io9: Life On Mars

The next NASA rover could bring the first microbes to Mars

Alasdair Wilkins — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:01:28 PDT

There's no way to be absolutely certain, but we're pretty sure that no germs have ever survived the grueling journey from Earth to Mars. But the latest rover to explore the Red Planet might just take along some microscopic colonists. More »

The Definitive History of Science Fiction and Fantasy Cop Shows

gordonmjackson — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:00:00 PDT

This fall's television offerings include Grimm, a fantasy take on the police procedural in which a homicide detective must protect humanity from fairytale evil. And Terry Pratchett has a new procedural on the way, set in his Discworld universe. More »

Have we already hopelessly contaminated the search for extraterrestrial life?

Alasdair Wilkins — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:08:51 PST

Every time we send spacecraft to explore the solar system, we send along lots of tiny microbes. In fact, we may have deposited a trillion microbial spores on Mars. How will we ever discover alien life through all that haze? More »

30 DVD sets that'll make the new year bright

Charlie Jane Anders — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:00:00 PST

When it comes to the "gift that keeps on giving," there's nothing like a great DVD set that people will want to watch over and over. Here's the motherlode of Blu-rays and DVDs with fantastic adventures, amazing extras and more. More »

Life on Mars might actually come from Earth

Alasdair Wilkins — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 07:15:00 PST

Even if we do discover incontrovertible proof that there was once life on Mars, that might not mean we actually found alien life. Ancient microbes from Earth could have colonized the Red Planet millions of years ago. More »

A Wonder Woman TV series from the creator of Ally McBeal?

Charlie Jane Anders — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:51:02 PDT

Warner Bros. wouldn't go for Joss Whedon's take on Wonder Woman, and the amazon princess' movie has been stuck in development hell for a decade. But now Warners is developing Wonder Woman for television instead, with David E. Kelley. More »

Did we discover signs of life on Mars...in 1976?

Alasdair Wilkins — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:50:23 PDT

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NASA's Viking probes were colossally disappointing for those looking for life on Mars - not only were there no signs of life, we didn't even find its essential building blocks. Or maybe we just didn't know what to look for. More »

Martian mud volcanoes may hold the secret to life on Mars

Alasdair Wilkins — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:30:00 PDT

Mud volcanoes are unusual geological structures that blast up sediments from deep underground. Such volcanoes are doubly perfect places to look for life on Mars - they spew out secrets of ancient Mars while providing the perfect environment for life. More »

Don't hold your breath for "the next Lost" on television

Charlie Jane Anders — Fri, 28 May 2010 10:30:00 PDT

What TV show is going to be the new Lost? People keep asking. But the sad fact is, it may take a few years before we see anything like the island-castaway show again. Real-life spoilers ahead. More »

Pirate Strippers, Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation And Pure Creepiness On Ashes To Ashes

Charlie Jane Anders — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:42:36 PDT

Here's the creepiest scene from tonight's new episode of Ashes To Ashes, the BBC's sequel to the cult time-traveling cop drama Life On Mars. With its second season, Ashes finally starts to show glimmers of Mars' brilliance. More »

Threequel Alert: Murray Talks Ghostbusters 3, Favreau Talks Iron Man 3, And The Fallen Talks Transformers 3!

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:00:00 PDT

Iron Man 2 reviews include enough spoilers to power an arc reactor. Ghostbusters 3 may be exorcised. Plus trailers for Toy Story and Survival of the Dead, and a Jonah Hex poster. Also: Doctor Who, Transformers, Fringe, Supernatural and Lost. More »

Help Haiti, And Get A Limited-Edition Dollhouse T-Shirt Or Signed BSG Schwag

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:12:11 PST

It's not every day that you can raise awareness of the Cylon threat and help the victims of a terrible natural disaster. The Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan has added some sweet BSG and Dollhouse schwag to her Haiti charity auction. More »

Do These Images Point To Proof Of Life On Mars?

