Unsolved Mysteries Of Quantum Leap With Donald P. Bellisario | Unsolved Mysteries | Ars Technica

[@kenasche3114]

I would like to thank Mr. Bellisario for the two part show where Sam try's to stop his brother from going to Vietnam, The date on the leap was October 1969, My Brother was in Vietnam 1969, But for a 9yr. old kid I could not leap to save my brother. My brother Jim was killed January 8, 1969. The date is also My Birthday. Im not mad at the show, watching Sam & Al always gave me Hope. Thank You Again.

[@Mawds69]

When he plays Imagine always makes me teary.

[@Vggincidently]

I want to write something impactful and meaningful but all I can think of is that Your brother is very proud of You.

[@hariszark7396]

Oh man, my favorite episodes.....!!!! Gives me goosebumps to think of it. Also, sorry about your loss. I know how it feels.

[@daneflynn4979]

Sorry for your loss mate. May you brother be honoured for his sacrifice and Rest In Peace as deserved.

[@jimdavis6833]

Sorry for your loss. RETIRED VIETNAM VET 1965 - 1966, 1967 - 1968

[@ReigginHilderbrand]

Quantum Leap represented the positivity of the late 80's/early 90's. End of the Cold War, etc. So much enthusiasm and the hope of undoing the mistakes of the past. I'm not so sure we could muster the same optimism today.

[@phaolo6]

(except for the ending)

[@CameronHuff]

Thanks to everything that happened after 9/11, I agree with you.

[@Nine-Signs]

@@Derezzer many of the episodes were about the ramifications and results of politics, from black liberation to cold war test pilots to women's rights & more.

[@OCtheG]

I couldn’t agree more, Reiggin

[@Nine-Signs]

@@Derezzer The core arc of its stories are in the past not the present or future so anything political would be in reference to past events and usually from the perspective of an ordinary person living those past events. Why fear stories that present ramifications of political situations so long as they do it with due care and attention. They are not supposed to be taken as factual accounts as such, they are fictional stories informed by events of the day.

[@ryancoulter4797]

Was kind of hoping last week, as NCIS New Orleans ended, we’d get a surprise ending with Bakula’s character disappearing in a flash of blue light and a surprise cameo from Dean Stockwell saying, “Welcome home, Sam.”

[@calicohearts1001]

That would have been fantastic!

[@beckymurphy4714]

Sadly, that could not happen - Dean suffered two strokes a few years ago and has no memory of doing the show. He is officially retired from acting, and living in New Zealand with his son.

[@ryancoulter4797]

@@beckymurphy4714 Aw. :-( my apologies. I hadn’t heard. Hopefully he’s well as he can be. glad to know his son is in NZ. They’ve been lucky dealing with Covid there. Does he remember Paris, Texas or is a general amnesia?

[@vernonsanders9696]

I haven't seen that episode yet, but was kind of hoping the same.

[@AlbertonBeastmaster]

@@beckymurphy4714 That's so sad, poor Dean.

[@x7slim8x]

So many great memories watching Quantum Leap with my father when I was a little boy.

[@richardvinsen2385]

That was my father! I think you leapt into my body.

[@ilovethe80s74]

Same watching with my mom. Very warm memories. Rest easy mom.

[@x7slim8x]

@@richardvinsen2385 😂😆

[@jaymartini]

I would watch it with my Grandfather.

[@alecaquino4306]

Your comment captures exactly what was so great about the show. I'm with you 100%

[@noco6799]

Quantum Leap and MacGyver two of the most original shows of youth.

[@jmeszaros]

Just watched this after discovering 1 hour before that Dean Stockwell had passed away last November. R.I.P. Mr. Stockwell. I loved you as Al in Quantum Leap, and even as the evil Cylon in the Battlestar Galactica reboot! Thank you for all the wonderful roles you played!

[@sadomars2446]

You think he saw your comment?

[@video2000ification]

Honestly, the comment about Al not dying aged quickly and poorly. But he's alive in the character's hearts

[@unholycheeseburger]

@@video2000ification agreed

[@eljay2224]

Has everyone been watching the new series? It seems to be answering some of our questions. Im enjoying it

[@unholycheeseburger]

@@eljay2224 I've watched a few. Seems decent but hasn't really grabbed me.

[@argonwheatbelly637]

The final card always makes me cry, not because he never returned home, but because it resonated with me that kind of choice.

[@Otokichi786]

Look at the movie "Arrival," which presents the "circular" aspect of Time.

[@IMeMineWho]

I never saw the final episode. Aw..

[@digitalworms]

@@IMeMineWho right now they are airing episodes on scifi channel because of the new show!

[@Bozboo]

I found it disrespectful that they tacked it on the end so quickly they spelled Sam's last name wrong. Go have a look. They spell it Becket, not Beckett.

