TV episode review
US airdate 9 October 2008 (ABC)

New York detective Sam Tyler is in the middle of a serial killer investigation when he is hit by a car and finds himself in 1973...

One of the BBC's bigger hits of recent times gets the US treatment, and on its second try, the new producers have created something that works in its own right. This first episode of necessity repeats the beats (and in places dialogue and direction) of the UK original, but there's enough of a spin on it to make it worth watching, even for audiences who love Philip Glennister as Gene Hunt, and John Simm as Sam Tyler.

Harvey Keitel is a bit old to handle all the rough stuff that Gene Hunt throws himself into, but he makes a strong impression – certainly more than some of the other members of Sam's new precinct. However both Jason O'Mara as Sam, and Gretchen Moll as Annie hit the right notes, with O'Mara showing a more explosive side to Sam than Simm often allowed, and Mol nailing the "is he quite as nuts as he appears?" vibe that Annie needs.

The time period is easily sold with the appearance of the Twin Towers, as well as the care taken over the details (although no doubt there are as many anachronisms as there are in the UK version!)

It's unfair to judge this too early – unlike the UK eight part series, the American Life on Mars has a 22 episode season to fill. But so far, so good. Paul Simpson

VERDICT: 7/10