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1x02 "Atlantis" | |
          
                                                                     
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| Synopsis:
Ben finds himself headed into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1998. Addison confides to Ian about a discovery and finds herself at odds with Magic and Jenn. Magic enlists the help of Beth Calavicci to locate Janis. |
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| TV Guide
Synopsis Broadcast Date Leap Date Leap Location Name of Leapee Synopsis & Personal Review Project Trivia Ben Trivia Addison Trivia Ian's Outfit Worn in the Episode Kiss With History Miscellaneous Trivia Guest Cast Guest Cast Notes Guests who appeared in other Quantum Leap episodes Characters who appeared in Classic Series episodes Songs & Music Say What? Quotable Quotes Production Photos Production Videos Production Credits Podcasts |
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Poster
by J.J. Lendl
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Commercial
- Atlantis: |
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TV
Guide Synopsis: |
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| Broadcast
Date: Monday, September 26, 2022: 10pm on NBC |
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| Leap
Date: March 7, 1998 |
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| Leap Location: Kennedy Space Center / Outer Space |
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| Name of Leapee: David Tamora, Astronaut |
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| Detailed Synopsis: This second episode is a blast! Literally. In his next outing as the Leaper, Dr. Ben Song finds himself in the cockpit of Space Shuttle Atlantis on March 7, 1998 just as it takes off from Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle and takeoff feel very real and right away, I was blown away by the details put into it. I immediately liked Samantha Stratton. Good casting, good acting. Her personality came right through and her interaction with Commander Reynolds was believable as her mentor. Back in 2022, Ian brings coffee to Addison at her apartment. Addison reveals that she went looking for clues as to why Ben leaped without telling anyone. She found a thumb drive in the bookshelf, which they discover to be encrypted. Addison confides in Ian that she is having a hard time coming to terms with what has happened. Returning to PQL, Addison and Ian are briefed by Magic and Jenn about Janis Calavicci and who she is in relation to Al Calavicci. When Addison suggests that she try to jog Ben's memory by discussing Janis, Magic gives her a direct order to keep Ben in the dark until they find out his motives. Addison asks Ian for help accessing the drive without telling Magic and Jenn. On the space shuttle in 1998, Addison scans in (as I will call it going forward) to find Ben in awe of his surroundings. I like the scan effect, although it is very quick and you almost miss it. I miss the door opening, honestly, but it's not a deal breaker. After Ben's swiss-cheesed memory remembers that his Leapee, David Tamora dies on this mission, Addison tells Ben that Ziggy predicts a 92% chance Ben should prevent that. After the payload makes an unexpected shift, we see Atlantis spinning in space. The CGI and/or model looks great and believable! We are treated to a new background animation with the Quantum Leap logo. This is the fourth font we've seen for the new series. The creators need to pick one and stick with it. I personally liked the upside down "V" for A in the first font we saw in pre-production. The exposition given from Stratton to Ben is heartfelt and necessary. Credits are displayed on screen during this. Oddly, Susan Diol's name appears here ahead of her appearance, ruining the surprise for fans who know her name. Also, Jon Chaffin's name appears in the headliners, but he only appears for three seconds in the leap sequence at the end for the next episode. Strange to see here. With only six hours of oxygen left, Stratton remains calm and takes command of the shuttle after Reynolds gets knocked out by the payload strike. In the present, Magic pays a visit to someone he believes can help locate Janis Calavicci - her mother, Beth Calavicci! Susan Diol returns as Beth, who is working on her own car now instead of relying on lawyers and Leapers to help her. In an apparently deleted scene, Beth spoke to the car, as it reminded her of Al. Why this sequence was cut is beyond the imagination. Magic tells Beth that Janice is in some trouble and asks Beth to let him know if she hears from her daughter. At PQL, Jenn sees Alex pass Ian something. Jenn approaches Ian, but Ian doesn't let on that they are hiding something. Jenn tells Ian to consider telling the person who has the thumb drive to turn it over. On the space shuttle, Addison talks to Ben about keeping him in the dark for now. Ben understands and says he would probably do the same thing. Ben asks Ian who the lucky guy is, referring to the engagement ring. Addison says that Ben wouldn't remember him. When Ben asks when the big day is, Addison says six months. Ben comments that he hopes he is back by then. Addison says, "you better be." Stratton asks Ben to do an emergency spacewalk to jettison the ISS module so that they can close the payload doors and get home before running out of oxygen. Some excellent practical and CGI effects show off the shuttle as Ben suits up and is mazed by the view of space. Addison appears to sit atop the shuttle, also in awe. At PQL, Jenn tells Magic that Beth phoned Janis after he left her house. They head out to investigate the location. On the shuttle, Ben successfully jettisons the module. As he does this, Addison sees the space debris headed for Ben and warns him. Ben dodges it, but the debris damages the shuttle. A new history is created and now Ziggy s says there is 100% chance the entire team dies on re-entry. At Janis's house, Magic and Jenn enter and find her secret office that we saw in the pilot episode. Magic notes