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"Against
Time" Leap
Date: July 3, 1976
Synopsis: Ben finds himself behind the wheel of a speeding stock car in 1976, but a terrifying threat from the future could sabotage the leap. Racing against the clock, Ben, Addison and the team must risk everything to complete the mission and save Quantum Leap itself.
Audio from this episode: Ben & Gideon: Who are you?
TV Guide Synopsis
Commercial for this episode: TV
Guide Synopsis: Broadcast Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | 10pm on NBC Leap Date: July 3, 1976 Leap Location: Sonoma, California Name of Leapee: Ricky Jarrett, Jr. Project Trivia: Janis mentions that she has sisters, confirming that this series does recognize that the Calavicci family includes four sisters! Ziggy predicts a 93% change that if Ben destroys Jeffrey's homemade computer, Gideon will never take over Quantum Leap. Ziggy predicts a 50% chance that if Ben succeeds, the butterfly effect will impact everyone at PQL. They could all be erased from existence. Tom Westfall's Quantum Leap badge ID is FT5461. Addison Augustine's Quantum Leap badge ID is LT2387. Addison can see what is on the gummi bear handlink, just as Al could. This suggests the original project handlink did project holographic images that only the observer can see. Ziggy predicts an 88% chance that even if Ben makes it back to Rick Sr. in time, he won't respond to CPR. Gideon wears a black fermi suit as he prepares to enter the Accelerator. Only white fermi suits have been previously seen on the good guys who have leaped before. Addison can remember the original timeline after it gets changed by Ben because she was directly connected to Ben in the Imaging Chamber as the change happened. Ben Trivia: Ben knows that Rick Jarrett Sr. is a racing legend. Ben lost his mother when he was 15 years old and he doesn't remember his father. Ben and Addison leap together into a possible WWII scenario at the end of the episode. Addison Trivia: Addison decides to switch places with Ben and sacrifices herself to try to bring him home. Ian's Outfits Worn in the Episode: Tan/gray button-up three-quarter shirt with long sleeves. Black tank top with black knee-length skirt. Black knee-high socks with black shoes. No glasses. Kiss With History: This episode takes place at Sonoma Speedway. Miscellaneous Trivia: The remote control car used in the episode is a replica of Al's (Bingo's) car from original series episode, "A Leap For Lisa."  The leap date is derived from the newspaper archive Ian reads about Jeffrey. The date on the newspaper is July 5. Ian says 24 hours from now, Jeffrey shows his invention to investors. If the paper was released a day after the event (presumably July 4), then the current date is July 3. There is a pinball machine called "Time Zone" in Jeffrey's garage. This is a real pinball machine manufactured in 1973 by Ballly Manufacturing Company. See more about this at the Internet Pinball Database. In the original script for the original series finale, "Mirror Image", Al leaps to find Sam. This ending was never used, but it was filmed! Now, over 30 years later, this ending is finally getting a chance to blossom with Addison leaping alongside Ben! Read part of the script below, or the entire script here. OBSERVER CLOSER ON BOTH BETH 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 lead of the Quantum Leap time travel project. Herbert “Magic” Williams tries to keep the Pentagon at bay while the team tries to rescue Ben. Doctor Sam Beckett leaped into Magic during his Vietnam tour.
Jenn Chu
(Portrayed by Nanrisa Lee) –
Head of security at Quantum Leap HQ. Tom Westfall (Portrayed by Peter Gadiot) – a former special forces soldier and a high-ranking US Army Officer in the realm of Army Intelligence. Thoughtful, centered, a spiritual kind of warrior who both men and women admire, but whose humility keeps him from ever being arrogant. Tom takes on a crucial role overseeing the project.
