5x14 "Blood Moon"

Leap Date:

March 10, 1975

Episode Adopted by: Eleiece <aka> Sherdran
Additional info provided by: Brian Greene

Synopsis:

Leaping into a coffin is a first for Sam, who has become an artist who lives like a vampire. It is the evening of Blood Moon, a sacrifice to Count Bathory, and another couple have come to share in the ceremony. Sam doesn't believe in vampires, but Al says he's the real thing. Sam must prevent his host's girlfriend from becoming the sacrifice. And where the heck is a mirror when you need one?

Audio from this episode

TV Guide Synopsis
Place
Leap Date
Name of the Person Leaped Into
Broadcast Date
Synopsis & Review
Music
Project Trivia
Sam Trivia
Al Trivia
Al's Women
Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode
Miscellaneous Trivia
Bloopers
Guest Stars
Guest Cast Notes
Say What?
Quotable Quotes
Awards
Best Scenes
Production Credits
Podcasts

Production # : 68117

TV Guide Synopsis:
Sam swoops into an artist who lives like a vampire and whose wife might meet a gruesome end. Victor: Ian Buchanan. Claudia: Deborah Maria Moore. Alexandra: Shae D'Lyn. Al: Dean Stockwell.

Name of the Person Leaped Into:
Lord Nigel Corrington

Place:
Outside of London, England

Leap Date:
March 10, 1975

Broadcast Date:
February 9, 1993 - Tuesday

Synopsis & Review:

Sam leaps into an eccentric artist named Lord Nigel Corrington, who lives a strange, gothic lifestyle, as he sleeps in a coffin, as Al is convinced he has leaped into an actual vampire. Nigel is a well-known artist who has shocked everyone by marrying a homeless girl, Alexandra Hill, now Lady Alexandra Corrington (played by Shae D'Lyn).

It's the night of the Blood Moon - the night that honors one of the earliest recorded vampires - and the Corringtons are entertaining Victor Drake (Ian Buchanan) and his companion Claudia (Deborah Moore). Sam, as Nigel, has only a few hours to save his wife from a grisly death, supposedly at the hands of a vampire, while dealing with Al's own conviction that his host actually is the walking dead. Al tells Sam that unless Sam can change things, Alexandra will be found dead in the forest in two days time, completely drained of blood. Source

Personal Review by Eleiece <aka> Sherdran:

"Blood Moon" is so campy with its "is-he-or-isn't-he-a-vampire" theme that it's hysterically funny. In my opinion, "Blood Moon" is one of the funniest, if not THE funniest, episode of Quantum Leap, bar none. I can only marvel at how Scott kept a straight face with some of the lines he had to deliver, not to mention the one-liners that Dean delivered with such gleeful abandon (I'd be willing to bet that Dean's line about Tina picking up his turtleneck at the cleaners was an impromptu addition by him.) I'll bet the entire cast and crew had an absolute blast making this episode.

"Blood Moon" may be so campy it makes your teeth hurt or cause your eyes to 'stick' when you roll them once too often while watching it, but in my opinion, there's not a darned thing wrong with this episode!

Music:
"Bite Me - Blood Moon", a suite from this episode, appeared on the official Soundtrack album as track #11.

Project Trivia:
Ziggy was having trouble interfacing with the British systems; Al said it was
the English frequencies. According to Al, "This place hasn't been the same
since the blitz."

Lightning and other electrical interferences can effect Ziggy transmitting Al's image from the Project in the future.

Sam Trivia:

Sam's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Dark sable velvet smoking jacket with black velvet collar and lapels, later replaced with the black cut-away dinner jacket; black dress trousers, white shirt with a white lace jabot at the throat and fluted cuffs; a white waistcoat and black suspenders/braces; black shoes.

Al Trivia:
Al believes in the undead. This is not the first time we've seen Al's superstitions. Other examples were in "A Portrait For Troian" and "The Curse of Ptah-Hotep."

Al's Women:
Al mentions Tina picking up his turtleneck from the cleaners.

Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Black jacket with a white 'string' pattern and black trousers; black & white shirt in a large hound's-tooth pattern; an inverted-point triangle pin worn at the throat of the shirt; later, he wore a crucifix as well as a head of garlic on a string around his neck. He also carried a cigar in this episode.

Miscellaneous Trivia:

We do not see the Leapee in the mirror in this episode. Corrington did appear at the end of "Dr. Ruth" as he Leaps into the Waiting Room!

Here is the leap-in to the actual episode:

A "blood moon" is a total lunar eclipse. In a total lunar eclipse, the moon is completely covered by the earth's shadow. What makes it turn orange/red is due to the light bent from the sun filtered by the earth's atmosphere.

"How to Spot a Vampire" by Laszlo Fang is not a real book.

Lord Corrington’s dog "Vlad" is named for Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula).

