(with apologies to The Bard for mangling his eloquent monologue from "Hamlet")

While searching for a topic to discuss about our favorite past-time (let's face it: It's NOT just a tv series to most of us!), one thing that really stood out to me about Quantum Leap... is the moods that they evoke in the viewer. 

Seriousness

Humor

Rage

Sadness

Gladness

Basically, the whole range of our human emotional spectrum!! LOL!

Fantastic episodes such as "Raped" (Episode #58 - Fourth Season) called forth pity, anger, revenge, justice, and compassion. The victim Katy was one any guy would LOVED to have stepped into for three minutes to slap the hell outta "Kevin", and you actually felt yourself cheering when Sam did just that! But you also found yourself hating and loving the defense attorney, the kindly police investigator, getting irritated with Katy's family, and then wanting to support them. I know being brought up in a family that wasn't "white trash" and yet wasn't "the IN family..." ("I mean, my God! His father is a Mechanic!!" *Gasp! Wheeze!*), I did find myself cringing when the McBains went to dinner and were the object of stare and ridicule! It makes the defender in all of us stand up and shout at the top of their lungs, "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!"

Truly, one of my favorite shows, for the emotional upheavals that literally flood from you while experiencing the reality of "Quantum Leap"!!

Another on the total end of the spectrum was "The Leap Back" (Episode #53 - Fourth Season - Premiere), which to me was just a total laugh riot. Having Al and Sam each have parts of the other person's mental imagery, and then trusting them into situations where the other person's personna wants to come out, was just hysterical! Sam as the wise-cracking Observer, now obsessed with a woman's more physical features and then admonishing himself because of it! Al complaining when he sees a hottie strolling on by that all he's having are pure choir-boy thoughts! Sam's revenge on Al, messing with him because he's a hologram. Al knowing Sam's martial arts! The Leaper-Lover-Hologram three-way conversations... seeing Al deal with his swiss-cheese memory. Well, they were all just total hoots!

And then, eventually, the romance and the joy of Sam finally being reunited back home! I enjoyed seeing Gooshie, Tina, Dr. Beeks, and yes, Donna (although I do wish it would still have been Teri Hatcher - who played the younger Donna. She was just a lot better actress, and I think most fans would have felt "full circle" seeing her again - after her introduction in the 2nd episode of the first season, "Star Crossed"). Sam being able to really enjoy the moment with Donna (thanks to Al's sexual urges!) and Al having a beautiful moment (thanks to Sam's purity). Makes ya go... 'Nyawwwwww!!!' and smile!

Again, one of my favorite shows!! And for the same emotional upheavals, but for far different responses.

Still other shows evoke the buddy themes, the comraderie, and the love between Al and Sam... probably some of my favorite shows deal with those particular aspects. Watching Al go through his troubles with the possible chance to have Sam fix up what happened between himself and Beth, and watchng Sam in anquish over not being able to change his FAMILY's past, yet he could do it for total strangers! And "Shock Theater" (Episode #52, Third Season Finale!) was just incredible! Sam lost in the damaged mind of a depressed patient, Al helpless and pleading, and the injustice of watching how our "mentalily ill" patients are treated. OMG!!

We as Leapers don't always like all the shows, this is true. But the wide variety of the various episodes allow us to experience the virtual playground of emotions. And I for one, THANK Donald P. Bellisario, Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell and everyone else associated with Quantum Leap that have made this trip to reality a pleasure cruise!

Let's see, do I wish to cry or laugh tonight? Which show will I watch, hmmmm? Maybe getting creeped out with "The Boogiem*n"!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Take care!
Matt