Will We Ever See a Quantum Leap TV Movie? (IE, True Finale)

[Tom]

Scott Bakula once said that Jonathan Archer's middle name is Beckett. Just for shits and giggles I'd love to see them actually try and place QL and Trek in the same universe.

Yeah, that WOULD be interesting, wouldn't it?

I want to see the episode where Sam leaps into the body of a Paramount suit, and his mission is to stop TATV being made.

Sam leaps in the Les Moonves in 2004, Enterprise has been approved for 3 more seasons.

 

[Mistral]

I don't accept the assumption that the series finale is somehow not a "true" finale just because it leaves some questions. That's bull. Not every story is about giving simple, clear answers to every question. A lot of fiction is about not giving answers, about leaving the audience with questions they have to make up their own minds about. It's about challenging audiences to think for themselves, to ponder and debate the questions and find their own answers, rather than just being passive sponges absorbing what's spoonfed to them.

And really, the kind of finale we got makes sense for a show like QL. There was always an underlying sense of spirituality to it, an idea of a mysterious greater power at work. And so ultimately, instead of handing us clear, tangible answers, Bellisario provided a finale that was more about faith, about mystery, about moving beyond this life into an unknowable existence beyond it. That fits right into the underlying spirituality of the show and moves it to front and center. And that strikes me as a perfectly appropriate and "true" finale. I don't see what more there is to say.

Thank you for saving me all of the typing...well said.

 

[Pingfah]

I also thought the series finale for Quantum Leap was spot on, personally.

I'd enjoy a one-off anyway though.

 

[Captaindemotion]

I don't accept the assumption that the series finale is somehow not a "true" finale just because it leaves some questions. That's bull. Not every story is about giving simple, clear answers to every question. A lot of fiction is about not giving answers, about leaving the audience with questions they have to make up their own minds about. It's about challenging audiences to think for themselves, to ponder and debate the questions and find their own answers, rather than just being passive sponges absorbing what's spoonfed to them.

And really, the kind of finale we got makes sense for a show like QL. There was always an underlying sense of spirituality to it, an idea of a mysterious greater power at work. And so ultimately, instead of handing us clear, tangible answers, Bellisario provided a finale that was more about faith, about mystery, about moving beyond this life into an unknowable existence beyond it. That fits right into the underlying spirituality of the show and moves it to front and center. And that strikes me as a perfectly appropriate and "true" finale. I don't see what more there is to say.

I can see all of that. I just thought the idea that Sam 'never returned home' was something of a downer. 'Hasn't returned yet' would have retained a little more hope.

 

[Christopher]

I can see all of that. I just thought the idea that Sam 'never returned home' was something of a downer. 'Hasn't returned yet' would have retained a little more hope.

Would it? Hope for whom? The way I understand it, the point of the finale was that Sam finally recognized that he wasn't being manipulated by some outside force that was keeping him from getting home, but that he himself was subconsciously in control and choosing to pursue this mission to help others. So once he realized that, he accepted it as his life's purpose to continue leaping through time on others' behalf rather than pursuing his own self-interest. So "never returned home" is not a statement that he failed to acheive his goal, but that he realized his original goal of returning home was no longer relevant, that he had a better, more important mission to pursue instead. It's an affirmation of hope for many people, the people he's going to spend the rest of his existence helping.

 

[24thcenstfan]

I've read about "the talk" surrounding a possible QL movie, but Bakula didn't seem very hopeful about one taking place or one with him being in it.

I think its more likely at this point that we will see a QL remake.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I agree with Christopher. Of course this was planned to be a season finale. NBC cancelled the show after production was wrapped for the season. Don had few options other than what was written at the end. ( on that think of the other details, itmentions Al and Beth celebrating their 40th anniversary. Which is the shows present time... Well who knows what happens after that. Also Sam's last name is misspelled. So this part was a rush job and someone at the network screwup at least part of it.)

It's hard to know how Don would have ended it on his own terms. But for years before this he said in interviews not to expect a traditional ending where everything is resolved.

We are lucky that we got such a good ending under the circumstances.

 

[StevenR]

Truth be told, I'd rather they either leave QL alone or make a stand alone movie that has nothing to do with the TV show (other than basic concept). I don't think there is a need to revisit the show in any form.