Hannah Carson (Portrayed by Eliza Taylor) – A complex young woman, who may be more than she appears. Guest Cast: James Frain as Gideon Rydge / Adult Jeffrey Nally Georgina Reilly as Janis Calavicci Susan Diol as Beth Calavicci Wyatt Parker as Jeffrey Nally Judson Mills as Rick Jarrett, Sr. Jessi Case as Casey Jarrett Mehrnaz Mohammadi as Alicia Josh Dean as Josh Nally Connor Esterson as Young Jeffrey Nally Owen Szabo as Armed Guard Zachary Margulies as Technician Jermaine Jacox as Captain Burton Matthew O'Donnell as Nick Peterson Guest Cast Notes: James Frain as Gideon Rydge / Adult Jeffrey Nally: James Frain is one of Hollywood's most versatile and respected actors who has a reputation for bold, intelligent performances in a diverse body of work in which he's collaborated with some of the finest actors and directors working today. In television, he most recently completed filming a leading role in the BBC miniseries Showtrial, airing on AMC+ in the US. He is known for his portrayal of real life current and historical figures including; Lord Warwick "The Kingmaker" (The White Queen), Henry VIII's right hand man and godfather of the English Reformation Thomas Cromwell (The Tudors), world famous conductor and classical musician Daniel Barenboim (Hilary and Jackie), LBJ speechwriter Richard Goodwin (Path to War) and Olympic rowing trainer Jack Beresford (Bert and Dickie). James' past film credits include Tron: Legacy opposite Jeff BRydges, Water for Elephants opposite Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, The Count of Monte Cristo with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce, Where the Heart Is opposite Natalie Portman, Reindeer Games with Ben Affleck and Charlize Theron, and Elizabeth opposite Cate Blanchett. James has an extensive theatre background having performed in the UK with The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Almeida, and The Royal Court. James co-starred with Ian McShane on Broadway in The Homecoming for which the cast won The Drama Critics Circle Best Ensemble Award. In 2019 James played Lionel Logue in The Chicago Shakespeare Theater's world premiere of The Kings Speech. He earned his degree in Drama and Film at the University of East Anglia and studied acting at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. While studying in London, James was spotted by Sir Richard Attenborough who immediately cast him in his first feature Shadowlands opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. James was born in Leeds, in the north of England, to an Irish Catholic family and has seven brothers and sisters. He is married to director Marta Cunningham with whom he has two children. They live in Los Angeles. Georgina Frances Reilly as Janis: 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. Susan Diol as Beth Calavicci): 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. Wyatt Parker as Jeffrey Nally: Wyatt Parker was born on February 12, 2010 in the USA. He is an actor, known for A Friend of the Family (2022), Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) and Secrets of Sulphur Springs (2021). Judson Mills as Rick Jarrett, Sr.: Born in Washington, DC, and grew up in northern Virginia in a house built by George Washington. Washington was a young surveyor in the area and the home is a historical landmark. Mills grew up hunting and fishing, and was most interested in sports, particularly football. Judson attended High Mowing in Wilton, New Hampshire, a private school, for his junior and senior year. It is a Waldorf school and rich with history and the arts. Not until his senior year did he involve himself in the theater. He was pushed into performing in his first play and received a standing ovation for his relatively brief cameo. This approval met Judson's liking and he began pursuing a career in acting. Judson first attended Barry University, a liberal arts college in Miami, Florida, but quickly realized that training in New York was what he needed if he really wanted to succeed. He moved to Long Island with the intention of attending the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He auditioned and was accepted. Only 250 people are accepted for the first year of their program, and of those, only 60 are asked back to the second, final year. After two years at AADA, and only two weeks before graduation, Mills was thrown. His bold, reckless personality would prove to be an asset as well as a handicap throughout his career. While being made an example of for his tardiness and absences was humbling, it also fueled his drive. Two weeks later As the World Turns (1956) called AADA looking for an actor for a summer romance storyline. They spoke to a faculty member who was a friend and fan who recommended him for the audition. Judson audition and gained the role. Mills spent two and a half years on the show, laying the foundation for the rest of his career. He was then signed for an episode of Law & Order (1990). Realizing California had more career options, he left everything behind and moved to Hollywood. The cocky young actor landed a role in a made-for-TV movie starring Alyssa Milano and Jamie Luner shortly after arrival. But again, Mills brash attitude and wild personal life continued to be his worst enemies. Over the next decade, Mills appeared on upwards of 30 TV shows including NYPD Blue (1993), JAG (1995), Murder, She Wrote (1984), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990), The X-Files (1993), and CSI: Miami (2002). He also broke into feature films, starting in independents like American Perfekt (1997) with Paul Sorvino, Robert Forester, Amanda Plummer, and David Thewlis, Joyride (1997) starring Tobey Maguire, 'Benicio DelToro', and Adam West. Judson's first starring role was as surfer/pitcher Hog Ellis, in the