"A Decent Proposal"


Leap Date: July 29, 1981



Synopsis:

Ben leaps to 1980's Los Angeles and into the body of Eva Sandoval, a no-nonsense bounty hunter in the midst of securing an elusive target. Ben remembers more about his own life.

Audio from this episode:
New Quantum Leap Theme
I Said Yes To The Nudge
It Suddenly All Made Sense
Hologram Double-Pass Effect
Hologram Fade-In
Leap Effect



 

TV Guide Synopsis
Broadcast Date
Leap Date
Leap Location
Name of Leapee
Project Trivia
Ben Trivia
Addison Trivia

Ian's Outfit Worn in the Episode
Kiss With History

Miscellaneous Trivia
Guest Cast
Guest Cast Notes
Guests who appeared in other Quantum Leap episodes
Characters who appeared in Classic Series episodes

Songs & Music
Say What? 
Quotable Quotes

Personal Review
Production Photos
Production Videos
Production Credits




Poster by J.J. Lendl



 

 

Teaser for this episode:


Teaser for this episode:





TV Guide Synopsis:
Ben leaps to 1980's Los Angeles and into the body of Eva Sandoval, a no-nonsense bounty hunter in the midst of securing an elusive target. Ben remembers more about his own life.



Broadcast Date:
Monday, October 10, 2022: 10pm on NBC



Leap Date:
July 29, 1981




Leap Location:
Los Angeles, CA




Name of Leapee:
Eva Sandoval



Project Trivia:
Ziggy is still running slow.

Magic tells Ian that when Sam Beckett Leaped into him in Vietnam, it felt like a nudge through a door. Magic let Sam in. He remembered Sam's face in dreams, and when Magic discovered his name in a top secret government project that had been shut down, he realized what had happened and restarted the project to try to bring Sam Beckett home.

Jenn already knew about Sam Leaping into Magic.




Ben Trivia:
Ben remembers that he has a girlfriend from his previous dream in "Somebody Up There Likes Ben." He misses her and can't stop thinking about her. Later, he finally remembers Addison is his girlfriend! He reaches for her hand, but it passes through the hologram as he Leaps. Will he remember her again?

Ben also remembers that he was a boxer in the previous episode. Sam Beckett sometimes lost memory of prior Leaps, so this is interesting.

As a kid, Ben liked to take things apart: Engines, appliances, and locks.



Addison Trivia:
No new revelations this episode.



Ian's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Black and red plaid patterened suit jacket (a Vivien Westwood design) and matching pants with white undershirt and 3 gold necklaces on long chains.



Kiss With History:
The wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles is shown on television after Jake proposes to Eva/Ben.



Miscellaneous Trivia:
This episode was also temporarily titled "Midnight Run."

The final episode title refers to the movie "Indecent Proposal."

The coffee truck Magic and Ian purchase their drinks from is called "Pretty Little Lates" which must be a reference to Troian Bellisario's show "Pretty Little Liars." Troian is the daughter of original series creators Donald P. Bellisario and Deborah Pratt.

Justin Hartley and Sophia Pernas are married in real life! They wed in 2021.




QUANTUM LEAP – SERIES REGULARS


Dr. Ben Song
(Portrayed by Raymond Lee)
– Ben is a first-generation American, a world-renowned physicist, and a man of faith. He’s also working on Quantum Leap, a time travel project. But when he uses the project on himself, he’s transported back in time with a bout of amnesia – forgetting what made him time travel in the first place.

Addison Augustine (Portrayed by Caitlin Bassett) – Addison is a smart, witty, fearless ex-military operative who now serves as Project Observer at Quantum Leap HQ. She’s in charge of the technology they use to communicate with the past, and tries to rescue Ben from his time-flung existence. 

Ian Wright (Portrayed by Mason Alexander Park) – Quantum Leap’s nonbinary chief architect of the AI program.

Herbert “Magic” Williams (Portrayed by Ernie Hudson) – A Vietnam vet and current head of the time travel project at Quantum Leap. Herbert “Magic” Williams uses his no-nonsense personality and aura of control to keep the Pentagon at bay while the team tries to rescue Ben.

