Review of Quantum Leap: Season 2 (3 Discs)

Introduction

"Dr Sam Beckett theorising that time travel is possible in his own lifetime jumps into the quantum accelerator and disappears. He wakes in a life that is not his own…"

So far so second series. The show ran to five seasons in the end and after a period of below average film appearances Bakula emerged triumphant (although now cancelled) in Star Trek Enterprise though many fans would be keen to see him play Sam again.

As Beckett, Bakula is an endearing and sympathetic character. In many ways he is like MacGyver. He has to think on his feet and occasionally in a pinafore. His own sense of morality helps solve the problems he has been set usually he does not get to stay around and enjoy his victory. I`m always curious to know how on earth his leapees get up to speed on what they`ve missed.

Because of the leap Sam is doomed to have a series of temporary relationships, he is always trying to get home. This involves making moral decisions and taking action that he hopes will have the right effect. He has guidance from Al who is present in hologram form. This means no physical help but it does make certain things easier. Al is Sam`s own Sat Nav system and that`s very useful when you`re in a hurry.

The show isn`t content with purely domestic issues. However the budget does mean that it rarely strays out of its geographic boundaries. The only instance I can remember was in another season when Sam turned up in Vietnam, which was being doubled by California. The show also limits itself to within Sam`s own lifetime which excludes any major expense in costume and location. Yet,despite its obvious limitations Quantum Leap often deals with social and political issues and to attempt that in 40 minutes is a feat in itself.

Episodes are as follows:

Disc One Side One

A Honeymoon Express

Sam is "newly married" and must resist the temptations of his lovely `wife` and stop her being murdered by her brutal ex-hisband.

Disco Inferno

This time Sam is a stuntman who must prevent his little brother from being killed in a dangerous stunt. This features scenes from "Earthquake".

The Americanisation of Machiko

Sam is a returning soldier who has brought his Japanese bride to meet his parents. His mother is still mourning his sister and is vehemently against both the marriage and the fact that Machiko is Japanese.

What Price Gloria?

Sam leaps in as a woman and must prevent his flat mate from committing suicide whilst fending off a creepy boss`s advances.

Disc One Side Two

Blind Faith

As a blind pianist Sam must stop his girlfriend being murdered and persuade her mother to let her follow her dream. Luckily Sam had learnt to play in his own life and calls on this. The subject of piano playing arises again in "Catch a Falling Star".

Good Morning Preoria

DJ Sam uses his knowledge to make his rock and roll show very popular except with the local council who want to ban the` devil` music. Features an appearance by Chubby Checker.

Thou Shalt Not…

Sam is a rabbi who must stop his sister-in-law having an affair with a writer. The rabbi`s brother and his wife are unable to express their grief and guilt over the loss of their teenage son and Sam must try to heal the rift before the family falls apart. Features Russ Tamblyn (Tom Thumb).

Jimmy

Sam leaps into a mentally challenged man who must retain his job and help his brother to avoid ending his days in an institute. Features Michael Madsen in a supporting role.

Disc 2 Side One

So help me God

This time Sam is, by way of "To Kill a Mocking Bird", defending an African American girl accused of killing a white boy in the Deep South of the late 50`s.

Catch a Falling Star

Sam leaps in to be an understudy to the lead actor in Man of La Mancha. He must stop the obnoxious actor from falling to his death. He also meets his old piano teacher and lives out his crush now he is closer to her age. Features songs from Man of La Mancha and cast members.

A Portrait for Troian

A spooky episode which introduces the supernatural which you think is going to be debunked until the last few moments. Sam tries to prevent a young widow from having a nervous breakdown; she believes her husband is calling to her from beyond the grave.

Animal Frat

In the era of the Vietnam War Sam leaps into a lazy student, frat member Somehow he has to get close enough to a female activist to stop her planting a bomb in the chemistry department.

Disc 2 Side Two

Another Mother

Sam in a skirt again. He has to deal with a teenager who wants to lose his virginity and a younger child who sees Sam not her mother and gets chatty with Al.

All Americans

American football and immigration issues: Sam has to stop a close friend from throwing a game and his chances of a scholarship.

Her Charm

Sam has to help the helpless and stop his `protected witness` from losing her head. He is working on this when he gets closer than he should.