third installment in the Major League trilogy, Major League: Back to the Minors (1998). He also went on to work with such greats as Cuba Gooding Jr., in Chill Factor (1999), Sir Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser in the Academy Award-nominated Gods and Monsters (1998), and Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton in Disney's Mighty Joe Young (1998). He also spent two years in Dallas with Chuck Norris filming the last 52 episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger (1993). Connection with the Norris family (Chuck, his brother Aaron, and son Eric) proved to be valuable when after finishing Walker, they continued working together filming the movie of the week The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002). The movie drew 16 million viewers opposite the Golden Globe Awards. Talk of a spin-off series was shelved due to 9-11. Judson lives in Los Angeles with his two sons, Jagger with wife Morgan and Dalton with ex-wife Julie. He is very close to his mother and father, who have been married nearly 40 years, as well as his brother and sister-in-law. Jessi Case as Casey Jarrett: It became clear that Jessi Case is one to watch after shining on-screen with comedic legends in "Mother's Day" (2016). But it didn't start there. Long before the nationwide search that resulted in Case landing the role in Garry Marshall's last picture, she had known this was the path for her. Jessi began her pursuits as a child, between print modeling for Macy's, making home movies, and begging her mother to let her audition for ones that would be cast onto a silver screen. Case's begging paid off. Over the past few years, Jessi has been making wide strides in notable roles with ABC, Blumhouse, Hulu, EPIX, Apple+, and MGM. Jessi has had the pleasure of working with and learning from numerous entertainment icons and looks forward to the bright future ahead of her. Mehrnaz Mohammadi as Alicia: Known for From Scratch (2022) and Stuck in Development (2022). Josh Dean as Josh Nally: Born on December 3, 1979 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. He is an actor and writer, known for Blindspot (2015), Mike & Molly (2010) and Christmas with a Prince (2018). He is married to Celina Dean. Connor Esterson as Young Jeffrey Nally: Known for Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023), Chad (2021) and Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003). Owen Szabo as Armed Guard: Known for stunt work on many shows including Training Day (2017), Fear the Walking Dead, and The Rookie. Zachary Margulies as Technician: Known for American Crime Story (2016), Physical (2021) and Gone Hollywood (2019). Jermaine Jacox as Captain Burton: Known for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013), White Elephant (2022) and Unspeakable Indiscretions (2019). Matthew O'Donnell as Nick Peterson: Known for Cobra Kai (2018), The Hand That Robs the Cradle (2023) and Judge Me Not (2023). Guests Who Appeared in Other Quantum Leap Episodes: James Frain returns as Gideon Rydge. Eliza Taylor returns as Hannah Carson, a season regular. Georgina Reilly returns as Janis Calavicci. Susan Diol returns as Beth Calavicci. Josh Dean as Josh Nally and Connor Esterson as Young Jeffrey Nally both return from "Off The Cuff." Matthew O'Donnell returns as Nick Peterson, the mirror image of Ben in "Off the Cuff." Mehrnaz Mohammadi returns as Alicia, Gideon's right-hand assistant from "As The World Burns." Zachary Margulies returns as Gideon's Technician from "As The World Burns." Owen Szabo returns as Armed Guard from "As The World Burns." Characters who appeared (or were mentioned) in Classic Series episodes: Beth Calavicci appears in the episode. Sam Beckett is mentioned by Janis. Al Calavicci is mentioned by Beth. Magic is noted as a Leapee from "The Leap Home: Part II - Vietnam" When Gideon relies to Ben during the race track conversation, he says, "In the flesh, so to speak." This is a direct quote by the Devil version of Al in the classic series episode, "The Boogiem*n." Songs & Music: "Suite from The Leap Home" by Velton Ray Bunch from the original series Quantum Leap Soundtrack plays as Janis explains why the Calavicci's are so interested in helping Project Quantum Leap. "Quantum Leap Theme" by Mike Post from the original series plays as Janis gives Addison the gummi bear handlink to Addison. "Highway Star" by Deep Purple plays as Ben races to get to Jeffrey. "Outro" by M83 plays as Addison and Ben leap in together. Say What? Ben shifts the race car easily, as if he has experience. However, in the pilot episode, Ben clearly does not know how to operate a manual transmission from the shaky way he attempts to drive the van. No civilian, even a billionaire, would be given complete control of a top-secret government time-travel project. Especially with no experience in the field. Rachel is noticably absent from the final episode. When Janis tells the story of Beth and Al's original history, she says Sam Beckett changed history and her mom waited for Al, they got married, and had four girls. This is incorrect in that Al and Beth were already married when he left for his Vietnam tour and went M.I.A. Light adult language has been used infrequently throughout the series, but this episode features Gideon Rydge saying the phrase "Goddamn," which I found distasteful and unnecessary. Throughout the series early on, Jenn's last name has been advertised as "Chou." However, on Magic's phone, he has her listed as "Jenn Chu." When the team is talking to Jenn through Magic's cell phone, the elapsed time on the call is first shown as 0:55. When we next see the phone, it is at 5:01. However, only one minute and three seconds have actually passed in the real-time scene shown. There are a lot of people