Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest available on the streaming services.
What Is It?
This series is a continuation of the classic 1989 NBC series of the same name taking place thirty years after Sam Beckett disappeared. The Quantum Leap Project is reactivated in an attempt to find the lost time traveler, but Dr. Ben Song begins to leap ahead of schedule and loses his memories. The others involved, including his fiancé, must guide him through his leaps while trying to figure out why he leaped early.
Aired: NBC, 2022-24, Two Seasons Totaling 31 Episodes
Starring: Raymond Lee, Caitlin Bassett, Mason Alexander Park, Nanrisa Lee, Ernie Hudson
Created By: Donald P. Bellisario, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt
Why Watch It?
This revival series followed very much the same path as the original series that aired for five seasons from 1989 to 1993, though it did offer a few twists on the concept. The new Quantum Leap project is designed to find Dr. Samuel Beckett who never returned home from his series of leaps. But instead of going the episodic route like that show did, the revival added in the story arc trying to unlock the mystery of why Dr. Ben Song jumped early. It still had stand-alone episodes each week that involved Ben leaping into people, but the other storyline (along with a few additional threads) kept the story arc moving along.
The new series worked in plenty of social commentary just like the original, and some may argue that it could be a bit blunt with its commentary. But the show did not shy away from tackling issues, and it could offer some interesting perspectives at times. One thing I personally like about how they handled the leaps as they spent much less time on the awkward moments where Ben was trying to figure out who he had leaped into. The original series would sometimes spend a fair amount of the episode with Sam fumbling around, often put into a situation where he has to know right away who he is and what their talents are. The new show did a better job of easing into this without all of the cringing, and the episodes seemed to flow better.
And you don’t necessarily have to have watched the original to enjoy the revival. They explained the backstory in the early episodes and catch up with other bits as the show progressed. If you are a fan of the original, though, you should enjoy the revival as well because it continues the leaping with a promise to eventually find Sam Beckett. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled before that happened, but the two seasons that were produced are still worth watching.
Where Is It Streaming?
For some reason, Peacock has let this one go, and it is now streaming on Netflix (starting on August 14th). Both seasons are available, as is the entire original series. If fans are still trying to get a conclusion to the revival series, now might be a good time to focus their attention on Netflix. If they stage watch parties, they may be able to get the show in that streamer’s Top 10 list or perhaps in the Nielsen Streaming Rankings for acquired shows. And perhaps the streamer would consider producing a final season or at least a movie. Netflix has plans starting from $7.99 per month that include ads and going to $24.99 for no ads and multiple users. You can find out more about those at this link. The original series is also streaming for free (with ads) on Roku TV.
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