I’ve had a chance recently to revisit some Quantum Leap episodes (for those of you who don’t know they get recycled in syndication on various crappy networks here and there). I’ve really enjoyed them too, in fact I was thinking to myself that I wish there were more shows like it nowadays.
I have to say, my experience is pretty unique in terms of how people really identify with shows… at least I think it is… let me explain. So QL came about in the late 80’s when the Commodore was a mere pup, unable to do simple algebra, let alone ponder the mysteries of time travel. So admittedly, I really only discovered the show in syndication when it had already gone off the air. But you all know the drill, the show is fantastic. Just enough sci-fi to make Rod Serling proud. Just enough drama to have mass-market appeal.
Sam travels within the time period of his own life, or approximately from the early 50’s to the present (arbitrary 90’s date). In other words, it’s a total nostalgia trip for folks that actually experienced the Vietnam War. Watching a few episodes, you really grow to feel for Sam. Seemingly forever trapped in this cycle, constantly leaping from awkward situation to the next, with no knowledge of the people or places that he’s leaping into, almost forced to help people (even though we all know Sam would help those folks out of the kindness of his heart anyway). Al becomes an endearing friend to all of us the way he does with Sam. Sam proves time and again that doing the right thing and helping people really makes a difference in the world, even if we don’t understand the how and why until we can reflect on it.
Ok so fast forward to the present, when I’m feeling nostalgic for the shows I used to enjoy, leading me to turn to QL. This means in essence, I’m having nostalgia for a show that, at its core, is I itself a huge nostalgic trip for another era entirely, one that I have pretty much no connection to whatsoever. Kind of an interesting angle isn’t it? Yeah, these are the kinds of things that keep me thinking about how good old shows are and keep me away from new shows that people rave about. But for my money, I’ll take QL over House any day.
Commodore128
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What a noob.
Oh, by the way... first.