Leap Date:
June 3, 1954

Teaser:

Sam leaps into Phillip, a man who was thought to be dead after three years of being lost at sea. Phillip's wife, Catherine, the heiress to a shipping company, is getting re-married on the ship tomorrow. Is Sam there to put Phillip and Catherine back together, or ensure that she marries her new fiancé?

Audio from this episode:

Weathers:
Harvard.
Middleweight champion.
1919.

TV Guide Synopsis (TV Guide.com):

Aboard a cruise ship in 1954, Sam must capsize the wedding plans of his aristocratic ex-wife and a venomous hood. Catherine: Beverly Leech. Weathers: John Hertzler. Vincent: James Harper. Marian: Patricia Harty. Jenny: Juliet Sorcey. Sam: Scott Bakula.

Synopsis & Review:

Sam has leaped into Phillip Dumont (the leapee is played by Kent Phillips) aboard the RMS Queen Mary leaving New York. No sooner has he adjusted to the feeling of being on the water than a woman wearing a wedding dress enters the room and kisses him. Then, just as suddenly, she slaps him across the face and asks him what he's doing here. The woman, Catherine Farrington (Beverly Leech), who happens to be Dumont's ex-wife, tells Sam that she thought he was dead after becoming lost at sea, and is upset that he didn't come home. She insists that she is over him, and that he can't stop her from marrying Vincent Loggia (James Harper), a felon who is also known as "Vinny the Viper", the next day.

As Catherine is about to leave, someone knocks on Sam's door and demands to be let in. Recognizing that it's her father, Weathers Farrington (played by J.G. Hertzler), Catherine hides in the closet. Sam lets in Weathers, who angrily tells Sam that he shouldn't have shown up to Catherine's wedding after refusing to take a job with the Farrington family cruise business and leaving Catherine three years ago. He warns Sam to stay away from his family, and punches him to emphasize the point.

Al arrives, and tells Sam that he has to stop Catherine from marrying Vincent, or as Al calls him, "Vinnie the Viper". Sam promises to Weathers that he will not interfere with the wedding. After Weathers leaves, Al insists to Sam that Phillip and Catherine were in love with each other before Phillip was lost at sea, but Weathers convinced Catherine that Phillip was dead and had their marriage annulled. Another knock sounds, and Sam realizes that Catherine is still hiding in the closet. He lets her out, and she asks him again why he's here. Al tells Sam that Phillip committed suicide after failing to stop the wedding, and a broken-hearted Catherine died two years later. Catherine tells Sam that if he still loves her, he should jump off the ship and swim back to New York.

After Catherine leaves, Al says that maybe jumping off the ship is exactly what Phillip did. Sam is unconvinced, but Al tells him that what Phillip and Catherine have is true love, which only happens once in a lifetime. Sam asks Al what he would know about true love, bringing up his numerous marriages. Al responds that he found true love with a woman once, and married her. Sam asks why they aren't married still, but Al shrugs off the subject. He tells Sam that helping Phillip and Catherine is what's important right now.

Another knock sounds, and a young girl wearing a dark hat, glasses and trenchcoat comes in. She tells Sam that everything is going according to plan, and Catherine is feeling confused and miserable. Al guesses that this is Catherine's little sister, Jennifer Farrington (played by Juliet Sorci). Jennifer tells Sam that she overheard Vincent threatening to cut him up into little pieces and feed him to the fish if he comes near Catherine. Al wonders if Phillip's death was a suicide after all. Jennifer begs for Sam to talk to Catherine, and Sam agrees.

Later, Catherine is refusing to come out of her bedroom. Weathers passes it off to Vincent as pre-wedding jitters. Vincent asks Catherine to come out and join them, but soon turns angry, pounding on the door and yelling at her to come out. He tells Weathers to have his wife and daughters ready for dinner in seven minutes, and leaves. Catherine comes out, and tells her father that she can't go through with the wedding. Weathers confesses to Catherine that the family business is in financial trouble, and Vincent has offered to buy them out. He tells Catherine that she'll learn to love Vincent, and she'll always have her family. Feeling reassured, Catherine agrees to get ready for dinner, though Weathers seems conflicted after she leaves.