[@howardjones6432]

@@IMeMineWho stream on NBC.

[@CybershamanX]

What a wonderful show. Damn it, I feel like my parents. "They just don't make shows like they did when we were younger..." ;)

[@miketabor2426]

Where was this mentioned? Would love to learn more about this.

[@CybershamanX]

@@miketabor2426 Where was what mentioned? Sorry, but I don't quite understand. 😕

[@Inertia888]

@@miketabor2426 OP's parents' mentioned it, years ago and now, as an older person, probably the age of the parents when they said it, OP is saying the same thing now. At least, that's what happened to me.

[@NameHere2243]

i dont think you are looking if you say that

[@CybershamanX]

@@Inertia888 Sorry I missed your reply, but that's a very good explanation of what I meant. Thanks! Take care! :)

[@rndmevil]

Could bring back Scott Bakula, and have a story about Sam Beckett's daughter following in her dad's footsteps, trying to bring her missing dad home. I'd watch that.

[@Admiral_Pumpout]

Me too, use stock footage of Dean Stockwell to bring Al back, Sam returns, an interval of a few years after where they upgrade the design, Al has retired so Sam does his job and his daughter leaps. Something else is flawed sticking her in the loop and awwwaaaay we go!

[@williamperkins9349]

I heard the plan was a son

[@irottaalfurinn2539]

@cyotee doge no he didn't how did he have a daughter then

[@thequantaleaper]

@cyotee doge What do you mean he died lol

[@costasspartan1894]

Sam leaps into an Alternate universe and into the world of Sliders lol

[@michaelminneci648]

I personally would have like to see Sam leap home. The whole premise of the show was leaping through time putting right what once went wrong, hope his next leap, will be the LEAP HOME!!!!! I felt fans watch the show for 5 years enjoying all the lives Sam leaped into, but always knowing in the end he will leap home. I was disappointed in the finale at the time, it was only years later that I've made peace with Sam choosing to continue to leap. Still one of my favorite shows in High School.

[@jkdbuck7670]

Same here. But Sam figured out that he was the one who was keeping himself from going home. Wasn't God. Wasn't Fate. It was Sam. Such a great show.

[@Charok1]

@@jkdbuck7670 no he didn't that is a stupid idea

[@OneGaurdian]

I wasn't happy with that revelation either. Especially considering the fact that he had a wife waiting for him back in his time. Plus, if it was within his power to return home at any point he couldn't punch in, then punch out, and be back with his Mrs. for supper?

[@eljay2224]

Has everyone been watching the new series? It seems to be answering some of our questions. Im enjoying it

[@tomservo75]

Me too, well they had that opportunity with the new series, but Scott Bakula seemingly wants nothing to do with it. Which upset me at first but the more I see of what the new show has become, I can't say I blame him.

[@kato64]

I just happened to catch the final episode on TV a couple of weeks ago. I still felt that twinge of sadness when the final clip comes up, and explained that Sam never came home.

[@christianmills7728]

I can't put into words how important and uplifting this show was as I was growing up. It was so positive, fun and at times truly heart wrenching. The chemistry was perfect and as much as I would love it to continue it shouldn't. Just like the old Top Gear, some things just can't be made the same. I'm just happy that I was around to enjoy this wonderful show and will always have fond memories of it and the time I was young. Thank you Donald x

[@RedSiegfried]

It occurred to me recently that with Sam only leaping into his own lifetime it was an easy way to cash in on Baby Boomer nostalgia. But as Bellisario said, it also kept the budget down and made it a very grounded and believable drama instead of going hard into science fiction.

[@jasondecharleroy4161]

No Baby Boomer nostalgia here. I was ten years old when the show came on the air. Our family had just finished watching something (don't remember what it was) and the show was announced as a new series "coming up next". On a whim we decided to watch it and I was instantly hooked.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

I got interested in a lot of history thanks to Quantum leap (I was born in '75) - now in later life I appreciate it's utterly rational approach (i.e. not giving in to the bonkers JFK conspiritard theories)

[@thequantaleaper]

Back to the Future was popular in the mid-late 80's and they definitely saw the allure of bringing back that time period would use nostalgia as a hook. You'll notice many of the episodes featuring the 50's and 60's for this reason.

[@69Jackjones69]

Exactly. I rewatched the series recently and I always said to myself during the intro: "Due to budget constraints, Dr. Sam Beckett is only able to time travel within his own lifetime."

[@michele695]

Best show ever ! My favorite was when Sam was singing " imagine " . Scott Bacula has never been recognized for the beautiful job in his singing of that song.

[@eurogryphon]

Bruce McGill is such an underrated actor. He perfectly fits into whatever role he is given (MacGyver, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Voyager, etc.).

