Oh boy. It's a Quantum Leap watch-through.

[Canadave]

^ The tone of "Double Identity" is so light that I really didn't see anything that was too directly pulled from The Godfather. The Italian Mob is a big trope, after all. As for Driving Miss Daisy, it came out in December of 1989, and the episode aired in April. The stage play obviously predates the episode, but that's not what I'm counting.

 

[Nowhere Man]

^ That's a good idea, actually. I'll start the Quantum Leap Filmography; if I miss something obvious because I haven't seen the movie, please let me know. Hokay. Reviews.

1x04 "How the Tess was Won"

2/10

Alternate title suggestion: "O plot, where art thou?" I'm going to keep this one quick, because the episode did very little for me. The main story essentially amounted to Sam running about doing cowboy things for 45 minutes, while another cowboy glared at him on occasion. The characters were cutouts at best (we barely even get to know the person Sam leapt into; I couldn't even tell you his name besides "Doc"), and even Sam and Al's interactions seemed a little muted.

It does get a point for the nice reveal of "Peggy Sue" at the end, though it was obvious all along that the kid was going to be some famous musician. There's a bit of a timeline quibble, though—hadn't Holly signed a record contract by 1956? Seems odd that he'd be working as a vet's assistant in very rural Texas...

1x05 "Double Identity"

7/10

This one wasn't terribly deep, but it was reasonably fun. The mobsters were a little more "A Piece of the Action" than The Godfather, but that was okay. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments, like when Sam had to sing at the wedding, and when Al was coaxing Sam through a conversation in Italian with the Don. I was also amused by the fact that Ziggy was responsible for the blackout of 1965, even if it doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense.

The "double leap" was interesting as well, though they didn't do a hell of a lot with it. Still, it allowed them to wrap up the story well, and it was nice seeing a little bit of the person Sam leapt into for a change.

1x06 "The Colour of Truth"

10/10

Easily the best of the show so far. It works brilliantly as both a period piece and as a bit of social commentary. It is admittedly something that it only made sense for the show to do, but I can forgive the obvious when it's done so well.

Firstly, I love the setting. Rural Alabama of the mid-50s is perfectly realized, and unlike the last two outings, feels much less generic and is a better use of the time travel premise.

The characters are also well-done here. Miss Melanie is sympathetic, and you can understand where she's coming from, even though she initially seems to support the injust segregation laws of the South. Jesse's granddaughter Nell is also very well-written, and you genuinely care about her when she gets injured in the climatic act. And then it all dovetails quite nicely with Miss Melanie's character arc, as she supports Jesse's actions to save Nell, illegal though they may be. That was a good piece of writing right there.

In addition to all this, Sam made for a great fish-out-of-water, and you do get the impression that he really learns what it was like to be black in the South before the civil rights movement. Again, this is not exactly new, but the episode does it quite well, so I really don't have an issue with it. Finally, the ending scene was quite nice, and closed the character arc of Miss Melanie quite well, while making for a very satisfying ending to Sam\Jesse's story in this episode as well.

And next week, Sam must prevent the accidental death of a teenage boy who drowns in acne cream.

Who You Talkin' To?!: 5 (+3)

The Don clearly notices Sam is doing something weird (getting cues from Al) while they have their conversation in the hairdressers; Jesse's son walks in on Sam and Al arguing in the kitchen; and the nurse at the white's only hospital sees Sam conversing with Al on the front steps.

Appearing/Disappearing Skillsets: 5 (+2)

Sam doesn't know how to speak Italian though Frankie should; Sam uses his medical knowledge to help both Miss Melanie and Nell.

Well listen to THIS!: 4 (+2)

Quite literally when Sam gives Buddy Holly the lyrics to "Peggy Sue"; Ziggy causes the Great Northeast Blackout of 1965.

Quantum Leap Filmograpy:

The Right Stuff
Rocky

Again, good analysis. I watched "How the Tess Was Won" last night because I wanted to see the Buddy Holly scene again. I used to not care for this one because it was sort of stupid and all, but I watched it last night and loved it. In this episode we see Al predicting what Sam is there for. He gets it wrong. This episode establishes a few things. The look in the miror at the end. The beggining of the oh boy's. The love triangle between Al, Gushy and Tina and the helping the famous person out thing.

