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If two people get shot, and nobody is there to watch, did it really happen? Such is the dilemma that confronts fans of the soon to be departed “Life on Mars”. With an audience dwindling by the week, only the diehards are left - and if they made it to the end of this episode without falling to sleep, they were treated to a pretty shocking ending.

While I love this series, the last two episodes have been quite disappointing. Working undercover, Sam works his way into a crime ring, befriending Jimmy McManus. As fate would have it, McManus happens to be the brother of Sam’s former babysitter Colleen, which leads to a reunion with his mother. I’ve not been fond of the episodes focusing on Sam’s mother. Of course this territory needs to be crossed at some point, but the whole dynamic just never seems to work. In contrast, the earlier episodes focusing on Sam’s relationship with his father Vic were quite strong.

Here, Sam gets to have sex with Colleen, and comes to the conclusion that sometimes fantasy is better than reality. While the point itself isn’t bad, it seems like just another lame way to add sex to a series that really doesn’t need it. The chemistry between Sam and Annie is much more genuine and believable. This fling just seems trite.

The major problem with this episode though was the lack of conflict that drives the series. Without a weekly fight with Ray or Hunt, the scenes just seemed to pass time, until the stunning conclusion, in which Chris and Ray get shot when they pull over an apparent drunk driver, who happens to be a gun-toting McManus.

Of course the episode had its moments, and I found myself laughing at Ray’s description of Heaven and Hell. While it seemed a bit forced and overly thought out at the time, it took on whole new meaning at the end.

While I would not call this a bad episode, I would say that, up until the final seconds, it was largely uneventful. Still, it sets up a meaningful final two episodes in which we have to prepare ourselves to be shocked.

That is, if anyone is still watching.

What Worked

For a pretty lackluster episode, the ending was quite strong, with an apparent tragedy that sets up the final two episodes. It makes me wonder though if this episode would have ended this way if the series were to continue. It seemed in some ways like an odd episode to set up such a tragic ending.

And I do have to admit, Ray’s description of Heaven and Hell was quite humorous. I like the addition of humor to the show - I’m just not sure Ray makes the best stand-up comedian. Still, it was worthy of a grin.

What Didn’t Work

Ray Carling has become a human punch line over the last couple of weeks. I like the Ray from the early part of the season much better. Of course, given the ending, it’s not surprising that the writers have been trying to make him more likeable over the last few episodes. Also, Gene Hunt was pretty much an insignificant bit player. The show is much better when the characters get enough screen time and are true to character.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

“Life on Mars” airs at 10:00 on Wednesdays on ABC. It stars Jason O’Mara, Harvey Keitel, and Michael Imperioli. “All the Young Dudes” was written by Tracy McMillan and Sonny Postiglione, and directed by Darnell Martin.