[@kristine7524]

You are so right.

[@darktimesatrockymountainhi4046]

Animal House!

[@markcadieux3445]

D-Day

[@Christopher_J]

I seem to remember him playing the role of a judge in some TV series which he played the heck out of!

[@mrchiefbs]

I met Scott bakula a long time ago completely by accident and it was awesome. Great guy and actor.

[@mariolopez3728]

How did you meet Scott Bakula by accident? Did you know he was famous then? Did you get his autograph?

[@chrisjohnson7094]

I meet him in a London Star Trek convention, he was so nice and took time to talk to all his fans, honestly what a great guy

[@mrchiefbs]

@@mariolopez3728 I went to a comic con with my mom when I was a kid in Chicago. (No idea he was going to be there) I grew up watching QL reruns with her. We were at a walking dead booth and went to go look for comics. I walked past Scott and in disbelief told him that Quantum Leap was my favorite show, he looked super confused, assuming I was a Star Trek fan. I was like a 14 year old kid in 2012. He was so nice and talked with us for 10 minutes. I'll never forget it.

[@quatz1981]

I practically cried at the end of the last episode when it first aired when i was a kid. I didn't realise at the time that it was the final episode until those few words at the end which say "Sam never leaped home".

[@JollyRogerVF84]

I wished there would be a final season, with Scott Bakula, where Sam Backett finds his way home.

[@gammaloth]

I’m still waiting for that season :)

[@JollyRogerVF84]

@@gammaloth He would definitely still be fit for one final season. :D

[@hrdknox2000]

Holy CRAP!!! I had no idea Bellisario served in the military, much less with THE Lee Harvey Oswald! This show shaped my worldview and, in some ways, my own leadership style when I was in the Army!

[@markcadieux3445]

In most of the episodes, Sam was making history happened like it was supposed to. In the LHO episodes he was. trying to change history.

[@TheSuzberry]

This was one of my favorite shows - of all time.

[@jameshiggins.openworld]

Sam to me was like an angel moving through time . and I loved that

[@Sharks0770]

My father died when I was 5 years old. Going back in time is something I dream about to see my dad. Love this show!

[@kelf114]

❤️

[@KenKopper]

I wish Sam could have fixed my brother's life.

[@jasonmushersee]

shaking tent ceremony

[@mal74]

@@KenKopper Mine too.

[@digiprez77]

Growing up my two favorite shows were Quantum Leap and The Wonder Years... Curiously, both series ended in the same week in May of 1993. The Leap Home Parts 1 and 2 are possibly my favorite episodes from any series, they are some of the best TV ever created.

[@thatsright4194]

Sometimes quantum leap could be hit or miss. I enjoyed most episodes, but sometimes the show would get off the rails a little bit. Season 5 stunk and the finally was God awful. Now I know the finally wasn't supposed to be the last episode so I blame the studio for that debacle.

[@pferreira1983]

@@thatsright4194 Season 5 had lots of good stories.

[@blacklight4075]

Same with my 8 yr old twin sons. Their favorite part is the leap out/in while Sam is saying Tommmmmmmmmm!!!!!!

[@genon70]

I was free up here. I was always free...

[@Inertia888]

When I was a little kid, my cousins and I used to gather in front of the TV with my aunt and uncle to watch both of those shows, every week. Some of my fondest memories!

[@jackdubz4247]

If there's one show we need more of in these messed up times it's Quantum Leap.

[@glyph2011]

This wins KZbin today. Absolutely marvellous!! Quantum Leap is a pretty special show. 👍

[@mactheknife7049]

Netflix: get this man a development deal and a writing staff, right now. You piss away 50 times the amount you'd spend on a great show like this and produce drek. Here's a chance to fix that.

[@Hippie-chick]

YES! Scott is free now! Bring Quantum Leap back. Of we can't have Dean Stockwell, give us someone just as good!

[@jingomcbright3687]

Even without the same actors in the main roles, this could be a bogging big hit. Of course, each actor could cameo(notwithstanding Dean's tragic circumstances and unwillingness to participate), but I love the premise of the show.

[@AirwolfArchive]

He’s retired. I don’t think he’d have the energy for it. He says he’d love to do it again...but I doubt they’d let him. His age would be a concern and it’s real grunt work putting a show like that together.

[@standardofexcellence]

Damn right

[@jamesdlin7]

"Here's a chance to fix that." Surely you mean: here's a chance to put right what once went wrong...

[@st.charlesstreet9876]

All I can say is Thank You Donated Bellisario for such great writing and all the Actors that played the roles. Also, TY for making this post. I love the show.❤️

[@davidedwardsme]

My childhood right there; helped shape my imagination and the person i would become; thank you Mr Bellisario for creating inspiring memories.

