Ben is a stewardess (no, not flight attendant) on a doomed transatlantic flight.

Just like last episode, plotwise, this breaks absolutely no new ground. This time around we have the highjacked plane, terrorists, the spoiled-rotten rich kid brat. We also have Ben as a woman – again, in a nice nod to and improvement of the original show. I noted before, the first Quantum Leap broke ground for the time with episodes tackling all types of prejudice. Happily, times have changed greatly for the better since then. Those episodes seem quaint and dated now, although still powerful thanks mostly to the exquisite performances by Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell.

Unhappily, there is still tons of room for improvement. Often the prejudice – although every bit as ingrained, and even institutional – is far more subtle and therefore far more difficult to combat. The current show’s approach to dealing with it is far more appropriate to today. Ben leaps in to all kinds of people. No fanfare, no big deal. The plots don’t hinge on prejudice. The message, loud and clear: people are people. Deal with it.

This week’s show gives us a solid mystery, predictable enough but well done so it doesn’t matter. We can go along for the ride. There’s good suspense anyway, due to the great cast.

Then we get to the end. It answers one major question from before (regarding Ian), shows how they are dealing with Ziggy (amusingly, in some cases), and calls up yet another trope to completely blow up the ending with an avalanche of more questions. Talk about ratcheting up suspense.

With only one episode remaining in season 1 – it’s already renewed for season 2 – one glaring question looms large. How will they choose to proceed? They can wrap up the season-long story and start a new one next season. Or this arc can become the series meta-plot, with next week ending up either at a satisfying stopping point, or on a cliffhanger.

To say I despise cliffhangers with a searing passion that burns brighter than the hottest supernova would be a huge understatement.

But, well, yes they can be done well. Rarely. Once in a blue moon. Still, I’d prefer that this season finish with an actual resolution. I have no doubt the writers can if they choose, even with just one episode left. That said, I’m willing to reserve judgement – even on a cliffhanger – because I have confidence they can pull off either option.

Verdict: Quantum Leap again demonstrates its genius at making brilliant use of tropes and throwing curves. 8/10

Rigel Ailur

http://www.BluetrixBooks.com