I know, I’m 2 years late on this, but in France, the first season of this Quantum Leap’s revival still hasn’t been broadcast. Surprise after surprise. First, I never expected a sci-fi show from the ’80s to make such a comeback. Even more surprising, the revival was spearheaded by none other than the original series’ creator, Donald P. Bellisario himself (now 89 years old—respect!).
This new series feels like a 6th season of the original, set 30 years later. Samuel Beckett and Albert Calavicci are frequently mentioned but don’t appear in the cast, which adds to the intrigue. Obviously, the actor who played Al has passed away (RIP), but his daughter is a central character in the show. As for Sam, he’s been leaping for 30 years, and in the very first episodes, we get hints that this new mission might be to rescue him. Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Since the original series already had 97 episodes, the focus now shifts from a single main character to the entire team, who are heavily involved in the secondary plotlines. This is fantastic, as it’s no longer about just one hero, but a whole crew of geniuses who must set aside their egos to work together. This is where the series takes an interesting turn. Ziggy is now referred to as “AI,” and most of the concept has been modernized—although the leap’s visual effect remains largely the same, just a bit more polished, reflecting the 30-year gap between the two shows.
Another pivotal element is the relationship between the doctor and the hologram, who are actually a couple. Sam and Al were good friends, but imagine seeing your spouse turned into a hologram—it’s frustrating, especially since the doctor remembers her so well. Addison, who is the hologram, was originally recruited to be the main character, while Dr. Song, the hero, was supposed to be the hologram. Both characters must now rise to the challenge of roles they weren’t initially meant to fill.
Even though the main storylines are sometimes shortened to make room for the secondary plots, every episode has a clever and unexpected twist. The show still uses fan-favorite gimmicks, like Ziggy being 99% certain but almost always wrong. Ben talks to the hologram, only for other characters to be surprised when they catch him seemingly talking to himself. While many modern productions lack creativity, this Quantum Leap revival is a masterclass for junior producers.
It demonstrates how to constantly surprise viewers and make a family-friendly show without falling into clichés. For example, in episode 01×03, “Somebody Up There Likes Ben,” Ben must become a boxing champion in just 24 hours. In most other shows, he would pull off something impossible, but in Quantum Leap, Addison shows him a projection of how the fight will unfold, allowing Ben to memorize exactly where and when his opponent will strike. This gives him a believable advantage, without the unrealistic trope of becoming the best boxer in 24 hours ■
