Love it! I Just finished watching LOM & have now started watching this. Shows from the UK are way better than anything I am watching in North America - Love the BBC

Heather , Canada,

I must admit I had expected a lot more from Ashes to Ashes, but to be honest I love Keeley Hawes as DI Drake, she's fantastic in this part!Gene Hunt is a great plus too. I was only 5 in 1981 so I only remember the music when top of the pops was the highlight of the week on Thursday nights and no Eastenders and of course the cartoons. I do remember. It's not what I thought it would be but I think the two leads make up for what is lacking in the plot. Keep it coming!

Gerald , London,

Having been a huge fan of LoM the bottom line is that A2A is just not very good. This is my sad conclusion after watching episode 2.
Having 'lived' the eighties the authors are not true to the time period in the way LoM was to the seventies. What you're left with here is a ridiculous parody of the 80s. In the original LoM the differences between 1973 and today made you think about changes in the UK socially, politically and specifically regarding policing. There is also a difference between 1981 and now but this is not shown in A2A.
That aside the writing stinks. The female lead is pretty unsympathetic and as someone else pointed out since when do female DIs dress like tarts. Even as a police/ crime show it completely blows as the actual crime stories are pretty ridiculous and unimaginative.

Hugh, Brighton, UK

" Dust To Dust" would be a better title for this spin off from the
superb "Life On Mars". The concept was great, but what happened to the plot ? Shame, because it promised so much. Bring back " Firefly" !

RIP.....

Rob J, Herts, United Kingdom

Loved it!! Great to see something that's not formulaic US tosh.

Reminds me of how I felt when I saw the first episode of Dr Who back in the 60s - I was stunned at the originality. We get so little drama on telly that is original nowadays. I'd almost given up on drama till this came along.

And the little details they slipped in. TAB fizzy pop .. whatever happened to that?

karen turner, sheffield, england

Gene Hunt can stamp my derriere anytime....infact, I think I'd lie down naked in a printing press for him.

Gene is my favourite bit of rough. And my best mate agrees. We wouldn't touch a man like that with a barge pole in real life... but the programme's all about fantasy, isn't it?

Phwoooooooaaaaar!

Lulu, Dudley, UK

Ashes to Ashes is great for the same reasons Life on Mars was great - nostalgia, brilliant comedy, and a script that is just pure genius. Love Gene, Ray & the others, can't stand Drake. She's way too overacted; yes, she should be posh or Gene couldn't call her Bolly knickers, but she's too posh; yes, it's fine she knows who they all are and all about Sam, but she's too loud about it; yes, it's great to have a female lead, but she is so irritating! Psychobabble is one thing, but she uses too much, too loudly, and it just feels wrong. She's beautiful, but that's all she really brings to it. She needs to tone it all down a bit and I just might care about her and what happens to her.

Claire Buckley, Dundee, Scotland

A poor follow up to the original and best but I have a feeling it will improve. The problem is that L.o.M was soooo original and so far A2A is just repeating the same ideas, even with the (poor) replicant Blitz and the stars of the day appearances.
(would that bloke in the naff jacket REALLY have got through the door at Blitz by the way?)
I predict that Ray will come out of the closet and proclaim his undying love for Gene!
Also, Sams body was never recovered - a red herring or clumsy wait and see line???

Mark Murphy, Horsham, West Sussex

A2A is certainly nowhere near as good as LoM. The woman lead is totally irritating. Do women CID really wear off the shoulder dresses at work, either in the eighties or now?
It's interesting that Philip Glennister had to be enticed to be in the series with an appealing car. Without him, A2A would be total tosh.
I will not be buying the box set of this when it comes out. I'll just make do with my LoM one and enjoy the quality of that.

