Despite its short run (March 1989 - May 1993), Quantum Leap is nevertheless one of the more memorable dramatic series in television history. Although the show borrows from a concept employed in other realms, such as Highway To Heaven (with its theme of a mysterious force interceding to transform a single life), it adds a unique twist by utilizing elements of science fiction. Created by Donald P. Bellisario (creator of Magnum, P.I., JAG, and countless other hit shows), Quantum Leap developed a loyal cult following, making its short network run all the more difficult to understand
Quantum Leap stars Scott Bakula as Dr. Samuel "Sam" Beckett, a cutting-edge experimental researcher in the field of physics. Developing a theory that an individual can travel throughout the span of his life, Beckett builds the Quantum Leap Accelerator and uses himself as the test subject. But rather than traveling within his own lifetime, Beckett finds himself mysteriously transported into the lives of various individuals, each of whom faces a problem Beckett must rectify (thus changing history for the better). When he does, he can make his next "quantum leap" (which he hopes will restore him to his pre-experiment self). Aiding Beckett on his various missions is Rear Admiral Albert "Al" Calavicci (Dean Stockwell), one of the quantum leap experiment observers who periodically appears as a hologram in order to communicate with Beckett. With each new episode, Beckett finds himself in a new body, facing new circumstances, with a new mission he must decipher and complete if he ever hopes to return home
The Quantum Leap DVD features a number of action-packed episodes including the series premiere "Genesis" in which the audience first learns of Project Quantum Leap (PQL) and witnesses Dr. Beckett's leap into the particle accelerator. Beckett is transported into the body of an Air Force test pilot and a minor league baseball player, learning from Al's hologram what he must do with each man's life. The episode ends with Beckett transported into the body of a school teacher right in the middle of class Other notable episodes from Season 1 include "Star-Crossed" in which Sam prevents a college co-ed from ruining her life while giving her professor a second chance at making his marriage work, and "The Color of Truth" in which Sam is transported into the life of a black chauffeur in 1955, where he faces the virulent affects of discrimination and racism
Below is a list of episodes included on the Quantum Leap (Season 1) DVD:
Episode 1 (Genesis: Part 1 - September 13, 1956) Air Date: 03-26-1989
Episode 2 (Genesis: Part 2 - September 13, 1956) Air Date: 03-26-1989
Episode 3 (Star-Crossed - June 15, 1972) Air Date: 03-31-1989
Episode 4 (The Right Hand of God - October 24, 1974) Air Date: 04-07-1989
Episode 5 (How the Tess was Won - August 5, 1956) Air Date: 04-14-1989
Episode 6 (Double Identity - November 8, 1965) Air Date: 04-21-1989
Episode 7 (The Color of Truth - August 8, 1955) Air Date: 05-03-1989
Episode 8 (Kamikazi Kid - June 6, 1961) Air Date: 05-10-1989
Episode 9 (Play It Again Seymour - April 14, 1953) Air Date: 05-17-1989 |