I like the fun of this episode after rewatching it and the girl playing Tess, well I have a soft spot for country girls, even though they are not really my type. This episode was sort of messed up though because Al messed up the prediction twice. First he was suposed to save the pig and then second he was suposed to mary Tess. I'm sure when Sam leaped and Doc came back he was probably pretty embarassed. The other thing that was silly was a girl just instantly marrying anyone who could beat her at running a ranch no matter if she was in love or even atracted to him. One last thing that bothered me was they sort of set it up like Tess and Doc really did have secret feelings for each other, then suddenly douche shows up with the letters and the whole thing's off. Then Al tells Sam to look in the mirror and because Doc is ugly, this is the true reason why he wasen't picked.

So yeah this episode is sort of messed up, but I think it's a fun one. Seeing Sam give Buddy the lyrics gave me chills. You give it a 2/10, I would be more generous with a 5/10, but this is your thread so. As far as the other two, I definately agree, spot on again.

 

[Canadave]

^ I should probably explain that my score is may seem a bit harsh, simply because I'm aiming for 5 as an "average" episode. So when something is clearly below-average, as that one was, there's a good chance I'll give it a score that seems quite low.

 

[ToddKent]

1x05 "Double Identity"

The "double leap" was interesting as well, though they didn't do a hell of a lot with it.

I always thought the "double leap" was a really big deal but you're right they didn't do much with it. We got to see a person return from the "Waiting Room" and it didn't seem to leave a huge impression on him.

People are essentially abducted from their lives, sent to the future, interrogated (although probably very nicely) by Al (and maybe others) and then returned to their life. The mob guy didn't seem to have any memory of the waiting room. He just seemed disoriented and shrugged it off.

But was it ever really established if people's memories of traveling to the future were somehow erased by the process of leaping? It seems like a trauma like that could really do damage to the timeline.

Also they shouldn't really have any memories of what Sam did while he was impersonating them should they? I picture a person leaping back to his life and being told, "Hey, thanks again for saving my life in that great adventure we just had." And the guy would just be clueless about it.

1x06 "The Colour of Truth"

One of the big criticisms of the show was that Sam essentially swooped in and solved people's problems because they weren't capable enough to do it themselves. So I wonder if it was controversial when Sam took credit (in a way) for kick starting the civil rights movement. It was essentially like saying a white man had to go back in time to fight for equal rights because the black man he leaped into wasn't able to do it for himself. Seems like people might get the wrong idea about that.

You could say a similar thing about the episode when Sam leaped into the mentally challenged kid. The point of the leap was to show that Jimmy was capable of holding down a job but when it comes down to it, he wasn't. Sam had to leap in and do it for him. Not the best message.

 

[Canadave]

One of the big criticisms of the show was that Sam essentially swooped in and solved people's problems because they weren't capable enough to do it themselves. So I wonder if it was controversial when Sam took credit (in a way) for kick starting the civil rights movement. It was essentially like saying a white man had to go back in time to fight for equal rights because the black man he leaped into wasn't able to do it for himself. Seems like people might get the wrong idea about that.

What I found interesting about this episode, actually, is the implication that Sam didn't actually change anything. Think about it: in the original timeline, Miss Melanie was hit by the train; but why would she have been rushing distractedly down that road if Jesse hadn't been arrested? This, to me, says that the "real" Jesse did something very similar, got into similar trouble with the local rednecks, and got arrested for breaking the segregation laws. It was only the fact that Al was there that kept the timeline from repeating itself exactly. This is all my interpretation, of course, but it all seemed to be there in the episode's subtext, whether intentional or not.

 

[Admiral Shran]

1x06 "The Colour of Truth"

10/10

Couldn't agree more. Easily the best of the first season. The only thing I would add to your review is how awesome it was that Al is the one who saved the day. That proves to me that God/Fate/Time is the one controlling things (or at least helping out). Otherwise, how did she hear him at all?

But was it ever really established if people's memories of traveling to the future were somehow erased by the process of leaping? It seems like a trauma like that could really do damage to the timeline.

