Ashes To Ashes: Lunch In Luigi’s
31st January, 2008
WALKING around the set for Ashes To Ashes is a real treat.
With just seven days to go before the start of the new series, this is what’s on the menu at Gene Hunt’s new drinking den.
Luigi’s wine bar and Italian restaurant sent me spinning back to 1981.
With maroon tablecloths and Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, it looks and feels exactly like the sort of place I frequented 27 years ago.
There are even real Luigi’s menus, lovingly created by the art department.
The menu includes: Pizza: 90p / Spaghetti Bolognese: 95p / Beer: 55p / Coffee: 20p plus: “Please ask for Specials of the Day.”
Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) doesn’t have far to go once she’s “settled” in 1981.
Her flat is upstairs, directly above Luigi’s.
It contains an L-shaped lounge, with a sheepskin rug, glass coffee table and red brick wall.
The kitchen is open plan – also with that cutting on the wall: “Colleague tribute to DI Sam Tyler.”
Alex’s bedroom is full of the usual 1980s grooming essentials, including hair curlers.
By her bed is a bible and The Haunted Lagoon by Carolyn Keen – A Dana Girls Mystery.
Just as with the Life On Mars set in Manchester, the attention to detail is impressive.
And that also goes for the choice of music.
Tracks in episode one include Vienna by Ultravox, Careless Memories by Duran Duran, Are Friends Electric by Gary Numan, I’m In Love With A German Film Star by The Passions, No More Heroes by The Stranglers and I Fought The Law by The Clash.
Producer Beth Willis says there was a firm rule in the choice of what the TV industry likes to call “commercial music tracks”.
“We’re staying in 1981 and prior to ’81. No cheating.
The final moments in each Life On Mars episode were often ones to cherish.
Ashes To Ashes appears to be following that tradition.
Episode one has the best closing 95 seconds of anything I’ve seen on TV since, well, the very last episode of Life On Mars.
There’s just one short line of dialogue – from Luigi – as the perfect choice of music track plays in the background…not one of those listed here.
Alex and Gene don’t say a word and there’s very little action.
But it’s just captivating television, marking this series out as pure class.
Music Links – All YouTube Videos:
Ultravox: Vienna
Duran Duran: Careless Memories
Gary Numan: Are Friends Electric
The Passions: I’m In Love With A German Film Star
The Stranglers: No More Heroes
The Clash: I Fought The Law (And The Law Won)
Other links:
More Ashes To Ashes Blogs
More Life On Mars Blogs
Life On Mars Goes South
Ashes To Ashes: A Message From The Action Man
Ashes To Ashes First Episode Video Clip
The Haunted Lagoon by Carolyn Keen – A Dana Girls Mystery
The Railway Arms
Ian, couldn’t agree with you more about the closing moments of each episode being very special.
Having been lucky enough to see the first ep of Ashes and THAT ending, it more than lives up to the LOM tradition.
Janet
January 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Can’t fault the first ep. transported back to a very special time. Hope Drake will be dressed in a jumpsuit soon – very ‘81
Where have I seen that muriel in Luigi’s before Ian – it is very familiar…
February 7th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Scintillating TV tonight – does anyone know the (perfect) closing track? I’m pretty sure its by Talk Talk. Cheers.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Ron – it was “Same Old Scene” by Roxy Music.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:32 am
you missed out a track by roxy music
February 10th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Jason – yes. It wasn’t supposed to be a comprehensive list, and as written above:
“There’s just one short line of dialogue – from Luigi – as the perfect choice of music track plays in the background…not one of those listed here.”
IE If I’d included Roxy Music’s Same Old Scene in the list of YouTube videos it would have spoiled the surprise! Check out: “Ashes To Ashes: The Inside Story” (written the day after the first ep was screened) for the Same Old Scene video.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
classic ending on ashes one to cherish and brought back a lot of happy memories for me
February 11th, 2008 at 6:12 am