One of the most beloved television shows of the 80s and 90s, Quantum Leap, has just received a reboot. This new show follows the same plot but with new characters. For those who don’t know, the show follows a scientist who becomes stuck leaping into different people throughout various time periods. While there, he must right various wrongs and hope that his next leap brings him home. The original show ran for five seasons and starred Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett. Today, to celebrate the launch of the new series, we will be looking at ten of the best Quantum Leap episodes found in the original series.
10. How the Tess Was Won
How the Tess Was Won sees Sam leap into a veterinarian on a ranch in Texas. There, he feels he has to get Doc, the man he lept into, to marry the ranch owner’s daughter Tess. The episode sees Sam go through various tests to try and win Tess’ affection and ultimately humiliate Doc. seeing Sam fumble with various tasks such as digging post holes and attempting to tame an unruly horse is humorous in a way only Quantum Leap can provide. Seeing Sam in these situations as well as seeing what it means to truly be in love alone makes this one of the best Quantum Leap episodes, but Sam unwittingly helping a young Buddy Holly write Peggy Sue makes it that much better.
9. Camikazi Kid
This episode sees Sam leap into a teenage boy in 1961. While there, he is led to believe he is to help the bullied teen stand up for himself. He soon learns his real purpose is much more serious and has a personal connection with Sam. The boy’s sister is about to be married, and according to history, her husband is an abusive alcoholic. Sam remembers that his own sister was also married to an alcoholic. This episode has humorous moments, but the heart is seeing Sam attempt to save the teen’s sister while trying to make amends for his own sister. One of the more humorous moments is when Sam dances with a young boy. The young boy has some familiar dance moves and turns out to be a young Michael Jackson.
8. What Price Gloria?
Up until this point, Sam has lept into males only. This all changes when he finds himself in a bathtub, in a woman’s body. Sam must now learn to be a woman and how to deal with Al’s incessant flirting. Sam learns the hard way what women must go through on a day-to-day basis, especially in the early 60s. One such obstacle is being hit on non-stop by the men in the office, including the boss. The woman that Sam lept into has a best friend, Gloria. Gloria is led to believe her married boss is in love with her.
History says that the boss doesn’t leave his wife, and a distraught Gloria takes her own life. Sam must prevent this, while also learning to walk in high heels. The episode handles its subject matter delicately, while not shying away from more humorous moments. The end scene of Sam putting the boss in his place is a highlight of the show and adds to this being one of the best Quantum Leap episodes.
7. A Little Miracle
If a show runs long enough, odds are great it will attempt an episode spoofing A Christmas Carol. Quantum Leap is no exception, as this episode sees Sam and Al attempting to scare the Dickens out of a businessman. Sam is lept into the body of a valet to a wealthy businessman who plans on destroying a Salvation Army mission to build a shopping plaza. After befriending the members of the mission, Sam realizes he must stop his employer at all costs. When reasoning won’t work, he tricks the man into believing he is visited by the three Christmas ghosts. This episode is predictable if you know the classic Charles Dickens story, but seeing Sam use Al and the computer Ziggy to interact with the subjects is a fun time. Plus, the message of this episode as well as the classic story is timeless.
6. The Halloween Episode
This episode sees Sam leap into the body of a horror novelist. It is the perfect viewing for Halloween, as it is oozing with spooky goodness throughout. As soon as Sam leaps, strange things begin happening. Characters are dropping like flies and Sam seems to be at the center of it. As usual, Sam must rely on Al’s help, although Al seems to be hiding something and isn’t acting like himself. This spooky episode is also full of Stephen King references, right down to being set in Maine. Many fans of Quantum Leap claim this episode is cursed, as many strange things are associated with it. So much so, many refuse to even refer to it by its actual name. Despite all this, it remains a fan favorite and one of the best Quantum Leap episodes.
5. Play It Again, Seymour
Sam leaps into a man holding a gun and standing over a dead body. He eventually learns he is a private eye in the 50s and bears an uncanny resemblance to Humphry Bogart. This episode is fun as it is a send-up of the classic film noirs of the time period. Sam soon learns that the mystery he is currently in was the basis of a book, one that was never finished. With Al’s help, Sam must find the real killer before he kills a beautiful woman, and Sam himself. The episode plays well with the tropes and stereotypes of the film noir genre, and serves as a loving tribute and well as a parody of the era.
4. Good Morning, Peoria
3. M.I.A.
Sam finds himself in the body of an undercover police officer. According to Al, he is there to prevent a married woman from marrying another man. The woman’s husband id s Naval officer who was M.I.A. and is presumed dead. Sam notices the woman seems to be moving on when she meets a new man. She is clearly happy for the first time since her husband disappeared. Sam comes to realize that Al is lying. Now, Sam must find out what Al is keeping from him while also figuring out how to leap out of there. This episode is touching and deals not only with lost love but with letting go. These morals as well as some humorous moments make this one of the best Quantum Leap episodes.
2. Genesis Parts 1 & 2
This is where it all began. This two-part series premiere introduced the world to Dr. Sam Beckett and the Quantum Leap project. After experimenting with the Quantum Leap accelerator, Sam finds himself in a different person’s body with no idea who he really is. His friend Al finds out he can communicate with Sam through a hologram and tries to help Sam remember who he is. This first leap sees Sam as an Air Force test pilot. Sam must break Mach 3 and survive, while in the original timeline the pilot died. Sam then leaps into a baseball player and is able to contact his father who is still alive at the time. This is a great start to the series and is beaten out only by one.
1. The Leap Home Parts 1 & 2
This episode sees Sam leap into his own body as a teenager. While Al claims he is there in order to win a baseball game, Sam has other plans. Sam wants to ensure his sister doesn’t marry an alcoholic, his father doesn’t die of a heart attack, and his brother doesn’t die in Vietnam. Seeing Sam reconnect with his family while desperately trying to save them is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The second part sees Sam leap into a Vietnam soldier. This soldier just happens to be part of the same platoon as Sam’s brother, giving Sam one last chance to save him. This episode is the highlight of the series, and more than deserves the spot of best Quantum Leap episode.