that Ben's handwriting is on the board with many calculations. Janis calls Magic, knowing he is in her house. Janis informs Magic that Ben came to her and asked for help - none of this was her idea. Janis tells Magic to stay out of their way. She warns him to leave immediately as she has taken precautions. The computer equipment begins to short and burn, but Jenn is able to grab the hard drive as they escape the house. Samantha Stratton suggests they go to the Russian space station MIR to ask for oxygen. Max and Reynolds disagree and Reynolds says they are going home and to take her chair. After disobeying a direct order and walking away, Reynolds asks Max to get her back. Ben gives a great speech to Reynolds about how he trained her for this very moment. Reynolds decided to follow his advice and orders Max to abort the return trip. They are headed for MIR. To contact MIR, Ben is asked to spacewalk again to point an antenna at MIR so that they can be contacted. Ben thanks Addison for helping him and for trusting him in a tender moment. The antenna contact doesn't work because Ben realize that due to the time of day, the Russian astronauts are probably asleep. Ben literally leaps towards MIR, nearly missing, but latches on! Ben bangs on the door and an astronaut on MIR finally appears in the window. Reynolds apologies to Stratton for not immediately trusting her. She says, "Told ya." Ziggy says everyone survives, Stratton becomes a shuttle commander and the Leapee, David, becomes one of the first astronauts to live on the ISS. Ben asks what the changes are that he Leaps home. Addison says it's 50/50. In a powerful moment, she tells Ben that she is going to be with him every step of the way until they get him home. She is an amazing actress, her performance spot on. Ben leaps and the effects are very good, a closeup head shot of the SFX taking him over as Addison watches him go. At PQL, Magic debriefs Addison on what they have discovered with Janis. The hard drive is encrypted. Addison reveals that she has a thumb drive she had hidden from Magic. Magic understands why and they insert the thumb drive into the drive, which opens up a 3D map of time and space. Ian says "millions of variables representing millions of places in time." They stand in awe of this map and Addison notices what appears to be a target or destination. Ian thinks Ben must have uploaded the new code to try to get to specific place and point in time, but doesn't know when or where. Magic says "Or why..." Ben leaps into a boxing ring and is immediately punched out as the credits roll! The leap-in is once again a cinematic shot emerging from Ben's eye as the camera rotates and we see where he's landed. |
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| Personal
Review by Brian Greene: I would like to see more Leap Effect used eventually, as this is a signature Quantum Leap moment. For now, this approach works though. This episode is what I wanted to see from this new series! A great Leap story with heart at the center, a PQL story that is fun to follow as they unravel the mystery behind Ben's leap, and a feel of the original series with tie-ins to what came before. This outing does just that and so much more! The PQL characters are coming more alive and I got an even better sense of how they all interact and what their roles will be going forward. Ben is a hero and will do the right thing, even if it puts him in danger. Addison loves Ben very much and I can feel how much she wants to bring him home and, at the same time, is willing to help Ben when she knows he's right. A welcome addition to the Quantum Leap saga, we are propelled forward and the anticipation of what is to come is very exciting! |
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| Project
Trivia: Ian may be a computer specialist, but cracking encrypted codes is not their specialty. They suggests that Jenn would be more qualified. Janis Calavicci is an Astrophysicist. Alex, a female staff member of PQL, is on Ian's software team and developed the PTP encryption program. Magic has a daughter. Janis Callivicci's house and secret office is located in Pasadena, California. It appears Ben was trying to get to a specific place in time, currently unknown. Reason: unknown. |
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| Ben Trivia: Ben immigrated from Korea. Ben idolized the Leapee, David Tamora growing up. He remembers that tamora died on his first mission. |
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| Addison Trivia: Addision met Ben at PQL. She likes her coffee with oat milk and three sugars. |
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| Ian's
Outfit Worn in
the Episode: Tan suit jacket, white t-shirt bejeweled with colored flowers, black slacks. |
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| Kiss With History: Atlantis did not perform missions to MIR in 1998, but it was a real shuttle. The International Space Station actually began construction in December of 1988, not at the time of this episode. |
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| Miscellaneous
Trivia: The first "saga-sell" of the series is voiced by Addison as she explains the basic premise to a new audience. Sound file attached here. Watch the video of it here. Beth house is the same location as was used in "Desperate Housewives" at 4356 Wisteria Lane. Tamora is the name of an Aviation museum in Australia. It is also the name of a town in New South Wales, Australia. This space shuttle mision was supposedly when they placed the first piece of the International Space Station in orbit. This actually didn't begin until later in 1988. Atlantis is currently displayed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. |
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QUANTUM
LEAP – SERIES REGULARS
Addison Augustine (Portrayed
by
Caitlin Bassett) –
Addison is a smart, witty, fearless ex-military operative who now
serves as Project Observer at Quantum Leap HQ. She’s in charge of the
technology they use to communicate with the past, and tries to rescue
Ben from his time-flung existence.
