes, that somehow it would undermine all the relationships and the happy ending of Life on Mars, by explaining away the fact that Sam wasn't still with them with some trivial excuse. It was a bit sad, but I'm glad he had a few years!
The final series of Ashes to Ashes starts on BBC1 towards the end of March (no exact date yet)
It's now 1983, and Gene Hunt has gone AWOL in the wake of the shooting (though he will return, from Spain)
The new series will focus on Ray, Chris and Shaz in a way we have never seen before.
There will be a new character introduced, by the name of Jim Keats. He will have the same rank as Gene Hunt and will be investigating the shooting. Each stands for what the other hates most.
We have been promised that all the questions will finally be answered, including what happened to Sam Tyler, and the final epiosde will apparently bring everything full-circle...
Ok, we have an airdate.
The final season of Ashes to Ashes will start on Firday 2nd April (Good Friday) at 9pm BST on BBC1
OH MY GOD. THIS Friday?!
:D this is most excellent news. Thanks DO!
I finally watched both seasons of Ashes to Ashes last week (even resorted to paying to download them on itunes! 8-| (normally I download for free until I can buy them on dvd...and I don't buy too many dvds over here cos I can't watch them on my laptop -_-)
anyways, I really enjoyed the first season, season 2 was enjoyable, but I preferred S1. I actually like Alex - I love her insight thanks to Sam Tyler's experience, and how she explains everything with psychology.
after belatedly catching up with everyones posts:
re: the last episode of season 2 - I saw writing on her banadages on her head. I was wondering if it said something like "no scull cap" or "no bone" or something - that they had to remove a piece of skull to get the bullet out - and with her running around straight out of a coma, I can see her falling and hitting her head and voila! we're back in 83 :P
Also, I found the UST between Alex and Gene.... interesting :P Can't believe Gene was getting jealous! I have to say I actually like seeing this softer side to him!
all caught up on my tv episodes now - I'm ready for this weekend! (though being back on nights means making the most of BBC iPlayer ::) )
OMG. Loved Ashes to Ashes. It looks like they're going to throw us a heap of red herrings in regards to what exactly is going on though, doesn't it?
uber-squee at Alex getting Sam Tyler's file. So - did Gene kill Sam? Or is it more, that Gene is trying to save them (Sam, Alex) and he's getting in trouble for not just letting them die?
But what is going on? Who is that Jim fellow? I think he must be of equal if not higher status than Gene in the scheme of things but is he for good or bad?
So confused :P but loving it.
14 years ago
Tue Apr 06 2010, 01:19am
It was a great start to the last season!
Apparently we finally find out who Gene is this season, and we also find out what happened to Sam. Gradually over the course of this season we will get answers to most of the questions we've had from both series
That Jim fellow is part of the 80's equivalent of Internal Affairs, and will be investigating the shooting and general police corruption. He is equal in rank to Gene, and hates him.
Note: There is no Ashes to Ashes this week, as there is some sort of sports being shown. It will return the following week
I think the golf may have finished early? ??? well I watched it on BBC iplayer after work anyways :)
O M G. I (L) that opening scene so much XD Gene, Ray and Chris dancing to Uptown Girl? Priceless!!
They had me worried in that episode about Shaz - some PTSD I guess? Then I was worried that she'd be killed, but I thought they can't bring her back to life then kill her off in episode 2 of the final series!!
I'm glad she seemed alright at the end of it though - I think thats the first time I'd heard her surname used, and since it was when Life on Mars started playing I thought it was odd, but then I went back and realised Granger was in the credits in series two.
so not quite sure what to think of Sam's music being played now :-/
I want to watch them all *NOW*!! lots of good songs in this ep though :P
14 years ago
Mon Apr 12 2010, 07:22am
Eilidh - totally agree. I'm never going to be able to get the image of
Uptown girl - THAT version - out of my head now. I particularly enjoyed how Alex kept smirking and remembering it.
WOW though, what an episode. Yeah, I thought Shaz would die too. The fact that Gene had that little chat with her - "go out in a blaze of glory", made me wonder...well...go with me here.
Not that I want anything to get religious here - but Gene seems like some sort of angel. One that's been given a really difficult task of helping people resolve their issues before they fully pass over, sort of like, helping their souls since they were taken before their time or something. Or, alternatively, trying to keep them there, because the passing over option isn't all that pretty.
James (Keats?) seems like a more devilish character, though. The mere focus on the heat in his room convinced me he's evil, not good :P and remember, he's the one that convinced Shaz to leave? Perhaps he's trying to 'win' their souls over, too.
So, if that's possibly the case - then Shaz must be like Alex. Only, she's forgotten that she ever existed in another time (if she did). Ray and Chris could be the same - only they've completely forgotten and so they're staying there. I remember from Life on Mars, in one episode, doesn't Sam start forgetting his old life? He has to force himself to remember?