But supposing we do get a revisit. Al will not be the same womanizing Al we know and love. Sam fixed Al's past; he ended up with Beth. He never spent decades chasing anything in a skirt. That wrong was set right.

 

[Tom]

I can see all of that. I just thought the idea that Sam 'never returned home' was something of a downer. 'Hasn't returned yet' would have retained a little more hope.

Would it? Hope for whom? The way I understand it, the point of the finale was that Sam finally recognized that he wasn't being manipulated by some outside force that was keeping him from getting home, but that he himself was subconsciously in control and choosing to pursue this mission to help others. So once he realized that, he accepted it as his life's purpose to continue leaping through time on others' behalf rather than pursuing his own self-interest. So "never returned home" is not a statement that he failed to acheive his goal, but that he realized his original goal of returning home was no longer relevant, that he had a better, more important mission to pursue instead. It's an affirmation of hope for many people, the people he's going to spend the rest of his existence helping.

Agreed. Also, home is not really 'home' anymore since Al's history has changed. It was left rather ambigous though if Al (now happily married) had still helped Sam start project Quantum Leap. The indications were that Al would not be there anymore to help Sam, and his leaps would get harder because of that. 'Bartender Al' made Sam realize he was being selfish for not helping Al, Sam decided to do the right thing, knowing it would change his destiny forever.

I really loved the series finalle, because it was thought provoking and did not have you a-typical happy ending. The last 15 minutes were very emotional and well done. The show ended how it started, making you think.

 

[JoeZhang]

Wasn't there a different ending to this (never used)? Where Al leaped into the future to help Sam?

 

[StevenR]

Wasn't there a different ending to this (never used)? Where Al leaped into the future to help Sam?

I think it was written but not shot. The alternate shot ending has Sam tell Beth Al is alive and coming home and the pictue of young Al turns blue and morphs into a picture of old Al and Beth with their four daughters. I don't think that ending has the "Sam Never Returned Home" caption.

 

[Owain Taggart]

If we do, I wonder if they'd have him leap into Archer...

 

[Captaindemotion]

I can see all of that. I just thought the idea that Sam 'never returned home' was something of a downer. 'Hasn't returned yet' would have retained a little more hope.

Would it? Hope for whom? The way I understand it, the point of the finale was that Sam finally recognized that he wasn't being manipulated by some outside force that was keeping him from getting home, but that he himself was subconsciously in control and choosing to pursue this mission to help others. So once he realized that, he accepted it as his life's purpose to continue leaping through time on others' behalf rather than pursuing his own self-interest. So "never returned home" is not a statement that he failed to acheive his goal, but that he realized his original goal of returning home was no longer relevant, that he had a better, more important mission to pursue instead. It's an affirmation of hope for many people, the people he's going to spend the rest of his existence helping.

I suppose so. I just always felt that there had to be a time when the guy had done enough; that he deserved to come home and see his loved ones and relax. A sort of Star Trek III 'the needs of the one outweighs the needs of the many' view. The idea that he would do this was noble, but poignant - I felt that at some time, Sam was entitled to put down the mantle.

 

[Vendikarr]

I suppose so. I just always felt that there had to be a time when the guy had done enough; that he deserved to come home and see his loved ones and relax. A sort of Star Trek III 'the needs of the one outweighs the needs of the many' view. The idea that he would do this was noble, but poignant - I felt that at some time, Sam was entitled to put down the mantle.

But the ending as written leads us to believe that Sam has to be the one who decides it's enough. Sam has such a pure heart, I don't see him ever being able to believe he has done all he can.

Someone would have to make him see that a time has come where his family and friends need him. And I don't think he would quit unless there was someone to take his place.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The ending wouldn't be so bad if Sam didn't have a WIFE back home.

 

[StevenR]

The ending wouldn't be so bad if Sam didn't have a WIFE back home.

That's the beauty of the whole thing. Same can go home whenever he wants. There's nothing to stop him from walking out of the imaging chamber a split second after he walked into it. From his perspective he'll have been gone eons. From everyone else's point of view he just walked into the machine.

 

[bigdaddy]

Wasn't there almost a Quantum Leap TV movie for NBC back in 2001 but Bakula ended up signing the deal with Paramount for "Enterprise"? IIRC, Bakula was divided but ultimately decided on "Enterprise" due to the job security.