Ian Wright (Portrayed
by Mason Alexander
Park) –
Quantum Leap’s nonbinary chief architect of the AI program.
Herbert “Magic” Williams (Portrayed by Ernie Hudson) – A Vietnam vet and current head of the time travel project at Quantum Leap. Herbert “Magic” Williams uses his no-nonsense personality and aura of control to keep the Pentagon at bay while the team tries to rescue Ben.
Jenn Chu (Portrayed by Nanrisa Lee) – Head of security at Quantum Leap HQ. Quirky but formidable, she makes it her mission to figure out why Ben erased all evidence of why he Leaped. |
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| Guest
Cast: Carly Pope as Samantha Stratton José Zuniga as Commander Jim Reynolds Leith Burke as Max Everett Susan Diol as Beth Calavicci Georgina Reilly as Janis Calavicci Jon Chaffin as Boxing Coach (in Leap-out sequence) Tadamore Yagi as David tamora (Mirror Image) |
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| Guest
Cast Notes: Carly Pope (Samantha Stratton) graduated from high school in Vancouver in 1998. She made her American screen debut in I've Been Waiting for You (1998). Her most noticeable roles to date are "Molly White" in Trapped in a Purple Haze (2000), and "Sam McPherson" in TV's Popular (1999). She auditioned for roles on Roswell (1999) before she landed the role of "Sam McPherson". She has notably appeared in the films Elysium, The Collector, and Orange County. José Zuniga (Reynolds) was born in Honduras and moved to New York City at the age of 7. His first film was RIDING THE RAILS. Jose rode on freight trains and lived in homeless shelters during the 4 months of filming. When he returned to NYC his then agent secured him an audition for ALIVE directed by Frank Marshall. He has notably appeared in the Twilight saga as Mr. Molina, Alive, Next, and Mision Impossible III. Leith M. Burke (Max) is known for Suburbicon (2017), Bosch (2014) and Eastsiders (2012). Georgina Frances Reilly (Janis) is a British Canadian actress born February 12, 1986, in Guildford, United Kingdom, to songwriter/composer David Reilly and business administrator Frances Reilly. She comes from a long line of performers, her grandfather being Tommy Reilly, the world's first classical harmonica player. Growing up in an artistic household, she soon took to the family business, performing in musical theatre productions throughout her schooling. She met Philip Bateman (musical director of Billy Elliot, London production), who became a great mentor and supporter of her singing and acting. At the age of 16, she and her family made the move to Toronto, Canada, where Georgina finished her formal education. While attending Havergal College, she took a break from performing to focus on school. She was soon discovered by celebrated independent filmmaker Bruce McDonald, who cast her in the critically acclaimed 'Pontypool', which premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. It wasn't very long before Georgina became a household name in Canada. She is best known for her role as the feisty young coroner Dr. Emily Grace on Canada's acclaimed Victorian series Murdoch Mysteries and as the cynical Sabrina Reynolds on The CW's The L.A Complex. She married actor and filmmaker Mark O'Brien January 6, 2013, after meeting him on set. They reside in Los Angeles. Jon Chaffin (Boxing Coach) began performing in High School, when he took Drama as an elective course. Jon was a fixture in school plays, having played leading roles in "Oedipus Rex", "A Midsummer's Night" and "Romeo and Juliet." Upon graduation, Jon went on to attend Fort Valley State University, where he later received his B.A. in Mass Communications. He began his professional career, working as a production assistant, camera operator and associate producer. He worked on numerous live-action shows, before going back to his first love, acting. He made his on-screen debut on the long-running Lifetime series, Army Wives. Susan Vanita Diol (Beth Calavicci) is of Scandinavian and East Indian Descent. She was born in Marquette, Michigan. Raised in Palatine, Illinois and Worthington Ohio. Her parents, Christine and Peter Balwant Singh Diol owned C & P Coffee, which is where Susan used her acting skills and accents while working in the office. The Diols also hosted many foreign exchange students and visitors, often having someone living in their basement or on their couch. It was a very lively upbringing. She received