To say I’m wary about the new “Quantum Leap” reboot sequel series is to put it mildly. Back in the early 1990’s, QL was my jam. It was one of the fandoms I was heavily invested in. Between that, Transformers, and Spider-Man, my geek brain was satisifed. I watched every episode. I taped repeats on USA network. I bought all the novels. I had every issue of the short-lived comic, and if you look in the right parts of the Internet, you can even find my name on the Official Usenet Quantum Leap Comic Book Guide, something I maintained very briefly as the series came to a close.
I bought the calendar. And the CD soundtrack. And other stuff tangentially related to Quantum Leap through the stars. Later, I’d get autographs and pictures with Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell. And in the near thirty years since the show ended, I’ve had the same thought — BRING “QUANTUM LEAP” BACK! I’d eagerly lap up any rumors of a continuation. I’d go to cons to hear people talk about new plans. I prayed to God/Time/Fate/Whatever that He/She/It would bring Sam back. Countless shows were coming back with new episodes these past few years, why not QL?
Then Dean Stockwell’s health deteriorated. That’s when I gave up any hope of the show returning. We had already lost Gooshie. To do the show without Sam or Al? It wouldn’t be “Quantum Leap”. It just wouldn’t.
Yet, suddenly, there were were late last year when the rumors intensified. And suddenly a pilot was being filmed. Seriously? They’re going to do that? Um… okay. Several years too late, probably.
Then Dean died. I was shattered. At the time I couldn’t articulate what his death meant to me. I still can’t quite express it. Dean through Al represented someone who ultimately wanted to do good and to love and be loved. Al’s attitude towards women was neanderthalic, to put it bluntly, but in his heart, he was hurting for his lost love. And he was missing his friend. And he just wanted to help Sam help people so he could come home. He represented a flawed human being that had his vices and his problems but at the core was good and decent.
Dean made Al more than just a womanizer. He made Al human, someone you could love in spite of his flaws. And his rapport with Scott made you believe these two were truly the best of friends. Sam and Al…. Scott and Dean… the friendship was plain to see.
So here we are, about to start the new show. And there have been several red flags. The show runner left shortly after filming started. The pilot episode isn’t being shown right now, and we’re starting with episode 2. Scott Bakula posted a cryptic message saying he had been asked to appear and turned it down, but didn’t say why. There are lots of things that make me worry that this show has the deck stacked against it. And that’s ignoring the big thing that it’s not Sam and Al. It’s new characters and new dynamics that may not recreate the wonderful show the original was.
But something that Scott said did hold true — this is a time when we do need to be able to walk a mile in another person’s shoes. We need a show that’s about helping people no matter who they are or what they did. It’s time to put things right that once went wrong. Maybe, just maybe…. this show can bring that to a new generation.
I’m trying to have hope. I’m trying to go in there knowing it won’t be my “Quantum Leap”. Maybe, though, maybe it’ll leap into greatness. I’ll be watching and hoping.