Final answer:
Life on Mars has adhered to core crime drama conventions including having a crime, a criminal, and a character who pursues the criminal. Variations on the genre often include complex moral dilemmas as well as unique storytelling techniques, showcasing the genre's adaptability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crime drama genre conventions that Life on Mars (LOM) has followed include several established elements. Like many narratives within the crime genre, it incorporates a crime being committed, prominently featuring a criminal as the antagonist and a protagonist who pursues the wrongdoer, aligning with the fundamental framework of the genre. Furthermore, the protagonist often encounters various challenges and moral dilemmas, which adds complexity to the crime narrative and explores the struggle between law enforcement and criminal activity.
LOM, although conforming to these basics, may also introduce unique twists or deviations from the norm, such as unconventional storytelling techniques or character development, as seen in pioneers like Anna Deveare Smith and Moises Kaufmann, who introduced multiple perspectives and a collage of voices in their works. Such innovations exhibit how the genre can evolve beyond its standard formulas while still respecting its core conventions.