Gwen Bailey, Woking,

Loved it,loved it! Streets ahead of any other BBC dramas currently showing-I was totally hooked as soon as Drake came round to the strains of Vienna having spent my entire teenage years in the 80s-can't wait to see them re-create the Blitz club. I adored Life on Mars but am I alone in thinking that the ending still left too many unanswered questions? I was convinced that Sam was really in 1973 with real people because there were too many personal connections that wouldn't have been in his memory, so I'm hoping that Ashes to Ashes may provide some almighty twist along these lines, but am probably completely wrong! I'll keep watching whatever in my warm nostalgic glow!

Louise Dathan, New Milton, uk

ashes to ashes is a poor copy of life on mars,keeley hawes will never be as good as john simm at pulling off the lead role.Sam tyler was a more down to earth guy who didn't come from a rich background like alex drake one minute she's flirting with gene hunt the next she dresses as a hooker Gene hunt is the lead character so this show should focus only on hunt not drake and hunt would never leave manchester for london

james decosta, london,

Of course everyone will compare Ashes to Ashes with Life on Mars, and so will I. For me LoM self-destructed almost immediately by giving away the whole premise far too soon, leaving nothing but a shallow reconstruction of The Sweeney, but with no point or purpose. The first episode of AtoA ended with all questions unanswered, except one - this so called sequel which isn't, is much better produced, better acted, far more entertaining and, so far, remains utterly enthralling and intriguing.

Mike, Worcester,

Paul, Australia -Think you got Heartbeat mixed up with Hart to Hart mate.

Pucci, London,

Ignore anything any critic and anyone else has to say, watch it yourself and draw your own conclusions!
I found it to be enormous fun from beginning to end.
What television should be about.... ENTERTAINMENT!
Vincent West Sussex

Vincent, West Sussex, UK

I was really pleased with the first episode. I remember the first episode of LOM being a bit hard to get the head around, so i am sure it will bed down well. My favourite line? " the A team is back" !

Nick Taylor, Hemel Hempstead,

A rather silly introduction episode, the writers really could have done better. I just hope that the series improves from now on, as I do want Ahes to Ashes to be a success.

Max , Sefton, UK

Hurrah for TV for enertainments sake. Yes A2A is linked to LOM it has some of the same characters. Yes on first episode it's a bit OTT and excessive - wasn't that what the 80's were all about?
Disconnect the bit of the brain marked "critic" and enjoy. It'll never be as good as LOM, it's not LOM. Look forward to the next 7 episodes. if nothing else we should get some laughs and memorable one liners from Gene Hunt (some of which I may memorise and use on colleagues and members of the public who are good for a grin and won't complain about me!)

Chris, Plymouth,

Just brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Am so excited. It's perfect in it's own right, in every way. Gene Hunt is a lot sexier in this version, which works for the girls, and the boys have Keeley.

Hannah , Stoke,

John, your comment is amusing. Ashes To Ashes is Heartbeat : a nostalgic music filled trip down memory lane designed to distract from weak plotting, laughable performances and the distinct sound of cash registers going 'ching'!

Paul, Melbourne, Australia

Could Drake be possibly the most irritating character on tv today?

Simon Ingram, Norwich, England

My theory....I think It's Gene Hunt in the coma

it's got to be a grower.....LOM was THE best thing the BBC have done for years, and everyone (like me) had fallen totally head over heels in love with it, in an oddly nostalgic way. So the BBC really should take the adoration for it seriously and thrown its considerable muscle into producing a distinctly on par series...note the smack of hope there.....Im really hoping...

Like some, im not bowled away so far......it's way too knowing, especially the lead, Hawes acts like she's a massive LOM fan and has the good fortune to be in it, strutting around excited to be part of the phenomenon like a female DrWho..

The inspirational soundtrack has been the key to both LOM and will be for A2A. I have the comlete running order for A2A 01, and it will make an amazing playlist as did the whole of LOM which is an incredible soundtrack (the 'album release' was only a small selection) Dust off those 12" 's!!

mark, Harlow, UK

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with Ashes to Ashes, purely and simply because you cannot help but compare it to LOM. LOM is an impossible act to follow - it set the bar so high, that Ashes was never going to be as good.
The key though, is not to compare the two and to give it a chance.
I remember watching the first episode of LOM when it originally aired and although I enjoyed it, I wasn't sufficiently hooked to stick with it. My wife kept telling me how good it was, so I decided to give it another try and I was glad I did. It just goes to show that things can take a little time to grow on you and I think Ashes will, given a chance. I'm certainly going to keep watching.

