Ep 6. Tuesday's Dead

It is the sixth episode from season 1 of Life on Mars, entitled Tuesday's Dead. There's a blackout in Manchester on Tuesday, May 8, 1973. Sam and Gene must contend with looters, a burglary, a shooting and a dead body in a canal, all without the help of forensic evidence as it's impossible to process anything in the dark. Sam becomes more convinced that he's in a coma back in 2006, but he doesn't know if he can survive until he wakes up. Meanwhile, he's trying to solve multiple crimes and protect his new team during the chaos of the blackout. Sam and Gene are forced to use their intuition and any information they can glean from suspicious eyewitnesses to solve the crimes that night. However, during their investigation, they uncover a conspiracy that runs even deeper than they suspected at first.

Sam Tyler, who woke up in 1973 after being hit by a car in 2006, is still trying to figure out how he got there and how he can return home. He is a DI in the Manchester Police Force, working alongside his superior - Gene Hunt, a DCI with more old-fashioned views about police work. The dynamic between the two is tense, as Sam tries to maintain his moral compass in a time when police corruption is rampant. However, Sam begins to question whether he's really in a coma in 2006, or if he's simply lost his mind. This episode explores that theme further, as Sam is forced to rely on his gut instincts, without the help of modern technology and without the support of anyone except his new colleagues.

The episode's title, Tuesday's Dead, is a reference to a song by Cat Stevens, who is featured prominently throughout the series. The song describes a day that is "dead" before it even begins, and the lyrics could be interpreted as a metaphor for Sam's situation. He is trapped in a time period that he can't escape, and he's struggling to make sense of his surroundings. However, the song also contains the lyrics "but come tomorrow, will I be older?", which could be interpreted as a glimmer of hope for Sam. If he can survive this night, perhaps he'll be one step closer to returning to his own time.

The episode's plot is fast-paced and tension-filled, as the blackout creates chaos throughout the city. Sam and Gene must navigate through a series of crimes, each one more dangerous than the last. The looters are armed and violent, and there's a sense of lawlessness that permeates everything. Meanwhile, Sam's mental state is deteriorating, as he becomes more convinced that he's trapped in a coma. He's haunted by visions of his mother, urging him to wake up, and he's not sure how much longer he can hold on.

Despite the darkness of the episode, there are moments of levity. Sam's attempts to explain modern technology to his bewildered colleagues are always a highlight, and the banter between Sam and Gene provides some relief from the tension. Additionally, the setting of the blackout allows for some creative cinematography, as scenes are lit by flashlights and candles rather than traditional lighting.

Overall, Tuesday's Dead is a strong episode that showcases the strengths of Life on Mars. The show's blend of sci-fi, police procedural, and retro nostalgia is on full display, and the tension-filled plot keeps the viewer engaged. The underlying mystery of how Sam got there and how he can return home continues to drive the series forward, and the strong performances from the cast make the characters feel fully-realized and relatable. Life on Mars is a unique and compelling show, and Tuesday's Dead is a standout episode.