[@TrumbullComic]

I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to know that Donald Bellisario also disliked the Evil Leaper.

[@pauladams1915]

Absolutely loved Quantum Leap, but i always feel a sense of sadness that Sam is still out there somewhere unable to get back and find peace

[@Otokichi786]

The movie, "Arrival" (2016) considers Time as a circle, like "Slaughterhouse Five." Seen that way, "Dr. Sam Beckett" is "riding the circle" of his life," and isn't trapped at all.

[@mem1701movies]

He chooses to continue to help people

[@markcadieux3445]

@@Otokichi786 If you go far enough into the future you reach the past.

[@sunilp5773]

There was a show in the early 2000s called Journeyman which felt very much like Quantum Leap. It got cancelled after one season as it got hit in the writers strike. I’d highly recommend it. I loved Quantum Leap, still do. Journeyman felt like it could have been something amazing too.

[@mem1701movies]

No point in watching that show. While it was good it got cancelled without resolution.

[@snowdiddley4634]

Thank you so much for the closure! For thirty years I’ve wondered. One of the best shows ever. Sammy Jo, your up, PLEASE!

[@Frellyouall]

I recently finished watching the entire box set of this. Loved it but spent a lot of time saying "Don't think about it too much! Just enjoy the show!"

[@lynngreen7978]

The show broke my heart so many times. But in the best way.

[@reedsawyer5704]

Don, thank you for creating this amazing show. Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell created such amazing chemistry that it's still loved o this very day. Although I wish the reboot all the success in the world, I don't think that it can ever be replaced.

[@jameskilrain38]

Agreed,as least the reboot is entertaining.

[@ocdadd3775]

I probably read too much into it, as I often do (lol), but I felt that when Sam visited Beth and told her that Al was coming home, that altered Al's timeline. As the show said, Beth never remarried so Al's life would have been much different. He never met Sam, never went to work on Project Quantum Leap and because of that, Sam was left leaping without a guide. That's why he could never return home. In essence, Sam was trapped in the past now with no way out, which is why he was so emotional talking to the bartender, "I want to go home! But I can't. I have a wrong to put right for Al." He knew making that choice would trap him forever but he did it for the love of a friend. And Al would never know what a friend Sam was to him; he sacrificed himself. Or maybe Sam woke up and said, "Damn Donna! I just had the most intense dream!" ;p

[@sandeec6381]

Your theory about Al and Beth, Al’s changed timeline, and Al and Sam never meeting thus Sam didn’t have Al as guide, were my thoughts exactly when the show ended. Glad they didn’t use “dreamed it” ;-)

[@graciearchangel3171]

Omg! I thought the same thing!🙂👍 Except for the last part of him waking up from a dream, that would have ticked me off about as much as the written ending that we got.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

A deleted scene shows that Beth never remarried and she and Al had kids, but Al and Sam still met and worked on the Quantum Leap project together. Sam is no longer leaping into other people's lives but just leaping through time as himself, and Al and the others don't know where he is and will try to find him. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5ComXyme5l2rcU

[@javeedsultan8484]

Spooky, my thoughts exactly the time line from Beth and Al onwards would have changed Don't forget Al was instrumental in helping getting the project up and running The last episode sees noone in the waiting room, (theory with no one in the waiting room when Sam leaps he doesn't leap into anyone but leaps as himself somewhere in time) Al getting back with Beth means one or two things, the project never gets the funding so the project gets moth balled Or Sam goes to the private sector to get funding but in this reality he doesn't leap into others but leaps and appears as himself as a drifter

[@calvinpayne23]

I figured that with Al out then there would simply be another observer on the project just like that British guy, I forget his name, who replaced him in that one episode where Sam leaped into Al because Al was no longer alive in the present due to losing his court case and was executed in the past.

[@Teckno77]

Brilliant show loved the final episode but slightly confused about Donald's comment regarding Al leaping on with Sam. I remember from the final episode the premise being Sam's final act of selflessness to Al personally was to tell his wife in the past he was coming home. In doing this Al never ends up joining the Quantum Leap project and therefore could not be with Sam going forward if he continued leaping. I also was given the impression that either Sam leaped into nothingness at the end due to his last action helping Al, either that or if he did keep leaping it was actually the bartender or God etc. Would be helping him somehow if he continued leaping. That was always my impressions from the series and the end episode anyway, but great series regardless.

[@michiganjack1337]

It was the first tv show I couldn’t miss and was very special. Years before I really got into Star Trek, Quantum Leap was there inspiring my imagination.

[@oatlord]

Man, Don has influenced culture so much over the years. Amazing to think of all the stuff he's created.