Actor Bela Lugosi's personification of Dracula (the most famous and enduring) was born in Lugos, Hungary, on October 20, 1882. Lugosi died of a heart attack on August 15, 1956. He was buried in his Dracula cape.

Claudia is the name of a child in the book "Interview with the Vampire" who is turned into a vampire.

The blitz - The blitz on London during WWII began in full force on September 7, 1940 and continued for 57 consecutive nights.

Bloopers:

Regular Cast:
Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett
Dean Stockwell as Al Calavicci
Deborah Pratt as opening narrator 

Guest Stars:
Ian Buchanan as Victor Drake
Deborah Maria Moore as Claudia
Shae D’lyn as Lady Alexandra Hill Corrington
Rod Loomis as Horst
Garth Wilton as Detective
Robert MacKenzie as Nigel Corrington (Only seen in the Leap-out sequence from "Dr. Ruth")

Guest Cast Notes:

Ian Buchanan as Victor Drake: Buchanan was born June 16, 1957 in Hamilton, Scotland. He worked at a local hotel as a bellhop while still a teenager. By the time he turned 14 his parents, both of whom fought alcoholism, died suddenly. He and his five siblings were left alone and his dreams of moving to the U.S. were put on hold. Buchanan went on to work as a bartender and restaurant manager in Scotland. While vacationing in Spain, his exceptional good looks captured the attention of a photographer. He agreed to a photo session that went so well he quickly found regular modeling work. He moved to London where he soon became an international fashion model. When the prestigious Ford Agency signed Buchanan in the 1980s, he relocated to New York City. Buchanan studied acting at New York's Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. He was also coached by notable playwright and actress Marcia Haufrecht. His hard work paid off when he was offered the role of heartthrob Duke Lavery on General Hospital (1963) in 1986 who most notably sizzled with co-star Finola Hughes. The role became Buchanan's launchpad to other television opportunities. When he left the soap in 1989, he appeared on prime-time in It's Garry Shandling's Show. (1986) from 1988-1990. In 1990, he played a wealthy Playboy-style magazine publisher who murders his partner in Columbo Cries Wolf (1990). Buchanan returned to daytime television in 1993 as the mysterious psychologist Dr. James Warwick on The Bold and the Beautiful (1987). He was the first ever actor on the show to receive a Daytime Emmy Award in 1997 and stayed with the show until 1999, returning on several occasions from 2004 to 2011. A string of guest-starring roles on various TV shows followed as well as some film work including playing Jodie Foster's Realtor on Panic Room (2002). Buchanan has since appeared on various soap operas: on the "General Hospital" spin-off Port Charles (1997) from 2002-2003, and as a vampire in the 1993 Halloween episode of Quantum Leap (1989), he played the devious fertility specialist Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children (1970) who had performed Erica Kane's (Susan Lucci) controversial abortion in the 1970s and had a short run as Ian McAllister on Days of Our Lives (1965) in 2012. Not long after Buchanan returned to "General Hospital" after a 23 year long absence where he was reunited with Finola Hughes. The recurring spot as the cringeworthy yet humorous Dick Tremayne on Twin Peaks (1990) was a memorable highlight as seen in this clip below:

Deborah Maria Moore as Claudia: Deborah Moore was born on October 27, 1963 in Marylebone, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Die Another Day (2002), Chaplin (1992) and Into the Sun (1991). She was previously married to Jeremy Green. Her father, Roger Moore, was best known as "James Bond" from 007 films. She had a minor role in Die Another Day (2002), a Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan in a role her father played in years before. Also had a minor role in Goldeneye (1989) - a UK TV-film about Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

Shae D’lyn as Lady Alexandra Hill Corrington: In her twenty years on stage and in film Shae D'lyn has been blessed to play challenging roles opposite many outstanding actors: most recently in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" as Nell opposite Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant, "Gypsy" as Margaret opposite Naomi Watts, "Orange is the New Black" as Mary-Bethany opposite Taylor Schilling, Woody Allen's "Cafe Society" as Carlotta, on "Boardwalk Empire" as Carolyn Rothstein opposite Kelly Macdonald, in "The Pretty One" opposite Zoe Kazan and John Carroll Lynch, in "Secrets" opposite Julie Harris and Thomas Gibson, in Arthur Miller's "American Clock" opposite Mary McDonnell and Loren Dean, and in "Vegas Vacation" opposite Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. Her dramatic and comic roles on television and web series include "Alpha House," "Ellen," "Law and Order," "Quantum Leap," "That Seventies Show," and four years starring as Jane on ABC's "Dharma and Greg." Shae starred as Baby Doll in the New York theatrical premiere of Tennessee William's "Tiger Tail" receiving a notable review by The New York Times. Her character interpretations have given her the opportunity to create many original roles such as Theresa in the US premiere of "The Crackwalker," and Maddy in the world premiere of "Maddy Far Away." Shae spent four years working almost exclusively in the classics receiving a Best Actress award for Adrianna in "The Comedy of Errors" at Boston's Leland Center, and starring as Iphigenia, Electra, Desdemona, and over thirty theatrical productions in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. Shae attended The University of Virginia where she played Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls," and Sally Bowles in "Cabaret," and went on to complete Circle in the Square's Professional Two Year Training Program where she studied under such renowned teachers as Terese Hayden, Alan Langdon, and many more. Shae then went on to study with Mary McDonnell, Jeffrey Tambor, and the great, Harry Mastrogeorge whose brilliant approach she attempts to share with as many actors as she can. She also directs and produces theater, film, and television productions and has completed two feature screenplays, a play and a television pilot. Her feature, Canary, is in preproduction. She founded a production company Shot in the Dark Films and the Independent Artists' Cooperative in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, and Toronto with over 600 members. Her film "Morir Para Ser Libre" was featured in the Boston Film Festival, "Contragolpe" won the Coco de Oro festival, and her documentary "El Coro en Japon" was featured on public television in Puerto Rico. Descarga.com chose Shot in the Dark's hour-long salsa DVD as the Editor's Pick Best Video of 2007. Her feature-length documentary "Los Vandalos" about the struggle between the power structure and graffiti artists fighting to have a personal voice, is heading toward its premier at the Latino Film Festival of Los Angeles. Her film work can be seen at http://shotinthedarkfilms.com.