Alan, Canterbury,

take your heads out of your backsides, what have you got to compare with this show?, i lived through the 80s and loved the 80s, its a nostalgia fest for me, if you really want to watch something worth writing highbrow drivel about then watch ugly betty or lost, next thursday cant come fast enough

dean badham-spalding, swadlincote, Deabyshire

take your heads out of your backsides, what do we have to watch other than this, ugly betty?, lost? or some other lame brained US import, over hyped and overpaid, i lived through the 80s and loved the 80s, so im reliving my childhood, thursday nights can now not come fast enough, every body rave on about John Simm, good he might be but look at his portrayal of the Master in Dr Who and all he was, was over the top and poor

Dean Badham-Spalding, Swadlincote, Derbyshire

Absolute rubbish. I won't be watching again. LOM was such and interesting concept. A bit scary with loads of comedy thrown in. As a 47 year old it really got me searching through my old memories! This is nearly all comedy. Totally implausable from the 2nd minute in. An inferior, unimaginative spin-off.

Carissa in kent - we've have every right to be cynical.
John in London - won't be watching this just like the other dross you mention.

George, London,

I have to admit I never watched Life on Mars so cannot compare it to Ashes to Ashes. I really enjoyed and it had me hooked. Can't wait for next weeks show.

Fiona, Falkirk, Scotland

Ashes to Ashes needs to be given its own time just like it took Life on Mars to settle in. I thought Keely Hawes was very sexy and the nostalgia trip was excellent. I also think people will relate to it more or less depending on their 80s experiences/birthdate! Give it a chance, not as good as Life on Mars but watchable and definitely not dross. Good start. Liked the Quattro but how naff was Gene's line!!!????

Archie McKay, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

My husband and I thought Ashes to Ashes was excellent. It brought a smile to our faces and the one-liners were excellent.
I can't wait until they 'fire up the Quattro' again.

Sarah Howard, Mold, Wales

Ashes to Ashes is brilliant. Well done Kudos, Keeley Hawkes is fantastic - to all those comparing - get in the present, 2008, new show!!

Pucci, London,

Good to see Gene back, and there were lots of nice touches but at the moment it feels too much like a remake of LOM - it needs a new angle rather than the "coma" scenario. I don't find the clown nearly as sinister as the test card girl, though again it might just be that we know what to expect this time round. I do think it needs to be given a chance though - it's never going to win in a direct comparison with the original, but on its own terms it might succeed. I'm certainly going to stick with it.

Jo Hancox, Staffs,

Life on Mars was very original and a very hard act to follow. Ashes is working on the same theme and in difficult waters - though I think they just about pulled it off. The highlights for me were Ms Hawes acting and the menacing (yes, menacing) appearance of Zippy and George! Hunt and crew (no pun intended) in the speedboat was very cheesy but I did manage to take it as a pastiche of 80's cop shows; If the drama is set then it can borrow from the drama of the time can't it? The Bowie style clown was also suitably menacing and I thought generally they explained the principal behind the mechanics of how the story works quite well. The story then goes about destroying what you think you just learnt...
Good luck with this; this is about the most intriguing series since the prisoner. It's also uniquely British.