Freedom

A rare episode; it seems to have a budget. There are location shoots. Sam is a Native American who must help his Granddad get back to the reservation to die in peace. Sam gets to ride a horse.


Disc 3 Side One

Good Night, Dear Heart

This time Sam is a coroner who suspects a suicide is more than it appears. Sam`s so intent on helping the dead girl he becomes infatuated with her memory.

Most notable guest star apart from Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) from "Star Trek: Voyager" is Marcia Cross currently being rather fantastic as the Stepford-inspired Bree Van de Kamp in "Desperate Housewives".

Pool Hall Blues

As occasionally happens Sam must acquire a skill, this time playing a decent game of pool to help his Grandfather.

Leaping in Without a Net

More 101`s for Sam and this time its trapeze work; perhaps Charlie Dimmock can help.

Maybe Baby

Sam has to baby-sit a tot whilst heading across America.
Raising Arizona anyone?

Disc 3 Side Two

Sea Bride

Sam is the returnee ex-husband of a woman about to marry a gangster. To make matters worse they are on the Queen Mary. Somebody`s been watching High Society.

M.I.A

In the heartbreaking finale Sam arrives as an undercover cop who puts his partner in danger when misguided by Al. Trying to stop a the wife of a missing naval Officer from falling in love with someone new leads to distressing moments for both Sam and Al.

Elements of the plot evoke memories of the film "Ghost" which came out in the same year, happily no clay is involved.

General gripes:

`False Leaps`

False leaps` are still at the end of certain episodes. This is a little confusing but apparently it is where the network inserted a repeat from the first season into the running order.

Flipper Discs

This keeps the cost down but is annoying to change discs. There are good episode menus to compensate and they at least don`t include an item on the menu if you need to change the disc. As previously noted these are annoying for most people rather than a problem.

Video

I was pleasantly surprised by the generally good picture quality with natural looking skin tones. There is no evidence of any problem with compression and on the whole the picture is clear and reasonably sharp.

Audio

A huge bone of contention has arisen here for which I must thank my fellow reviewer Jitendar Canth for pointing me towards. The show had a lot of original music in when broadcast much of which has been excised for this release. Cost it seems has been the monster that has resulted in many tracks being cut and replaced with bland musac. It is very noticeable in certain places especially in the episode about a DJ and in the season finale. It is a real shame that the effect of the music always a strong point has been so watered down.

This continues to be an issue with further releases of this and other shows that rely heavily on popular music rather than an original score. Some shows such as Buffy used little known artists which had the beneficial effect that they were retained rather more cheaply for the DVD release.

Fuller details of the missing tracks can be found at www.quantumleap-alsplace.com/mediapages/dvdseasontwo.htm

Features

Despite being billed on the box there`s nowt happening here. It seems they changed their mind after the box was printed. Nice box though. Hmm.

Conclusion

With so much nostalgia TV being put onto DVD it will never be a thing of the past (boom, boom). But if you have fond memories of a programme you don`t necessarily want to ruin it by actually watchin` the darn thing again!

Phew, I still love Quantum Leap. Its occasionally over simplistic approaches and conveniently placed leaps of logic are forgivable because its such fun to watch. Despite being churned out for 22 weeks it managed to produce above average drama every time.

Sam Beckett is an all round nice guy and as an ordinary bloke with no special powers and he tries to do his best. Having an extraordinary helper, Al who has online access to addtional facts means he has more chance " to put right what once went wrong". As TV with a social conscience it is usually even-handed and does not get bogged down with the `issues` it deals with. The two regulars Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell are the odd couple incarnate but they are just as capable of purveying deeper emotions when necessary.

Disappointing as this release is with its excised music and lack of any bonus items the series stand up well in comparison with pretty much anything on TV at the moment and I would still recommend a purchase.

The creator of Quantum Leap, Donald Bellisario is currently working on JAG and NCIS but is quoted as actively reviving Quantum Leap,its listed as a project on imdb.com Stockwell, also currently in JAG is likely to be a regular with Bakula at least guesting. The main leaper is going to be Sam`s daughter-that`s how much times have changed. Somehow a woman leaping into a man`s body wouldn`t be as funny. Still, its good timing, as it looks like Sam Beckett is unexpectedly available for more leaping!