Blogging A to Z: Quantum Leap

Throwback time! The letter "Q" proves a tricky one for TV show titles. Nothing with a Q is currently on, so I'm going with a classic sci-fi show from the early 1990s: Quantum Leap.

My memories of Quantum Leap involve rainy days inside with my friend who didn't have cable. It was probably in reruns by the time I watched them. Since not much sci-fi existed on TV in this era, looking back I see it developed quite a cult following. When it exited in 1993, a new breed of sci-fi was about to take over with the start of The X Files that fall. To understand one show's success, sometimes you have to shift back to what came before it to truly appreciate the medium's progression.

Scott Bakula's Sam, a physicist, is burdened with spontaneous jumps through time after one of his time travel experiments goes haywire. But he's not himself when he lands in another era, he embodies someone else, usually to help prevent some kind of potential catastrophe. You can already imagine the possibilities -- Sam jumps into the body of a pregnant woman! (He does jump into the body of Dr. Ruth the sex therapist). He's aided by his friend Al who appears as a hologram. Think of it as Highway to Heaven meets Dr. Who. 


Apparently, the show ended abruptly and the season 5 cliffhanger was re-edited as a series finale. If only twitter had existed; the mantra six seasons and a movie (originated by Community fans when the show was left off NBC's 2012 spring schedule) is completely appropriate. Coincidence? Quantum Leap also aired on NBC.

Why You Should Watch: While it's campy (especially by today's standards), it's still an entertaining show that mixes sci-fi, drama and comedy. Sure the special effects are bad, but who cares? So was/is Dr. Who and people love it (don't hate me Who fans but the effects still leave much to be desired). The strength of Quantum Leap is in the storytelling, and some of the stories are surprisingly issue oriented.

Factoid: Dean Stockwell, who played Al, showed up on another geektastic show, the Battlestar Galactica reboot (totally worth watching). Check out his IMdB profile: he's been acting steadily for over 65 years!