I just finished watching both series on DVD (which I had been doing over the last several years). After grading each episode as I went, I'd give a very slight edge to Magnum in terms of overall quality. I realize that these two shows have little in common; the only reason I'm really comparing them is because I just finished them both recently, they are both "nostalgic" shows for me, and I'm curious which one you think is "better" in terms of overall quality.
Magnum, P.I. or Quantum Leap (in overall quality)
- Thread starter DostoyevskyClone
- Start date
Well, I think everyone knows where I stand on this issue.
Of course, I go with Magnum. The stories and the characters really stand the test of time for me. Plus, it's important to remember that Magnum was the first time a major character---the hero, in fact--was a Vietnam vet. Up the that point, Vietnam vets had been victims or monsters, to be feared or pitied. I also am very fond Quantum Leap, but after awhile, the stories became too repetitive and nothing ever really changed much; I always knew Sam would succeed and leap to the next character.
On Magnum, major characters died. Relationships changed. Magnum was a good, heroic character, but he killed an unarmed man. He mooched off his friends and was something of a deadbeat. He was loyal and kind, but could sometimes be childish.
Sam wasn't given much chance to be anything but unerringly good. I actually thought Al was much more interesting of a character--he was flawed but still a good guy. Sam wasn't allowed to have many flaws because he had to always save the day. I think that's why I liked the QL finale when so many others didn't. Sam didn't win in the end, but sacrificed everything to help Al.
I like both shows, but Magnum was a huge influence on me as a kid. Quantum Leap was just a really fun show I watched for awhile.
Of course, I go with Magnum. The stories and the characters really stand the test of time for me. Plus, it's important to remember that Magnum was the first time a major character---the hero, in fact--was a Vietnam vet. Up the that point, Vietnam vets had been victims or monsters, to be feared or pitied. I also am very fond Quantum Leap, but after awhile, the stories became too repetitive and nothing ever really changed much; I always knew Sam would succeed and leap to the next character.
On Magnum, major characters died. Relationships changed. Magnum was a good, heroic character, but he killed an unarmed man. He mooched off his friends and was something of a deadbeat. He was loyal and kind, but could sometimes be childish.
Sam wasn't given much chance to be anything but unerringly good. I actually thought Al was much more interesting of a character--he was flawed but still a good guy. Sam wasn't allowed to have many flaws because he had to always save the day. I think that's why I liked the QL finale when so many others didn't. Sam didn't win in the end, but sacrificed everything to help Al.
I like both shows, but Magnum was a huge influence on me as a kid. Quantum Leap was just a really fun show I watched for awhile.
It's a no contest - one's a dumb detective show set up to keep the Hawaii 5-0 production team in work, the other's an original SF idea done well, for the most part.
But... Magnum was always better than it should have been, the characters had depth while still being accessible to casual viewers who just saw the stereotypes, and the surreal elements it built up in the last few seasons make it very worthwhile. I couldn't imagine bothering to but Hawaii 5-0 on DVD, but I am picking up Magnum season by season when they're in the sales.
But... Magnum was always better than it should have been, the characters had depth while still being accessible to casual viewers who just saw the stereotypes, and the surreal elements it built up in the last few seasons make it very worthwhile. I couldn't imagine bothering to but Hawaii 5-0 on DVD, but I am picking up Magnum season by season when they're in the sales.
Ivan, did you see the sun rise this morning?
QL never had character development like Magnum.
QL never had character development like Magnum.
^ Best episode ending ever!
I remember watching that as a kid, and my mouth just fell open. Did that just happen? Did he just....? Did the hero just commit cold-blooded murder? Granted, the guy was an evil, scumbag, torturer, assassin and spy...but heroes never did that on TV. Never!
I remember clearly sitting there on the floor, eyes wide open with surprise, thinking, "I can't believe they did that. That is so.....AWESOME."
I remember watching that as a kid, and my mouth just fell open. Did that just happen? Did he just....? Did the hero just commit cold-blooded murder? Granted, the guy was an evil, scumbag, torturer, assassin and spy...but heroes never did that on TV. Never!
I remember clearly sitting there on the floor, eyes wide open with surprise, thinking, "I can't believe they did that. That is so.....AWESOME."
Magnum. I do enjoy both shows, but I feel that Magnum has more to offer in the character department and also deals with more serious issues in a more serious way.
QL is great fun, but as others have said, it can be quite repetitive. Plus it can be incredibly sentimental and cheesy at times, I think. I'll also echoe the feeling that Al is more interesting than Sam although I do enjoy both actors a lot.
QL is great fun, but as others have said, it can be quite repetitive. Plus it can be incredibly sentimental and cheesy at times, I think. I'll also echoe the feeling that Al is more interesting than Sam although I do enjoy both actors a lot.
While I really enjoyed Quantum Leap it never had an episode which made me sit down and write a spec script for it in one sitting. The initial Magnum "ending" (before they knew they were getting one more season) was so powerful, I just had to write my own conclusion and use it as a spec script for other jobs.
Still, it's apples and oranges. One was a light sci-fi/adventure anthology, rooted more in "what if", and the other was based more in reality, with an ensemble of continuing characters who grew and changed.
--Ted.
Still, it's apples and oranges. One was a light sci-fi/adventure anthology, rooted more in "what if", and the other was based more in reality, with an ensemble of continuing characters who grew and changed.
--Ted.
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