213 Another Mother

[leaper1]

Originally Posted by Lightning McQueenie

I've always wondered how Ziggy could possibly know this. After all, she only gets information that's recorded in databases. Did this kid take out a newspaper article or something when he finally did lose his virginity? Hahaha

Good point.
Maybe he got a dose of something [ahem] and it was therefore on his medical records!

[Lightning McQueenie]

I just realised something - there is a reason why they decided to have the generic introduction at the beginning of each episode from this episode on, rather than having Sam reprise the previous episode.

It's clear that the shows were written so that they could (almost) be watched in any order, and it was clear that in the first run, they wanted to show repeats every now and then. Two weeks prior, they had shown a repeat of Kamikazi Kid, and so had to reprise Kamikazi Kid instead of the episode that should have been shown. So they decided to have a generic introduction from that point on, so that they could be shown in any order.

[Sam Beckett Fan]

Having watched a lot of SVU, in my recent viewings of this episode I have come to realize that the kidnappers make no sense.

One thing that seems to be supported by Kevin's (bloodied) clothes being found separate from his vanished body and the one man's advance on Sam, is that they are sexual predators.
They're victimology however is all over the place.
In an earlier scene they are shown scouting a couple of kids, a bother and a sister who look to be in the 8-10 age range getting off a school bus and being picked up by their mother.
How could they have gone from that to targeting a 15 year old boy and then making an attempt on a middle aged mother?

While SVU doesn't make me an expert it has more often than not portrayed sexual predators as having specific preferences. Prepubescent girls, prepubescent boys, teenage girls, teenage boys, adult women with handicaps, a certain color hair, a certain race etc.

These guys were under developed and poorly written but it's television after all and I love this episode for Teresa and the series for it's many other well done aspects so it doesn't matter much to me.

[iMonrey]

Originally Posted by Sam Beckett Fan

Having watched a lot of SVU, in my recent viewings of this episode I have come to realize that the kidnappers make no sense.

One thing that seems to be supported by Kevin's (bloodied) clothes being found separate from his vanished body and the one man's advance on Sam, is that they are sexual predators.
They're victimology however is all over the place.
In an earlier scene they are shown scouting a couple of kids, a bother and a sister who look to be in the 8-10 age range getting off a school bus and being picked up by their mother.
How could they have gone from that to targeting a 15 year old boy and then making an attempt on a middle aged mother?

While SVU doesn't make me an expert it has more often than not portrayed sexual predators as having specific preferences. Prepubescent girls, prepubescent boys, teenage girls, teenage boys, adult women with handicaps, a certain color hair, a certain race etc.

These guys were under developed and poorly written but it's television after all and I love this episode for Teresa and the series for it's many other well done aspects so it doesn't matter much to me.

I agree about the kidnappers. Overall this episode felt too rushed. The kidnappers were a plot point that didn't make a whole lot of sense. Worst of all, after Sam knocks them out, he and Kevin just get into their car and drive away! Did they call the police? Talk about your loose threads.

The other thing I noticed is that this seems to be the only episode where Sam "senses" he's about to leap, giving Al ample time to say a proper goodbye to Teresa. I can't think of any other episode where Sam has that much advance warning he's about to leap out. Usually it takes him completely by surprise.

[Donofrio_QLTD]

A mixed bag of an episode, in my opinion. Well-developed characters here and there... but also sometimes very cliched and, again, one-dimensional. Some very light-hearted moments (like for kids), some very touching, dramatic and serious, and some other were suspenseful. The actors who played the perverts are very believable and those moments were well played out. Teresa was lovable but sometimes a bit distracting, except for her last scene, which was so touching (wow!, I think Troian Bellisario is about my same age now!!).

Liked the character of Jackie, but the bullies were all cartoons and cliched. Didn't like the sister (Susan) at all, and while Kevin was a very good character, the actor who played him looked a bit too old to be playing a teenager, in my opinion. He was supposed to be a 16 year old, I think, and he looked like 22, 23.

I thought the mentioning of that other show by Donald P. Bellisario, Magnum P.I., was unnecessary and a bit over-the-top. The topics in themselves: the teenage years, the bullying, the social pressure, the urge/pressure of losing your virginity, the fact of being different in a middle full of jerks, the sort of life on middle-class neighborhoods like those, the fact of being a single mother with more than 2 kids against the whole world, all those topics were great, and, while Deborah Pratt didn't handle them in a perfect way, perhaps with only a little scratch at their reality, I think she managed to get her point across and it actually worked for me. The first episode with the "Ziggy" voice-over introduction (even if it was a man here - great thing they immediately switched it after this ep.). This intro wasn't as great as Sam's voice-over at the beginning of each teaser, in my opinion, but, as time goes by, you get used to it and it actually isn't that bad.

