Post by fonebone on Mar 23, 2023 2:15:36 GMT -8
Quantum Leap "Let Them Play"
You want to claim it's a little sappy, that's actually on-brand for the franchise. What I did like is that it took a political stand, which is something the old show did frequently, but the new show does rarely. Like it or not the Trump Administration is part of history, and the ban of transpeople in the military was an especially shameful thing. The show goes out of its way not to offend most weeks. It's encouraging it's starting to take a moral stance when it actually matters.
The worst part of the episode for me was the poetry slam. I get what it was trying to get Magic to recognize, but did it HAVE to be so badly written and acted to do it? It wasn't even funny. It was pure cringe. Granted the old show had its share of that, but I won't thank the sequel for bringing it back.
Seriously though, if you check out the original series sometime, it is almost SHOCKING the negative view it (particularly the character of Al Calavicci) takes on queerness. Somebody wants to tell me how inferior this show is to that, I'll just point out a main character here never gave Al's one word reaction to hearing somebody was gay in "Lee Harvey Oswald": "Yuck." Seriously, Scott Bakula. You are remembering your run on the show in fonder and more generous terms than it actually deserved. You are NOT actually too good for this show. You never were.
A second person in the imaging chamber IS a taboo, the old show only violated once in the episode "Raped". It feels right that it's Ian breaking this rule, when we learned the shocking revelation that he will somebody become a Future Leaper.
Random franchise notes: The Leap is set only ten years in the past. The old show was very leery of setting episodes anywhere NEAR 1999. They did 1986 and 1987 once each, I think, but the show very much frowned on putting Sam in recognizable modern settings. Of course, 1999 was the future for that show and 2022 is the present here, so that might make the difference in presentation. We also get a few more ideas what it's like for the person Leaped into during their missing time, but I'd still feel more comfortable about that if The Waiting Room was more clearly referenced and mentioned. While a Leapee's time in The Waiting Room being forgotten could be chalked up to the amnesia both Sam and the Leapee felt, while the Waiting Room is a thing, it's hard to understand how the Leapee could possibly feel like someone else was driving their body. In reality, they are in BEN'S/SAM'S/IAN'S bodies. Ben and Ian's Leapee's could be argued to work a different way, but that doesn't explain Magic describing the same sensation. The Waiting Room was a BIG part of the Old Show. I'm having a hard time believing the producers of this show aren't even aware of it. It was one of the most memorable conceits of the future elements of that show.
The episode did what a LOT of episodes on the old show did, but that this show hasn't done much of. It showed plenty of scenes in the past time period where neither Ben nor Addison were present. Another thing I want to compliment the show on, is that I believe if this premise WERE ever done on the original series, they'd have Sam leap into the transkid and get his reactions to the bigotry. And while it was sort of an eye-opening conceit to watch a white man being targeted with racism and sexism back in the 1980's and 90's, the truth is Sam can't ever really be put in the minority's shoes, and this show understands that part of it and allows Ben the role of her father instead. There was something iconic about Scott Bakula being harassed for either being black or a woman. But the reality is the messaging there is problematic because it's not real to Sam. The audience is made aware of how stupid it is, simply because the assumption is an error on the bigot's part. But it's not the same thing as giving a character like Gia her own voice and story. If Ben had Leaped into her, he wouldn't have actually had that. Worse, he probably would have had to have a huge life-altering discussion with the parents that Gia would first have no say over, and then simply not remember. That part always bothered me about the old show, and so far this sequel is steering clear of giving Ben TOO many life-altering moments with the person the he's Leaped into's loved ones. It's a tricky balance, and having Ben Leap into the father instead of Gia helps that big time.
The episode won't break any molds here, and some if it downright sucks. But it actually does a LOT better than the old show in actually having a trans person write and direct the episode, and basically researching the subject in depth ahead of time, instead of using cliches and generalities. I've never heard of accomplices or some of the terms the episode introduced me to, and that's not something that ever happened on the old show. While the old show was trying to teach the bigots who watched it something, it never taught ME anything. I'm glad to say this episode definitely did. ***1/2.
