The first episode of the series reveals that, in the present day, Drake has been studying records of the events seen in Life on Mars. Upon waking in the past she is surprised to meet the returning characters of Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) and Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster) all of whom she has learned of from her research, the trio having transferred from the Manchester setting of Life on Mars (Manchester and Salford Police) to London.
Tension between Drake and Hunt is built through the unsatisfactory explanation of Sam Tyler's absence, and the perceived underhandedness and shoddy work of Hunt in contrast to the methodical, ethical and thoroughly modern Drake. Continuing the theme of Life on Mars, throughout the series it is ambiguous to both Drake and the audience whether the character is dead or alive in the present day and to what extent her actions have any effect on events.
'Excuse me, i'm not a typeist! I am a detective inspector!'
'You and me Bolly. We're a team. Fighting the rot together!'
''They say as you die, your life flashes before you. All those memories and mistakes that form us. Well bring it on. My life can flash away as much as it likes, because I am not going to die!'
'Oh you'd miss me really!'
'Yes Bolls. I would!'
'See you around Bollykecks!'
'Goodybe Guv!'
The revelation of their deaths come as a surprise to all except Gene who knew they were all dead but who had forgotten the circumstances of his own death due to the passage of time. All except Hunt "move on" as he takes it upon himself to act as a psychopomp or "ferryman", to all of his officers, helping them on their way to The Railway Arms (their euphemism for Heaven).
Gene returns to his office where a newly dead officer arrives, demanding his iPhone (implying that he is from the present) and asking where his office has gone, in a very similar manner to the arrival of Sam Tyler (John Simm) in the first episode of Life on Mars.
