The year is 1995, and Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) is working on a top-secret task relating to time travel. Sam is under extreme pressure when he receives word that his secret project has completely gone dry with no more funding. With the hope of proving that his project has succeeded, Sam breaks the rules and puts himself into the machine. However, when Sam steps into the machine, he leaps back in time into a completely different person’s body. Sam is now a skilled plane pilot. Not only does Sam need to figure out a way to get back home, but he must also assist the person he has leapt into, or else the repercussions of messing with time and the future could be disastrous. Thankfully, Sam isn’t alone.
Appearing as a hologram and only for Sam’s eyes is Al (Dean Stockwell), a Rear Admiral who is in consistent communication with Sam in each episode. Al, in some ways, is Sam’s loveable sidekick assisting him with his various tasks and trying to help him get back home. As a character, Al is also quite comedic and friendly, sometimes providing heartfelt moments throughout the series.
Growing up as a young boy, Quantum Leap was a big part of my family, and we would watch the new episodes on live TV weekly. One of the most appealing aspects of the series is that we see our leading hero Sam living another person’s life and dealing with a new challenging scenario in every episode. No episode ever felt the same as the one before, and each episode was strongly unpredictable. Where Sam would go next and what would be required of him was something that viewers never knew until they went on the journey with him. Within Season One, Sam becomes many new characters, including a plane pilot, a professor, a boxer, a skilled hitman and many more.
Overall, Quantum Leap was a big part of my childhood growing up, and after my recent rewatch of Season One, my joy and love for this series remains. Each episode provides excellent creativity and unpredictability, including seeing whom our leading hero will become in each episode and what challenges he will be forced to face. No episode here is ever dull or boring but continually fun with fresh vibes. Actor Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett is likeable and has a friendly and sometimes comedic personality on-screen. Sci-fi and adventure lovers should certainly strap themselves in and take a Quantum Leap.
8.2/10
1st May 2023
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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