"Ben, Interrupted"


Leap Date: May 17, 1954



Synopsis:

When Ben lands in a 1950s psychiatric institution, he must engineer a daring escape for a young woman unjustly committed by her husband. The team is shocked to learn the identity of a mole in Quantum headquarters.

Audio from this episode:
Structure is sanity
Hologram fade-in effect
Leap effect - Martinez

 

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




 

 

Commercial for this episode:




TV Guide Synopsis:
When Ben lands in a 1950s psychiatric institution, he must engineer a daring escape for a young woman unjustly committed by her husband. The team is shocked to learn the identity of a mole in Quantum headquarters.



Broadcast Date:
Date: Monday, March 20, 2023 @ 10pm on NBC



Leap Date:
May 17, 1954




Leap Location:
Georges Island, Massachusetts




Name of Leapee:
Liam O'Connor



Project Trivia:
Jenn does not appear in this episode since Magic sent her home for a cough.

Janis has been under house arrest for the past few episodes, wearing an ankle bracelet.

Janis says this is their last chance if Ben has Leaped into 1954.

Ian finds a misfiled report from the old Quantum Leap project referencing the Evil Leapers!
Specifically mentioned in the report are Zoey and her hologram.

Janis tells the Project team that Martinez leaps the same way that Ben does - by helping people. Ian suggests that they also use the same Ziggy - just in different timelines.

According to Janis, Martinez is the person that kills Addison. The only way to stop him is for Ben to sabotage one of Martinez's leaps.

Martinez can see Addison. Assuming it works both ways, Martinez does not seem to have his own holographic assistant.

Janis reveals that she believes the mole within Quantum Leap to be Ziggy!

The final shot of the episode shows Ziggy's panels changing from glowing blue to glowing red!



Ben Trivia:
Ben is given truth serum and discloses his real name and the name of Project Quantum Leap to a staff of doctors in 1954. He also tells them that he is part of a time travel project and he Leaps into people's bodies in the past. Ben discloses that began Leaping in 2022. A similar situation happened to Sam Beckett in the episode "Star Light, Star Bright."

There are no foods that Ben dislikes, and it drives Addison crazy.

Ben and Addison both hate dancing, except at weddings, which "totally works out."

The first time Ben told Addison that he loved her was at Griffith Observatory. Ben says he knew he loved her way earlier than that. They were pulling an all-nighter working on the Quantum Accelerator, talking about why they both joined Quantum Leap.



Addison Trivia:
The majority of Addison's military career was spent in Intelligence, gathering information.



Ian's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Black blazer with black slacks. Silver bracelet.



Kiss With History:
None this episode.



Miscellaneous Trivia:
In an interview with Dean Georgaris on the Fates Wide Wheel podcast, Dean mentions that the radio broadcast of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision was deleted from the episode. This happened on May 17, 1954, thus giving us the Leap date!

Ian mentions that Georges Island asylum was shuttered in the 1970's. This is a reference to the film "Shutter Island" which also took place in this location. No actual asylum was ever located on Georges Island.


This episode has the most visual effects to date and caused the promotional screener usually sent to the press to be delayed until just hours before live-air. Several hologram fades and handlink projections are used!

Nanrisa Lee got Covid during the filming of this episode, which is why she did not appear.


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 her fiancee, 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 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 Chou (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:
Patrick Fischler as Doctor C. Mueller
Dana Melanie as Judith
Paul McCarthy-Boyington as Lawrence
Jules Willcox as Elaine Sullivan
Georgina Reilly as Janis Calavicci
Susan Diol as Beth Calavicci
Armando McClain as Nurse McClain
Walter Perez as Martinez / Leaper X
Johnny Annizzaro as Ralph
Angela Sauer as Art Teacher
Johari Johnson as Senior Nurse



Guest Cast Notes:

