Top Ten: Family Shows!

Welcome to our new Top Tens series in celebration of I Think, Therefore I Review's Tenth Anniversary! These monthly lists will highlight special themes and topics from our extensive archive of reviews.

This time I Think, Therefore I Review presents in chronological order...

 

Our Top Ten Family Friendly Shows!

Sleeping Beauty

Cinderella (1965)

The Addams Family

The Bob Newhart Show

Jem and the Holograms

Quantum Leap

A Bear Named Winnie

Lord of the Rings

Dinotopia

Merlin

Please see our Kid Friendly and Fantasy tags for more or browse our Television page further analysis! 

 

I Think, Therefore I Review began as the blog home for previously published reviews and reprinted critiques by horror author Kristin Battestella. Naturally older articles linked here may be out of date and codes or formatting may be broken. Please excuse any errors and remember our Top Tens will generally only include films, shows, books, or music previously reviewed at I Think, Therefore I Review.

Quantum Leap: Seasons 4 and 5

Seasons 4 and 5 Branch Out, Almost Undo Quantum Leap

By Kristin Battestella

Yes, after all my Quantum Leap praise, I do realize that the spiritual turn taken in Seasons 4 and 5 of the moral science fiction show is probably what turned off viewers and led to the series’ cancellation in 1993. That being said, Donald P. Bellasario’s award winning series still provides great statements and thinking man’s television in its final two seasons.

Season 4 of Quantum Leap opens with a little something we all wanted to see. ‘The Leap Back’ returns Sam to his own time, where we discover the wife he has forgotten amid his travels. Equally challenging is the finale ‘A Leap for Lisa’ where Sam leaps into a young Al on trial. Unfortunately, much of season 4 in between feels like filler we’ve seen before- like ‘Justice’, dealing with the Civil Rights movement and the Klu Klux Klan; and ‘Raped’- where Sam leaps into an assaulted teenager. Only the exceptional ‘Running For Honor’ stands out-an episode where Sam leaps into a gay Naval cadet. Maybe gay issues on television are commonplace now, but it was unheard of then.

Season 5 continues some of the lackluster trend, with stunt episodes focusing on Lee Harvey Oswald, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe. Unique to this season, however, are the Trilogy episodes-where Sam leaps into subsequent generations of one Southern family and the two part ‘Evil Leaper’ episodes. Sam also leaps beyond his lifetime into a Civil War ancestor for ‘The Leap Between The States’. Some of these twists stray too far beyond the series’ own believability, yet others are intriguing additions to the Leap premise. Had the series continued into a sixth season, we have the possibility of more Leapers- both good and bad-and explanations behind the science and religion of time travel.

Even though Quantum Leap is science fiction for folks who don’t like science fiction, the lovely spiritual statements introduced in these two seasons are generally considered to be the final nail in the show’s coffin after 5 years of great television. The cast and crew continued to make strong, episodes with moral conviction; but after so much sentimentality, it’s not Quantum Leap’s fault that an increasingly amoral, grunge listening, conspiracy theory loving audience tuned out. With the exception of some stunt casting and the blatantly big name storylines, Quantum Leap perhaps brings its strongest statement with its Evil Leaper and Godly notions. Who is moving Sam through his leaps? If he is sent to do good, surely there is a balancing force seeking evil at work. Perhaps in 1993, these ideas were too close to home for audiences; but such notions only grow better with age when applied in our own lives. Who moves us from one day to the next? Why do things happen as they do? Is there no such thing as coincidences? Are there people placed on this earth purely for evil? Am I the one placed here to do some good in this world?

Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell shine again in both the stellar and the not so stellar episodes here. Stockwell takes Al through the emotional ringer, even leaping himself a time or two while facing his own past. Bakula brings all the range needed as well-from singing as Elvis to talking sex as Dr. Ruth. Though it is somewhat of a stunt, having our boys switch places shows the award winning talent between Bakula and Stockwell. Sam and Al have entered our cultural lexicon; and from the first day Bakula appeared as Captain Archer on Star Trek: Enterprise, talk of reuniting with Stockwell brewed. Quantum Leap fans got their wish in Enterprise’s Season 1 episode Detained.

Of course, I cannot praise Quantum Leap without commenting on the series’ finale ‘Mirror Image’. I love it, but I also hate it. The conclusion is fitting to the series, but also leaves several critical questions up for grabs. After seeing the end to Quantum Leap, you either crave more and have to watch the series all over again; or you insist on giving the show ten years to stew and mull on before you can rewatch. Either way, Quantum Leap stays will you long after your latest viewing.

Again the dvd sets for Season 4 and 5 have been unloved with music changes, too brief extras, and unusual packaging and disc layering; but technical mistakes should not deter viewers from seeing this show for the first time or falling in love with Quantum Leap again. I’d like to think Universal will come to their senses and release a complete series set with proper extras and restoration, but I won’t hold my breath. Affordable pricing, online viewing, and rental options keep their pockets lined a plenty.