[@seanabbins5481]

I watched the show in the early 90's, but didn't see every episode. I've been watching it recently and only in the last few months have I seen the episodes with the evil leapers, Sam's daughter, Lee Harvey Oswald, him leaping into Al, him leaping into himself as a teenager, the pilot and the finale. As much as a liked the show back then, I think I had missed some of the best episodes and I now appreciate the show even more. When he leaped into "regular" people, it was a charming show that had a format similar to the Incredible Hulk. But these "special" episodes were truly classics and I loved them.

[@OUTSIDER40]

The end of Quantum leap broke my heart 💔

[@--Fish]

Same here

[@Punmaster9001]

I grew up on this show! OMG, I loved the time travel aspects, the history lessons, even if the stories were made up, it shined a light on historical events. I'd like to think Sam made it back home at least once more if only to say goodbye to his loved ones. And even being a fan that wished Sam had made it home, I'm glad it was the choice of the creator to make and not forced by the cancelation. That is the character of Sam, after all, he wanted to help people. And that's what he would have done.

[@JiiiBiii815]

My all childhood is in this show. I cried so much at the end, knowing that Sam would never return home, my mom had to remind me it was just a show and that they would eventually make a sequel to it. They never did and I think it was my first heartbroke.

[@LowEarthOrbitPilot]

When Quantum Leap was cancelled, I cried. 💔 For weeks. I absolutely loved the concept, the show, and the actors. I had a crush on Scott Bakula 🥰 and thought the chemistry between Scott and Dean Stockwell was priceless. I was heartbroken when Dean passed away, knowing the loss of such an incredible actor, and that there would never be a reunion for the original cast of Quantum Leap. Mr. Bellisario, thank you for the ways in which you enriched my life, and thank you for this insightful interview. May you be richly blessed with the best of health and happiness 🙏🏼 .

[@partscasterpaul]

The Evil Leaper episodes were some of my favorites. Along with the chimp episode.

[@mst4705]

The evil leaper thing marked my childhood in a way that made me watch the entire series again a few years ago.

[@TheRedWaltz24]

It's interesting to hear that he didn't really like them, because they were also some of my favorites. It added a different kind of drama that spiced up the formula.

[@mst4705]

@@TheRedWaltz24 It added what you call nowadays a "meta". Or whatever the main storyline is called. For example the Red John episodes of Mentallist. Or Sideshow Bob in Simpsons.

[@PNWAffliction]

My favorite was when he didn't have legs and still roundhoused someone. Absolutely ingrained in my mind, so epic.

[@STho205]

The antagonist leaper or evil leaper is too obvious to not be lifted from 70s/80s Doctor Who and The Master. A providential wise man that leaps randomly from time to time just right to fix stuff. And his Moriarty rival that leaps too, but to cause chaos. Of course the trope is as old as storytelling. Ra and Aphophis G-d and the Serpent Jesus and the tempter in the high cave ....

[@Dreamer55]

Wonderful interview .quantum leap one of the best shows ever.I agree with Donald.quantum leap couldn’t have continued without Scott bakula ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tomservo75]

He KNEW Lee Harvey Oswald?! I don't know why, but that's fascinating.

[@daneflynn4979]

Such a great show. And just wholesome. No sex, played down violence, the hero gets the girl etc.

[@tomservo75]

And no social-justice PSA snuck into the dialogue. No endless soap-opera story arcs with people talking about their feelings every 10 minutes.

[@spookerredmenace3950]

freaking love Quantum leap as a kid, STILL love it as an adult , love most of what Donald has created!

[@49ersandrockets1fan9]

Please bring this show back

[@KarlHamilton]

Oh boy.

[@shoesncheese]

Thank you for this. Loved Quantum Leap. We could use a show like that today. Had to edit to add in how amazing Scott Bakula was in this show. He showed an incredible range and it is a shame he never made it movies, but at least he got to captain the Enterprise NX-01 and had his own NCIS spin-off.

[@mikehughes4969]

Quantum Leap is one of the greatest television shows of all time. At the time, it was the best show on TV, and I'm proud to say I watched it from beginning to end. I also flat out refused to believe that Sam never made it home.

[@kommissar.murphy]

So much potential; Sam leaps into David Lynch during the production of Blue Velvet. So meta!

[@williamalexander497]

I always thought that when Sam leaped back he could have had a few moments with Donna and conceived a son who took over for Sam years later. After all, he would be 21 by now. By that time, Sam had multiple doctorates and his kid could do the same. Maybe Donna could be the new Al character and have to come to terms with her son having to do things she might not approve of. Since Sam kept leaping, there was always a chance that his son could interact with him somewhere and possibly bring him home while leaping himself

[@Maurgrym]

I thought the same, but there should be a twist where he is stone-walled by his mom at Project: Quantum leap in his fresh ideas to bring his dad back, so he takes money from a shady organization to get his own project up and running. He loses the use of it once he gets it up and running, through threat, politics, whatever, and it morphs into the Evil Leaper Program.