Patrick Fischler (Doctor Mueller) is an American character actor known for his roles as Jimmy Barrett on the drama series Mad Men, Dharma Initiative worker Phil on the drama series Lost and Detective Kenny No-Gun on the police drama Southland. He has more than sixty film and television credits, including the films Mulholland Drive (2001), Ghost World (2001), Old School (2003), The Black Dahlia (2006), and Dinner for Schmucks (2010). In 2011, Fischler portrayed real-life gangster Mickey Cohen in the video game L.A. Noire using facial performance-capture technology to convert performances in the game's graphics. In 2012, he appeared in One for the Money, a crime thriller adapted from Janet Evanovich's novel of the same name. In 2013, he played gangster Meyer Lansky in scenes with Cohen's character in the TNT miniseries Mob City. The Santa Monica restaurant Patrick's Roadhouse was started by his father and is named for him.

Dana Melanie (Judith) was born in Los Angeles, California and raised between New York and Los Angeles. She is an actress and writer most known for her role as a Young Emily Dickinson in Wild Nights with Emily (2018), the Netflix teen series Greenhouse Academy (2017), and the award winning short film Waiting to Die in Bayside, Queens (2017). Dana began her career at eleven and picked up writing not too long after.

Paul McCarthy-Boyington (Lawrence) was raised in inner city San Francisco. From an early age, Paul was influenced by the arts - being the son of artists Carrell McCarthy & Paul Boyington. As a youngster growing up in the Mission District he started performing in a break-dancing crew, which eventually lead to his parents sending him to jazz, ballet, and modern dance classes. Eventually these dance classes lead to acting and music classes. Paul is a versatile performer and is always ready to bring his off-beat flavor to acting, playing music and creating content through writing and filmmaking. Growing up in San Francisco he had an eclectic education that spanned the arts and sports. As a young teen, he made experimental films at the San Francisco Art Institute while directing plays at his high school. As a an athlete, he won multiple awards in basketball, baseball and soccer. His summers were spent in Los Angeles where he was immersed in acting, music and dance. Paul's experience covers an eclectic range of roles in TV, films, voice overs, commercials and theater, highlighted by winning multiple Best Actor awards in film festivals. In addition he's had the good fortune to work opposite amazing talent such as Allison Janney, Walter Goggins, Jesse Plemons, Omari Hardwick, Max Greenfield, Steve Ogg, Mandy Patinkin, Kevin Alejandro, Ernie Hudson, Peter Coyote, Alfred Molina and Rutger Hauer. You can also catch him performing in his wildly eccentric band Galactic Flo, which was featured in the comedy/horror Netflix film Chastity Bites as well as a commercial for LA Metro. Paul's an avid surfer, skier, trail biker, fly fisher, tennis, basketball player, and has a passion for travel, cooking, painting, books and fighting for social justice.

Jules Willcox (Elaine Sullivan) was born in Lancaster, Missouri, USA. Jules is an actor, known for Servant (2019), FBI: Most Wanted (2020) and Bloodline (2015).

Armando McClain (Nurse McClain)
is known for A History of Lovers (2009), Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2021) and Zack in Time.


Walter Perez (Leaper X / Richard Martinez / Nurse) was raised in South Gate, California, just 20 miles southeast of Hollywood. He was always eager to express himself artistically. In his earlier years, he often directed and played the lead character in several homemade movies where he mimicked his movie idols such as Charlie Chaplin. His working-class parents were unable to afford him the resources he needed to gain access to the industry. It wasn't until he heard about Colors United, a performing arts group aimed at inner-city high school students that he really got the chance to show others his talents. For three years he honed his acting, singing and dancing skills with the group.
Since high school, Walter has juggled auditions and a full-time schedule at Cal State Fullerton. During college, he has booked several commercials and various guest star spots on prime time television shows. Most recently, Walter's guest appearances include "CSI: Miami", "The Closer" and "Free Radio" as well as a five episode arc on "Friday Night Lights". His feature film credits include HBO's "Walkout" and winner of the John Cassavetes award "August Evening". He just completed the title role in "Emilio" and worked on "Run For Your Life" alongside Dermot Mulroney and Diane Kruger.

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.

Susan Vanita Diol (Beth Calavicci) is 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".

