by Sal Kenny

Created on: April 16, 2008

There's an old saying that you should walk a mile in someone's shoes before you judge them. Quantum Leap (QL) placed its main character, Dr. Sam Beckett played by Scott Bakula, into a new set of shoes each week as he traveled time putting right what once went wrong.

The beauty of QL was its ability to move beyond the common sci-fi themes of galactic travel, interstellar struggle and fighting, fighting, fighting. Instead, QL placed a well meaning scientist into situations that forced him to use his wits instead of his brawn. It forced creativity on the part of the writers and on the regular actors who had to adapt each week to a new cast, set and storyline. And it gave viewers a new and different experience each week keeping QL fresh where other shows went stale.

And while the settings changed from episode to episode, the regular themes of redemption, justice, and a longing for home remained constant. Sam drew the viewer in. You liked him, you rooted for him and you could relate each week as he struggled with his conscience and hoped beyond home that it was time for him to finally leap home.

The most poignant moments were when Sam was given the chance to affect the lives of his family and friends. Could he keep his brother from going off to die in Vietnam? Could he help his father avoid illness? Could he help rescue his faithful friend Al from years as a Vietnamese POW. Faced with choosing between his purpose and his loved ones, he struggled to reconcile what his heart wanted him to do and what his head told him he must do.

But QL wasn't all seriousness. The character of Al, played by Dean Stockwell, kept Sam connected to his life back home and often brought him important news and timely advice on what to do next. The comic interaction between the only two recurring characters was just as important to the show's success as the trials associated with each episode's leap.

But it couldn't last forever and four years and 96 episodes after Sam first leaped out into the lives of others, the show came to an end. QL taught a lot in its simplicity. The universe balances all equations in the end. Helping others is above helping ourselves. And you can go home again but when you have the chance you might not always want to.

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