Series 1

When his mother's voice bleeds through from 2006, Sam (John Simm) hears her say goodbye to him. His life support machine is to be turned off at 2pm. Sam's terrified - he's alive and determined to make himself heard.

But before he can do anything, a call comes in that a man has taken people hostage at the Manchester Gazette. The man is intent on killing the hostages at 2pm. Is this Sam's way of saving his life in 2006?

Determined to take control, Sam employs his 2006 methods of dealing with a hostage situation. Gene (Philip Glenister), on the other hand, has his own style of approach. He wants to go in with all guns blazing. If there's one thing Sam is sure of - no one can die today, not even the hostage-taker, Reg.

As the clock ticks, Sam seems to inch his way towards a peaceful resolution. But just when he feels he's making progress Gene is there to frustrate matters.

They manage to gain entrance to the office in which the hostages are being held in an attempt to negotiate their safe release but are soon held hostage themselves.

After a failed attempt at escape, Sam, Gene and Annie are put on 'death row'. With the deadline looming they desperately need to find a way out...

As 2pm arrives, a distraction causes Reg to rethink his actions. For a moment he considers taking his own life, but is eventually arrested. Sam's achieved his goal, no-one has died. He hears his mum in 2006 saying there's no way she's consenting to the life support machine being turned off. At 2pm, she was convinced she saw Sam smile.