By the way, that neighborhood were they lived looked a lot like the one that was used in the music video for the song "Subdivisions" by the rock-prog band "Rush" (a favorite of mine).

My rating: Average.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I also loved the way Sam "senses" the correct time when he has to leap out.

[Sam Beckett Fan]

Originally Posted by iMonrey

Worst of all, after Sam knocks them out, he and Kevin just get into their car and drive away! Did they call the police? Talk about your loose threads.

This has entered my mind as well, there was never closure with the kidnappers.

Originally Posted by Donofrio_QLTD

while Kevin was a very good character, the actor who played him looked a bit too old to be playing a teenager, in my opinion. He was supposed to be a 16 year old, I think, and he looked like 22, 23.

Come to think of it, you are right. He does look like he could be in his early 20's.

Originally Posted by IMonrey

The other thing I noticed is that this seems to be the only episode where Sam "senses" he's about to leap, giving Al ample time to say a proper goodbye to Teresa. I can't think of any other episode where Sam has that much advance warning he's about to leap out. Usually it takes him completely by surprise.

There have been at least two other instances.
1.) Thou Shalt Not. It felt as though Sam stayed behind on purpose to ensure the father showed affection to the daughter and even like he leaped at will, he knew exactly when.
"Now Sam?"
"Now."
2.) Southern Comforts. Sam informs Al that there will be no peeping of the "working girl" because it's time to leap. A minute prior, he even gets that same kind of expression as in this episode.

[samnal]

I love this episode because we get to see this *wonderful* side of Al, how gentle he was, and what a good daddy he could be. Little Teresa was so sweet, and Sam was a good mother, did a GREAT job. I do like the fact he can sense that he will leap, like that little feeling I get when a hot flash is about to hit!

[Lightning McQueenie]

Originally Posted by Sam Beckett Fan

This has entered my mind as well, Kevin and Sam did leave the scene pretty casually and it's never told if the kidnappers were turned in.

I think the way they played it out was fine, if you're in a traumatic situation, the first thing you'd want to do is get out of it...

Another thing that bugs me every time I watch is the scene where the perv rips Sam's blouse open. Why the hell is he not wearing a bra!?

Sam is a man, he doesn't need one...

There have been at least two other instances.
1.) Thou Shalt Not. It felt as though Sam stayed behind on purpose to ensure the father showed affection to the daughter and even like he leaped at will, he knew exactly when.
"Now Sam?"
"Now."
2.) Southern Comforts. Sam informs Al that there will be no peeping of the "working girl" because it's time to leap. A minute prior, he even gets that same kind of expression as in this episode.

Also "What Price Gloria" he tells GFTW (really himself) that he's ready to leap...

[Sam Beckett Fan]

Originally Posted by Lightning McQueenie

Sam is a man, he doesn't need one...

I beg to differ, he wasn't according to the surroundings he was in at the time. He was Mrs. Bruckner, a woman and a mother. In The Wrong Stuff Al even reminds Sam that the main rule is that he has to "At least pretend to be who you leap into" and through that white blouse it would be noticeable that Mrs. Bruckner wasn't wearing a bra which wouldn't be proper. It comes off as slutty.

[blue enigma]

I love Al and Teresa together, and Sam is also so wonderful with kids and he's great with the three kids in this episode. Also, knowing the outcome it cracks me up when the guy pulls the knife on Sam and Al says, "Careful, Sam, he's got a knife, it could be sharp." ROFL. Duh, Al.

[Lightning McQueenie]

Originally Posted by Sam Beckett Fan

I beg to differ, he wasn't according to the surroundings he was in at the time. He was Mrs. Bruckner, a woman and a mother. In The Wrong Stuff Al even reminds Sam that the main rule is that he has to "At least pretend to be who you leap into" and through that white blouse it would be noticeable that Mrs. Bruckner wasn't wearing a bra which wouldn't be proper. It comes off as slutty.

Unfortunately beggars can't be choosers SBF :P haha

Mrs Bruckner was an overworked mother, and Sam had to take on all her duties. Do you really think that with all the things going through his head that the mother would normally have to sort through, combined with trying to save the son, something as trivial as a bra would cross his mind?