Graeme McMillan — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:11:44 PST

New satellite images of Mars may challenge the theory that the planet was too cold to sustain water on the surface, suggesting instead the existence of 20km-wide lakes along the planet's equator. But what does this mean for Martian history? More »

Ashes Explains The Ending Of Life On Mars And More

Graeme McMillan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:00:00 PST

Still confused by what happened at the end of the British Life On Mars? The series finale of spin-off Ashes To Ashes will explain all, according to its creator... As well as make the series seem like one show. More »

Is Biological Life the Source of Martian Methane?

Lauren Davis — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:02:05 PST

Are signs of life on Mars floating in the atmosphere? Scientists have been searching for the source of methane on Mars, and their search has put them on the hunt for methane-producing microorganisms. More »

New Evidence Points to Fossilized Life on Mars

Lauren Davis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 PST

Thirteen years ago, a team of researchers studying the Allan Hills meteorite found evidence that the rock might contain fossils of Martian bacteria. Now, fresh evidence makes a stronger case that Mars once contained life very similar to Earth bacteria. More »

The Prisoner: All You Need Is... Wha?

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:30:00 PST

Like last year's Life On Mars remake, AMC's The Prisoner remake both gained and lost points by having a totally insane ending. And let's be honest: nobody's going to miss that guy singing "Dem Dry Bones." Spoilers below. More »

Original Pilot vs. Official Pilot: Which Shows Changed the Most?

Lauren Davis — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:30:55 PDT

While most shows' pilots air as their first episode, some shows get a do-over to make creative changes, improve production, or appease the network. We look at some of the pilots that didn't make it and how the shows changed. More »

Scientists Play "Jurassic Park," Coax Ancient Glacial Bacteria Back To Life

Megan Carpentier — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:30:00 PDT

Scientists at Pennsylvania State University resurrected glacial bacteria that had been buried for 120,000 years, raising hopes that if there was ever life on Mars, we might be able to re-animate it, too. More »

6 Characters Who Escaped Virtual Prisons... Or Did They?

Alasdair Wilkins — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:07:04 PDT

It's the ultimate test for any hero: finding yourself trapped in a prison of the mind, where you can no longer tell the difference between reality and falsehood. Here are six science-fiction heroes who escaped from virtual reality...probably. Spoilers ahead! More »

Mars Landers May Have Erased Evidence Of Life

Graeme McMillan — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:30:00 PDT

Have the Mars landers not only failed in identifying signs of life on the red planet, but also accidentally been destroying them all along? Scientists are beginning to suggest that may be the case. Oops. More »

Time Travel: Six Reasons Not to Meet Your Mother

Alyssa Johnson — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:00:24 PDT

Now, if I could travel through time, I'd head for the future, but for some reason, people just keep heading for the not-so-distant past where they run into their own mothers.
More »

Ashes' New Series To Be Darker, More Stylish

Graeme McMillan — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:00:41 PDT

When UK Life on Mars spin-off Ashes to Ashes returns for its second season, you can expect less clowning around, says star Keeley Hawes. And she means that literally and metaphorically, apparently. More »

Science Fiction's Presidents Of The 21st Century

Alasdair Wilkins — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:00:00 PDT

Looking to get a jump on the history books? Science fiction already has a complete list of the men, women, and murderous aliens who occupy the White House in this bright new 21st century. More »

How Did The U.S. Ending To Life On Mars Compare To The BBC Version?

Charlie Jane Anders — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:21:05 PDT

I still can't decide whether the U.S. Life On Mars ending was awesome or horrible. Please help me make up my mind! (Spoilers ahead.) More »

The Biggest Mystery About The Wolverine Leak — Solved!

Charlie Jane Anders — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:00:00 PDT

A Fox exec answers your most burning question about the leaked Wolverine print. There's a new Sarah Connor clip, and Last Airbender set pics. Plus Transformers, Dragonball, Doctor Who, Ashes To Ashes, Eureka and Supernatural. More »

Daddy Issues Are The Final Frontier!

Charlie Jane Anders — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:00:00 PDT

Wow. I'm sure glad we didn't have to wait seven years for that ending to the U.S. version of Life On Mars. At the same time, it was certainly interesting, and unexpected. Awaken to spoilers! More »

Brilliant New Terminator Salvation Pics, And A Sarah Connor Chronicles Clip!