just standing out in their yards and on the sidewalk for no apparent reason other than to watch Ben drive fast down the street after he asks Jeffrey to help him! Why is it suddenly dark when Rick Sr. has his heart attack? Earlier in the leap, Rick said he was up next to qualify for the race the next day, but night came quickly if that's the case. As fast as Rick Sr. is driving on the track, he would not come to a slow coast as depicted in the episode. The Hamada car battery seen when Ben is trying to restart Rick Sr.'s heart could not have existed in 1976. Both possible companies named Hamada that sell auto parts were not founded until between 1988 and 1990. Attaching a car battery is more likely to cook the heart (if it even gets that deep) because it is providing too much power, and it is unlikely to disrupt the heart's electrical field because it is too low of a voltage. Even with a capacitor, this would not really be possible to restart someone's heart using a car battery. After she leaps, Addison seems to remember Ben and that she has missed him so much. As this is her first leap, does she not have the usual amnesia? Quotable Quotes: "Hello? Is this a race?! Where are the other cars?" -Ben "All this sacrifice is going to be worth it. We're almost there." -Rick Jarrett, Sr. "Quantum Leap isn't about power. We're supposed to help people." -Ben to Gideon "It's time to save Quantum Leap." -Magic Jenn: "Why do you keep helping us?" Janis: "You really don't know? In the original history, my father went missing in action and was presumed dead in Vietnam. My Mom never waited for him. And then one leap from Sam Beckett changed everything. Beth waited for Al, they got married, and had four girls... me and my sisters." Jenn: "Janis, we had no idea." Ian: "There's no record of any of this." Janis: "History changed, but my Mom always knew the truth. Without this project, our family wouldn't exist." Beth: "This is Al's life's work. If Quantum Leap is in the wrong hands, we need to get it back. All of us." Magic: "So what exactly is the plan here?" Ian: "You mean is Ben going to have to strangle baby Hitler? Hopefully not." Janis: "Jeffrey built you to Quantum chip that located Ben, correct? So what happens if you sabotage him in 1976?" Ian: "A paradox." Janis: "Exactly. Jeffrey's past is linked with our own, so if the past changes, we could all change with it." Magic: "No we've been though this, remember? The Quantum bubble protects us here in the present." Janis: "These are not normal circumstances, Magic. Ben is going off-leap. We don't have a cheat code from the future to protect us." "Now we may never know who or what is guiding him through time, but I believe there is something larger at work in the universe. A greater good. And today, I believe it's asking us to sacrifice. The question is, how far are we prepared to go?" -Magic Addison: "I'm sorry I didn't wait for you." Ben: "You don't owe me an apology, Addison. I made a promise I'd find my way back to you and I couldn't keep it. I'm sorry I didn't make it home." "Time isn't fair. It's a thief. It takes everything from us. But I have to power to give other people what I never had: a second chance." -Ben "Time to meet my destiny." -Gideon "I know you feel powerless sometimes. But every time you help someone, you make the world better. You can change so many lives, starting right now." -Ben Addison: "Permission to leap, Admiral?" Magic: "Granted." "Now it's time to go home, Ben Song. Of course, for a nomad, home isn't a place. It's a person." -Hannah Addison: "I''ve missed you so much. Just don't let go, okay?" Ben: "I won't." Personal Review & Detailed Synopsis by Brian Greene: Action right from the start as Ben leaps in with an eye-zoom shot into the drivers seat of a stock car on the Sonoma Speedway! He is Ricky Jarrett, Jr and his father, Rick Sr. yells into his walkie, "Don't slow down, son... speed up!" Ben is shaken and replies, "Is this a race? Where are the other cars?!" Rick tells him it's qualifying and if he doesn't speed up he will get disqualified. His sister, Casey, stands by as well. Ben shifts gears repeatedly as he speeds back up, close to 160mph. He finally hits the breaks as Rick and Casey run out to meet him. Ben asks how he did, and Casey says he placed dead last. Ben recognizes Rick as a racing legend as the confused Dad complains that it will be very difficult to win tomorrow's race against some very tough racers. Rick begins to cough and clutch at his chest as Casey asks if he is okay. Rick shakes it off and says he has to go prep his car. In the garage, Ben approaches Rick who is clearly out of breath. He tells Rick he will call 911. Rick says no, "Just stay with me for a minute." Rick says they cannot pull out of the race or they will go bankrupt and their team will lose their jobs. He apologizes for being so hard on his son, but all the sacrifice will be worth it when they win. Rick heads out to get ready to qualify. From nearby on the track, a voice says, "You're really not very good at this, are you?" It is Gideon Rydge talking to Ben as the hologram! Ben asks, "Sorry, do I know you?" Gideon chimes, "It makes sense... you weren't supposed to be the leaper. You're not really trained for this job, are you?" Just then, a race car runs through Gideon and causes his image to glitch. Ben realizes, "You're in the Imaging Chamber." Gideon affirms, "And you're under qualified." Ben approaches Gideon, who tells him Ben's team has been relieved of duty. Ben realizes he is the billionaire that Addison warned him about. "I'm a lot more than that, Ben." Ben asks who he is. "Well, when the world sees me, they see Gideon Rydge, brilliant success, came out of nowhere, but funny thing is, that is an illusion. A mask I use to manipulate everyone around