There were just all sorts of little weird things this episode pointing to some sort of battle for a person's soul...Shaz's I guess. At the end, when she agrees to stay? Something changes. There's a slowing of time almost, and a shift, and she's back to normal. Very strange! And, Alex reaches the 'end' of her world? That place after she's following Shaz, with all the stars? Wonder what that was all about.
This all makes me think that the truth about Sam was similar to what nearly happened to Shaz in this episode. I vaguely remember Chris or Ray talking about what happened at the beginning - the Gov said wait for us, but Sam thought he could deal with it, something along those lines. That he went out in a 'blaze of glory' catching someone..? Well, at least Alex is investigating it now, so we won't be left with these questions in the end :D
So interesting...loving it.
14 years ago
Sun Apr 18 2010, 12:31am
Episode 2:
Very interesting! I think each of the episodes will be focusing on one of the major characters.
Loved the Uptown Girl 'music video' with the Gov skipping about! Lol!
When Ray was taken into the interview room, did anyone else spot the crescent shape in the concrete wall near the door (behind Jim)? That episode had the crescents as the mark of the serial killer, so maybe it was a clue?
Zooming in on Shaz whilst playing 'Life on Mars' was an interesting touch. Not sure what to make of that yet.
Whats with this copper with half a face??
Episode 3
Another reference to Sam! We're getting closer to the truth.
They zoomed in on Ray this time! I think I was right about each episode being about a major character.
Other thoughts:
Min: I've had the same thought, reagrding Gene being an Angel, and I noticed too about Jim's office being hot.
In episode 3, you had sunlight streaming in through Gene's windows, and yet Jim's office is very dark!
I see no-one else has picked up on 6-6-20 etched into Alex's desk. I've just done a search and it is from the book of Joshua chapter 6 (in the King James Bible). It reads:
6:20 So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Not sure what it means yet, but i'm sure it will all become clear in time. I just hope it doesn't mean 6th June 2020, and the ending will be similar to US Life on Mars....
14 years ago
Sun Apr 18 2010, 06:16pm
Oh gods, DO, they can't do that to us...(re the similar ending to the US version). I think there'd be a mass riot (and I'd be leading it!).
Yes! They did the slow-mo life on mars thing for Ray this week! Which means I've got more theories..
All: *sarcastic* horay...
So - what if, carrying on from my last theory, they ARE all people who have died before their times, in some sort of violent accident or similar. Gene's there to help them resolve their issues, but at the same time, doesn't want them to, because it means they'll be leaving him. And that he knows what's on the other side isn't really that pretty, so they may as well stay with him?
Shaz's unresolved issue appeared to be feeling accepted as part of a group.
Ray's had something to do with being given credit, or being told he'd done a good job?
Chris' will obviously be some sort of forgiveness. I'm betting on someone saying 'I forgive you, Chris' in a future episode (probably Shaz saying it), and the slow-motion music thing will happen for him :D
And Alex...abandonment? Same sort of issue that Sam appeared to have really...
So - when they get what they've been seeking, what happens? They start seeing the stars? Shaz talked of stars, and Alex saw them the week before. Does this mean that their own personal reality is falling apart around them, once they've resolved their issues? That they're moving on?
But Gene doesn't want them to go (but, if they have to, they may as well go out in a blaze of glory)?
Interesting point about 6-6-20. If it is a reference to the biblical passage you've mentioned, it's surely an obscure one...trumpets sounding = people shouting, walls coming down...every man charged in and took the city. You know what, that could refer to Alex's soul. That the 6-6-20 applies directly to her own case. That if she exposes Gene for whatever (Sam's death, though I find it impossible to think he would have killed him), that'll sound the alarms up above, and then Gene can no longer protect her from death because he's been demoted/replaced in whatever it is he does; and they'll come in and take her mind/soul. Perhaps that's why Jim is so interested in encouraging her investigation of Sam's death.
(But I still want to know what happened with Sam!)
But...what else could it mean? Google won't give me answers :P
And no, I missed the cresent moon in Jim's office! Oush. I picked up on the heat, though, the previous week. This week I just picked up that he appears as the little devil on everyone's shoulders; appearing out of nowhere, to put nasty - betrayal-type - ideas into their heads.
Soooo so interesting. Absolutely loving this series.
Audi Quattro prices have gone up since the series aired, so you might have to save for a while!
Min: I agree with your theory, and its the most plausible theory to date.
Did anyone else spot 6-6-20 grafitied onto the wall after the junkie told Alex she belonged here?