her BFA from Otterbein College, and she interned, her senior year at Pat McCorkle Casting in New York. That connection led her to moving to NYC, where she worked as a reader for Pat, was a perfume spritzer at Macy's and cleaned apartments. Pat cast her in her first Equity acting job, playing Viola in "Twelfth Night" at The Alaska Repertory Theatre, directed by her dear friend, Roy Brocksmith. She then got her big break in "You Never Can Tell" on Broadway at Circle in the Square, acting with Uta Hagan, Victor Garber, John and JD Cullum. Then she did "Opera Comique" at the Kennedy Center, with Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, Charlotte Moore and Brian Bedford. She was a series regular on TV, in ABC's "Hothouse" in New York, with Michael Learned, Michael Jeter, Art Malik, Katherine Borowitz and Josef Sommer. Her most recent film credits with lead roles:"Your Own Road", "Reality", "Loqueesha" and "Basement". TV Movies: "Hacker" with Haylie Duff, "The Wrong Mother" with Vanessa Marcil, and "Bad Twin". Recent TV: "Notorious", "Perception", "Murder in the First" and "Hart of Dixie". Her Favorite TV roles: Beth, Dean Stockwell's wife on "Quantum Leap", Dr. Denara Pel with Bob Picardo on "Star Trek:Voyager", John Larroquettes baby sister on "Night Court" and Audrey on The Nose Job Episode of "Seinfeld". Susan was a Hooker on "Wings" with Tony Shaloub, Steven Weber and Tim Daly. She played Tyne Daly's daughter, Margaret, on Christy", a Nun on "Murphy Brown", and a killer on "Touched by an Angel" and "CSI: Grissom VS the Volcano". She then played a mother of a killer on "CSI" with Ted Danson, and a Doctor on "NCIS". And a Hypnotist/Therapist with Hank Azaria on "Herman's Head". On Soaps, she played the lovelorn Emmy Borden on "Days of Our Lives" and the crafty, phony Preacher/Con Artist, Angela Holliday with Chris Cousins and John Loprieno on "One Life to Live". She is a proud member of the Road Theatre Company in NOHO, where she is an actress, playwright and director. She is also a writer, director, filmmaker and producer at her company ZenGleam Filmz. Passionate for Senior citizens and Brain Health and Wellness, she teaches Zen Move & Groove for Seniors, privately on Zoom. Tadamori Yagi (David - Mirror Image) is known for Technicolour Llama (2014), Lapse (2010) and Three Paces to the Closet Door (2005). He is of Japanese, Chinese and Korean ancestry and has roots in Hawaii, San Francisco and Tokyo. Yagi was born in Berkeley, California. Also lived in London, England and New Jersey, USA as a kid. Attends classes at The Playhouse West School of Acting in North Hollywood. Studied English and Acting at University California, Berkeley. Whilst there, he attended acting classes with actor Chris Pine. Volunteered as a mentor for at-risk youth in Richmond, CA during his college years. |
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| Guests Who Appeared in Other Quantum
Leap Episodes: Susan Diol returns as Beth Calavicci, previously seen in "M.I.A." and "Mirror Image." |
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| Characters
who appeared in Classic Series episodes: Samantha Stratton (presumably) is the daughter of Tom Stratton, the Leapee in "Genesis." She is the baby who Sam saved from being born prematurely! While the episode does not directly address this, we can assume the name is not coincidence. |
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| Songs
& Music: "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra plays when the reach Space. "Space Oddity" by David Bowie plays as Ben suits up to do his first spacewalk. |
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| Say
What? Susan Diol's name appears in the credits ahead of her appearance in the episode, ruining the surprise for fans who know her name. Also, Jon Chaffin's name appears in the headliners, but he only appears for three seconds in the leap sequence at the end for the next episode. Strange to see here. Addison reveals that she kept the thumb drive she found in their apartment a secret from Magic. However, he seems perfectly fine with the deception. In real life, a military leader probably would not be so understanding. When raiding Janis's secret office, Jenn says "Computer's are password protected." Why does this sound like a surprise at this point? A normal NASA mission has anywhere from 5 to 7 astronauts on board making the 4 in this episode seem unlikely. Why did Ben float out towards MIR, risking his life, when they would have had to dock closely to it anyway to transfer the oxygen? For a moment, Ben lets go of MIR. With no gravity, wouldn't he float away since MIR is constantly in motion? There is no mention of Janis's three other sisters in this or any episode from Season One of this series. |