me. And I leaned that trick from you, Ben. Come on, I was told you're a genius. Do I really have to spell this out?" Gideon hands him the letter Ben wrote to Hannah warning of Josh's upcoming death. "Maybe this will jog that memory of yours?" Ben looks at the letter and says, "Oh my God. Jeffrey?" Gideon replies, "In the flesh, so to speak." Memories of Devil Al saying this very line in "The Boogiem*n" come rolling back. Jeffrey/Gideon says it's been 50 years and he's finally meeting the man who destroyed his life. Ben says he saved Jeffrey's life. Jeffrey says Ben killed his father, Josh, with the letter to Hannah. Jeffrey says that the day Ben met his mother, he started a butterfly effect that gave Hannah a secret he couldn't understand back then. We are shown a different perspective of "Off The Cuff" with the leapee shown in place of Ben as Hannah almost kisses him and young Jeffrey enters the room. In a flashback scene, Josh discovers the latter and faces Hannah, angrily. "Who the hell is Ben?" She tries to explain that Ben is a time-traveler but Josh storms out the door. Jeffrey continues to explain to Ben, "My father drove off in a rage into a storm and he crashed. And he died because of you." Ben says he never meant to hurt anyone. Jeffrey continues, "I didn't believe you were real until I found the letter in the fire, and I looked up, and I saw that look in my mother's eye, and I could see that is was all true. A faceless time-traveler interfering in the past. And then, in an instant, you were gone." He then channeled all his rage into technology. He changed his identity and used Ben's stock tips to build an empire. Then he tracked Ben down and wants to set things right. Jeffrey says he will use Hannah's swap code by trading places with Ben as the leaper. Jeffrey plans to change little things here and there from politics to wall street and change the timeline to whatever he wants. Ben cries, Quantum Leap isn't about power. We're supposed to help people." Jeffrey tells Ben that he failed in his cause and to wrap things up because he doesn't have much time. Then the hologram presses a button on the handlink and fades out. "Alicia, where are we with the code?" Gideon asks as he exits the Imaging Chamber. She explains that she is running diagnostics to ensure it's safe before Gideon steps into the Accellerator. He tells her to do it faster. She asks what to do with Ben when they swap places. Gideon tells her to find a black site so no one can ever find Ben and to put a photo of Addison on the wall to remind him of what he lost. Jenn, Addison, and Ian walk through the PQL parking lot as Ian says they are headed for the darkest timeline. An SUV rolls up and out steps Janis Calavicci! "I thought you were in Hawaii!" asks Addison. "I was, until I got a call to save your asses. Again." Ian asks who called her. Magic appears from the passenger side of the vehicle. "I did. Get in. It's time to save Quantum Leap." As they enter a secret facility Magic has kept going, Janis says, "Welcome to the circus. You're all about to engage in treason against the U.S. government." Addison looks worried. Jenn asks, smiling, "First time?" Magic says he pulled some things out of storage and figured Janis's Imaging Chamber might come in handy one day. The homemade IC from season one is seen in great detail in the background. Janis says she has worked out the kinks from last time, but as soon as they contact Ben, Gideon will know. Ian tries out their new chair, excited to begin. Janis explains to Ian that they have access to Ziggy, but all other systems are locked down. From behind the new team, "Sorry to interrupt. Is anybody hungry? I brought sandwiches. Coffees." It's Beth Calavicci bearing food and drink! Ian says, "I could eat." Addison says, "For all the grief that this project's caused your family, I'm a little surprised that you keep coming to the rescue." Jenn asks, "Why do you keep helping us?" Janis replies, "You really don't know?" The music, Theme From The Leap Home, (from the classic series soundtrack album) plays in the background as Janis details, "In the original history, my father went missing in action and was presumed dead in Vietnam. My Mom never waited for him. And then one leap from Sam Beckett changed everything. Beth waited for Al, they got married, and had four girls... me and my sisters." Jenn says, "Janis, we had no idea." Ian adds, "There's no record of any of this." Janis explains, "History changed, but my Mom always knew the truth. Without this project, our family wouldn't exist." Beth adds, "This is Al's life's work. If Quantum Leap is in the wrong hands, we need to get it back. All of us." Ian gets a lock on Ben in Sonoma California, 1976. Magic says, "Addison, you're up." As the classic series opening theme tones play faintly, Janis hands Addison the gummi bear handlink that belonged to her father. "It's a family heirloom." Ben attempts to make a collect call to Hannah from the racing facility on a pay phone. Jeffrey answers the phone and when the operator tells him the call is from Ben Song, he hangs up. Addison shows up holding the gummi bear handlink and says it's a long story, but they are in trouble. Ben tells her Gideon is really Jeffrey Nally, Hannah's son. Ian says that Gideon could use Hannah's code to swap places with Ben at any time. Jenn ponders a way to get into PQL to seal off the Accelerator. She goes to a box labeled "Dad's stuff" brought by Janis and pulls out a remote controlled car, a replica of Al Calavicci's car in the classic series episode, "A Leap For Lisa." She asks Janis for permission to borrow it and makes a phone call, asking someone for a favor. Addison tells Ben that Jenn is trying to stop Gideon but time is short. Ben notes that Jeffrey and Hannah now live in California