US Life On Mars -- No 'pull' in the push-and-pull scenario

[arabian]

I could be totally wrong here, but I think that a huge part of the reason that the ratings are so despairing for Life on Mars is Sam and Annie.

Comments

[jedi_of_urth]

Still haven't watch US LoM but to comment of the UK one:

Part of it was Annie that drew him to stay. Because she was there, giving him reason to think it was real and he had a place there.

Part of it was from a line I understand they didn't use in the US pilot but was in the UK one, that in 2006 all they're technology didn't seem to help them in solving crime half the time. SO there was a sort of wish fulfillment aspect to getting to be a rough and tumble cop in the 70s (not that he didn't also get frustrated with it for the same reasons).

He also had a growing sense of connection with the team (mostly Gene because Ray and Chris weren't that big of figures), and a sense that there was a reason he was here or a puzzle he needed to solve to get back.

But partly, the structure of the show means it is much more push than pull. Because Sam doesn't know what's going on and wanting to know and return home is a HUGE push. And he didn't really realize how much pull the 1973 world had until...well I don't know how much you know about the UK finale so I won't go into huge detail.