Also they shouldn't really have any memories of what Sam did while he was impersonating them should they? I picture a person leaping back to his life and being told, "Hey, thanks again for saving my life in that great adventure we just had." And they guy would just be clueless about it.

I don't think it ever was established what happens after the person leaps back into their lives. The only times I can think of when we see someone who has come back from the Waiting Room is this episode and later when Sam leaps into the mentally challenged kid for a second time. Like you say, they don't appear to have any memories of the future. So, I guess the audience is just supposed to assume that the leaping process wipes their memories. It's just one of the many technical/holistic aspects of the show that's never really explained.

 

[Marc]

1x06 "The Colour of Truth"

10/10

Couldn't agree more. Easily the best of the first season. The only thing I would add to your review is how awesome it was that Al is the one who saved the day. That proves to me that God/Fate/Time is the one controlling things (or at least helping out). Otherwise, how did she hear him at all?

Was it this ep or a later one where Al talks about his involvment with the civil rights movement?

 

[Canadave]

Was it this ep or a later one where Al talks about his involvment with the civil rights movement?

Al muses about his time in the civil rights movement during a scene in the cemetery, yeah.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I don't think it ever was established what happens after the person leaps back into their lives. The only times I can think of when we see someone who has come back from the Waiting Room is this episode and later when Sam leaps into the mentally challenged kid for a second time. Like you say, they don't appear to have any memories of the future.

That's also what happened when Sam was the Mafia hitman. He leaped from that guy into the Don himself, but the hitman (after returning) didn't remember anything of what happened.

 

[Canadave]

^ You know that was the episode Shran was referring to, right?

1x07 "Camikaze"

8/10

Since this season is only eight episodes long, it's going to end up with a ridiculously high average score. It's hard to help it, though, when (one misstep aside) the show has been so consistently good. "Camikaze" continues that trend, and while it pales in comparison (pardon the pun) to "The Colour of Truth," it's still a very well-done, though relatively quiet story.

Unlike a few recent episodes, there's no question what Sam needs to do here: prevent Cameron's sister from marrying her future drunk, abusive husband. Though straightforward, the plot is handled well, as we (like Cheryl in the episode) slowly see the true character of her fiancée revealed over the course of the episode, culminating in his trying to kill Sam\Cam. Additionally, there's a nice personal connection here, as Sam's sister made a similar mistake, one that Sam can't correct. It's a simple, understated moment, and it works very well.

That's not to say the episode is all-serious, though, as there are a number of amusing moments. Sam dancing with a young (presumably) Michael Jackson, for example, as well as Al popping in for no other reason to watch Cheryl try on lingerie at her wedding shower. And I have got to give Dean Stockwell a lot of credit; it would be easy to have Al come off as a misogynist jackass, but he really makes the character's horndogging come off as endearing.

One final note for this one: the atmosphere of SoCal in 1961 was fantastic. One of this show's strengths really is selling the where and when quickly and convincingly. That's a must in a time travel series.

Who You Talkin' To?!: 9 (+4)

Sam gets caught left, right, and centre in this one. First, he gets noticed talking to Al at the diner, then at the wedding rehearsal, then again at the rehearsal by the young Michael Jackson (who quotes the name of the counter ), and finally by the man at the shoeshine booth outside the airport at the end. Phew.

Well listen to THIS!: 5 (+1)

Sam teaches MJ how to Moonwalk.

 

[Admiral Shran]

Another excellent episode, and another that would play very well into a possible mytharc for the show, if that was the way they wished to go.

Ones dealing with Sam or Al's own past have always been among my favorites. This one might not have anything directly to do with them, but we do learn something about Sam and his family.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Al used to be an astronaut, didn't he? Did he ever say what missions he flew? Did he ever walk on the Moon, for instance? Or pilot the space shuttle?

 

[Admiral Shran]

^ IIRC, he was in the Apollo program before his tours in Vietnam. I don't think he walked on the moon though.