[@ChristovBelmont]

Wouldn't work. Sam's son could only leap within his own lifetime, just like Sam. There would be only one point in time he could meet him, and that would be just before Sam left the future for the last time

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

WOW watched this every tuesday night on BBC 2 for 3 years. I cried when it ended.

[@kevinrice6245]

Wow! I had no idea this guy served in the military with Lee Harvey Oswald himself. Kind of gives me chills knowing that now so many years later. Might have to rewatch that’s episode now. 🙂

[@clintonwilcox4690]

That's always encouraging when the creator of a show would absolutely love the chance to bring it back in some form and continue it. I'd love for more Quantum Leap episodes. It was quite a unique science fiction show.

[@illbetheone779]

Loved that last episode, Hope they do not have a sequel. If Al does return to his wife after Vietnam. He would not know Sam Beckett because his time line changed. Tragic but that's how much Sam loved Al.

[@markcadieux3445]

Sam would've just had a different guide

[@RobertAngle]

I loved this show as a kid. Still ranks as one of my favorites. I would bring it back in a heartbeat, and even have my own backstory, outline for the new series, and notes for a pilot episode for the reboot as well, lol.

[@AustynSN]

I've always assumed peoples' memories after being in the waiting room just filled in with the changed history of their lives. I got this idea from when Sam and Al traded places for an episode with Al as the leaper and Sam as the hologram. Sam's "swiss-cheese-memory" started slowly filling in the gaps of what he couldn't remember before. However, some of those memories were different than when he started leaping as he was remembering the revised history. The biggest example of this was Donna. Before he first stepped into the accelerator, he wasn't married as Donna had left him at the alter. He changed history so that she didn't, making his memory of life with her a revised memory.

[@marlls1989]

It is still one of my favourite sci-fi series. Seeing captain Archer leaping in time to help people is always fun

[@spleefthedude7747]

Ok I was really upset when this show ended. I loved this show. It was a great show! All Sam wanted was To GO HOME!!! Were we led to believe he was going to leap forever???? I was PISSED!!!! But thank you so much!!!!!

[@dennisanderson3895]

A virtually perfect human interest anthology! It also conveyed how important the "common" lives are, that Sam would leap in to correct and even save them.

[@AnelorGalor]

Thank you for making this show! My family came always together to watch it for all the seasons!

[@OCtheG]

Does anyone else remember when Netflix had every episode of this on stream except for the series finale which was DVD only and remains the only episode I’ve never seen? Classic

[@ClellBiggs]

My favorite show of all time. My family didn't miss a single episode.

[@Trad63]

Thanks for a great show

[@bigsteview1585]

I have no idea why this show hasn't been brought back. Massive fan base...lead actor who is very down for doing it and a premise that is basically fool proof. I know Scott did say recently that he's heard rumblings and that he is waiting to see what they show him. But they could very easily have Scott do it and have Al's daughter be his new guide. Perfect way to honor Dean

[@paranormalunknown40]

Good news…it has

[@markcadieux3445]

@@paranormalunknown40 Bad news. It's been cancelled already.

[@brettleisy356]

I remember the chuckles and the tears this show brought, the corny jokes and hints of timeline happenings. what I remember the most however, if the warm feelings I got from happy endings and people starting to see things differently. that moment of growth they would have just before he would leap again. it was a small dose of inspiration each week that made you feel good to be in a point of time where so much bad was being healed and understand what it took to get there.

[@chrisprose]

The best costars ever: Sam and Al. Absolutely wonderful characters played by extremely talented actors. Loved them no matter what they were doing every week (although I'm still partial to the Alphabet Rap...).

[@5150Crazy]

Wow. Bringing back memories of one of my favorite shows. I dont think i could get behind a full reboot. But to continue with Sams daughter Sammy Joe in a attempt to bring her father home switches place with her and Sam taking over Al’s position. With good writing and keeping the awesome Scott Bakula involved I think it could work!

[@marktito6169]

I would love to see a Quantum Leap reboot. Scott Bakula in Al's role and Sammie Jo doing the leaping.

[@dennisanderson3895]

Although, Ziggy's "feminie" personality - with its pouty moments and mild tiffs - really played well.

[@DeathbySkullfxxx]

Theres no reasom it couldnt pick up w Sam still being Bakula. Obviously if this conversation were to go down 12-15 yrs from now hed be too old. But hes still doong action type fare

[@gen2bruin780]

Problem with Sammie Jo taking over is that she is only about 10 years younger than Sam. After that episode, history changed and she was a member of the team working to get her father back.