After dinner, Sam is telling Al that although Jennifer has given him a key to the first-class pool so that he and Catherine can have some alone time, Catherine is still refusing to talk to him. Al has an idea, and suggests a way that Sam and Catherine can be in a room full of people and still have an intimate moment.

Sam finds Catherine in the ship's ballroom, where the guests are being entertained by a live band. He requests a tango to be played, and whisks a stunned Catherine onto the dance floor. As the two of them dance together, and Vincent watches in anger, Sam asks Catherine to meet her at the pool at midnight, and promises that if she still wants him to leave her alone after that, he will. The dance ends, and Catherine agrees to meet him. As Sam leaves, he is intercepted and escorted outside by Vincent and his bodyguard. Vincent warns Sam that he doesn't want him getting Catherine confused before the wedding, and threatens to kill him if he doesn't stay away from Catherine and her family. Sam spots the ship's captain nearby, and manages to get himself out of trouble by requesting a tour of the ship. The captain agrees, and the two of them leave Vincent and his bodyguard behind.

When Sam is safely away, he tells the captain that Vincent is threatening to kill him. Using information that Al has given him, Sam explains to the dubious captain that Vincent is a convicted felon, and the New York police can confirm his criminal record.

Later, Sam is searching through Phillip's luggage for a pair of swimming trunks. Al angrily tells Sam that right now in a room at the bottom of the ship, large amounts of garbage are being pushed out into the ocean. Jennifer enters the room, and quickly finds Sam a pair of trunks. She tells him he should be at the pool when Catherine arrives, then heads back so she can cover Catherine's exit.

Catherine has changed into her swimming costume, but is still nervous and uncertain about meeting with Sam. Jennifer assures her that all she has to do is listen to what Sam has to say. Catherine is convinced, and leaves. She heads to the pool, unaware that she is being followed by Vincent's bodyguard.

Catherine finds Sam at the pool, which unbeknownst to them had been emptied an hour earlier. Unable to swim, the two of them begin to talk. Sam asks Catherine if she really loves Vincent, and guesses that her inability to answer the question means that she doesn't. Catherine admits that she still wants to be with him, but now she's obligated to marry Vincent and help her family. Sam responds that she can't sacrifice her own happiness. The two of them kiss, but after a few moments, Catherine pulls away and leaves, telling Sam that it's too late for them. Sam tries to follow after her, but finds a gun to his back instead, courtesy of Vincent's bodyguard.

The next morning, Catherine is in her wedding dress, and the wedding is only minutes away. Jennifer comes in, and tells Catherine that she can't find Sam anywhere. Catherine's mother, Marian (Patricia Harty), tries to console her of Sam, or Phillip's, sudden disappearance, trying to reassure her that she will get over Phillip, whom she still has feelings for, and to go through with the wedding, as she also reveals that she, before marrying Weathers, had a relationship with a young man she called "Jerry", whom her parents did not approve of (much like Weathers' own feelings about Phillip), but that she never regretted breaking their relationship and marrying Weathers.

Meanwhile, Sam is in the lowest room of the ship, where he has been held overnight by Vincent, hanging by his wrists from a rope attached to the ceiling. Vincent comes in wearing his wedding suit, cuts Sam free, and pushes him into the garbage below. His bodyguard starts the mechanism that pushes the garbage out into the ocean, and the two of them leave.

Al arrives, still venting about all of the garbage polluting the earth's oceans. Upstairs, Weathers is escorting Catherine down the aisle. He asks her if she's happy, and Catherine calmly tells him that she is. Catherine joins Vincent, and the ceremony begins. Downstairs, Al urges Sam to reach up and grab one of the chains hanging from the ceiling, which Sam frantically manages to do moments before being swept out into the water.

The ship's captain is about to pronounce Vincent and Catherine as man and wife, as Al desperately calls out for Sam. Suddenly, Catherine cuts off the captain's words, and tells Vincent that she doesn't love him, and she can't marry him. Vincent tells Weathers to talk to his daughter, but Weathers stands by Catherine's side, supporting her decision. Sam arrives, covered in garbage, and tells the captain to have Vincent arrested for attempted murder. Sam and Vincent get into a fight, and Sam knocks Vincent down with a punch. Vincent's bodyguard tries to intervene, but is met with a punch from Weathers (who was a boxing champion in his youth). Catherine throws her arms around Sam and kisses him. Al tells Sam that Catherine and Phillip are going to have six children, and Jennifer will write a bestselling book about Phillip's seafaring adventures, which will make enough money to keep the family stable until the cruise business recovers. Sam kisses Catherine again, and leaps. Source