Jenn Chu (Portrayed by Nanrisa Lee) – Head of security at Quantum Leap HQ. Quirky but formidable, she makes it her mission to figure out why Ben erased all evidence of why he Leaped.









Guest Cast:
Justin Hartley as Jake
Sofia Pernas as Carla aka Tammy Jean
Mark Damon Espinoza as Alberto Sandoval
Tyson Turrou as Stuart Watkins
Anastasia Antonia as Eva Sandoval (Mirror image)
Mark Sipka as Bartender
Hayes Beyersdorfer as Zach

From footage of "The Leap Home - Part II: Vietnam":
Chris Kirby as Herbert "Magic" Williams
David Newsom as Tom Beckett





Guest Cast Notes:

Justin Hartley (Jake) most recently has been seen starring on NBC's critically acclaimed, award winning series, "This Is Us," alongside Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown and Chrissy Metz. Created by Dan Fogelman, "This Is Us" premiered in September 2016 and instantly broke ratings records, earning the freshman series an immediate two-season renewal, with season three set to premiere on September 25, 2018. The heartwarming, emotionally provocative drama follows a unique set of triplets and their wonderful parents, whose lives and struggles intertwine, challenging the everyday presumptions about the people you think you know. Hartley shines as Kevin Pearson, one-third of the "big three" and a successful, handsome actor that seemingly has it all. However, as the series has progressed, viewers have been captivated as Kevin's perfect life has deconstructed episode to episode; from struggling with addiction, coping with the death of his father, exposing the dysfunctional relationship with both his mother and brother, and his heartbreaking longing to be loved and accepted by his own family. Hartley and his cast members most recently won the 2018 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, and the show picked up five additional Emmy nominations in 2018, following 33 award wins and 80 nominations over the last two years, and counting.

On the film front, Hartley was recently cast in the Universal comedy "Little," opposite Issa Rae and Regina Hall. He also starred in "A Bad Moms Christmas" (STX Entertainment) opposite Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn as the hilarious scene stealer, Ty Swindle. Additional film credits for Hartley include: "Another Time," which he also executive produced, indie "Race you to the Bottom," "Red Canyon," opposite Norman Reedus and Christine Lakin, "Spring Breakdown," opposite Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, and Seth Meyers, "A Way with Murder," opposite Michael Madsen, and the award-winning, boxing indie "The Challenger" for Vision Films.

In 2002, Hartley landed his first regular gig on the daytime soap "Passions," a role he held until 2006. He then starred as billionaire Oliver Queen (the Green Arrow) on the long running, hit CW series "Smallville." Hartley was able to showcase his talents behind the camera as well, writing ("Sacrifice," Season 9) and directing ("Dominion," Season 10) two episodes. Once "Smallville" came to an end, Hartley went on to appear on a handful of hit series including: "Chuck," "Castle," and "Hart of Dixie." In 2012, he returned to the CW as a series regular on the medical drama "Emily Owens, M.D.," opposite Mamie Gummer. Throughout 2013-16, Hartley juggled a handful of TV projects, appearing on 12 episodes of ABC's "Revenge," 16 episodes of ABC's summertime drama "Mistresses," and taking over the role of Adam Newman in the long-running CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless." Hartley was nominated for a 2016 Daytime Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on the show. While filming "Y&R," it was announced that Hartley would be joining the cast of NBC's fall 2016 passion project, "This Is Us."


Tyson Turrou (Stuart) is an Actor/Producer who focuses on bridging cultural divides with his work in film, television and on the stage. As an actor he is known for bringing an edgy, grounded likability to his characters. He has appeared in over 25 TV shows and films, working with multiple Emmy award winning directors, producers and actors. As a producer he works across genres to create highly entertaining stories that give audiences an appreciation of diversity and cultures beyond their own. He released his first film, "Loners," in 2019 and has several others in development.

Tyson's conviction that an engrossing story is one of the most subversive ways to bring people of different backgrounds together guides his artistry. In his acting and producing, he combines his love of filmmaking with his belief that walking a mile in another's shoes is the easiest path to erasing our societal divides.

