Radio Times

Episode 1/8

In 2008, DI Alex Drake is taken hostage, shot - and wakes up in a brothel, dressed in red leather, in 1981. Alex is the officer Life on Mars character Sam Tyler sent his audio reports to and, as she's been studying them for months, she thinks she knows what to expect. But can anybody really be prepared for the sight of DCI Gene Hunt, transferred from Manchester to London along with his prized Audi Quattro?

RT Choice (Alison Graham, 7 February 2008)

Thankfully, yet again, the weird premise really works, thanks to smart performances, crackles of sexual tension between Hunt and Drake, great writing, fabulous music and lashings of humour. An utter treat.

Episode 2/8

How could anything possibly go wrong? Gene Hunt will move heaven and earth to make sure nothing spoils the big day of...Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. But the 1980s were harsher than Alex realises. Right alongside the royal celebrations the police are having to handle a volatile protest against the redevelopment of London's Docklands. Meanwhile, playboy Danny Moore's life may be in danger, but that won't stop him showing off his DeLorean car…

Episode 3/8

When prostitute Trixie alleges she was raped during a party, the CID department take a typically sceptical attitude. However, Alex perseveres and Gene finally decides the case is worth investigating when he discovers that Trixie bears the same wounds as a girl recently found murdered. The team must go under cover to find the attacker. Meanwhile, they try to coax a traumatised young woman into revealing the source of her anguish.

Episode 4/8

When Martin Kennedy, an employee at a nuclear research centre, is found dead, suspicion falls on the feminist socialist group he was supplying with information. But after the body disappears from the morgue, and evidence is removed from the police station, Alex suspects a government cover-up. When she and Gene go under cover to investigate, things get very steamy indeed… Meanwhile, Alex learns some unpleasant truths about her mother - and Evan.

Episode 5/8

An informant reveals that gangster and drug lord Simon Neary is finalising an arms deal. Alex believes that stopping this weapons trade could be the catalyst to send her back to 2008. The team need the help of the gangster's boyfriend, Marcus, to bring Neary down - but how can they convince the devoted young man to turn on his lover? Maybe Ray's legendary charm will do the trick…

Episode 6/8

Alex fears she's close to death and knows the best way to keep her brain functioning is to focus all her energies on the squad's latest case - an armed robbery. Gene suspects the culprit is ageing villain Chas Cale. But when Chas claims his criminal days are behind him, and admits he now has a serious medical condition, Gene begins to wonder if his own instincts are failing him as he gets older.

Episode 7/8

Charity fundraiser Gill Hollis (guest star Matthew Macfadyen) is shot by robbers as they steal the thousands of pounds he's raised over the year. Alex suggests a modern approach to solving the crime, including a Police 5 reconstruction and the use of psychology to jog Gill's memory. But when Gene's humiliated on live TV, he reverts to his old methods of fighting crime. Meanwhile, the clown taunts Alex with threats that one of the team will die.

Episode 8/8

There's only one day to go before the event that shattered Alex Drake's childhood: the murder of her parents in a car bomb. Alex is determined to save them - maybe then she'll finally get back to 2008 - and enlists Ray's help. Meanwhile, Gene's on edge about Lord Scarman's impending visit to the station. He's keen to impress the Law Lord (Geoffrey Palmer), but a Gay Pride demo could throw a spanner in the works.