Jasmine Sahu is well suited with this new American drama exclusive to Dave.
Lois Cameron explains why this series is much more than your average cosy period drama.
The last episode of this series sees Sherlock and Moriarty attempt to solve the final problem with devastating consequences.
With major cast changes afoot, Jacob Martin ponders whether Being Human can live up to its own scarily high standard.
“My name’s Alex Drake and, quite frankly, your guess is as good as mine.”
Thus began the third and final series of Ashes to Ashes, once again plunging us further into confusion as Alex finds herself back in the 2000s. Not, of course, that she’s there for very long – she’s back in the 1980s with Gene before long, and so we start the final series in the franchise that began with Life on Mars five years ago. We’ve been promised that all the mysteries of the two shows will be resolved, but first we’ve got eight episodes to watch. Based on this opening episode, that’s a prospect I’m certainly relishing.
As always with Ashes to Ashes (apart from Alex’s 80s-fabulous but ridiculously inappropriate work-wear) the main weakness is the weekly detective plot. As with Life on Mars, they’ve always been fine, but nothing spectacular, and this week’s was no exception. The Wizard of Oz/Dorothy references were a nice touch, but apart from that it was pretty standard fare.
But then, no one watches Ashes to Ashes for the police procedural plots. No, they watch it for the wider mystery, the nostalgia and, of course, Gene Hunt. The wider mystery plot was nicely set up here, with references to Sam Tyler and the introduction of the creepy Jim Keats (a great turn from Daniel Mays). The music, as always, helps to create that 80s atmosphere, while there were some nice nods to the fans, such as Alex telling Gene to “fire up the Quattro”. The clothes are as ridiculous but fun as ever, with Shaz in particular getting to wear some extremely 80s fashion.
Since Alex Drake is now as confused as anyone, she’s no longer being written as smug and knowing, and so Keeley Hawes is finally allowed to be likeable. The supporting cast is as strong as ever, with Marshall Lancaster, as always, threatening to steal the show as the clueless but sweet Chris. But there’s no doubt who the real star of this show is. As Gene Hunt, Philip Glenister has created an icon, and the writers of the show are clearly aware of this, giving him the big moments and the best lines. This is the Gene Hunt we know and love, with his bluster and refusal to admit he’s wrong masking his real affection for Alex and his other colleagues (“You walked straight into the path of my shooter. I don’t fire magic bullets, you know, they don’t go bending in the air”). Now that there’s no more of that will they/won’t they nonsense, Glenister and Hawes have developed a nice chemistry. Once again, the writers toy with the idea that Gene Hunt is actually the bad guy, but I don’t think they’d do that to us. But, then again, I have absolutely no idea really, which will make for interesting viewing this series.
Ashes to Ashes has finally proved itself to be more than just a poor man’s Life on Mars, and I can’t wait to see the rest of the series. With only 7 hours of Gene Hunt magic left, I’d recommend that you savour them.
You must log in to submit a comment.
