Jimmy - October 14, 1964

So the word retard was used a lot. Sam leaped into a 50s blackman during segregation. Why is this different? This used to be educational about seeing life from other peoples point of view, black people, women, developmentally challenged. I noticed another episode missing in series one too.

This show always blows my mind. Very heavy episode; great acting.

I'm not sure why exactly I tuned into this show in (near?)first-run in late 1989--curiosity,I suppose--but when I saw this episode,it was one of the clarified moments of television viewing that I can recall. I was,as per the summary line,hooked on this show from here on.

Dr. Sam Beckett leaps into the body/life of Jimmy LaMotta,a down syndrome adult who his being cared for by his older brother Frank,a married dockworker and father of a small boy himself. Frank's wife is very cool to their arrangement,and there's always a danger that Jimmy's condition will cause him to lose his job--he works with Frank--and be institutionalized. Sam's help and erstwhile friend,Adm.Al Calovicci,takes a a particular interest in this leap,since he's himself the sibling of an institutionalized sister with similar problems.

The performances by practically all involved--BAkula stands out,of course,but Stockwell also shines--added with a simple,effective story(set in the early-to-mid-'60s)and coupled with the fact that I,too,have family that is Autistic,made this film instantly accessible and addictive to me. It kicked off a love(maybe that's a bit strong,but you know what I mean)affair with this show that would continue on almost uninterrupted through the show's four season run. I'd be interested to see what this show's "extras" would be(assuming there are any)on the DVD. A stand-out episode!

In my opinion, this is a good episode of an interesting series. I couldn't take my eyes off watching it. It is a beautiful story and beautifully presented

*this comment assumes you know the plot and will not be offended at giving plot points*

This is a great episode with more heart than actual humor and a topic and lesson we could all stand to learn from. at this point Sam's memory is still pretty swiss-cheesed but that does not affect his conscience or his knowledge of people. in all of his leaps, I'd say this is his first real struggle. it is his task here to conquer human nature in a way. let's face it we do tend to fear what we don't understand and sometimes would rather *not* see what's in front of our faces. here Sam has a chance to change that or at least improve it.

Personally, i think one of the main reasons that this is such a good episode is that in one slightly emotionally tense scene(soliloquy really) we learn a bit about Al's past and exactly why he is holding on to this case so hard. it seems that a case of mental retardation in his own family resulted not only in separation but in tragedy. separation in this sense is tragedy I know but there is more to this story point than that.

it would be an interesting psychology or human behavior lesson to watch this episode and try to determine the motives of each character before they are revealed. but watching it for the sheer force and exciting(as well as entertaining) events works too. the glimpse into the next leap that comes in every episode had me hooked to find out. perhaps it will have the same effect on you? 5 of 5 stars!