The Kiss That Rocked The 80s: Did Gene Hunt And Alex Drake Finally Lock Lips In Ashes To Ashes?
For fans of British crime drama, the names DCI Gene Hunt and DCI Alex Drake evoke a potent mix of nostalgia, mystery, and undeniable chemistry. From the gritty streets of 1970s Manchester in Life on Mars to the neon-soaked chaos of 1980s London in Ashes to Ashes, Gene Hunt (portrayed by the iconic Philip Glenister) has been a constant, albeit anachronistic, presence. When Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) crashed into his world in 1981, flung back in time after being shot in 2008, a new, complex dynamic was born. Their relationship, fraught with arguments, unspoken tension, and a clear denial of mutual attraction, kept viewers on the edge of their seats for three gripping series. But the question that lingered for many, especially as the show hurtled towards its dramatic conclusion, was: after all the tension, do Gene and Alex finally kiss?
The Unforgettable Duo: Gene Hunt and Alex Drake
DCI Gene Hunt, often affectionately called "Guv" by his colleagues, is the main protagonist of the Life on Mars franchise. He’s a man of the old school, a no-nonsense detective who operates by his own rules, often with a "Quattro's fired up" attitude. Alex Drake, on the other hand, is a modern police psychologist, a woman of the 21st century suddenly trapped in a past she barely understands. Their clashing methodologies and personalities formed the core of Ashes to Ashes. Gene would spend the series arguing with Alex and, in his own gruff way, trying to chat her up. Alex, despite her modern sensibilities, found herself drawn to the enigmatic detective, often making the same mistakes where Gene Hunt was concerned.
A Relationship Forged in Time-Travel and Crime
Their relationship was never straightforward. Alex knew of Gene Hunt before she arrived in 1981, having studied the cases of Sam Tyler (John Simm) from Life on Mars. Gene, however, didn't know that Alex was not in her own time, and just thought she was "a bit weird sometimes." This fundamental misunderstanding, coupled with the high-stakes world of 1980s policing, created a unique bond. There was an undeniable connection, as Alex herself once mused, "I thought we were the ones, we had a connection." The tension between them was palpable, a simmering undercurrent of unspoken feelings beneath the banter and professional disagreements. Viewers wondered if this intense bond would ever culminate in a romantic gesture.
The Burning Question: Did They Finally Kiss?
Yes, they did. The long-awaited kiss between DCI Gene Hunt and DCI Alex Drake indeed happened in the dramatic conclusion of Ashes to Ashes. This was a moment that had been building for three series, a culmination of their complex, often exasperating, but ultimately deeply affectionate relationship.
The Build-Up to the Climax
The anticipation for this moment was immense. For those who had followed the Gene Hunt story from the first episode of Ashes to Ashes, this was almost as anticipated a final as Monday’s epic ending was for Lost aficionados. The show's creator, Matthew Graham, had even revealed that Gene Hunt and Alex Drake would kiss in the finale, further fueling the excitement. The buzz was so intense that by the time the final episode aired, one newspaper had already printed a very large spoiler photo of Gene and Alex’s kiss in the final minutes, which was then picked up by another, much to the chagrin of many fans who wanted to experience the moment unspoiled.
The Moment Itself: A Kiss of Farewell
The kiss itself was not a simple romantic clinch but a poignant, deeply symbolic act. In the series' emotional climax, the truth behind DCI Gene Hunt and his role in the lives of Alex Drake and Sam Tyler was revealed. Gene was not just a detective; he was a guide, helping souls who were stuck between life and death to move on to the afterlife. Alex, having been shot in her own time, was one such soul. Her journey in 1981 was about accepting her death and moving on.
The kiss occurs in a pivotal scene where Hunt is able to persuade Alex to accept her death and enter the pub – the gateway to the afterlife. But not before they share a kiss. It’s a moment charged with emotion, a blend of affection, understanding, and farewell. Alex, despite her desire to stay with Gene in his world to help him guide souls to the afterlife, ultimately parts from him with a kiss before following the others into the afterlife. As Gene once famously quipped, "Oh, I could kiss you!" – a line that took on a whole new meaning in their final embrace.
More Than Just a Kiss: The Deeper Meaning
The kiss was more than just a romantic gesture; it was a narrative device that brought closure to Alex’s journey and underscored Gene’s true purpose. It wasn't a conventional "happily ever after" like Sam and Annie's relationship at the end of Life on Mars. Instead, it was a moment of acceptance and release for Alex. The series ended, as many fans believe, in a disappointing way for those hoping for a conventional romantic pairing, with Alex and Gene merely sharing a single kiss before Alex leaves him to pass with the others into the next light. However, for others, this made the kiss even more powerful, a testament to a unique bond that transcended typical romance.
In the closing moments, the series comes full circle back to Life on Mars, reinforcing the overarching theme of the franchise. Thus, fittingly, the series closed on Gene Hunt, about to rule the roost over another bunch of CID recruits, with a fresh story about to start that we’ll never get to see. The kiss was a pivotal part of Alex's acceptance of her fate and her transition to the next stage of existence, guided by the enigmatic Gene Hunt.
Fan Reactions and Legacy
The "Galex" (Gene and Alex) pairing had a passionate fanbase. Many viewers, deeply invested in their dynamic, created fan videos after seeing the kiss trailer, feeling incredibly moved. While some fans might have found the ending "disappointing" because it wasn't a traditional romantic coupling, the kiss cemented their unique connection and served the show's deeper, more metaphysical themes. Alex's final words to Gene, "Are you going to kiss me or punch me?", perfectly encapsulated their fiery yet tender relationship, even in their last moments together.
The kiss remains one of the most talked-about moments in Ashes to Ashes, a testament to the powerful chemistry between Philip Glenister and Keeley Hawes and the genius of the show's writing. It was a moment of release, a moment of goodbye, and a moment that perfectly encapsulated the complex, often heartbreaking, journey of DCI Alex Drake.
Final Summary
In summary, yes, Gene Hunt and Alex Drake did share a kiss in the highly anticipated finale of Ashes to Ashes. This wasn't a kiss that led to a conventional romantic union, but rather a poignant and symbolic farewell. It marked Alex Drake's acceptance of her true situation as a soul needing to move on to the afterlife, guided by Gene Hunt, whose true role as a ferryman of sorts was finally revealed. The kiss was a moment of deep emotional connection and closure, fulfilling years of fan speculation and providing a powerful, albeit bittersweet, end to their compelling story, cementing its place as a memorable moment in British television history.
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