and asks her to pull up the address. Addison tries, but the handlink doesn't respond. She gives it a few whacks (just as Al used to!) and it beeps, giving her the requested information! Addison tells him that Hannah lives 20 minutes from their location, but Rick Sr. has a heart attack 42 minutes from now. Addison warns Ben that she knows he wants to save everyone, but if they don't stop Jeffrey, they lose everything. Ben says he has time and can do both. Ben runs for the race car and tells his sister, Casey, to not let their dad get in a car. Ben races off with Addison to beat the clock! As Ben dodges traffic in a frantic effort to find younger Jeffrey, Magic, asks, "So what exactly is the plan here?" Ian replies, "You mean is Ben going to have to strangle baby Hitler? Hopefully not." Ian pulls up a newspaper article detailing young Jeffrey Nally presenting his computer design to investors, which is what kick-starts his career. Ziggy says that Jeffrey will still get rich, but if they destroy the computer, it will shatter Jeffrey's confidence and set him back years. Addison relays the message that Ziggy predicts a 93% change that Ben can prevent Jeffrey from taking over Quantum Leap by destroying his computer. Ben hits the gas. Gideon watches from the Quantum Leap Headquarters observer screen. "They have their own Imaging Chamber." He directs his team to find where the signal is coming from and have a strike team ready. "Enough beta testing! I need to leap... now!" Janis asks Ian, "Jeffrey built you to Quantum chip that located Ben, correct? So what happens if you sabotage him in 1976?" Ian responds, "A paradox." Janis adds, "Exactly. Jeffrey's past is linked with our own, so if the past changes, we could all change with it." Magic intercedes, "No we've been though this, remember? The Quantum bubble protects us here in the present." Janis corrects, "These are not normal circumstances, Magic. Ben is going off-leap. We don't have a cheat code from the future to protect us." Ziggy says that there is a 50% chance that if Gideon succeeds, the butterfly effect will impact everyone in the room. "We could all be erased at any moment," warns Janis. Beth asks what they should do. Magic opts to take the risk since Ben is in the right place to change things. "Now we may never know who or what is guiding him through time, but I believe there is something larger at work in the universe. A greater good. And today, I believe it's asking us to sacrifice. The question is, how far are we prepared to go?" Alicia begs Gideon to wait as she doesn't know if the code will work. "That code is my mother's life's work. I trust her intellect more than anyone in this building." He heads to the Accelerator. In the elevator, red lights and warning sirens sound. Jenn has hacked into the system and locked them inside. Jenn tells her team that it won't hold Gideon for long, and she is heading over to lock down the Accelerator. Gideon realizes that the attack must have come within the building. Alicia tells him that Tom Westfall's access badge swiped in six minutes ago. He tells her that the badges have RFID tags, so she can find him and get the elevator open. Guards track the RFID signal and come upon the remote controlled car Jenn borrowed from Janis, which holds Tom's ID badge! Gideon orders them to the Accelerator. Jenn says she has just a couple more minutes before it gets locked down. Addison and Ben are close to Jeffrey, but are running out of gas and have no cash. Gideon and the soldiers find Jenn. Gideon tells her that they will shoot if he doesn't hand over the tablet she is using to lock down the Accelerator. Over the phone, Magic and the team plead with Jenn to do what Gideon says. Jenn tells them, "You're my family, and I love you. But this is bigger than me. Ian, will you just do me a favor? Tell Ben and Addison that I---" A gunshot is heard over the phone. Jenn has been shot and dies as the tablet shows 100% completion on the lockdown. Magic, Ian, Janis and Beth all cry as they realize the loss of their friend. In the race car, Addison gets the news from the colorful handlink. She tells Ben that Jenn is gone. Jenn's body is sealed in a body bag by the soldiers. Gideon says, "Ben Song did this. He is responsible." He demands the lockdown deactivated and says that no one is to leave until he reaches the Accelerator. He is furious! As they drive faster, getting closer to Jeffrey, Addison says: "I'm sorry I didn't wait for you." Ben replies, "You don't owe me an apology, Addison. I made a promise I'd find my way back to you and I couldn't keep it. I'm sorry I didn't make it home." They run out of gas as they coast into Hannah and Jeffrey's neighborhood. Ben and Addison enter the garage and find Jeffrey's computer, called "The Joshua." Addison tells him to destroy the computer so they can get out of there. Ben pauses. Addison says that Jeffrey killed Jenn and to destroy it. Ben can't do it. He wants to fix things. Jeffrey enters the garage and asks, "Who the hell are you?" Ben responds that he will not hurt the boy and, "It's me. It's Ben. I came here to see you. I owe you an apology. I tried to save your dad, but I failed, and I'm sorry." Jeffrey begins to cry. "You think an apology changes anything. You are the reason that he is dead right now!" Gideon watches from the observer screen. Ben explains that he tried, but some things can't be undone. The boy cries, "You have a time machine, and you couldn't save the one person that I needed the most." Ben tells him that he lost his own mother when he was 15 years old and he doesn't remember his father. "I promised I'd spend the rest of my life with someone, and I lost her too. I lost everything. Time isn't fair. It's a thief. It takes everything from us. But I have to power to give other