Listen to The Quantum Leap Podcast interview with Shae D'lyn here:

Rod Loomis as Horst: Rod Loomis was born on April 21, 1941 in St. Albans, Vermont, USA. He is an actor, known for Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), Body Double (1984) and The Beastmaster (1982). He has been married to Sandra Carol Freeman since August 21, 1981.

Garth Wilton as Detective: Garth Wilton is known for Titanic (1997), Quantum Leap (1989) and A Fine Mess (1986).

Robert MacKenzie as Nigel Corrington (as seen in Dr. Ruth): Was in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as: ‘Trazko’ in: Necessary Evil (ep # 2.8) November 13, 1993. He also was in 7 TV guest appearances and 9 movies. Worked on the Visual Effects for Hulk (2003) as concept/storyboard artist.

Say What?
An actual blood moon occurred May 25, 1975. This episode takes place in March.

It seems to be a surprise that Sam has Leaped out of the country, but he has done so several times before: "The Leap Home - Part II: Vietnam", "Ghost Ship", "The Curse of Ptah-Hotep", "Lee Harvey Oswald", and "The Leaping of the Shrew."

Victor says the soul can never die, but vampires, according to legend, have no soul.

When Sam opens the tomb, the slab bounces a little. He seems to have no problem opening something that has been sealed for hundreds of years.

Quotable Quotes:

Sam's leap-in voice over: "Leaping in and out of new situations has taught me to be prepared for the unusual. But I suddenly had the feeling that I'd left unusual and landed smack dab in the middle of bizarre."

Victor Drake's toast: "To stab the hearts of mortal men, they spill their blood like rain. And tonight we offer ours to demons without shame."

Best Lines:

Al:    "Well you should see this guy, Corrington, Sam. He's a first-class flesh eater! He's got all the classic signs. He's got the pale complexion, the beady eyes, the...the lustful stare..."
Sam:    "Al...you just described yourself."

Sam to Al: "It tells me that vampires and holograms have a lot in common."

Sam to Al: "Your vampires are a fake unless they've got a dental plan in Hell."

Best Scenes:

Awards:
This episode received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Series in 1993.

Production Credits:

Theme by: Mike Post
Musical Score By: Velton Ray Bunch
Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Co-Executive Producer: Chas. Floyd Johnson
Supervising Producers: Richard C. Okie, Harker Wade
Supervising Producer: Tommy Thompson
Producer: Robin Jill Bernheim
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Written by: Tommy Thompson
Directed by: Alan J. Levi

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producers: Julie Bellisario, Scott Ejercito
Coordinating Producer: David Bellisario
Director of Photography: Robert Primes, A.S.C.
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited by: Randy D. Wiles
Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow
First Assistant Director: R. John Slosser
Second Assistant Director: Brian Faul
Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, C.S.A.
Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Saint Anne
Costume Supervisors: Jill Sheridan, Alice Daniels
Art Director: Ellen Dambros-Williams
Sound Mixer: Barry D. Thomas
Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Make-up: Jeremy Swan
Hairstylist: Andrea Mizushima
Sound Editor: Greg Schorer
Music Editor: Bruce Frazier
Special Visual Effects: Roger Dorney, Denny Kelly

Panaflex ®  Camera and Lenses by: Panavision ®

This motion picture is protected under laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.

Copyright © 1993 by Universal City Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Some of the characters portrayed in this motion picture are based upon actual persons. Although some of those events have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes, otherwise the characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Bellisarius Productions and Universal Television, an MCA Company

Podcasts:




Quantum Leap Podcast: Blood Moon