Quantum Leap "Family Style"
Solid. Heart-warming. Sappy. Decent Quantum Leap, in other words.
I love Ben's nose ring.
And I love how Ben problem-solves at the end and brings the entire family together. I don't think Sam Beckett could have done that. Maybe only because the writers of the original series thought too small about what he could and should be capable of. But Sam's help tended to be very one-on-one and personal. Ben bringing vast groups of people together feels like a different skillset and a different way to approach a crisis.
Although if I may be brutally honest, maybe Sam never swung for the fences because Al was never there for him, or as competent as Addison is. The old show instead of making Al an asset, often made him a hindrance, and a frustrating weak point. Him being a creeper that makes you cringe 30 years later was the tip of the iceberg for how useless he was. Sam could count on him when the chips were down. He was never there enough or useful enough to make it so the chips never fell down in the first place. Addison being there the entire time with info for Ben about the best place to set up the pop-up restaurant is not something Sam could ever have depended on Al for, sad to say.
I like that Ben was essentially able to tell his own mother he loved her at the end.
The part of the episode I didn't much dig was Ian's stuff. I thought it was awesome last week when it turns out he's gonna be a future Leaper, but really his entire arc in the episode was emo. That's something I really don't like about the future stuff on the relaunch.
But it was a nice enough week. ***1/2.
Quantum Leap "S.O.S."
The old show RARELY did Leaps that effected Sam or Al's immediate family. They saved those for special occasions. I like that big moments like those on the sequel means it doesn't live or die by the season premieres / finales. Regular episodes are allowed real emotional stakes.
Brandon Routh is perfect casting as Addison's father in a way the viewer can appreciate (but Addison cannot). Her father is literally Superman, and she doesn't know it, and could never see it. I think Routh was a VERY deliberate casting choice for that reason.
The stuff with Martinez at the end threw me, and is another pile of questions added to the ongoing mystery. What the hell is actually going on here?
I love the moment where Magic says he doesn't believe the Leaps are random, and that they are the "Moral Arc of the Universe" as described by Martin Luther King. Not to get too much into religion, but that's the way Sam Beckett saw it too. And it's clear Magic is the missing Dr. Beckett's biggest living acolyte.
I love that an episode that big, with that much at stake for Addison, didn't just occur outside of a premiere or finale. It was outside of Sweeps month too. It means the show believes delivering big, personal stories is something it should normally be doing from week to week, which is the correct mindset.
This episode highlights a plothole constantly inherent in Quantum Leap, and something that could be leveled at many episodes. But if whoever is controlling the Leaps wanted to make Ben's job as easy as possible, Ben would have Leaped into the Commander who screwed things up. It's more narratively interesting for Ben to have to change hearts and minds as an outsider. In reality, it would be better for all concerned if he Leaped into the person who made the mistake in the first place.
I loved Quantum Leap back before loving Quantum Leap was cool. And yet, it contained some very real narrative faults, that hit me wrong at the time, and have only looked even more appalling to me with 30 years hindsight. I like this show because it's everything I love about the old show, while fixing every single problem I ever had with it. Am I going there? Am I saying this iteration of the show is better than the original series? Unequivocal YES. I know the controversy I am stirring by saying that. But I say it because I believe it to be true.
That was a great episode. Quantum Leap has always been a bit of a fan favorite. And deeply flawed at the same. I love the sequel for reminding me of everything I loved about the original series, without ever once making me feel bad for watching it because it's dated and offensive. I love being allowed to love Quantum Leap again. Not being able to love this show as much as I used to actually hurt a bit. This show is a refreshing salve on that mental wound for that reason. ****1/2.
Quantum Leap "Ben Song For The Defense"
What people who have never seen the original series may not aware of is Quantum Leap is a rare sci-fi franchise in that episodes entirely absent mythology are actually GOOD. The franchise appealed to me because the not-gimmick episodes were solid week in and week out while the show was always shakiest during Sweeps Week.