people what I never had: a second chance." Ben further tells Jeffrey that he has that power too. He can help others who are hurting, or give in to rage and hate and make the world even worse, but that's not what Josh wanted for him. Addison warns that they are out of time because of Rick Jarrett, Sr.'s upcoming heart attack. Ben asks Jeffrey to help him save that family and after that, the future is up to him. Jeffrey, tears streaming, asks how Rick dies. Ben tells him from a heart attack and Jeffrey agrees to help. They take Hannah's car and rush back to the raceway. Addison warns that Ziggy predicts an 88% chance that Rick doesn't respond to CPR when they get back. Ben says, "Tell Ziggy I have a plan." Thy speed off in Hannah's station wagon as Ben asks Jeffrey to build a capacitor. Watching from PQL, Gideon says nervously, "He's failed!" Alicia asks, "How can you be so sure." Gideon responds, "Because we're still here! There's no butterfly effect. Nothing's changed." Gideon's technician informs them that the Accelerator door is now open and back online. "Time to meet my destiny," says Gideon. He directs his team to shoot Ben when he steps outside the Accelerator. Addison pops in and informs Ben that Rick is having his heart attack right now. Ben hits the gas as we cut to Rick driving on the track. It is now dark and the father is starting to feel the effects from the attack. He grasps his chest and comes to a slow roll into a barrier of tires. His team rushes out to the track and pulls him from the car. Gideon's soldiers locate Magic and the team at the alternate Quantum Leap base. They come in with guns and force them to put their hands up. Gideon enters the hallway to the Accelerator Chamber in a black Fermi suit. As Rick's medic verifies his heart has stopped, Ben and Young Jeffrey speed onto the raceway. Casey begins to cry and kneels over her father. Ben directs Jeffrey to attach the cables and the capacitor to increase the voltage. Ben puts the jumper cables to a piece of metal over Rick's chest and gives Rick a jolt. The man comes back to life as Jeffrey smiles and Ben reassures th boy that he just saved a life. "It feels good, doesn't it?" Jeffrey affirms, "It does." Gideon approaches the Accelerator door. Slowly, a wind begins to surround him. He turns around, suddenly changed from his younger self doing good. Addison informs Ben that he succeeded as she looks into the colorfully cubed handlink. Ziggy reports "Butterfly Effect Achieved" on-screen as Magic, Ian, Beth and Janis hold hands. Wind begins to rush around them and sparks fly from computer equipment and the Imaging Chamber. Gideon and his team stare ahead as wind rushes around him from PQL. Addison exits the Imaging Chamber to find Magic, Ian... and Jenn! "You're alive!" Jenn has no recollection of anything changing, nor does anyone else. Addison asks, "Jeffrey Nally, is he still after us?" Magic responds, "Why would be be after us? He's a major donor to the program." Ian adds, "Yeah, he built that Quantum chip free of charge." Addison says they don't remember the other timeline, followed by Ian saying they are getting a feeling of deja vu. Addison guesses that because she was in the Imaging Chamber directly connected to Ben, she is the only one who remembers the previous timeline. They all ask if Addison is okay, and she says yes. Ian gets back to business and says they need to find someone to swap places with Ben. Magic says he will look at candidates, but Addison says he already has one. As Rick Sr. gets loaded into an ambulance, Casey tells Ben he did good. "He always does," says Hannah, walking up to Ben with Jeffrey. Jeffrey smiles and says he'll go wait by the car. Ben says, "I was hoping your math was off." She giggles. Ben tells her that Jeffrey told him about Josh, and apologizes. Hannah replies that his letter gave them more time with him..."more time as a family. 600 days to be exact. And I treasure every single one of them. They were a gift, Ben. Everything you do for me, for others, is a gift." Addison tells the team that after everything Ben has done for her and the rest of them, if someone has to take his place, it should be her. Magic warns that if she steps into the Accelerator, they might never see her again. "It's too big a risk." She replies that someone has to take it. "Plus if the swap code works, Ian can always bring me back. Ian says they don't know if they can. "You can, and you will," she says. They hold hands and then Addison asks, "Permission to leap, Admiral?" Magic affirms, "Granted." They share a final embrace. In the stands of the raceway, Ben asks Hannah if she thinks the code will work. "It's gonna work. You know, we've lived a lifetime in seven days. But now it's time to go home, Ben Song. Of course, for a nomad, home isn't a place. It's a person." Ben smiles at her, then leaps. The Accelerator comes online in a blaze of lights. The arch pendulums begin to rotate as Addison steps onto the platform in a white Fermi suit. Electricity surges through the Accelerator cores around her. Addison holds out her hands as streams of energy surround her and the ethereal rumble engulfs her body. She leaps. In an eye-zoom sequence, Addison finds herself on a city street dressed in a 1940's style dress and hairstyle. This could take place during WWII. People are running around and explosions can be heard around her in the distance. Folks are carrying suitcases and calling out, "Come on!" Addison looks across the courtyard and sees a familiar face. "Ben? What are you doing here?" Ben looks up, "Addison? Addison!" They run together and put up their hands to one another. Their hands touch! They embrace for the first time in years. "Ben, I've missed you so much! Just don't let go, okay?" Ben replies, "I won't." Two more