[Sam Beckett Fan]

Originally Posted by blue enigma

Also, knowing the outcome it cracks me up when the guy pulls the knife on Sam and Al says, "Careful, Sam, he's got a knife, it could be sharp." ROFL. Duh, Al.

Haha right! Every time that line makes me think "No. Yah think Al!?" XD

Originally Posted by Lightning McQueenie

Unfortunately beggars can't be choosers SBF :P haha

Mrs Bruckner was an overworked mother, and Sam had to take on all her duties. Do you really think that with all the things going through his head that the mother would normally have to sort through, combined with trying to save the son, something as trivial as a bra would cross his mind?

Of course, there I go over thinking again. XD

[Lightning McQueenie]

For all the leapers and Quantum Mums out there, the Quantum Leap Podcast have released a Mothers Day special - an audio commentary for the episode "Another Mother".

We had some very special guests. We were lucky enough to be joined the mother of Quantum Leap herself, Deborah Pratt, who wrote this episode. She had some great stories to tell about the making of "Another Mother" and answered some questions that had been burning in our minds for ages.

The other special guest is someone very close to my heart. I was on my best behaviour because we were joined by none other than my mother - Mamma McQueenie <3

Happy Mothers Day to all the Quantum Mums out there!

[Mrs. Mallard]

Originally Posted by Lightning McQueenie

Mrs Bruckner was an overworked mother, and Sam had to take on all her duties. Do you really think that with all the things going through his head that the mother would normally have to sort through, combined with trying to save the son, something as trivial as a bra would cross his mind?

I hadn't even noticed the missing bra, but what crossed my mind after reading this discussion is... how does Sam put on a bra anyway? He can't see what he's doing, unless he looks into a mirror, right? So, how does he, well, get everything into position? Or can he see/feel his aura? I'm confused... :-)

Vicky

[Lightning McQueenie]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Mallard

I hadn't even noticed the missing bra, but what crossed my mind after reading this discussion is... how does Sam put on a bra anyway? He can't see what he's doing, unless he looks into a mirror, right? So, how does he, well, get everything into position? Or can he see/feel his aura? I'm confused... :-)

Vicky

I'm sure since he knows where his nipples are he can guess where the breasts would be. And like you said, he can look in a mirror.

[Scotophor]

Originally Posted by Donofrio_QLTD

The first episode with the "Ziggy" voice-over introduction (even if it was a man here - great thing they immediately switched it after this ep.).

I thought Bellisario veteran Lance LeGault's reading was a bit over-the-top melodramatic and I'm glad they replaced it too. I just surfed IMDB to double-check my spelling and I see that he passed away in 2012. R.I.P.

Originally Posted by Donofrio_QLTD

By the way, that neighborhood were they lived looked a lot like the one that was used in the music video for the song "Subdivisions" by the rock-prog band "Rush" (a favorite of mine).

I'm not familiar with that video, but one scene near the end of this episode looked exactly like Elliot's neighborhood in E.T. to me.


Another oddity I noticed in this episode that hasn't been mentioned yet: once, when Al vanishes to be re-centered elsewhere, a cloud of multicolored glittery sparkles briefly appear in his place. Very cartoonish IMO. Was that effect ever seen in any other episode?

[Lightning McQueenie]

Originally Posted by Scotophor

Another oddity I noticed in this episode that hasn't been mentioned yet: once, when Al vanishes to be re-centered elsewhere, a cloud of multicolored glittery sparkles briefly appear in his place. Very cartoonish IMO. Was that effect ever seen in any other episode?

No, it was only in this episode. I think they were just trying out some new effects, and after realising that it didn't work as well as they'd hoped, simply stopped using it.

[servo75]

Originally Posted by Sam Beckett Fan

This has entered my mind as well, there was never closure with the kidnappers.

I never understood who the kidnappers were, they didn't even have any lines. I thought they might be connected to Kevin's father, he was described as rather slimy. It wasn't set up well or had any closure.


"Hey mommy glad you're back, there was a man here taking your place."
"Honey what do you mean?.... Wait I thought I was just cooking breakfast..."

[MO]

Two things: How many times is that tumbleweed going to cross the road in the bus stop scene? And, how does the creep drive the van if the windshield and side windows are blacked out (which would get him pulled over by the cops in an instant)?

