Contra Tempos

I have to admit I may be a little biased as I've always had a soft spot for this programme. I recall watching the pilot when it was originally aired in the UK (1990 I think?) and remember, even then, being transfixed by the subsequent weekly 'leaps' of its main character, Dr. Sam Beckett.

I always thought it was more than just a Sci-fi/ comedic drama as, at times, it was incredibly insightful. The concept was completely innovative and didn't rely to heavily on expensive effects to convey the belief of time travel.

Sam's holographic sidekick Al Calavici (played by Dean Stockwell) provided an above average level of humour, making the viewer laugh out loud at issues which some would consider untouchable (his remark of 'bigot in a moo-moo' regarding one very ample character's racist comments being an example!)

There appeared to be no subject to dangerous to touch and that was what made the programme so engrossing. By examining key issues that could have affected anyone (sexual harassment, racism and teenage pregnancy to name a few), the viewer could not help but be drawn into a theoretical discussion as to the rights and wrongs of each subject.

I could go on but all I can add is that I highly recommend this T.V classic to newcomers as, once you've seen it, you will become as hooked as the millions of other devotees out there!

Quantum Leap was a fantastic science fiction series. Past time travel shows had the main character(s) going back (or forward) in time as themselves. Quantum Leap was so special mainly because Sam is leaping INTO people and experiencing their lives first hand. This made for some very interesting stories like when Sam leaps into a woman or a black man. Of course, having a hologram from his own time (Al) guiding him on his adventures was another key component to the show.

One complaint I've always heard about the show is: if Sam puts right what once went wrong, wouldn't he be altering the future? The answer is no. Sam doesn't leap into anyone famous (often) and so he would not be altering the future dramatically for many. And whenever he does leap into someone famous, everything works out the way history recorded it.

NBC made a huge blunder cancelling this series, especially cancelling it on a cliff hanger. And why won't Universal make a movie? Fans want it and Don Bellisario has expressed an interest in doing one. So come on. Put what right what NBC did wrong and make a movie.

Oh boy, where do you start. Quantum Leap was an innovative science fiction/fantasy show but at its heart it was also a drama of hope, second chances and change.

The idea behind the show was simple. Dr Sam Beckett, a quantum physicist from the near future (late 1990s it seems) becomes lost in time following a time travel experiment.

He leaps into other people's bodies, temporarily taking the places of them 'to put right what once went wrong.'

Dean Stockwell played Al who appeared as a hologram that only Sam could see as well a some animals and young children. As well as trying to help Sam because Sam suffered from holes in his memory, he also provided the humour.

The series had an easy going charm. It mixed humour, drama, social commentary and nostalgia which gave it broad appeal. There tended to be little science fiction outside its central conceit.

When the episode finished you will see Sam leaping into his next body. The series was strongest when it went into social commentary such as leaping into the body of a black man in the 1960s southern states.

There were also sly parodies of films. Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell had good chemistry.

There were flaws in the series, although it was set in the near future, all the leaps seem to take place pre 1989 when the series started.

Some of the stories could also become rather similar. The producers kind of challenged that by having an evil leaper or politicians in the present trying to pull funding for the project leaving Sam stranded.

The series finished in what can be regarded at a controversial conclusion. Sam who was lost in time and hoping to find his way back home in the present day.

He ends up with a mysterious barkeeper who informs him that he has a choice either to go home or to keep on leaping and changing people's life.

I remember watching the 60s classic The Time Tunnel and Quantum Leap was a kind of reboot, with time travel being the main game. Anyway, Scott Bakula was born for this role and I'm pleased it ran five seasons, almost 100 episodes, sort of the magic number for syndication at the time.

An absolutely perfect show. It wasn't too technical, it wasn't too Sci-fi. It had the drama of life, and offered some comedy at the same time. Instead of seeing the same person with the same people dealing with their own life, we saw many, many, many different lives all being influenced by one great man who in the end could be deemed a saint. I am happy that the show was able to finish, and just disappear like some other great shows. The show had a good conclusion. It was happy, but it wasn't sappy or ultra-moralistic and joyful. It was the perfect ending for such a case. There isn't a thing they could change about this show. The only thing they could do to make it worse would be to make a movie for TV. Those type of things usually ruin a good show. Quantum Leap though is definitely a TV legend.