Born in the small rural town of Grand Junction, Colorado, Tyson grew up exploring the outdoors and learning a blue collar work ethic working in his grandfather's construction business. Tyson was 12 when his sister got a job on "Thelma and Louise" and he visited his first set. Amidst the wet, smoke filled streets, and Ridley Scott's call of, "Action!" he fell in love with film. Tyson left his small town roots to attend USC, studying acting and film with some of the most influential storytellers today. Excited to start his career, he graduated a year early and booked his first acting job a few months later.

Although he loved acting, he knew there was more to his storytelling, so in 2015 Tyson returned to his film school roots and produced his first feature film, "Loners." He continues to develop several other films with a wide variety of diverse filmmakers. Tyson lives with his wife, a math educator for teachers of young children, who for some reason is perfectly supportive of her husband's artistic heart. Together they have a daughter who is the smartest, cutest, most entertaining kid in the entire world.

Sofia Pernas (Carla aka Tammy Jean) is a Moroccan-Spanish actor born in 1989 who resides in Los Angeles. She stars in The Brave. She moved to the US when she was five years old and grew up in Orange County. Her mother is from Morocco, while her father is from Spain, both are multilingual. As a result she speaks four languages including Arabic, English, Spanish and German. Although she initially planned a career in journalism, she was redirected to a career in modeling and acting after being scouted. She played Marisa Sierras on The Young and the Restless and appeared on the CW telenovela, Jane the Virgin with Justin Baldoni and Gina Rodriguez. She plays the character Hannah Rivera, a member of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in NBC's series The Brave.

Anastasia Antonia (Eva - Mirror Image) began her career when she was discovered by an agent at top modeling agency, Ford Models. She has appeared in many magazines and campaigns, modeling for high fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. Through her success as a model, Anastasia was able to step into a career as an actress. Her first professional role was played across from Oscar winner heavy weight John C Reilly. Having a childhood marked with stage theatre performances, she has been quoted as saying, "Acting was always the goal". Anastasia won "Best Actress" for her lead performance in 86 Melrose Avenue at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, 2021. The Promotion was Antonia's very first professional audition and, consequently, job. Her scenes were with Oscar winner John C Reilly. Starred as model in a Nelly music video directed by music video legend director Chris Robinson. Is an accomplished writer, having received multiple accolades throughout her life. She became a published poet at only 8 years old.

Georgina Reilly (Janis) is a British Canadian actress born February 12, 1986, in Guildford, United Kingdom, to songwriter/composer David Reilly and business administrator Frances Reilly. She comes from a long line of performers, her grandfather being Tommy Reilly, the world's first classical harmonica player. Growing up in an artistic household, she soon took to the family business, performing in musical theatre productions throughout her schooling. She met Philip Bateman (musical director of Billy Elliot, London production), who became a great mentor and supporter of her singing and acting. At the age of 16, she and her family made the move to Toronto, Canada, where Georgina finished her formal education. While attending Havergal College, she took a break from performing to focus on school. She was soon discovered by celebrated independent filmmaker Bruce McDonald, who cast her in the critically acclaimed 'Pontypool', which premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. It wasn't very long before Georgina became a household name in Canada. She is best known for her role as the feisty young coroner Dr. Emily Grace on Canada's acclaimed Victorian series Murdoch Mysteries and as the cynical Sabrina Reynolds on The CW's The L.A Complex. She married actor and filmmaker Mark O'Brien January 6, 2013, after meeting him on set. They reside in Los Angeles.





Guests Who Appeared in Other Quantum Leap Episodes:
David Newsom appears in a flashback to The Leap Home: Part II - Vietnam



Characters who appeared in Classic Series episodes:
Tom Beckett appears in a flashback to The Leap Home: Part II - Vietnam




Songs & Music:
"Don't You Want Me" by The Human League - plays in the opening bar scene
"Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet - plays as Ben and Jake chase their target out of the bar
"I'll Never Say Goodbye" by Extreme Music - plays while Jake and Ben talk in the car
"We Got The Beat" by The Go-Go's - plays as Ben goes to Union Station to find Carla
"One Way Or Another" by Blondie - plays as they give chase to Carla



Say What?
When the bartender sets down a drink for Ben, you can see Raymond Lee's reflection, blurred.

