Hey, Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 8? I am anthropomorphizing you at this time to let you already know that I admire you.
Finales, even midseason ones, are difficult to write down. I admire your narrative bookending, beginning the journey with Ben filling Addison in about Janis solely to have Ben’s reminiscence of why he leaped on the finish.
Additionally, I admire that you simply happen in 1996 — two years earlier than the Google search engine launched and eleven years earlier than the primary iPhone — a yr inside my lifetime when emails had been simply changing into a factor, and teenagers like Stacy, Roy, and Leah may solely dance social gathering to No Doubt’s “Tragic Kingdom” on CD.
And I actually admire Roy’s extraordinarily Nineteen Nineties haircut. Thanks for that. It took me again.
There’s quite a lot of Eighties power right here, although, too. We have the posse of misfits dodging the last word detention à la The Breakfast Membership (1985), with the episode’s title paying homage to 1986’s Stand By Me and a triumphant conclusion worthy of essentially the most hard-core, never-say-die Goonie.
It is a journey of discovery and located mates and never slightly teenage angst.
Certain, the completely satisfied ending feels extremely pat, and all of the traumatic root points that landed the kids at Sierra Youth Academy appear to work out REALLY properly for them.
I’m sorry about earlier than, pushing you want that. Worst half is I hate it when my dad places his palms on me. Promised I’d by no means be like him. Says each child ever.
Roy
However, in case you have not been being attentive to the primary half of the inaugural season, Quantum Leap is an extremely optimistic present.
And there are occasional continuity glitches. As an illustration, a cabin that is “off-the-grid,” a lot in order that Ziggy could not find it, most likely would not have a normal telephone line set-up.
Additionally, it is extremely well-stocked (to not point out unlocked?) for not being inhabited. Earlier than the truck turned out to be from Sierra, I anticipated a Goldilocks and the Three Bears state of affairs.
I really feel viewers with higher medical know-how than I may also have some feedback on Leah’s damaged ankle triage and post-injury care.
Anyhoo, the journey is thrilling and fraught with peril, the unhealthy guys get put away ultimately, and the actual reward is the buddies we make alongside the way in which, proper?
Leah: All my life, I simply assumed I used to be a misfit toy, like, damaged within the field. Looks like you guys don’t really feel that means. Like perhaps, to you, I’m not bizarre?
Roy: We don’t assume you’re bizarre since you’re not bizarre.
Stacy: Yeah, we expect you’re sort of nice.
Leah: You do?
Roy: Yeah. Then once more, take a look at us. Actually need to be lumped in with this group? That’s a low bar.
It is simple to be flippant when everybody finally ends up secure and completely satisfied, however I’ve to notice that the query of why the kids find yourself on the run within the first place is a severe one.
Rejected, rebellious, and recalcitrant, Stacy, Leah, and Roy are all shipped off to Sierra Youth Academy to be “fastened” so household and society can settle for them.
The abuse they undergo there’s inhumane, and, as Ben figures out, they’d reasonably die than return.
We have seen Ben modify his mission earlier than. He not solely saves Naomi’s son’s life on Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 6, however he additionally reconciles mom and son.
Right here, he pivots from merely ensuring the kids do not die to making sure the Sierra Youth Academy workers are punished for his or her crimes.
Ben: It’s not completed. What we got down to do, it’s not completed.
Roy: What did we got down to do? Escape! Leah simply gave us that.
Ben: You didn’t set out simply to flee. You got down to have lives. And after having spent the final day and a half with you each, you each need to have lives that matter. You go on the market now, you’ll by no means forgive yourselves.
Roy: What do you suggest? We simply storm the varsity? Simply tear down partitions of oppression?
Ben: Sure, that’s precisely what we do. As soon as and for all.
In doing so, he empowers Stacy and Roy and, hopefully, offers Leah with a secure household state of affairs.
Addison by no means provides an replace as to what may’ve occurred if Stacy and Roy had simply headed to Reno after Leah provides herself as much as Sullivan and Ringer, nevertheless it appears fairly doable that the guilt of operating would’ve added to their issues in the long term.
After Leah’s a number of mentions of her tv broadcaster uncle, it is sensible that he finally ends up being their agent of salvation.
I might wish to know the way Stacy knew methods to get in contact with him, although.
Leah: I simply need to go house.
Stacy: Leah, you may’t go house. You recognize that, proper? Your dad and mom despatched you away as a result of they assume you’re damaged.
Ben: Hey…take it straightforward.
Stacy: What? I imply, it’s true. I don’t need her to stroll in and assume they’ll out of the blue simply settle for her for who she is.
The kids’ insecurity echoes in Jenn’s relationship together with her father.
The place the kids have been let down by their households and society, Jenn survives her father’s abandonment with the assist of mates and Magic’s mentorship.
Jenn: Each few years, he reaches out, says he needs to reconnect. And each few years, I say sure as a result of I’m an grownup and what’s the hurt, proper? However in some way, each few years, when he disappears after I’ve lent him cash, I’m nonetheless upset, like Lucy with the soccer.
Magic: Charlie Brown. It’s Charlie who needs to kick the soccer. Lucy’s the one who all the time pulls away.
Jenn: You get my level.
Magic: Sure. I do. However take it from a father who’s made quite a lot of errors, it’s higher to threat disappointment than to surrender.
Jenn: That’s nice for a greeting card nevertheless it’s not all the time the case in actual life.
I’m curious how Jenn ended up on Magic’s radar within the first place and why her father has Magic’s direct telephone quantity. What is the connection there?
And, whereas I am all for reconciliation between dad and mom and youngsters, I am not completely cool with Magic’s recommendation for Jenn to by no means hand over on her father.
I need to consider Magic has some perception that may detect in Jenn’s father a honest need to attach together with his daughter, however contemplating Jenn is aware of Dad to be a conman, I really feel like Magic’s getting used to get to Jenn.
Jenn: Is it price it? Is it actually well worth the threat of being upset?
Magic: It’s well worth the threat.
Jenn: What, no quip? No considerate pearls of knowledge, only a easy reply?
Magic: It’s. Price. The. Threat.
Come to think about it; we are actually conscious of a number of parental challenges among the many staff members.
Magic’s commented about having made errors as a father.
Ben’s mom died after they argued.
Addison by no means wished to get married after witnessing her dad and mom’ divorce.
Janis and Beth would have a extremely advanced relationship even when Janis hadn’t drugged her mom.
And now Jenn’s received a prodigal dad within the image once more. Striding as soon as extra unto the breach, she trusts in Magic’s phrases and dangers struggling one other disappointment in hopes she and her dad could make one thing that lasts.
I might prefer it all to be main someplace, nevertheless it may simply be including layers to our staff. Both means, it goes to indicate everybody’s carrying their very own baggage.
Lastly, we get to the large reveal meant to hook us into the again half of the season when it returns (most likely in very early 2023?)
Probably the most harmful threat Ben ever takes — may ever take — is leaping into the quantum accelerator, and now we all know he does it for Addison.
God, it feels good to be actual.
Addison
Ian hypothesized that Ben’s leaps are propelling him in direction of a degree sooner or later. Is that the place he saves Addison?
If Leaper X is working at cross-purposes with the staff, may that imply Martinez is out to kill her?
Whereas we’re on hiatus, you’ll want to rewatch Quantum Leap on-line and spin your individual theories.
There are quite a lot of gamers on the board — Janis, Leaper X, Ben, the staff — who will do what subsequent?
Hit our feedback along with your takeaways from the primary half of the season! Your highlights, lowlights, and most burning questions!
See you #LeapPeeps on the opposite aspect!
Diana Keng is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.