Personal Review by MikeKraken:

This is one of the Quantum Leap episodes that sets the series into the "comedy" genre as well as "drama", "sci-fi", "action", etc.... Though subjected to a couple of perils in this episode, Sam manages to survive (with the help of Al) and achieve his objective of the leap. "Sea Bride" is definitely one of the more light-hearted episodes that mixes in just enough seriousness and edge-of-your-seat intensity that dignified this television series. I still cringe at the scene with the garbage every time!

Music:

"I’m Walking Behind You" (cover) by Billy Reid

"Wagner's Bridal Chorus" (cover) by Richard Wagner

"La Cumparsita" (cover) by Gerard Matos Rodriguez (The Tango)

Also, Al gets extremely passionate about the fact that garbage is being dumped into the ocean, the second time we observe Al's environmentalist side. Dean Stockwell is also an avid environmentalist.

He arrives each time without Imaging Chamber Door, but leaves through it only the first time.

Fourth appearance: Black suitcoat with pinstripes; rose shirt; black, thin tie; black pants; black belt with silver buckle; something silver on his left lapel. (with cigar)

Miscellaneous Trivia:

The episode was shot in March of 1990. Portions of the episode were actually shot on the real Queen Mary in the ballroom and the garbage unit.

When Vincent is threatening him, Sam says that he's making him "an offer he can't refuse," referencing The Godfather. Vincent responds that he likes the sound of that phrase. The movie wouldn't come out for another 18 years.

Ships are no longer allowed to dump garbage into the ocean. Al's outrage was slightly ahead of it's time on the environmental issue.

Scott Bakula was hit with a pie in the face by Dean Stockwell, but as a practical joke, he was then hit 10 more times by other members of the crew! Scott, in turn, left empty pie pans laying around the set to make Dean think he was next!

Bloopers:

Guest Cast Notes:

Beverly Leech as Catherine Farrington: Beverly Leech was born on May 23 in Paris, Texas, USA as Beverly Ann Leech. She is an actress, whose craft was directly shaped and deeply inspired by Stella Adler. Known for Blood Work (2002), First Kill (2018) and Square One Television (1987). She is member of Academy Award Winner, Robert Moresco's The Actors Gym, developing new works by writers in Film, Television, and Stage. Bev is also a 20+ year member of The Southern Poverty Law Center, dedicated to correcting racial and social injustice.

Patricia Harty as Marian Farrington: Patricia Harty was born on November 5, 1941 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. She is an actress, known for Occasional Wife (1966), Quantum Leap (1989) and Search for Tomorrow (1951). She has been married to Les Sheldon since July 27, 1974. She was previously married to Michael Callan and Edward Thomas Kearney Jr..

Juliet Sorci (as Juliet Sorcey) as Jennifer Elizabeth Farrington: Juliet Sorci was born on July 4, 1979 in the USA. She is an actress and manager, known for A Mom for Christmas (1990), Baywatch (1989) and How I Got Into College (1989). She has been married to Ian James Duncan since March 26, 2011. They have two children.

Tony Maggio as Tony: Tony Maggio was born in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is known for Bad Influence (1990), Quantum Leap (1989) and Dead at 21 (1994).