I enjoyed this episode. Al's interactions with Teresa were very touching (even if he broke his promise to her in canon). Sam's virginity speech at the breakfast table was spot on. (I would steal that if I had kids.) The creeps in the van gave me the total creeps, but Al's protective threat to kill the creep, and especially the way he said it, made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I love how this is the first time we see Sam's martial arts prowess, and it's certainly not the last.

I didn't understand what the point was to the Magnum scene.

This episode gets an Excellent.

Oh, and I saw where a couple people mentioned above that the actor who played Kevin looked older than fifteen. They probably cast an 18tly* actor because he had to take off his shirt in that one scene.

* Eighteen years or older who can pass as younger than 18

[leaper1]

Originally Posted by MO

Two things: How many times is that tumbleweed going to cross the road in the bus stop scene? And, how does the creep drive the van if the windshield and side windows are blacked out (which would get him pulled over by the cops in an instant)?

I enjoyed this episode. Al's interactions with Teresa were very touching (even if he broke his promise to her in canon). Sam's virginity speech at the breakfast table was spot on. (I would steal that if I had kids.) The creeps in the van gave me the total creeps, but Al's protective threat to kill the creep, and especially the way he said it, made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I love how this is the first time we see Sam's martial arts prowess, and it's certainly not the last.

I didn't understand what the point was to the Magnum scene.

This episode gets an Excellent.

Oh, and I saw where a couple people mentioned above that the actor who played Kevin looked older than fifteen. They probably cast an 18tly* actor because he had to take off his shirt in that one scene.

* Eighteen years or older who can pass as younger than 18

I think the "Magnum" scene was just an 'in joke' since it is another Bellisario show.

[Lightning McQueenie]

Originally Posted by MO

Two things: How many times is that tumbleweed going to cross the road in the bus stop scene?

It did look like a boring town haha. No wonder everyone does just each other

And, how does the creep drive the van if the windshield and side windows are blacked out (which would get him pulled over by the cops in an instant)?

Windows can be tinted and still have perfect visuals from the inside.

Oh, and I saw where a couple people mentioned above that the actor who played Kevin looked older than fifteen. They probably cast an 18tly* actor because he had to take off his shirt in that one scene.

* Eighteen years or older who can pass as younger than 18

Actually, Deborah Pratt explained to us that the reason they cast an older actor was because it's cheaper - minors can only work a limited number of hours.

[MO]

Originally Posted by Lightning McQueenie

Windows can be tinted and still have perfect visuals from the inside.

In a van, rear windows (behind the B pillar) can be tinted as dark as you like, or even painted over. Front windows can be tinted up to a point. I can't remember offhand what the percentage is. I believe 20%? In any car (in the US, at least) it's illegal to tint the windshield at all, except for the top two or three inches along the roofline, unless you have a doctor's documentation that all your windows are required to be tinted (and even then, there's a limit). In quite a few shots, that van appeared to have its windows painted black. I get that it's to add to the 'creep' factor, but we already saw the pervs at the bus stop, so it seemed pointless (and dangerous!) and completely unrealistic to do that.

Actually, Deborah Pratt explained to us that the reason they cast an older actor was because it's cheaper - minors can only work a limited number of hours.

Now that makes perfect sense. I hadn't thought of that.

[MO]

Originally Posted by leaper1

I think the "Magnum" scene was just an 'in joke' since it is another Bellisario show.

That makes sense. I'm assuming the reference would have been more pertinent to the time the episode was originally aired. I guess it would be like if today, they aired an episode where Sam leaped into 2009 or 2010, and they showed a character watching whatever show was popular then.

[Lightning McQueenie]

Originally Posted by MO

That makes sense. I'm assuming the reference would have been more pertinent to the time the episode was originally aired. I guess it would be like if today, they aired an episode where Sam leaped into 2009 or 2010, and they showed a character watching whatever show was popular then.

I think it's funny that they showed Magnum PI as a TV show in this episode, when later it was planned that Sam would leap into Magnum for an episode hahaha.

[Anorak]

I've just watched this one... very entertaining episode I thought.

Some things, like kids being able to see Al, and Sam being able to do multiple martial arts, are so set in stone I forget they originated here.... have we really never seen Sam do his kung fu before this?

Not a perfect episode, as the kidnappers subplot is a bit rushed, as others have pointed out in this thread, but a good one.

I've just got two questions if anyone can help:

* Does anyone know why there was a different voiceover for this one?
* When was the filming date(s) of the episode? I was struck by the "teenage" temptress being clearly in her mid 20s.

Thanks.