ABC’s Life on Mars didn’t catch on with enough viewers and was unfortunately cancelled after one brief season. Sadly, tonight we had to say goodnight to the outstanding cast of Jason O’Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, and Jonathan Murphy.
Thankfully, the show’s creators were given enough time to craft a true series finale. Executive producer Scott Rosenberg told Scifiwire, “Basically, this episode was always going to be the season finale, so we just switched things up towards the end. But we always wanted it to culminate with him and his parents… Amongst our favorite things that we did was always with his father and his mother. Every time we went to that well, it really worked for us. You’ll realize when you see it Wednesday night at 11:00, you’ll see that the whole theme of the entire 17 hours was all leading up to this. It was all about what we deal with in episode 17.”
Fellow executive producer Josh Appelbaum told Variety, “When you see you see the ending. as much as I think it’ll be wildly unexpected, it’s also sort of the inevitable. Even in the pilot there’s a lot of things that are leaning toward what the ending tells you. There were a million ideas thrown out early in the writers room, but when this one landed we all knew that was the one it should be.”
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Rosenberg concluded, “We’re not only answering the why of 1973 but more importantly, it’s what this whole journey was about for Sam — why it was these particular characters and this emotional landscape. It’s his emotional heroes journey that is answered by the end.”
So, what do you think of the series ending? It was a shocker to say the least. Are you happy to leave Sam and friends on the Martian surface?
Or, would you prefer to think that the Mars landing is actually a hallucination or another piece of Sam’s time travel mystery?
Image courtesy ABC.
G.R.E.A.T. ending. But IF the network execs at ABC decide to bring the show back in the future, this ending of a mission to Mars could be spun into just another part of Sam Tyler’s hallucinations. But I’m blown away and VERY pleased with the way it ended. THANX.
I really enjoyed this show. The actors were fantastic (I’m in love with Annie). I am so disappointed that it has been cancelled. It’s one of the only shows on ABC that I watched, and it will be missed by many.
ABC could have done so much with this show. They could have used it as a sounding board to show how things done in the present change the future (Yes we can!), how a decision you make today changes your tomorrow and the earth’s tomorrow (global warming). How responsible living (Sam held out for good in a “bad” time) and treating others fairly (see commercials on tv of people seeing other people doing the right thing and passing it on) works for the good of all. The writers were right on and while the show taught lessons, it was entertaining,… Read more »
Dissapointed with the ending should never have been cancelled
Great show and, if it had to end so soon, great ending. You can decide that the ending was another hallucination (and then the show can be resurrected by another network) or accept the explanation as given. Regardless, great entertainment….on a par with Quantum Leap.
Great series. Loved the ending -big surprise but thought it was great. Will miss the show.
I enjoyed the show and wish that it would continue. One of the few good shows on TV these days. My only issue was between it moving around and going on hiatus, I had a had time figuring out when it was on. Maybe ABC is just playing an April fools joke on us, and really it will continue. Or maybe another network will pick it up.
APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!
Best show I’ve ever seen no wonder it is being cancelled. ABC needs more crap in its slot.
The people who came up with this ending needed their head examined. As the one said above this ending really sucked. And also didn’t make sense with the involvement of the Russians, remember one episode where there was a folder written in Russian. What did the story line have to do with the climax. The writers would have been better off allowing Sam to make the decision to stay in ’73. and build a life with Annie. Or Sam is returned to 2009 and And meets Annie who is the Chief of Police. “How was my ending? I hope I… Read more »
Great shocker of an ending! Very sorry to see the series end, but we got full closure of a positive nature and it went out on a high note. Because the creators had the time to craft a series finale, this stands as an excellent mini-series. Looking forward to the DVD release in September.
I had no clue this was the very last show of the series – ONCE AGAIN the executives at ABC have proven they are asleep behind their desks. ONCE AGAIN they have cancelled a GOOD SHOW before giving it half a chance. ONCE AGAIN I am left wondering why they even bother starting new series and why I even bother watching them on this network knowing the rug is going to get pulled out right when I’m getting into it!! The programming executives at ABC are the ones who are living on Mars, because they’re obviously not listening to anyone… Read more »
The original series is in my Top Ten of all time great shows. But I thought this was a very good show that was able to stand on its feet as a separate entity. I liked how they took pieces from the original – particularly Frank Morgan – and gave them new twists. As much as I loved the show, I think it was a smart move to end it when they did. Go out strong with a definitive ending, rather than getting cancelled as it lost more viewers. (That says nothing about the quality of the show, more about… Read more »
This show IS great! ABC was stupid to cancel it!
Made me tune in, cut way too short, forced an ending, and I will also miss the show.
FIX YOUR MISTAKE ABC, OR SOME OTHER COMPANY WILL PICK IT UP, YOUR LOSS!!!