James Harper as Vincent "Vinnie the Viper" Loggia: James Harper was born on October 8, 1948 in Bell, California, USA. Mr. Harper’s BROADWAY credits include ‘Lt. Schrank’ in the first major revival of “West Side Story”, where he worked with Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, and creating the role of ‘Little Harp’ opposite Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone in the original Tony-nominated production of “The Robber Bridegroom”. His work OFF & OFF-OFF BROADWAY includes ‘Johnny’ opposite Kathy Bates (and later Debra Jo Rupp and Caroline Aaron) in “Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune”, ‘Reverend Salvation’ & ‘Professor Trixie’ in a major revival of “The Cradle Will Rock” directed by John Houseman, creating the roles of ‘Vern’ opposite Patricia Heaton in Quincy Long’s “The Johnstown Vindicator” and ‘Frehlich’ in David Suesdorff’s “The Cruelties of Mrs. Schnayd”, ‘Colm’ in Gardner McKay’s “Sea Marks”, and ‘The Baboon’ in Brecht’s “Jungle of Cities” at Brooklyn Academy of Music Theatre Company, among others. He has made over 200 Guest Star and recurring appearances on TELEVISION including prime-time episodics (“Judging Amy”, “NYPD Blue”, “Star Trek – Deep Space 9”, “Chicago Hope”, “Quantum Leap”, “LA Law”, “Life Goes On”, “Sisters”, “Deadly Games”, “Matlock”, “Dallas”, “Paradise”, etc., etc.), pilots (“The Burning Zone”), MOW’s (portraying Arkansas Governor Orvil Faubus in Disney’s “The Earnest Green Story”), and sit-coms (“Frasier”, “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”), as well as numerous NY & LA “soaps” (‘Jim Watson’ on “One Life To Live”, 5 years; the ‘hanging judge’ Francis Fallon on “The Young & The Restless”, 2 years; and ‘Mark Cody’ on “The Guiding Light”). He recently appeared in the recurring guest star role of the villainous attorney, ‘Jordan Lovell’, on the ABC/SOAP Channel prime time dramatic series, “GH: Night Shift.” Mr. Harper has appeared in 20 + FILMS including “Blaze” (opposite Paul Newman), Michael Mann’s “The Insider” (opposite Russell Crowe & Diane Venora), “Armageddon” (opposite Bruce Willis), “Switch” (opposite Ellen Barkin), “Down Periscope” (opposite Rip Torn & Bruce Dern), “Widow’s Kiss” (opposite Beverly D’Angelo & Dennis Haysbert), “Witch Hunt” (opposite Dennis Hopper and Clifton Collins, Jr.), “Love Field” (opposite Michele Pfeiffer), Michael Apted’s “First Born”, Ulie Edel’s “Last Exit To Brooklyn” (opposite Stephen Lang), and the black & white SciFi thriller “To Walk a City’s Street”. He also has numerous commercials, voiceovers, and video games (“StarCraft”, “Diablo 2”, others) on his list of credits. Mr. Harper is a private acting coach and has taught various master classes at numerous universities throughout the U. S. including USC, UCLA, U. of North Carolina, Arizona State and many others.

Louis Guss as Alfonso Loggia: Louis Guss was born on January 4, 1918 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Moonstruck (1987), Highlander (1986) and Find Me Guilty (2006). He was married to Tsuneko Kano. He died on September 29, 2008 in New York City, New York, USA.

Kurt Knudson as Captain Sheffield: Kurt Knudson was born on September 7, 1936 in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. He was an actor, known for George Washington (1984), Law & Order (1990) and Quantum Leap (1989). He died on June 1, 2018 in Waldport, Oregon, USA.

John Hertzler as Weathers Farrington IV: John Garman “J. G.” Hertzler (born March 18, 1949) is an American actor, well known in the Star Trek community for his role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) as the Klingon General (and later Chancellor) Martok. Hertzler was born in Savannah, Georgia; his father served in the U.S. Air Force. Most notably, Hertzler appeared in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the Klingon General Martok. He appeared in the series’ pilot episode “Emissary” as the Vulcan captain of the Federation starship Saratoga. He played a shapeshifter named Laas in the DS9 episode “Chimera” (credited as Garman Hertzler), a Hirogen in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Tsunkatse”, and featured in Star Trek: Enterprise as a Klingon Lawyer in the episode “Judgment” and as a Klingon Captain in the episode “Borderland” which marked his final appearance in the franchise. Hertzler has appeared in TV movies such as Pirates of Silicon Valley and made guest appearances in TV shows such as Six Feet Under, Roswell, Charmed, Quantum Leap and Highlander: The Series. He appeared in the series Zorro (1991–1993) as Alcalde Ignacio De Soto alongside Duncan Regehr and Henry Darrow.In some of his TV appearances, he is credited as John Garman Hertzler, Garman Hertzler, John G. Hertzler, or John Hertzler. In “Emissary”, he was credited as John Noah Hertzler.

Rick Buché - Carlo Monte: Rick Buche is known for Quantum Leap (1989) and Necromancer (1988).

Ralph Bruneau as Head Steward: Ralph Bruneau was born on September 22, 1952 in the USA. He is an actor, known for Scrooged (1988), Remington Steele (1982) and Quantum Leap (1989).