 

[hyzmarca]

I don't think it ever was established what happens after the person leaps back into their lives. The only times I can think of when we see someone who has come back from the Waiting Room is this episode and later when Sam leaps into the mentally challenged kid for a second time. Like you say, they don't appear to have any memories of the future. So, I guess the audience is just supposed to assume that the leaping process wipes their memories. It's just one of the many technical/holistic aspects of the show that's never really explained.

It is established that Sam's memories do get mixed with those of the leepee. This is related to the swiss cheese effect, and is a driving plot point in some episodes.

Since the swiss cheese effect was there from the beginning and memory mixing does become explicit later on, it's perfectly plausible to presume that they have some memories of Sam's actions (perhaps vague once) and little if any memory of the waiting room.

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

Not really a spoiler, but per the fourth season chimp episode I just watched, Al orbited the moon but didn't land. This would've put him on the crew of Apollo 8 or 10 in the late 60s, assuming the QL verse's space program was the same as ours except for the crew.

Mark

 

[Random_Spock]

Genesis is a pretty good episode and I think you hit the main reasons why. Most importantly, IMO, is the chemistry between Sam and Al. Like you said, they are the ONLY characters that appear week-to-week. If they had anything less than excellent chemistry it would have sunk the show within a matter of a few episodes.

Definitely. That's in part what kept me watching the series when it was on the air . Those two always made me laugh.

Heck I just watched a couple of episodes today, and it's still just as good as when it was on tv.

 

[saturn5]

Not really a spoiler, but per the fourth season chimp episode I just watched, Al orbited the moon but didn't land. This would've put him on the crew of Apollo 8 or 10 in the late 60s, assuming the QL verse's space program was the same as ours except for the crew.

Mark

Presumably if Al was captured in Vietnam and repatriated in Nixon's 'Peace with honour' in 1972/3 that means he was an Apollo astronaut first in the late 60s. Maybe he got chucked off the programme for womanising?

 

[Canadave]

I watched the season 1 finale a few days ago, but got caught up in the coverage from Japan shortly afterwards, hence I haven't gotten around to the review until now...

1x08 "Play It Again, Seymour"

6/10

In this episode, Archer accidentally gets thrown forward in time into one of Picard's Dixon Hill holodeck programs. Meanwhile, Commander Ivanova makes a surprise visit from Babylon 5.

Okay, perhaps not, but I must admit my SF wires were a bit crossed by this episode. As for the outing itself, it was fun, but certainly not QL at its best.

For one thing, the setting was (in contrast to every other episode so far) a distraction. Normally, the show is extremely good at "selling" a particular time and place, but "Play It Again, Seymour" was trying so hard to make it seem like Sam leapt into a Humphry Bogart movie that it just came off as stiff and unnatural. This includes the unnecessary touch of having Nick look almost exactly like Bogie, which just comes off as silly.

All of that said, the episode itself was enjoyable. Scott Bakula wears a trench coat and fedora well, and clearly has fun with his role in this one. Claudia Christian also makes for a smoking love interest, and while it's not terribly believable, the plot and setting are at least fleshed-out well. I do have a quibble with the ending, though, as I didn't understand why the building manager was the killer—it just sort of happened, like the episode just decided it needed to tie up the loose ends suddenly.

In all, not a terrible episode by any stretch, but definitely a bit of a disappointment as a season finale.

Who You Talkin' To!?: 11 (+2)

Uhhhh... to be honest, I've forgotten when these happened. But I remember noting them.

Appearing\Disappearing Skillsets: 5 (no change)

Well Listen to THIS!: 6 (+1)

Sam introduces "main squeeze" into the vernacular.

Quantum Leap Filmography:

The Right Stuff
Rocky
The Maltese Falcon (Chosen as a good example of a "Bogart as a PI" film)

 

[Admiral Shran]

It had been a while since I'd seen this one, and you hit the nail right on the head - it was trying WAY to hard to be a Bogart movie. I have to agree with your score.

Who You Talkin' To!?: 11 (+2)

11? Damn! I've always had this as one of my pet peeves about QL, but I would never have thought it would be this high after such a short season.

So, what's next? A TheGodBen-esque Season One Review?

 

[Saquist]

Oh I couldn't stand this boring show.
My dad watched it... maybe I was too little.