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:00:00 PDT

Robot carnage has never looked as amazing as it does in new Terminator Salvation pics. Also, clips from Lost and Sarah Connor show mind-bending questions. Plus Transformers, Life On Mars, Fringe and Supernatural. Spoilers rule! More »

Life On Mars Ending Will Make Science Fiction Fans Happy

Charlie Jane Anders — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:26:59 PDT

The final episode of Life On Mars airs tomorrow night on ABC. Sam Tyler's time-travel from 2008 to 1973 will be explained, and the show's producers say science-fiction fans will like the answers. Spoilers ahead... More »

Mega-Spoilers For Wolverine, Doctor Who, Monsters Vs. Aliens And Dollhouse!

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:00:00 PDT

Deadpool talks about his crazy mouth. New Monsters Versus Aliens TV spots. Ron Moore talks The Thing. Doctor Who monster reports! Plus Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Dollhouse, Terminator:SCC, Fringe, Life On Mars, Smallville, and Heroes. More »

10 Greatest Science Fiction TV Show Endings Ever

Charlie Jane Anders — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:46:09 PDT

With Battlestar Galactica rocking to an end Friday, the show's producers promise a bravura conclusion that will knock our socks off. But it's got some stiff competition - here are science fiction television's greatest endings. Spoilers! More »

Saturn Award Nominees Announced

Graeme McMillan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:00 PDT

The nominees for the 35th Annual Saturn Awards, voted for by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, have been announced, and it's a strong line-up... even if it includes Jumper. More »

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator Update, Plus A New Clue To Dollhouse's Naked Monster

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:00:00 PDT

Secrets of Arnie's Terminator Salvation cameo! G.I. Joe fight scenes! Iron Man 2 first look! They're all major spoilers. And so are Dollhouse casting news, Smallville/Clone Wars clips, Terminator: SCC pics and Stargate Universe hints. More »

Who Killed Life on Mars?

Graeme McMillan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:30:00 PST

The ratings may not have been good, but the decision to cancel ABC's Life on Mars was ultimately made for the good of the show itself, according to ABC's executive VP Jeff Bader. More »

Will The BBC Save American Television?

Graeme McMillan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:30:00 PST

The woman behind Life on Mars and the revival of Doctor Who is about to bring her style of television to the US. Julie Gardner is coming to America, and we couldn't be happier. More »

So Long Sam: Life On Mars Cancelled

Meredith Woerner — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:00:00 PST

Not even Lost could save the ratings for ABC's time traveling cop adventures. Sadly Sam and his collection of crazy-haired buddies have been axed. More »

Captain Kirk And Batman Confront Their Arch-Enemies

Charlie Jane Anders — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:00:00 PST

Today's spoilers include a picture of a major Star Trek moment, and new Wolverine posters. And we've got sneak peeks from Knowing, BSG, Sarah Connor, and Brave And The Bold. Spoilers: your window into futureland. More »

Spoilery New Vids From BSG, Dragonball, Chuck, Heroes, Reaper And Kyle XY!

Charlie Jane Anders — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:00:00 PST

Chow Yun-Fat shows how much he enjoyed smacking Justin Chatwin in Dragonball. Plus there are new videos of Battlestar, Chuck, Heroes, Reaper and Kyle XY. Smallville season-nine casting! Plus Lost, Chun-Li, Dollhouse, T:SCC and Pushing. More »

Hard-Fighting Pics From Transformers 2, Wolverine And BSG!

Charlie Jane Anders — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:00:00 PST

Today's spoilers include a better look at Wolverine's Gambit and Transformers 2's The Fallen. Oh, and Watchmen details, and some cliffnotes for BSG's tricky Cylon history lessons. Plus Lost's ending and Doctor Who set video. More »

Life On Mars Continues To Get Lost In Ratings

Graeme McMillan — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:00:23 PST

It may be time to start preparing to say goodbye to Sam Tyler and his 1970s band of moustachioed policemen; ABC's Life on Mars apparently can't stop shedding viewers in its new time slot. More »