Anyone else watching these?

PRIMEVAL -- Portals opening up in England to prehistoric periods of the earth, with the unfortunate result of some of the critters crossing over into the present day. Needless to say, this must be handled by a crack team of experts. Sort of like TORCHWOOD, except with heroes that are actually likeable, which is refreshing, and with a huge budget for CGI creatures, which are a bit wobbly but fun. I especially like that each episode (two so far) feature different prehistoric eras, and the creatures that come from it. Hey, it's educational! And I like it. Only going for 6 eps, this by all appearances so far is what TW should have been.

LIFE ON MARS -- Back for a second season. The first season is on DVD. And it is great. I was hooked on the show from the second episode of the first season, in which our hero (a modern day liberal cop) must stand by his belief in giving criminals rights, due process and all that, in the face of the 1973 police force he is working with who prefer to go to any length, no matter how unethical, to save lives. The episode is a challenge to the idea of Guantanamo Bay and the "by whatever means necessary" take on security we seem to have adopted. Sci-fi at its finest. Word is there will be a spin off show next year called ASHES TO ASHES that takes place in the 80s. Im skeptical, but it is the best sci-fi cop show I've ever seen. Meanwhile, the star, John Simm, might be moving on to appear in the new DOCTOR WHO as that arch nemesis we've all been waiting for. (no, not Davros. Stop that).

-- Peter