Johnny Annizzaro (Ralph) was born on February 3rd in Brooklyn New York. He is a writer and actor that has appeared in television series' such as New Amsterdam, Criminal Minds: Evolution, S.W.A.T, The Rookie, NCIS Hawaii & Quantum Leap. He made his feature film debut in Clint Eastwood's Jersey Boys. He starred opposite Anthony Geary in the independent film The Obituary. His writing has been featured in several network produced showcases. Originally auditioned for the role of Tommy Devito in Jersey Boys before being offered the role of Nick Devito. His first job in Hollywood was as a tour guide on the Warner Brothers Studios back lot. Has a fraternal twin brother. Was born in Bensonhurst Brooklyn. Was room mates with 88 year old, John J Hospers who was the first Libertarian candidate for President of the United States in the 1972 presidential election. Hospers ran against Richard Nixon and received one electoral vote. Is an ordained minister and officiated his sister's wedding ceremony.

Angela Sauer (Art Teacher) is known for Sweet Magnolias (2020), Jane the Virgin (2014) and Get Shorty (2017). Won the Best Actress Award from Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan. Won the Excellence in Theatre Award from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. Graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the prestigious Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Angela has been writing about her journey as an actor for BackStage.com's Unscripted since 2009. Several of her articles have been published in the print edition of Back Stage. Angela won LA's Manhattan Monologue Slam in 2012. She has been a company member of the Asolo Repertory Theatre (Sarasota, Florida), Sacred Fools Theatre (Los Angeles), and the New American Theatre (Los Angeles). Angela has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and sometimes walks with the aid of a cane. Because of this, she has trained in cane combat and is able to use her cane in fight sequences.

Johari Johnson (Senior Nurse) is an American actress, director, comedian, screenwriter and producer. She has guest starred in a number of notable television series including Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, Smart Guy, In the House, Eve, Cory in the House, Mr. Show with Bob and David and among other series. She has also guest starred numerous times on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven, each time playing a different character on both series. Johnson has her own YouTube channel in which she writes, produces and directs a number videos parodying celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Tameka Cottle and Nicki Minaj.





Guests Who Appeared in Other Quantum Leap Episodes:
Walter Perez returns as Leaper X / Richard Martinez, who has leaped into a nurse.

Georgina Reilly returns as recurring character Janis Calavicci.

Susan Diol once again reprises her role as Beth Calavicci. 




Characters who appeared (or were mentioned) in Classic Series episodes:
Beth Calavicci

Mention of the Evil Leapers is made by Ian!

Sam Beckett is mentioned by Ian.

Al Calavicci is mentioned by Magic.




Songs & Music:
"Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes plays as Ben Leaps in.

"Sh-Boom" by The Chords plays as Ben sits with the other patients.




Say What?
How is Elaine at the exact spot at the exact time where Ben, Martinez and Judith are escaping?

Janis was put on house arrest with her mother, who she had recently drugged?




Quotable Quotes:

"In the meantime, maybe the universe wants you to get a good night's sleep."
-Addison to Ben

Walter/Orderly: "Just sitting here, mumbling to yourself... what's it like talking to somebody who really isn't there?"
Ben: "Frustrating."

Addison to Ian: "Thank Ziggy for me!"
Ian (in computer voice): "You are welcome, Addison."

Addison: "Evil Leapers?"
Ian: "Um-hmmm. Yeah. Apparently, Sam Beckett had run-ins with other leapers. The report says that Evil Leapers were leaping to put wrong what once went right."
Addison: "Ok so the opposite of Ben. Martinez is there to hurt people?"
Ian: "I don't know. Something doesn't make sense."

Meuller to Ben: "I've been looking for a subject like you. One who's mind I can study on the table while I keep you alive."

Magic to Janis: "When I restarted this project, I swore to your father that we'd never lose another Leaper! I'm sorry if this goes against whatever you and Ben agreed to, but I'm not breaking my promise to Al."