And that's not how modern television works. Episodes that DON'T move the plot forward are considered "filler" or "monster of the week". I hope people seeing this episode appreciate a franchise like this that finds drama in the scenario itself, and feels emotionally satisfying on its own instead of making you feel impatient for them to get back to the stuff with Janice or Martinez. Frankly, it's THOSE stories that make me impatient, simply because they dole out plot points so infrequently (and sparingly when they do). It should be the drama Ben encounters on the Leaps Of The Week that sustains the show, just like it did Sam Beckett, and I'm happy to say that was the case here too, even if they changed up the hologram to Jenn to keep things interesting.
I wish Ben himself hadn't Leaped before the good news about all the characters from the restored timeline was revealed, but perhaps the fact that he Leaped at ALL told him enough.
I want more episodes like this. ****.
Quantum Leap "Ben, Interrupted"
This is all great stuff.
Ziggy being the mole is ingenious. Not only has the viewer trusted that damn computer since the original series (sort of), we've still always been led to believe there was something off about them. Now clearly Donald P Bellisario never planned THIS back in the day, but in "The Leap Back", Ziggy, as voiced by Bellisario's then wife and co-producer / writer Deborah Pratt, (who also voiced the original series' opening narration), seems antagonistic, bordering on sinister. Is this the same Ziggy? If so, the computer with a giant ego obviously had sociopathic tendencies all along.
The episode also raised an interesting question to me. Janice claims if Ben doesn't sacrifice himself at the end of that Leap, Addison will die. Clearly, for the sake of the show, neither of those things can happen. Which means, no matter HOW sure we had been led to believe Janice was, no matter how carefully planned out this all was with her and Ben, she is in error about a very big thing. And I couldn't ever say that before now until they made it a choice between Ben's life or Addison's. Magic wanting to save everyone is not just the more moral mindset, it's the one the narrative demands too. Sometimes narrative demands speak more about the reality of the fictional project than the most educated characters ever do. Ben and Addison can't die, at least not this soon into the show's run, so that makes Janice's predictions faulty. What else is she wrong about? And does knowing Ziggy is the mole change her thoughts there, or how she will approach things going forward?
Another sign Ziggy is the mole is because Martinez probably never could have Leaped without them. What's the true wild card is how Ian eventually became a Leaper. That bit doesn't add up to everything else.
I think Beth Calavicci is WAY too young. She literally looks 40 years younger than her character should be. I understand the need to bring back Susan Diol. She is so far the only actor from the original series to return. But they should have put her in age prosthetics. It is not credible she looks in her uppers fifties when Beth is probably 90 years or older.
Want to feel old? See Patrick Fischler, famous genre young punk, with white hair.
The Leap was a pretty horrific scenario. The original series also mined great drama with "Shock Theater", another Leap that weirdly had a lot to do with the series mythology too.
The Evil Leaper program is mentioned, but I don't think Martinez is to do with it. That program's computer was names Lothos. Neither Sam, Al, or Project: Quantum Leap ever heard the name, but it WAS an entirely separate enterprise. I wonder if it still even exists. For the record, I never bought the premise. Who the hell would work there in the first place? I understand Sam believe God controlled the Leaps. But really the only person the Evil Leapers could potentially answer to is the Devil Himself. I don't object to the show getting a bit mythological or Biblical. But it doesn't explain why people would work at that project.
Let me also put it in your head that as beloved of a fan premise as that was at the time, all three episodes with Alia sucked ass, especially the first. It was bad for the show. I think the writers of THIS show are a little more talented, and I would kind of want to see what they'd cook up (and both Carolyn Seymour and Hinton Battle are still alive) but I think if they can't actually figure out a good reason for that nonsense to exist in the first place, they'd do better off leaving well enough alone. The mention is more than enough for me.
I love this show very much. At this point I actually love it more than the original series. It's like everything I loved about it with none of its many disturbing faults. It's great to have Quantum Leap back on network TV in all its TV-PG glory. ****1/2.