[@richardrobertson1886]

So long as they keep the wokeness out and keep telling good wholesome stories.

[@wifflemonkey]

I've always gone with, Sammy Jo as the new Al, her daughter as the leaper, and the mission is retracing Sam's journey to try and find him since he never returned. Spoiler, eventually they find him in an Evil Leaper holding cell. It would mean an almost completely female led show but you could do side stories at the project with the staff, with the running thread of discovering how the evil leapers get a hold of Ziggy tech. The project storyline and the leaper storyline eventually discovering both Sam's locatiion and how the evil leapers get started. Throw in guest spots for returning characters, make Donna the new project lead, have at least one of Al's kids be a government agent, and boom first season done.

[@mikal]

That's absolutely beautiful - The idea that people who believe they were abducted by aliens were actually in a waiting room while a leaper was busy fixing something for them.

[@wolfman7284]

I felt similar on the Evil Leaper episodes. When I saw the last episode, I thought Sam kept leaping on. This was a great interview.

[@beansdad70]

I would like to think that those in the waiting-room were watching the events as they transpired, that way they would know what they were returning to and keep the continuity of the revised time-line.

[@bagrym]

this man has defined more tv than most us have standing in our collective livingrooms.

[@AllanGildea]

Thank you for this fascinating interview with an extraordinary creative force of nature.

[@KenKopper]

One of my favorite shows. Possibly #1 on my list. So inventive, suspenseful and emotional. I was initially upset with how it ended but over time I felt it made sense

[@Cheezus]

I discovered this show now as an adult (late 20s) and watching it on bluray was a fantastic experience. The writing was so funny yet deep or sad, and sometimes both. The way it handles issues of race and gender were pretty refreshing for something made in the 80s, very ahead of it's time in that regard. I wish more young folks that are interested in scifi would take a look back at some modern classics.

[@LordDragon1965]

Surprisingly, as I watched this, I'm preparing to watch the 3rd episode of the new reboot later tonight. And I do hope that Sammy Jo Fuller is one of the researchers we may not have seen yet. I also love that they cast Ernie Hudson as the director and have included some callbacks already to Al and Beth and their youngest daughter. Would love to see Donna and maybe Alia brought in to the series at some point.

[@unappreciatedtreehouse821]

Just bought the entire series on DVD.

[@arricammarques1955]

Comet TV @ Antenna TV broadcasting the series.

[@letty4558]

One of my favorite shows back in the day. Such a great show.

[@MPERIALENTERTAINMENTD]

Quantum Leap aired when I was young. It is my all time favorite television show. Time traveling, leaping in and out of people's lives and setting things right. Awesome concept! I loved the creativity in the later seasons and the "Trilogy" in season 5 [One Little Heart, For Your Love, The Last Door (When Sammy Jo was conceived)]. In the first three seasons Sam practiced abstinence. He never slept with the women and Al always have him crap about the missed opportunity, especially in season 2 the episode 'Honeymoon Express'. Although in season 2 in the episode 'To Catch a Falling Star' you could draw a conclusion that he was intimate with his piano teacher, Nicole. It was not until Sam simul-leaped with Al and switched places for an episode (The Leap Back) that Sam began sleeping with women. As Sam put it, "part of me is Al". Then Sam leaped in to save Al's life and left Donna behind. The whole Sam and Donna relationship doesn't set well with my wife, and rightly so. In season 1, in Star Crossed, Sam leaped into a college professor who taught at the University that Donna was a student at. Sam wound up accomplishing his goal and helping Donna by uniting her with her father before he shipped off to war because Donna suffered from abandonment issues. Fast forward to Season 4, Sam is married to Donna now because he changed her history for the better. At the end of The Leap Back, Donna instructs Al not to remind Sam he is married hoping he can do his job and eventually come home to her. In Season 5, in "The Trilogy" in the episode 'For Your Love', Sam leaps into Will Kinnman and makes love to Abigail Fuller and that's how we get Sammy Jo in 'The Last Door'. Al tells us Sammy Jo joins Project Quantum Leap and has a theory on how to bring Sam back. Whatever that was. At the end of season 5, Mirror Image, Sam decides to continue leaping knowing full well he can go home at anytime. Therefore, he abandons his wife and child to pursue helping everyone else, strangers even. So, while Sam is a hero to everyone he is not a hero to his own family. That is the way Don Bellasario wrote it. Don, who grew up in the 40's, 50's. A time when a lot of men would leave their families behind to pursue being a hero or their own ambitions. A lot of those men also had affairs which produced a generation of brokeness and rebellion. So, I learned something about Quantum Leap I never realized. Sam is a hero to all except his family who he abandoned. Which makes sense coming from the mind of a man who grew up in that era. Thanks for this video it was really insightful.