Loved the reference to the Blue Peter Garden vandalism! I remember watching that announcement when I was 9. (One another note, that presenter, Janet Ellis, has appeared in Dr Who. She was in a Tom Baker (4th Doctor) story called 'The Horns of Nimon')
I agree Agyllian! The way Jim walks up to Louise isn't right. There is no urgency in his walk, it is almost purposeful.
The 1/2 face policeman is back again. Wish I knew what that meant.
No life on Mars moment for Chris (unless I missed it)...
14 years ago
Fri Apr 30 2010, 07:09am
Hehe, you know, I did wonder about the Blue Peter vandalism bit :D ...
Agyllian - I was wondering the same thing, if Jim is really the Grim Reaper. Particularly during Louise's death...
Maybe Gene's the one who tries to get them to resolve their issues, and Jim is the one who enables their passing over to the next world? And the reason they despise each other so much is because Gene tries to keep people there as long as possible?
Re the dead/half-face policeman - does he actually appear in the episode next week (with a whole face)? Or was that just a different mustached man?
Yeah, no 'moment' for Chris. The main difference/reason I'm seeing behind it is because Jim saved him (saying it was self-defence in his report), instead of Gene saving him. Maybe that means Chris' time is nearly up :( but I hope not...
Ashlings' guildleader
14 years ago
Sun May 02 2010, 08:01pm
Ashlings' guildleader
Master of Obernewtyn
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Gah!! This episode created more questions than answers. And Ray saw the stars! (Which now has me reeeaaally worried that they will end it something like the US version)
So we started out with a montage of Sam, which ended with us knowing that the crooked copper knew something about it (did I catch it right that he was the one that photographed the car Sam was driving?). We also know that Gene could say something to him that made him go almost mad it seemed. I thought it was a clue at the end where when asked what he had said, he said that City would beat united ... and my over active mind thought this might mean Gene could see/know the future...but it turns out in 1982 both games played between the two sides are draws :|. So there goes that theory lol :P. Not that I thought that's what he really said.
The half faced policeman also turned up again for a brief moment but still no clue who he is. And no reference that i could spot to the numbers.
Can anyone remember at what point Shaz or Alex saw the stars? Ray saw them after what would have been a high adrenaline moment.
14 years ago
Mon May 03 2010, 03:03pm
Agyllian I know what you mean, particularly after--
Ray's comment just after he saw them, "like we were astronauts or something". I'm hoping - desperately - that this is misdirection. To make us think that they will end it that way. It won't do to have Ashes to Ashes ending with them on a Gene Hunt for Life on Mars *facepalm* because it's not Life On Mars anymore :P
That, and that the character of Jim Keats doesn't fit into that woeful US storyline ending, either.
And again...like I said. Rampage. Pitchforks. Rage.
I was squeeing at the montage of Sam at the start...yay! I really miss Sam Tyler...even though this isn't his series :P
Yeap, it looked like Bevan (hah, what a wonderfully 80's name) was the photographer at the scene of Sam's accident.
Gene's 'City will beat United' was definitely to just throw Alex off. He seems really...not desperate, but...stubborn, against Alex knowing anything about the details of Sam's death. The oddest thing is, is that instead of getting angry, Gene just sort of goes quiet about it. It's the weirdest reaction he has to anything, considering usually he just flies off the rails.
Stars! Alex saw them...when she was chasing Shaz. Following Shaz, rather. Shaz - we're not sure when she saw them are we? I just remember her drawing them, and Alex asking about them...correct me if I'm wrong, though! I just can't remember Shaz seeing them on screen :P doesn't mean it didn't happen.
I've been interpreting the stars more as...their time coming to an end. The mental world they've built around themselves is starting to fade, and they're getting ready to move on into the next life?
Also - did you guys notice how many...not necessarily biblical, but leaning-towards-biblical references there were? Eg, "by the book"? Could be completely innocent I suppose. There was, at one point, a "Do you think you've got wings and a halo" comment thrown at Gene. There were a few others...but those particularly stuck out for me. Still makes me think that there's some element of fallen angels accompanying the role of DCI...
So interesting - and yes. More questions than answers!
Would I be right in assuming there's 3 episodes to go? :(
Okok - wth happened this week?! 8-|
SAM...TYLER?!
ARGH.
That is all...
Ashlings' guildleader
14 years ago
Ashlings' guildleader
Master of Obernewtyn
I thought last weeks episode was a brilliant build up...this episode accelerated it all again :O. Wasn't sure they would be able to peak with only 2 episodes before the finally, but I'm glad I've been proved wrong. As to what was in this episode, I don't think I can speculate any further...gah, I don't want it to end but I MUST find out what happens now! I'm split in half.
I liked how Chris finally stepped up to Gene, and Gene accepted it ...and they hugged :"(. And Chris finally had his moment......
Gees Louise, I really want to theorise about it all but my head is swimming with too many threads to coherently put down.