You want to claim it's a little sappy, that's actually on-brand for the franchise. What I did like is that it took a political stand, which is something the old show did frequently, but the new show does rarely. Like it or not the Trump Administration is part of history, and the ban of transpeople in the military was an especially shameful thing. The show goes out of its way not to offend most weeks. It's encouraging it's starting to take a moral stance when it actually matters.
The worst part of the episode for me was the poetry slam. I get what it was trying to get Magic to recognize, but did it HAVE to be so badly written and acted to do it? It wasn't even funny. It was pure cringe. Granted the old show had its share of that, but I won't thank the sequel for bringing it back.
Seriously though, if you check out the original series sometime, it is almost SHOCKING the negative view it (particularly the character of Al Calavicci) takes on queerness. Somebody wants to tell me how inferior this show is to that, I'll just point out a main character here never gave Al's one word reaction to hearing somebody was gay in "Lee Harvey Oswald": "Yuck." Seriously, Scott Bakula. You are remembering your run on the show in fonder and more generous terms than it actually deserved. You are NOT actually too good for this show. You never were.
A second person in the imaging chamber IS a taboo, the old show only violated once in the episode "Raped". It feels right that it's Ian breaking this rule, when we learned the shocking revelation that he will somebody become a Future Leaper.
Random franchise notes: The Leap is set only ten years in the past. The old show was very leery of setting episodes anywhere NEAR 1999. They did 1986 and 1987 once each, I think, but the show very much frowned on putting Sam in recognizable modern settings. Of course, 1999 was the future for that show and 2022 is the present here, so that might make the difference in presentation. We also get a few more ideas what it's like for the person Leaped into during their missing time, but I'd still feel more comfortable about that if The Waiting Room was more clearly referenced and mentioned. While a Leapee's time in The Waiting Room being forgotten could be chalked up to the amnesia both Sam and the Leapee felt, while the Waiting Room is a thing, it's hard to understand how the Leapee could possibly feel like someone else was driving their body. In reality, they are in BEN'S/SAM'S/IAN'S bodies. Ben and Ian's Leapee's could be argued to work a different way, but that doesn't explain Magic describing the same sensation. The Waiting Room was a BIG part of the Old Show. I'm having a hard time believing the producers of this show aren't even aware of it. It was one of the most memorable conceits of the future elements of that show.
The episode did what a LOT of episodes on the old show did, but that this show hasn't done much of. It showed plenty of scenes in the past time period where neither Ben nor Addison were present. Another thing I want to compliment the show on, is that I believe if this premise WERE ever done on the original series, they'd have Sam leap into the transkid and get his reactions to the bigotry. And while it was sort of an eye-opening conceit to watch a white man being targeted with racism and sexism back in the 1980's and 90's, the truth is Sam can't ever really be put in the minority's shoes, and this show understands that part of it and allows Ben the role of her father instead. There was something iconic about Scott Bakula being harassed for either being black or a woman. But the reality is the messaging there is problematic because it's not real to Sam. The audience is made aware of how stupid it is, simply because the assumption is an error on the bigot's part. But it's not the same thing as giving a character like Gia her own voice and story. If Ben had Leaped into her, he wouldn't have actually had that. Worse, he probably would have had to have a huge life-altering discussion with the parents that Gia would first have no say over, and then simply not remember. That part always bothered me about the old show, and so far this sequel is steering clear of giving Ben TOO many life-altering moments with the person the he's Leaped into's loved ones. It's a tricky balance, and having Ben Leap into the father instead of Gia helps that big time.
The episode won't break any molds here, and some if it downright sucks. But it actually does a LOT better than the old show in actually having a trans person write and direct the episode, and basically researching the subject in depth ahead of time, instead of using cliches and generalities. I've never heard of accomplices or some of the terms the episode introduced me to, and that's not something that ever happened on the old show. While the old show was trying to teach the bigots who watched it something, it never taught ME anything. I'm glad to say this episode definitely did. ***1/2.