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| Quotable Quotes: "Remind me where the space toilet is again? -Ben "I was quietly mortified, but I recovered gracefully." -Ian to Addison "You're doing... better than expected." -Addison to Ben "I didn't know you could be terrified and amazed at the same time." -Ben to Addison "You don't control the Leap, Ben." -Addison Magic: "You sure Ben didn't leap into you?" Jenn: "That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me." Ben: "Thank you." Addison: "For which thing?" Ben: "For not giving up on me. For helping me. For helping the guy that no one trusts." Addison: "I trust you." "Ben came to me. He knocked on my door and asked for my help. None of this was my idea." -Janis Calavicci Addison: "What are you doing?" Ben: "Im controlling the Leap." "I promise you that no matter what happens, I'm going to be with you every step of the way, until we get you home." -Addision "This project is different. It's going to take all of us to figure this out." -Magic Addison: "What is that?" Ian: "That's a destination." |
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Production
Photos:   |
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| Production Videos: Coming Soon |
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| Production
Credits: Consulting Producer: Moira Kirland Producer: Tim Scanlan Producer: Meg Fister Co-Executive Producer: Deric Hughes Co-Executive Producer: Benjamin Raab Co-Executive Producer: Drew Lindo Co-Executive Producer: Aadrita Mukerji Produced by: Tracey Baird Executive Producer: Robert Hull Executive Producer: Steven Lilien Executive Producer: Bryan Wyndrandt Executive Producer: Chris Grismer Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario Executive Producer: Dean Georgaris Executive Producer: Martin Gero Created by: Donald P. Bellisario Written by: Steven Lilien Written by: Robert Hull Directed by: David McWhirter Associate Producer: Ethan Henderson Story Editor: Margarita Matthews Casting Director: Kamala A. Thomas Director of Photography: Christopher Duddy Production Designer: Mayling Cheng Edited by: Ian Mayberry Music by: Daniel James Chan Unit Production Manager: Melanie J. Elin First Assistant Director: Ellie Smith Second Assistant Director: Michael T. McNerney Costume Designer: Genevieve Tyrrell A Camera Operator: Dave Hirschman B Camera/Steadycam Operator: Michael Walsh Production Sound Mixer: Akash Singh Chief Lighting Technician: Donna Vega Key Grip: Peter Chrimes Art Director: Danny Cistone Set Director: Tim Stepeck Costume Supervisor: Heather Sladinski Property Master: Erik Grasteit Construction Coordinator: Matt Sazzman Casting Associate: Melanie J. Brown Department Head Hair: Amy Marie Wilson Department Head Makeup: Julia Lallas Leadman: David Napoli Stunt Coordinator: Jeff Barnett Location Manager: Dan Milner Transportation Coordinator: Sandra Ninham-Gallardo Production Office Coordinator: Sofie Johanna Dejus Assistant Production Office Coordinator: Will Potenberg Production Accountant: Natalie Chiengkul Script Supervisor: Heather Pollock Script Coordinator: Sue Palmer Post Production Coordinator: Gabriella Scudieri Music Supervisor: Season Kent Music Co-Supervisor: Leah Harrison Music Editor: Zed Starkovich Assistant Editor: Clinton Steeds Online Editor: Richard Wells Colorist: Paul Allia Visual Effects Supervisor: Trent Smith Visual Effects Assistant Editor: Michael Defilio Supervising Sound Editor: Kelly Cabral Re-Recording Mixer: Yuri Reese Re-Recording Mixer: Sean Madsen In-House VFX Artist: Matt Collorafice In-House VFX Artist: Takashi Takeoka NASA Colsulant: Robert Yowell SPFX Coordinator: Ryan Amborn Key Grip Rigging: Jeremy Brussell Rigging Gaffer: John McGonegle The State of California and the California Film Commision, California Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program Copyright 2022 Universal Television LLC All Right Reserved Dean Georgaris Entertainment Quinn's House Universal Content Productions Universal Television |
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