explosions occur and people continue running away around them. Ben takes Addison's hand, and she smiles at him as they run off screen as we fade to black. My review: That ending... mind-blowing! Have Addison leap with Ben instead of swapping them was genius! Hannah said that home isn't a place - it's a person. Her code brought Ben and Addison both home to their person! I can't wait to see how this will work with a "Team Leaper" situation in season three! NBC wanted a team leap back in 1993 and had pushed ideas for a kid or teenager to leap along with Sam, which ultimately didn't come to fruition when the show was canceled after season five. Even an alternate ending to "Mirror Image" had Al leaping to find Sam. Now we will get to (hopefully) see what that can be. This episode evoked the original Quantum Leap series throughout! Seeing Beth and Janis again really kicked this off and when the gummi bear handlink was presented and the sounds began to pour from it, I felt the nostalgia rolling over me! I loved when Addison smacked it as Al had done so many times! Hearing the music from "The Leap Home" and the tones of the original QL theme music during that scene really made me remember why I love this show so much! The leap into the race car driver was fun, although this wasn't the focus of the plot. I did enjoy seeing the loose ends of this season get tied up and Gideon's reveal that he is really Jeffrey Nally was a fun twist! His "evil monologue" as the hologram was fun for sure. The black Fermi suit on Gideon was a nice touch and the butterfly effect SFX was a very cool scene. We got to see a car go through Gideon's hologram, so that made me happy, as I've been saying this show needs more of that! Seeing the leapee from "Off The Cuff" from Jeffrey's perspective was an especially neat feature and I enjoyed watching Ben change Jeffrey into a positive person. Wyatt Parker did a great job as Jeffrey Nally and was very believable. This is how you make a great show! Heart, action, good storytelling, and amazing actors who love what they do... Congratulations to the entire production team for giving fans new and old a great adventure. Season three can't arrive soon enough! Production Photos:                                             Production Videos: Coming Soon Production Credits: Edited by: Ian Mayberry Production Designer: Mayling Chen Director of Photography: Ana M. Amortegui, ADFC Producer: Meg Fister Supervising Producer: Tim Scanlan Supervising Producer: Kristy Lowrey Produced by: Chad McQuay Co-Executive Producers: Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes Co-Executive Producer: Drew Lindo Co-Executive Producer: Aadrita Mukerji Executive Producers: Steven Lilien & Bryan Wyndrandt Executive Producer: Alex Berger Executive Producer: Chris Grismer Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt Executive Producer: Dean Georgaris Executive Producer: Martin Gero Developed by: Steven Lilien & Bryan Wyndrandt Created by: Donald P. Bellisario Directed by: Chris Grismer Written by: Drew Lindo Co-Producer: Margarita Matthews Co-Producer: Rammy Park Associate Producer: Ethan Henderson Executive Story Editor: Shakina Casting by: Jennifer Cooper, CSA Original Casting By: Kamala A. Thomas Music by: Daniel James Chan Unit Production Manager: Francesco M. Tignini Unit Production Manager: Dylan K. Massin First Assistant Director: M. Ryan Traylor Second Assistant Director: Athena Alexander Costume Designer: Genevieve Tyrrell A Camera Operator: Brian Nordheim B Camera/Steadycam Operator: Rocker Meadows Production Sound Mixer: John Lakin Chief Lighting Technician: Donna Vega Key Grip: Peter Chrimes Location Manager: Dan Milner Art Directors: Phil Toolin and Jann Engel Set Decorator: Tim Stepeck and Brent Mannon Costume Supervisor: Heidi Higginbotham Property Master: Erik Grasteit Construction Coordinator: Matt Sazzman Department Head Hair: Amy Marie Wilson Department Head Makeup: Julia Lallas Leadman: David Napoli Stunt Coordinator: Jeff Barnett Transportation Coordinator: Jay Smith Production Controller: Natalie Chiengkul Production Supervisor: Matt Sagona Production Office Coordinator: Nicole Orefice Assistant Production Office Coordinator: Stephanie Barnes Script Supervisor: Heather Pollock Script Coordinator: Sue Palmer Casting Associates: Lindsay Jameyson & Mia Cascio Post Production Supervisor: Gabriella Scudieri Music Supervisors: Season Kent and Leah Harrison Music Editor: Zed Starkovich Assistant Editors: Catherine Goohs & Katie Rose Cornblath Online Editor: Richard Wells Colorist: Chris Boyer Visual Effects Supervisor: Trent Smith Visual Effects Editor: Mengle Han Supervising Sound Editors: Kelly Cabral and Kevin Zimmerman Re-Recording Mixer: Yuri Reese & Sean Madsen Second Second Assistant Director: Heidi Hinzman Additional Second Assistant Director: Tim Deal C Camera Operator: Christopher Haifley A Camera 1st AC: Erik Emerson B Camera 1st AC: Steve Bellen DIT: Justin Steptoe Picture Car Captain: Jeremy Morgan Costume Supervisor: Alison Uhlfelder Key Costumer: Jonathan Parra Costume Coordinator: Ayumi Moore Assistant Art Director: Clayton Ford Set Designers: Brandon Hake & Keene Kopper Promotional consideration furnished by Apple The State of California and the California Film Commision, California Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program Copyright 2024 Universal Television LLC All Right Reserved Dean Georgaris Entertainment Quinn's House Universal Content Productions Universal Television Quantum Leap Podcast Supershow: Featuring FOUR podcast teams! The Quantum Leap Podcast Aftershow, Fandom Entanglement: QL, The Starbright Project Podcast, and PQL: The Podcast. Fandom Entanglement: Quantum Leap Podcast: Fate's Wide Wheel Podcast: |
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