Quantum Leap "Family Style"
Solid. Heart-warming. Sappy. Decent Quantum Leap, in other words.
I love Ben's nose ring.
And I love how Ben problem-solves at the end and brings the entire family together. I don't think Sam Beckett could have done that. Maybe only because the writers of the original series thought too small about what he could and should be capable of. But Sam's help tended to be very one-on-one and personal. Ben bringing vast groups of people together feels like a different skillset and a different way to approach a crisis.
Although if I may be brutally honest, maybe Sam never swung for the fences because Al was never there for him, or as competent as Addison is. The old show instead of making Al an asset, often made him a hindrance, and a frustrating weak point. Him being a creeper that makes you cringe 30 years later was the tip of the iceberg for how useless he was. Sam could count on him when the chips were down. He was never there enough or useful enough to make it so the chips never fell down in the first place. Addison being there the entire time with info for Ben about the best place to set up the pop-up restaurant is not something Sam could ever have depended on Al for, sad to say.
I like that Ben was essentially able to tell his own mother he loved her at the end.
The part of the episode I didn't much dig was Ian's stuff. I thought it was awesome last week when it turns out he's gonna be a future Leaper, but really his entire arc in the episode was emo. That's something I really don't like about the future stuff on the relaunch.
But it was a nice enough week. ***1/2.
Quantum Leap "S.O.S."
The old show RARELY did Leaps that effected Sam or Al's immediate family. They saved those for special occasions. I like that big moments like those on the sequel means it doesn't live or die by the season premieres / finales. Regular episodes are allowed real emotional stakes.
Brandon Routh is perfect casting as Addison's father in a way the viewer can appreciate (but Addison cannot). Her father is literally Superman, and she doesn't know it, and could never see it. I think Routh was a VERY deliberate casting choice for that reason.
The stuff with Martinez at the end threw me, and is another pile of questions added to the ongoing mystery. What the hell is actually going on here?
I love the moment where Magic says he doesn't believe the Leaps are random, and that they are the "Moral Arc of the Universe" as described by Martin Luther King. Not to get too much into religion, but that's the way Sam Beckett saw it too. And it's clear Magic is the missing Dr. Beckett's biggest living acolyte.
I love that an episode that big, with that much at stake for Addison, didn't just occur outside of a premiere or finale. It was outside of Sweeps month too. It means the show believes delivering big, personal stories is something it should normally be doing from week to week, which is the correct mindset.
This episode highlights a plothole constantly inherent in Quantum Leap, and something that could be leveled at many episodes. But if whoever is controlling the Leaps wanted to make Ben's job as easy as possible, Ben would have Leaped into the Commander who screwed things up. It's more narratively interesting for Ben to have to change hearts and minds as an outsider. In reality, it would be better for all concerned if he Leaped into the person who made the mistake in the first place.
I loved Quantum Leap back before loving Quantum Leap was cool. And yet, it contained some very real narrative faults, that hit me wrong at the time, and have only looked even more appalling to me with 30 years hindsight. I like this show because it's everything I love about the old show, while fixing every single problem I ever had with it. Am I going there? Am I saying this iteration of the show is better than the original series? Unequivocal YES. I know the controversy I am stirring by saying that. But I say it because I believe it to be true.
That was a great episode. Quantum Leap has always been a bit of a fan favorite. And deeply flawed at the same. I love the sequel for reminding me of everything I loved about the original series, without ever once making me feel bad for watching it because it's dated and offensive. I love being allowed to love Quantum Leap again. Not being able to love this show as much as I used to actually hurt a bit. This show is a refreshing salve on that mental wound for that reason. ****1/2.
Quantum Leap "Ben Song For The Defense"
What people who have never seen the original series may not aware of is Quantum Leap is a rare sci-fi franchise in that episodes entirely absent mythology are actually GOOD. The franchise appealed to me because the not-gimmick episodes were solid week in and week out while the show was always shakiest during Sweeps Week.