[@cjc9483]

Awww, how lovely to get Deborah Pratt to come back and do her Ziggy voice again!! ❤️

[@richt6342]

I would watch a new show where Scott Bakula's Sam becomes the observer for sammy joe. Being as Dean is 85 now I'm not sure he could manage a series as a regular. I think there could be some interesting stories and character interactions in a father daughter relationship where sam is a little more conservative about things and sammy joe is a young what ever it take kind of character.

[@darkanise]

@Oscar Poe I don't know who you're thinking of but Dean Stockwell is still alive.

[@redmd9772]

Dean is retired now and according to Deborah Pratt, after his strokes a few years ago he suffered elder abuse and he now no longer remembers his time on Quantum Leap so Dean unfortunately would not return...

[@spidermonkey7605]

@Oscar Poe 😳

[@pferreira1983]

@@redmd9772 Elder abuse? I don't remember that. What was that all about???

[@redmd9772]

@@pferreira1983 Can't remember the full details but Deborah used to give updates regarding Dean't helth a few years and it was mentioned about a woman who lived with Dean. He was put into a home after he suffered 2 strokes and bagan to lose his memory the final update she received was that Dean moved to New Zeland to live with his daughter and no no longer has any memory of his acting career, was really sad

[@For_Felix]

YES BRING BACK QUANTUM LEAP...THERE ARE SOOO MANY FANS WANTING N WAITING FOR DR. SAM BECKET TO CONTINUE ...MAKE IT HAPPEN MR. DONALD P. BELLISARIO.

[@ClabberHead]

Sam was stuck in New Orleans for a good long time as a federal agent.

[@draganaleksic8298]

Absolutely one of the best shows that i have ever seen. To this day i wish there was a reboot with Sam and Al doing their thing.

[@benjaminrupe5930]

I theorize that Sam leaped into the future, specifically the day of his death and escapes by leaping into himself at the day of his birth. It's why he's a prodigy.

[@PNWAffliction]

that's what I always thought too. constantly leaping into himself over and over at the last second as the evil leapers are trying to find him and eliminate him to stop the quantum loop he created. then realizing even though they're insane, they actually serve a practical purpose as the loop made them insane from having to re-live it over and over and him not realizing he was making the other leapers insane. he keeps defeating them all, but they all keep returning every time. and many leaps ago he consciously knew, but through subsequent leaps forgot he was causing these people infinite lifetimes of pain.

[@jimdavis6833]

Leaping into the future ("Back To The Future" being an anomaly) is an impossibility as it hasn't happened yet.

[@kristine7524]

Neat idea!

[@DM00SE]

I miss this show so bad. The best thing that’s ever been on tv. I’d love it if there was just one more season of someone sent in to bring an old tired Sam home.

[@mattdhargett]

Thank you for this. This was one of the shows my mom and I would watch together every week, She used it as the basis for discussions about equality, civics, justice, and history. By some coincidence, I just bought the bluray set last week in anticipation of watching it with my daughter. I would love to have heard if there were any scripts he started and were rejected by the producers, network, or even himself.

[@beckymurphy4714]

In an issue of Starlog magazine they talked about some rejected episode ideas - having Sam Leap into a baby, and into a cartoon were two I remember.

[@dnf-dead]

You should check out the novels

[@cfmpam498230]

One of the Best Shows Ever ! I still watch when it comes on !!! Helping selflessly is the core of the show so there was only one way to end it !!!

[@darrensutherland7963]

Loved this show, thanks to those involved for for fond memories 🙌

[@adelestevens]

One of the best sci-fi shows ever. Some of the references might have been a bit vague for a kid in the UK back in the day but it was very enjoyable non the less.

[@janemarinelli2838]

I loved this show! I watched it with my daughters who loved it too. I just wish his last leap WAS the leap home💔

[@billmunroe889]

Such a classic ground breaking series. It could touch your heart, and make you think.

[@Lorfarius]

Best episode you guys have ever done.

[@PunkNStein]

This is amazing thank you, there were people who ran way from the room, serial killers however they didn't always talk to them

[@ninasmithers1016]

When the finale aired, I was under the belief that Sam died in the pilot...since Al wouldn't have been there to save his life. However, Sam is still leaping. Look at every cameo Scott Bacula is in and remember that's Sam. Try and imagine Al being there, unseen, feeding help to him. Sam is alive and well, leaping into every show and movie he's in.

[@caronstout354]

I agree with you. Even if Sam never made it home he had an amazing life...from a photo-journalist in Murphy Brown, a Starfleet captain in Enterprise, a NCIS officer...Sam has always been with us.