Surely you know who Gene Hunt is? If not, what planet have you been living on?I watched the entire series of Life On Mars back when it was aired in 2006/7. It's now 2010 and after the series finale of it's spin off, Ashes to Ashes, I decided to get my hands on the Complete Life On Mars Series 1 and 2 boxset.
Just finished watching the first two episodes and its llike seeing an old friend. Almost feels like we've never been apart. One of my laugh out loud moments was when Sam (John Simm) toes the white dog poo under Kim Trent's nose and recognises the fact that its a sight you no longer see in the Noughties. True... where do the white dog poo go? Also where the hell did it come from in the first place?
But the main laughs come from Gene Hunt - the sheriff of Salford CID. He dosen't care what you think, or if you're offended by his views. Because this is his kingdom and don't you dare step into his world playing king of the jungle. He's a big (6 foot odd!), old school copper whho doesn't necessaraly play by the book but makes sure the scumbags stay off the street, even if it does mean fitting them up if he hasn't got enough evidence.
Gene's character plays in stark contrast to Sam's law abiding, by the book policing, where he's sceptical of everyone and everything, and his clean, anal retentive approach is more sterile than an operating theatre. Gene's world has a bit of dirt in it but don't you remember your grandmother saying a bit of dirt never did you no harm? Sam's world is heartless, driven only by method and secure evidence. Gene, on the other hand, usess his mind and gut feeling - sometimes this proves more powerful. Throughout the series, Sam and Gene learn from each other but Sam is the one who learns the most from his experience. The world is much more colourful in 1973, especially wih the Gene Genie at the helm. Who would want to go back to the dull, bleak, lifeless society of 2006?
Gene represents a lot of our fantasies which we want from the world. I also believe Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) is IN a lot of fantasies of the lady viewers out there too... (including mine).
Our world needs Gene Hunt. If Gene was keeping the streets of Britain clean today, I reckon it'd function a whole lot better.
Whether you agree that we need Gene or your a fan of Life On Mars or Ashes To Ashes, you can support the cause. I know I am. I'm gonna get my mitts on a "You Are Surrouned By Armed Bastards" t-shirt from Shot Dead In The Head. They have a voucher live too at the moment, where you can get 10% off (subject to removal/change at any time). Use WC2010 at checkout for the discount to apply.
If your looking for more Gene Hunt goodness then why don't you check out www.dcigenehunt.co.uk - They've got tonnes of great stuff on there. Their quotes section made me chuckle and there's books on there that I'd never even heard of. It's such a great site that we've stuck them on the home page.
We support the Gene Genie. Do you?