And that's not how modern television works. Episodes that DON'T move the plot forward are considered "filler" or "monster of the week". I hope people seeing this episode appreciate a franchise like this that finds drama in the scenario itself, and feels emotionally satisfying on its own instead of making you feel impatient for them to get back to the stuff with Janice or Martinez. Frankly, it's THOSE stories that make me impatient, simply because they dole out plot points so infrequently (and sparingly when they do). It should be the drama Ben encounters on the Leaps Of The Week that sustains the show, just like it did Sam Beckett, and I'm happy to say that was the case here too, even if they changed up the hologram to Jenn to keep things interesting.
I wish Ben himself hadn't Leaped before the good news about all the characters from the restored timeline was revealed, but perhaps the fact that he Leaped at ALL told him enough.
I want more episodes like this. ****.
Quantum Leap "Ben, Interrupted"
This is all great stuff.
Ziggy being the mole is ingenious. Not only has the viewer trusted that damn computer since the original series (sort of), we've still always been led to believe there was something off about them. Now clearly Donald P Bellisario never planned THIS back in the day, but in "The Leap Back", Ziggy, as voiced by Bellisario's then wife and co-producer / writer Deborah Pratt, (who also voiced the original series' opening narration), seems antagonistic, bordering on sinister. Is this the same Ziggy? If so, the computer with a giant ego obviously had sociopathic tendencies all along.
The episode also raised an interesting question to me. Janice claims if Ben doesn't sacrifice himself at the end of that Leap, Addison will die. Clearly, for the sake of the show, neither of those things can happen. Which means, no matter HOW sure we had been led to believe Janice was, no matter how carefully planned out this all was with her and Ben, she is in error about a very big thing. And I couldn't ever say that before now until they made it a choice between Ben's life or Addison's. Magic wanting to save everyone is not just the more moral mindset, it's the one the narrative demands too. Sometimes narrative demands speak more about the reality of the fictional project than the most educated characters ever do. Ben and Addison can't die, at least not this soon into the show's run, so that makes Janice's predictions faulty. What else is she wrong about? And does knowing Ziggy is the mole change her thoughts there, or how she will approach things going forward?
Another sign Ziggy is the mole is because Martinez probably never could have Leaped without them. What's the true wild card is how Ian eventually became a Leaper. That bit doesn't add up to everything else.
I think Beth Calavicci is WAY too young. She literally looks 40 years younger than her character should be. I understand the need to bring back Susan Diol. She is so far the only actor from the original series to return. But they should have put her in age prosthetics. It is not credible she looks in her uppers fifties when Beth is probably 90 years or older.
Want to feel old? See Patrick Fischler, famous genre young punk, with white hair.
The Leap was a pretty horrific scenario. The original series also mined great drama with "Shock Theater", another Leap that weirdly had a lot to do with the series mythology too.
The Evil Leaper program is mentioned, but I don't think Martinez is to do with it. That program's computer was names Lothos. Neither Sam, Al, or Project: Quantum Leap ever heard the name, but it WAS an entirely separate enterprise. I wonder if it still even exists. For the record, I never bought the premise. Who the hell would work there in the first place? I understand Sam believe God controlled the Leaps. But really the only person the Evil Leapers could potentially answer to is the Devil Himself. I don't object to the show getting a bit mythological or Biblical. But it doesn't explain why people would work at that project.
Let me also put it in your head that as beloved of a fan premise as that was at the time, all three episodes with Alia sucked ass, especially the first. It was bad for the show. I think the writers of THIS show are a little more talented, and I would kind of want to see what they'd cook up (and both Carolyn Seymour and Hinton Battle are still alive) but I think if they can't actually figure out a good reason for that nonsense to exist in the first place, they'd do better off leaving well enough alone. The mention is more than enough for me.
I love this show very much. At this point I actually love it more than the original series. It's like everything I loved about it with none of its many disturbing faults. It's great to have Quantum Leap back on network TV in all its TV-PG glory. ****1/2.