Life on Mars is a prime example of postmodernism in television, blending time travel, crime, and cultural references in ways that question reality, identity, and genre conventions. The series follows Sam Tyler, a modern-day detective who, after a traumatic event, is transported back to 1973. This disorienting experience mirrors postmodern principles, where linear narratives are disrupted, and questions about truth and identity are left open-ended.

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A key element of Life on Mars is its use of intertextuality—referencing or drawing upon other texts and cultural artifacts. The show is rich with references to 1970s British crime dramas, most notably The Sweeney, a gritty, hard-hitting series about London's police force. The character of Gene Hunt, with his tough, no-nonsense attitude, directly mirrors characters from The Sweeney, offering an homage to the raw masculinity and policing style of that era. This intertextual connection is not just a nostalgic callback but a way to critique the changing nature of law enforcement and masculinity, adding depth to the narrative.

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The show also incorporates music from the period, most notably David Bowie's iconic song "Life on Mars?" which serves as both a thematic and literal anchor for the series. The song’s existential lyrics about alienation, longing, and confusion mirror Sam’s own emotional and psychological state as he navigates his uncertain circumstances. Bowie's influence in the show extends beyond just the title—his music encapsulates the tension between the past and present, further blurring the lines between time periods.

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By drawing on references like The Sweeney and David Bowie, Life on Mars becomes a layered, postmodern narrative that interrogates the nature of time, identity, and genre, all while deconstructing and reimagining traditional detective tropes.

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1. What is postmodernism, and how is it reflected in the structure and narrative style of Life on Mars?

2. How does Life on Mars use intertextuality to connect with 1970s crime dramas like The Sweeney?

3. Explain how the character of Gene Hunt in Life on Mars is an homage to the detectives of The Sweeney. What characteristics does he share with these characters?

4. In what ways does David Bowie's song "Life on Mars?" serve as both a literal and thematic anchor for the show?

5. How does Life on Mars blur the lines between reality and fiction, and what does this reveal about postmodern views on truth and identity?

6. Why is the use of 1970s music and cultural references in Life on Mars significant for its postmodern style?

7. Discuss how Life on Mars challenges traditional detective genres. What genre conventions does it deconstruct or subvert?

8. In what ways does Life on Mars invite viewers to question the nature of time and reality, and how does this relate to postmodernist themes?

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Ashes to Ashes, the sequel to Life on Mars, continues the exploration of postmodernism and intertextuality, expanding on the themes introduced in the first series while also deepening the complexities of time, identity, and reality. Set in the 1980s, the series follows Alex Drake, a modern-day detective who, after a traumatic event, finds herself in a similar situation to Sam Tyler, back in the past. The show’s postmodern approach is evident in its rejection of traditional narrative structures, instead weaving together multiple layers of reality, memory, and psychological conflict.

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The series plays with postmodern concepts like the fragmentation of time and the questioning of objective truth. Alex’s experience in the 1980s challenges both her sense of self and her understanding of the events around her, which mirrors postmodern ideas about the fluidity and instability of identity. Just like Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes invites the audience to question whether the events unfolding are real or imagined, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

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Intertextuality is a key feature of Ashes to Ashes, with the show drawing upon various cultural references from the 1980s. The soundtrack, filled with iconic tracks from artists like David Bowie, creates a vivid connection to the era, with the song "Ashes to Ashes" becoming a recurring motif. The title itself references both the character's journey and Bowie's exploration of alienation and identity, underscoring the series’ themes. Moreover, Ashes to Ashes continues the homage to 1970s crime dramas, particularly through the character of Gene Hunt, whose tough, no-nonsense persona evokes the gritty policing of the earlier series.

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1. How does Ashes to Ashes expand upon the postmodern elements introduced in Life on Mars? Provide examples of how time and reality are portrayed in the series.

2. In what ways does Ashes to Ashes incorporate intertextual references to 1980s culture, and how do these references enhance the themes of the show?

3. Discuss the character of Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes. How does her experience in the 1980s challenge her understanding of her own identity, and what does this reveal about postmodern views on selfhood?

4. Explain the significance of David Bowie's song "Ashes to Ashes" in the show. How does it reflect the series’ themes of alienation, memory, and identity?

5. How does Ashes to Ashes use the character of Gene Hunt to continue the exploration of postmodern masculinity and authority? What is the relationship between Gene and Alex, and how does it reflect changing attitudes to power?

6. What role does nostalgia play in Ashes to Ashes, and how does the 1980s setting serve as a tool for both personal and collective memory in the show?

7. How does the series continue to question the nature of time and reality? Discuss how Alex Drake's perception of her situation shifts throughout the show.

8. In what ways does Ashes to Ashes subvert traditional crime drama conventions? How does the show blend genres like psychological thriller, detective drama, and science fiction in a postmodern context?

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