This is the third episode where Addison tells Ben that if he doesn't complate the mission, he won't Leap. In the original series, success had little to do with Leaping, according to Sam Beckett.

While the Leap date isn't specifically said, we assume this is July 1981 due to the television broadcast of Princess Diana's wedding.
"Don't You Want Me" by The Human League was not released until November 27, 1981. Although the song is an overlay and isn't heard by the characters, the episode predates the song by four months.

Magic says that in the original history, his entire Platoon died, but in "The Leap Home - Part II: Vietnam" from the original series, only Tom died.

The stunt doubles faces are clearly visible during the jump off the roof, as is the set of crash bags filled with air.

The handcuffs disappear from Carla/Tammy Jean and Ben briefly when jumping in the dumpster.

Some of the money that falls out of the suitcase at the end is from the 1990's and even later.



Quotable Quotes:

"Thirty seconds in a woman's body and you've already been harrassed, assaulted, and insulted. Sounds about right."
-Addison to Ben

Jake: "What... have you been boxing on the side or something?"
Ben: "Yes, actually."

Magic: "Ian, lets take a walk."
Ian: "The doesn't sound super ominous at all."

"I said yes to the nudge."
-Magic, to Ian

"I don't know if it'll ever be possible to get Sam Beckett back, but after what he did.... what he did for so many others, I had to try."
-Magic, to Ian


"I think she's in love. And if the person you love is in danger, you do whatever you have to."
-Ben, to Jake

"The answer is always in front of you. You just have to see it."
-Jake's Dad to Ben

"We are not going to let the same thing that happened to Sam, happen to Ben, okay? We can't. We are bringing him home."
-Ian to Jenn




Personal Review & Detailed Synopsis by Earl Bonovich:

This week, we find Ben has taken his first leap into someone of a different gender. Which immediately brings back memories of the original and iconic episode of QL "What Price Gloria".

Shortly after Ben handles being hit on at the bar, Addison leaps in and is just loving the situation. Which without directly stating it, leads near confirms, that Addison (or whom ever is in the imaging chamber), see's Ben as the person he has leaped into.

The episode continues into meeting Jake, Eva's partner (and we will soon find out much more then that), and we find out this isn't just a girl's night out... this is work, bounty hunter work.

We get a chase, and find out the writers got rid of a easy joke of having Ben in heels, and Eva is in a short heal at best, if not straight up flats/shoes. Confusion ensues between Addison, Ben, and Ziggy... to figure out why the leap. Is it to save Eva? Is it to save Jake? Is it to save her dad's business?

We find out just a little more about Eva and Jake, as there is a PROPOSAL... Now is the leap about fixing this potential marriage? To find Love? Ziggy being over utilized right now, is making a mess of things to figure out what the leap needs to be.

After a very awkward proposal and a really really bad pause/answer, we get to see yet another possibility... We have a bail jumper that needs to get to court... now that is the reason for the leap... or is it?

This episode really does a good job of avoiding all the stereo-typical tropes of a man being in a woman's body. No awkward kisses, no hints of intercourse, no nudity (or implied nudity), none of that. Just a genuine relationship concern, and discussions (which leads to more about Ben and Addison).

We get a classic car chase, with a blown out tire, with a person on the run after getting out of handcuffs, some great 80's standard action show items. Which ultimately resolves in the classical "at the train station".

We come to find out that the person they are trying to help, is a killer, and a drug dealer on a major scale. So now we FINALLY know the reason for the leap, and what needs to be done. Stop her. After a few more realizations, deep trust conversations, and a change in the love story (which I really really hope the real Eva feels the same way)... we get to the final moments. The oops I found her, with a gun in my back. We get a payoff of the opening emptying the purse, and the flashlight sized taser... and success the word play, works... and all works out.