Nigel, Bromsgrove, UK

Ashes to Ashes is no Life on Mars- and thats the end of that topic. John Simms was meant to be the main person in it and for all his great acting he was over shadowed by Phil Glennister , and that what made the perfect balance to make it a winner
But i have to say the show was far to one sided, the over acting from Keeley is a big let down and i really wanted this to work but it just showed no balance. The high points was the more stonger comedy aspect from the other two that will over shadowed Keeleys over the top antics(weepee). DCI Hunt has marked his place as a cult on telly lets just hope that it does not gets tarnished with this but dont expect it too due Glennister outstanding provardo and screen hugging display.
I have to say it is better than any think else on telly at the moment except Kemp & TG. So i will await sit back and hope that Keeley acting gets a bit stronger and the attention to detail stays on note.

ian tonks, atherstone, england

Our household were massive fans of Life on Mars and were really looking forward to its reinvention as ashes to ashes.

Boy, what a dissappointment!!

We all think it was one of the worst tv programmes we ever had to watch. The acting was extremely poor, especially the female lead. The script was bizarre and the premise, unexplained and preposterous. We certainly won't be watching any more of this trite series. Why did they have to ruin such a good premise as Life on Mars.

Alan Rodgers, Malvern, UK

The original was brilliant, original, unmissable.
This is lame, predictable, boring. I found myself watching the clock waiting for the end. Female lead just preposterous.
Yes, non-PC can be funny but.where was the wit or originality? Some of the lines given to Hunt's sidekicks were just embarrassing. And Hunt drinking red wine in 1981. Blue Nun more like.
A nice little earner for all concerned I suppose.

N Leader, Maidstone, UK

Life on Mars was fantastic and I will say no less about Ashes to Ashes. The colourful 80s world and the interesting characters is what its all about. Ashes to Ashes is truly outstanding!

John, Cumbernauld, Glasgow, Scotland

I think people need to stop being so bloody cynical about this. It was brilliant! We have NOTHING like this on television at the moment, and it's great to just sit down and watch something that's such a breath of fresh air amongst all the recycled plots we see cropping up here and there itv drama's etc.

I for one will be watching this every week and looking forward to it! Keely did a superb job, conveying the fact that she was genuinely stunned being back in the 80's and trying to adjust to it all.

Gene is still as un-PC as ever, and yet we see the transition he's been forced to undergo since the 70's, most notably shown in the polite manner he adopted when he was on the phone! I can't wait to see how the Gene/Alex thing pans out, and I can't wait to see all the 80's action, especially since I was never there (born in 1989).

My Thursday nights are definitely full for the next few months!

Carissa H, Kent,

For all of you who didn't like Ashes, all I can say I is 'watch Heartbeat, Casuality, Holby City or indeed any other utter dross that you cling too'.

I for one didn't turn off half way through, I loved it! Totally enjoyed Ashes it make a rather dull Thursday telly frankly bareable.

As for the casting genius, Ms Hawkes is a breath of fresh air from the former Mr Simms, indeed the script was unashamedly played for laughs but who care to be totally honest, it nice to see Ashes not taking itself to seriously.

John , London,

I was dissapointed with Ashes to Ashes, I loved Life on Mars but I think it's really John Simms I miss it just not the same without him. Gene Hunts great this is how the Police should deal with people now then maybe we wouldn't have loads of scumbags around.

Angela, Cleveland,

I didn't watch life on Mars, so don't really have anything to compare it to. My best friend over in Ireland kept going on about how brilliant it was, so i decided to make a point watching Ashes to Ashes. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say it was worthy of all the ranting and raving (of course providing the direction is the same etc) Brilliant music though! More Ultravox and some Visage, Adam and tht Ants, Yazoo, OMD etc etc pleeeeeeease! LOL

Leggylady, Edinburgh,

I was very disappointed with Ashes as I absolutely loved Life on Mars. The script in Mars was excellent with so many memorable quips which seemed so natural. In Ashes the script tried too hard to be funny. Also had the "lead" not been wearing a short mini for all of the show I think ratings would have plummeted. Although I miss John Simm I think he realised that nothing would compare to Mars. I for one will not watch it anymore.

Gill Burch, Nottingham, UK

I thought it was total and utter rubbish. In fact I turned off half way through.

Annie, Bath, UK

What a treat for all of us who are so utterly fed up with being bombarded with the necessity to be totally PC.