I thoguht the story was Bakula went to UPN wanting to bring the show back, they said "nah, but we would like you to be captain on Enterprise"?

 

[Nowhere Man]

QL was my favorite show when it was on the air, I even liked it better than TNG at the time. As a fan, I felt ripped off by the ending. Every episode started off by saying the Sam was hoping that the next leap would be the leap home. They teased us with that for so long and his wife was waiting for him, then they tell us he never leaped home, WTF? Yeah I get that he's in control and he has so much work to do, but I just was really thinking he would go home and fix the retrieval system or something. Then get back to fixing things.

I always thought that maybe by the late 90's they would bring the show back, but they didn't. When Enterprise ended, I thought maybe something would happen, but it didn't. Then in 2010 there was the comic-con thing with Scott and Dean and there was talk of a movie, but not starring them. Still, there's just no life in the series. I even started to brainstorm and thought about writing a fan-fic, but I've never written one before, so I just let it go. Last winter I rewatched the whole series on Netflix and this discussion came up. I don't see anything happening tv wise at all with the original cast. I would love some closure, but I just don't think it will happen.

I think going forward, it simply has to be remade. I'm sick of remakes, but I would give a QL remake a shot for sure. The thing that would be hard is casting. I don't know if there are people in Hollywood that exist anymore who are like Scott and Dean. I think Sam would be easier, but Al would be so hard to cast. Obviously the tech. would have to be reimagined, but I don't think it would be that hard. Those type of stories are desperately needed, much like those of Star Trek, just the right balance of drama and light hartedness. Like Star Trek, it is more suited for a series, but I think a big blockbuster movie to get the franchise back up and running would do good. Perhaps a movie that acts as a prequel to the series. We can see Sam grow up, Al in the navy. We could see the forming of project Quantum Leap and Sam's first leap. Maybe Sam doesn't get stuck in the past at first, but once the series starts, then he does.

The great thing about a reboot is we can set in the near future and have Sam be born in the mid-late 80s, so we have the 90s to play with and the 00s. Al could have been a veteran of Dessert Storm. Sam could fly a stealth bomber similar to the pilot episode. There's so much new territory. I definitely want a revival of this show, but I don't think Scott Bakula will ever play Sam Beckett again. If ever there was a proper time to return, this is it. I'm not holding my breath though, but I will always have hope.

 

[Tom]

While introducing the fact Sam had a wife made for a good episode when he and Al switched, I think it kinda hampered the series later though in that every time Sam got close to a woman you thought he was cheating, even though he could not remember her. Also as the poster said above, waht about his wife, so she lost Sam forever since he never came home? I really think the writers intentionaly tryed to drop the whole 'wife' bit.

 

[The Badger]

I can see all of that. I just thought the idea that Sam 'never returned home' was something of a downer. 'Hasn't returned yet' would have retained a little more hope.

Would it? Hope for whom? The way I understand it, the point of the finale was that Sam finally recognized that he wasn't being manipulated by some outside force that was keeping him from getting home, but that he himself was subconsciously in control and choosing to pursue this mission to help others. So once he realized that, he accepted it as his life's purpose to continue leaping through time on others' behalf rather than pursuing his own self-interest. So "never returned home" is not a statement that he failed to acheive his goal, but that he realized his original goal of returning home was no longer relevant, that he had a better, more important mission to pursue instead. It's an affirmation of hope for many people, the people he's going to spend the rest of his existence helping.

I suppose so. I just always felt that there had to be a time when the guy had done enough; that he deserved to come home and see his loved ones and relax. A sort of Star Trek III 'the needs of the one outweighs the needs of the many' view. The idea that he would do this was noble, but poignant - I felt that at some time, Sam was entitled to put down the mantle.

Right. It's the phrasing, not the concept, that bugged me. Saying he 'never returned home' has a very negative feel to it. No matter what he does, no matter how many people he helps, it's not enough. It's never enough. Downer.

A more open ended statement could be more uplifting. 'Realising the good he's doing, Doctor Sam Beckett continues to travel, setting right what once went wrong...', or something similar. The same sentiment, but leaving things open. Maybe he'll spend the rest of his life quantum leaping, as the original statement said. But maybe he gets to go home sometime, when enough good has been done. Maybe there's hope for him. And maybe that lays things open to a sequel/spin off series.