Best of: Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes

The 10 best episodes of the 2 shows featuring Philip Glensiter as tough as nails cop Gene Hunt dealng with the time displaced Sam (John Simm) Tyler in the 1970s and Alex (Keeley Hawes) Drake in the 1980s.

Note as episode titles were not used for either series so for reference initials of the series then the series and episode numbers

1. LoM S1 E3.

When a foreman dies in a factory Gene suspects the union rep while Sam is not so sure. Gene also has to deal with a rival copper.

2. LoM S1 E2

Sam is uneasy over Gene's techniques to nail would be robber and tries his own methods. The opening features a funny foot chase set to Wings Live and Let Die.

3. AtA S1 E6

Gene comes face to face with an old foe when on a robbery case. When Alex finds herself locked in a freezer Gene comes to the rescue to the Ultravox's Vienna

4. LoM S1 E5

A mans death may be linked to Football hooligans so Gene and Sam go undercover working at a pub. John Simm as Sam delivers a powerful monologue about the carnage that would come to the Football stands.

5 AtA S1 E7

A charity fund raiser claims to have be mugged and all his takings stolen however that may not be the case. Matthew Mcfadyen Keeley Hawes Spooks co-star and real life husband plays the fund riser.

6. LoM S2 S1

Sam comes face to face with an old foe from the 2000's however Gene seems to be in his pocket

7. AtA S3 E8

The final episode where all the threads of the 2 shows are all tied together with an appearance by an old face.

8. AtA S1 E4

A murder investigation sees Gene and Alex probe secrets of the highest order, even at one point getting trapped in a Government building. There is a sly reference to Keeley Hawes role in spy show Spooks.

9. AtA S2 E8

Gene and Alex find themselves trying to foil a robbery by a group of crooked cops. Just when you think all the twists there is one final shocker.

10. AtA  S3 E5

2 of Genes former colleagues from Manchester come to London looking for a stand up comic who they claim has committed fraud however that may not be the case. Real life comedian Roy Hudd plays the comic.