The complete and unashamedly political incorrectness of it all is a breath of fresh air.

Deborah, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Its a cult show that works - new era - new bar - and new car -
Its more tongue in check than " Life on Mars " - the chemistry
between Hunt & Drake will work - its good to see Chris & Ray
again - good TV - well bone The BBC '

Sue & Peter, Romsley, UK

Not sure - watched the first episode but I was left feeling that something wasn't quite right. I'll stick with it though and see how it goes. Still miss John Simm though and I wasn't convinced by the reason for him not still being around.

Chris, Wolverhampton, West Midlands

I never saw Life on Mars so have no frame of reference. I thought it was great - loved the music, embarrassing hairstyles, clothes etc, - brilliantly cringe-making for those of us who were "there". Especially loved the tough cop attitudes.

BO, England,

Gutted at how rubbish it was. A caricature of the original ....

Annette Scott, Warrington,

Well this annoyed me beyond belief, so the character of alex is supposed to be an independent woman fighting for respect in a misogynistic world. So the bbc decides that she should spend most of the episode in stockings and a very short dress under cover as a hooker. I think its beyond irony and destroys all the elements of the character they are trying to create.

Kat, stoke on trent,

Steve, Bristol:
If Gene Hunt kept using the usual 'Life On Mars' dialogue then everyone will say how he's not moved on from 1973 and how boring keep using the same old-fashioned 1970 police ways.
Time is now shifted, get with it and give it a chance to blossom.

I enjoyed last nights episode very much.

Gordon, Berkshire

Gordon Elliott, Slough,

I agree with Post 1. It is not the same as LOM it is a different show.

A woman playing the lead doesn't work after the superb role played by John Sim.

Hope it gets better.

Stu, Leeds, Yorkshire

Gene Hunt - one of the best characters on TV.
I was so glad to have him back in my living room. It's not just me, my dad loves him and my husband thinks he is hilarious. How can someone so un-PC be so popular? Because his character is honest and funny.
And now it would appear he is to be sexy, fantastic - bring it on! Alex Drake is assertive but not obnoxious. I like her.
I was worried about comparing it to LOM but its a different show altogether - noted mostly by the filming style. I remember Miami Vice - Speedboat! Fabulous. Roll on next Thursday.

Samantha Buckell, Newport Pagnell, Bucks

Never mind the "criticspeak" and carefull analysis I found it to be escapist entertainment and enjoyed it.A pleasant reminder that the good old days were not!!!

David Holmes, Worcester,

Falls far short of the original. A big part of this is having a woman play the lead. For me, this simply doesn't work.

Mike Hart, Hayes, Middx., UK

Life on Mars was fantastic but it just doesn't work a second time round. I think ashes to ashes, so far at least, is utter tosh.

grymwynd, manchester,

Al in all a good debut . Most first episodes set the scene and it takes a while to set the scene..this is no different.
All the standard formulas are here:
a beautiful girl
glimpses of the previous series
a local restaurant
a naive supporting cast
great music
an awesome lead in gene hunt
A ratings winners amongst poor drama shows on the non BBC channels or is just that a break just does not give continuity.
Wel done BBC...

Ashok Punj, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Ashes to ashes summed up the first programme exceptionally well, hopefully some one will burn the tape and the script. I was not impressed, but felt compelled to watch in case it got better. What a waste of an hour. Gene Hunt isn't the Gene hunt I knew from his hardback police manual and Life on Mars dialogue. Yes I do need to watch the other 7 episodes, but dont think there will be a second series, thank goodness, its not a 13 parter

Steve, Bristol,

Lacks the ingenuity of its predecessor, and John Simm is sorely missed. I still hope for the best in coming weeks, but it looks so far every bit like the retread I feared it was going to be.

Lance, Hertfordshire,

Wonderful escapist entertainment, just like we had in the seventies and eighties!

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Anil Chatterjee, Manchester,