In our final moments with Ben as Eva, the conversation with Addison takes another major step forward. Ben figures out Addison is his Girlfriend (we know it is still more, and not sure why Ben didn't realize it when he saw the MASSIVE ring on her hand), and Ben is quickly figuring out more about himself, and his past. Ben leaps, and goes WAY back to the 1800's...

Now for the sub-plot/continuing story: We get some big steps, and formal confirmations. Magic is formally introduced as the Magic from the OG Episodes: The Leap home that led off Season 3. We hear, how Magic has figured out that he was a leepee, and Sam changed the trajectory of his life, as well as soooo many more.

We get an alternative theory on to what Janice is doing, she is trying to predict the future by digging into the current characters biographies and information. We now know Ian is absolutely dead set on not allowing Ben to leap for eternity, and will find a way to get him home.




 
Production Photos:

 




  

Production Videos:
Coming Soon




Production Credits:

Consulting Producer: Moira Kirland
Producer:
Tim Scanlan
Producer:
Meg Fister
Co-Executive Producer:
Deric A. Hughes
Co-Executive Producer: Benjamin Raab
Co-Executive Producer: Drew Lindo
Co-Executive Producer:  Aadrita Mukerji
Produced by:
Tracey Baird
Executive Producer:
Robert Hull
Executive Producer: Steven Lilien
Executive Producer: Bryan Wyndrandt
Executive Producer: Chris Grismer
Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Executive Producer: Dean Georgaris
Executive Producer:
Martin Gero
Created by:
Donald P. Bellisario

Written by: Moira Kirland
Directed by: Rachel Talalay

Associate Producer: Ethan Henderson
Story Editor:
Margarita Matthews
Casting by:
Jennifer Cooper, CSA
Original Casting by:
Kamala A. Thomas

Director of Photography: Christopher Duddy
Production Designer: Mayling Cheng
Edited by: Benjamin Bumgarner
Music by: Daniel James Chan
Unit Production Manager:
Melanie J. Elin
First Assistant Director: Ellie Smith
Second Assistant Director: Ahtna Pesante
Costume Designer:
Genevieve Tyrrell

A Camera Operator:  Dave Hirschman
B Camera/Steadycam Operator: Michael Walsh
Production Sound Mixer: Brendan Beebe
Chief Lighting Technician: Donna Vega
Key Grip: Peter Chrimes
Art Director: Danny Cistone and Liz Kloczkowski

Set Director: Tim Stepeck
Costume Supervisor: Heather Sladinski
Property Master: Erik Grasteit
Construction Coordinator: Matt Sazzman
Casting Associate: Melanie J. Brown
Department Head Hair: Amy Marie Wilson
Department Head Makeup: Julia Lallas
Leadman: David Napoli
Stunt Coordinator: Jeff Barnett
Location Manager: Dan Milner
Transportation Coordinator: Sandra Ninham-Gallardo
Production Office Coordinator: Sofie Johanna "Bubbles" Dejus
Assistant Production Office Coordinator: Will Potenberg
Production Accountant: Natalie Chiengkul
Script Supervisor: Heather Pollock
Script Coordinator: Sue Palmer
Casting Associates: Lindsay Jameyson and Mia Cascio
Post Production Coordinator: Gabriella Scudieri
Music Supervisor: Season Kent
Music Co-Supervisor: Leah Harrison
Music Editor: Zed Starkovich
Assistant Editor: Jaclyn Rogers
Online Editor: Richard Wells
Colorist: Paul Allia
Visual Effects Supervisor: Trent Smith
Visual Effects Assistant Editor: Michael Defilio
Supervising Sound Editor: Kelly Cabral
Re-Recording Mixer: Yuri Reese
Re-Recording Mixer: Sean Madsen
Production Secretary: Kaitlin Moore
Production Staff: Zach Freeman, Michael Wiener, Scott Vinci, Emily Holguin, and Annelise Medina

Promotional consideration furnised by APPLE.

The State of California and the California Film Commision, California Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program

Copyright 2022 Universal Television LLC All Right Reserved

Dean Georgaris Entertainment
Quinn's House
Universal Content Productions
Universal Television



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