"You're a threat to my greater mission. My orders were to stop you before we crossed again. Goodbye, Ben."
-Martinez to Ben

"I knew I had to join it (Quantum Leap). Righting wrongs that were made. Saving lives that were lost. I couldn't imagine a more honorable way to spend my life. Or a better man to spend it with."
-Addison

"Admiral, do you seriously think we can win a war without sacrifice?"
-Janis to Magic




Personal Review & Detailed Synopsis by Manfred:

This week’s episode puts the suspicion of the mole of Team Quantum Leap on supercomputer Ziggy. Is he even sentient?

This week’s episode of Quantum Leap continues to build momentum to the season finale in 2 weeks. When I thought the episode was about Magic, I was completely off and this episode is all about Ben.

Detective Ben's One Flew Over The Culoo's Nest

Ben leaps into the body of Liam O’Connor, posing as a patient in a mental facility. The thing is, Ben is actually a detective who is undercover to free one of the patients in the mental facility whose sister is the one who hired Ben in the first place.

Ben notices several things with the patients when he enters the mental facility. Yes, some really do have mental illnesses but there are a few who just get experimented on by the doctor who treats them. A doctor who thinks the Hippocratic oath doesn’t count when it comes to mental patients.

When Ben sees that the doctor abuses his patients, he decides to ask Addison for help in order to expose the doctor and help the client, Judy, to get out of the mental facility.


For the complete review, visit Vulkk.com!






 
Production Photos:




  

Production Videos:
Coming Soon




Production Credits:

Consulting Producer: Moira Kirland
Producer:
Tim Scanlan
Producer:
Meg Fister
Co-Executive Producers: Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes
Co-Executive Producer: Drew Lindo
Co-Executive Producer:  Aadrita Mukerji
Co-Executive Producer:
Marc Bienstock
Executive Producers: Steven Lilien & Bryan Wyndrandt
Executive Producer: Alex Berger
Executive Producer:
Chris Grismer
Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Executive Producer: Dean Georgaris
Executive Producer:
Martin Gero
Developed by: Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario

Written by: Annelise Kollevoll Medina
Directed by: Jude Weng

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

Director of Photography: Ana M. Amortegui, ADFC
Production Designer: Mayling Cheng
Edited by: Benjamin Bumgarner
Music by: Daniel James Chan
Unit Production Manager:
Melanie J. Elin
Unit Production Manager: Marc Bienstock
First Assistant Director: M. Ryan Traylor
Second Assistant Director: Yarden Levo
Costume Designer:
Genevieve Tyrrell

A Camera Operator:  Dave Hirschman and Chris Haifley
B Camera/Steadycam Operator: Josh Harrison
Production Sound Mixer: Beau Hodges
Chief Lighting Technician: Donna Vega
Key Grip: Peter Chrimes
Art Directors: Raf Lydon and Adam Rowe

Costume Supervisor: Mark A. Summer
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
Location Manager: Kevin Funston
Transportation Coordinator: Sandra Ninham-Gallardo
Production Office Coordinator: Sofie Johanna "Bubbles" Dejus
Assistant Production Office Coordinator: Brendan Hickey
Production Accountant: Natalie Chiengkul
Script Supervisor: Heather Pollock
Script Coordinator: Sue Palmer
Casting Accociates: Lindsay Jameyson & 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: Chris Boyer
Visual Effects Supervisor: Trent Smith
Visual Effects Editor: Aaron Merrill
Supervising Sound Editor: Kelly Cabral
Co-Supervising Sound Editor: Kevin Zimmerman
Re-Recording Mixer: Yuri Reese & 
Sean Madsen
Key Assistant Location Manager: Jaime Carendas
Assistant Location Managers:
Paul Robinson, Shannon Cloud, and Priscilla Mendoza
VFX Artist: Matt Collorafice
VFX Artist: Takashi Takeoka


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

Copyright 2023 Universal Television LLC All Right Reserved

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




Quantum Leap Podcast Aftershow:



Podcast with Damon Sugameli, Mike Bloxam, Brian Greene, and Lisa Hollifield:


Back to top