Say What?

In the first scene, which last well over 10 minutes, the clock only changes by 2 minutes.

Although when Sam mentions the word "fax" he is referring to the modern day fax machines, the Captain seems to not understand the word. Fax, which was short for a radio facsimile, was a common term after the 1920's and the captain should have known it.

I was talking to myself, it's kind of a bad habit I can't get rid of.
-- Sam, glaring at Al, "Sea Bride"

Fish food! Vinnie wants to turn me into fish food!
-- Sam, "Sea Bride"

That little waltz may have just cost you your life ...
Tango.
-- Vinnie and Sam, "Sea Bride"

Wow, six kids, you guys are gonna be busy bunnies.
-- Al, to Catherine and Philip, "Sea Bride"

It's bad luck to kill someone before your wedding.
Not in Brooklyn.
-- Sam and Tony (the "best man"), "Sea Bride"

How come you always get the easy stuff.
Just lucky I guess.
-- Sam and Al, "Sea Bride"

Are they gone?
Other than the smell- yes.
-- Catherine and Jennifer, "Sea Bride"

Awards:

Jean-Pierre Dorléac received an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Costumes for a Series in 1990.

Production Credits:

Theme by: Mike Post
Music by: Velton Ray Bunch
Supervising Producer: Deborah Pratt
Co-producers: Paul Brown, Jeff Gourson, Chris Ruppenthal
Produced by: Harker Wade
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Written By: Deborah Pratt
Directed by: Joe Napolitano

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producers: David Bellisario
Story Editor: Randy Holland
Story Editor: Tommy Thompson
Director of Photography: Michael Watkins
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited by: Alan Shefland
Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow
First Assistant Director: Paul Sirmons
Second Assistant Director: Rob Mendel
Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky
Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox
Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac
Costume Supervisors: David Rawley & Donna Roberts-Orme
Sound Mixer: Mark Hopkins McNabb
Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Supervising Sound Editor: Paul Clay
Music Editor: Tom Gleason
Choreography by: Bobby Duncan

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.

Country of first publication: United States of Amercia. Univeral City Studios, Inc. is the author of this motion picture for purposes of the Berne Convention and all national laws giving effect thereto.

Copyright © 1990 by Universal City Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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, an MCA Company

Podcasts:

In the twenty-ninth installment of The Quantum Leap Podcast,

Albie and Heather discuss season two, episode twenty-one “Sea Bride”. There are first impressions, an episode recap, thoughts and opinions, listener feedback, and three awesome interviews, one with Beverly Leech, who played Catherine Farrington, one with James Harper, who played Vincent Loggia, and one with J.G. Hertzler, who played Weathers Farrington, the third episode of the original audio drama, Quantum Leap: The Impossible Dream, Need You Now: Part 3. Also Chris DeFilippis is back with his segment, A Leap in Perspective. Also, an article from Hayden McQueenie about the Quantum Leap video game that never was.


00:00:00 – QLP opening
00:03:16 – Hello – First impressions
00:07:47 – Episode recap
00:16:38 – Main discussion/Episode breakdown
00:41:33 – Interview with James Harper
01:34:04 – Interview with Beverly Leech
02:31:45 – Interview with J.G. Hertzler
03:05:54 – Promo for Tuning in to SciFi TV
03:06:24 – Promo for Thinking Outside The Long Box
03:07:52 – Clip from Philadelphia Comic Con Panel 2012
03:09:57 – Chit chat about stuff and things
03:13:57 – Quantum Leap: The Impossible Dream, Need You Now: Part 3
03:24:05 – A Leap in Perspective with Chris DeFilippis
03:30:01 – Feedback
03:39:12 – The Quantum Leap video game – Hayden McQueenie
03:47:04 – News
03:49:04 – Trivia
03:53:06 – On the next episode
03:56:56 – Credits
03:58:03 – Bloopers
03:59:05 – PS

Let us know what you think… Leave us a voicemail by calling (707)847-6682 and send in your thoughts, theories and feedback, send MP3s & email to quantumleappodcast@gmail.com. Also join us on Facebook.com/QuantumLeapPodcast and Twitter.com/QuantumLeapPod and www.patreon.com/QuantumLeapPodcast.