Quantum Leap is the type of show that they don’t make anymore. It says something beyond its science fiction premise and stretches far beyond its time traveling mission. Its effects and social commentaries may seem dated to some in this fast-paced day and age; but Quantum Leap leaves the candle burning on the big and small issues of the 20^th century. Young and old can appreciate this series for years to come.

Quantum Leap: Season 3

Season 3 is Quantum Leap at its Best

By Kristin Battestella

Just when you thought Donald P. Bellisario’s Quantum Leap couldn’t make anymore social statements or sentimental commentaries, season three of the time traveling series brings Quantum Leap to its finest hour.

Dr. Sam Beckett continues to leap into the down trodden as he time travels within his own lifetime. Now, however, Sam and his holographic guide Al begin to learn the consequences of ‘putting right what once went wrong’ both personally and historically. Nearly every episode of Season Three is a memorable one. Each one can make its case for best episode ever, and certainly each is someone’s favorite.

From the stellar two part opener ‘The Leap Home’-where Sam leaps into his younger self to stop his brother’s death in Vietnam-to the finale ‘Shock Theater’ where his leap into a mental patient blurs the line between who Sam and his leaps really are. ‘Shock Theater’ is my mom’s favorite, and then there’s ‘Private Dancer’, my sister’s favorite. I think my dad would refuse to choose. Perhaps my favorite is ‘The Leap Home’. These standouts make the cases for and against the theory of time travel. We see why it’s necessary for one to rectify his past, but we also witness the consequences of changing history with scientific meddling.

Scott Bakula is at the top of his game in the season’s opening and closing episodes. He has childlike enthusiasm at cleansing himself and others, but the physical and mental wear and tear of such serious time travels ways upon Sam as well. Dean Stockwell is again a delight as Al. Not merely a sidekick, Stockwell is given room this season to show friendship, fatherly advice, and even a bit of spookiness. Both actors would receive several Emmy nominations and Golden Globe wins for Quantum Leap, along with numerous other awards and accolades for the production and the series itself.

Here in Season Three, Quantum Leap continues to push the envelope on topics that are, in some ways, still taboo. Vietnam is given frank conversation and recreation not often seen in television then or now (and only showcased in a handful of exceptional eighties films for that matter). Spotlights on AIDS, teen pregnancy, and mental health also bring controversial topics to the forefront. In one ambiguous Halloween episode, we see the first shades of good versus evil and religious values that come to prominence in future seasons. We have some stunt casting, sentimentality, and those quirky famous event snips, but season three of Quantum Leap is very personal and individually focused on the everyman amid these extraordinary conditions. This kind of intelligent intimacy isn’t old now, nearly twenty years on, and it likely never will be.

Again, there are a few trouble spots with the bare bones DVD sets, but the discs are affordable enough in comparison with the time and joy their viewing can bring. Reruns, online viewing, and rental options are also available. Quantum Leap reminds us that in these cynical, difficult times; we are capable of creating quality, thoughtful, moving, entertainment for the whole family. Here in Season Three, that quality is exceptional.

Quantum Leap: Season 2

Quantum Leap Ups the Ante for Season 2

By Kristin Battestella

Once you get on a Quantum Leap kick, it’s tough to stop. You fall in love with a particular episode, then remember another episode you love, and you must watch that one, too, and so on and on and on. To this day my sister will tell you, “I love that episode about that deaf dancer.” Truly!

Season Two of Quantum Leap ups the ante onscreen and off. Not only does the series explore more of the Quantum Leap project and Sam’s past, but we’ve got a full twenty two episodes to do it. As Sam remembers more about himself, his missions aren’t as clear. Conflicts from Sam and Al’s past highlight the season, making Quantum Leap more than just a latent science fiction show with issues.

Scott Bakula is again on form as the leaping scientist Dr. Sam Beckett. His knowledge and degrees come in handy during his leaps, but Sam’s heart often rules his head. His memories about his family and childhood are painful, as is seeing phantoms of his past unrelated to the task at hand. Bakula excels at Sam’s Boy Scout ways while reminding us Sam is a lonely, emotional, wandering man with nothing to cling to but memories. Bakula shines in performances that could easily turn comical. He’s a woman twice, blind in one episode, and mentally challenged in another.

Dean Stockwell is also stellar as Al. We get to see more of him beyond his hologram assistance and humor. Stockwell gives us the charm and wit, most definitely, but we’re also treated to the sentimental and emotional side of Al in the past, present, and future. The acting duo is perfect together, with both balancing the straight man or the voice of reason; yet each can be the clown or the lover. As much as we like them together, it’s also great to see these strong personalities at odds.

Some of the show’s sentimentally might make each episode seem like any other show’s obligatory very special episode, but Quantum Leap keeps the issues and perspectives serious. Back in the day, we did have more wholesome shows than now it seems, but few of them touched upon the taboo topics as deep as Quantum Leap has. ‘The Americanization of Machiko’ deals with Japanese American relations, and ‘What Price, Gloria?’ gives us Sam’s first leap into a sexual harassed woman- a topic usually relegated to weak television movies. After ‘Thou Shall Not’ and ‘Jimmy’ deal with Judaism and mental illness, respectively, you’d think Quantum Leap would have no earth shattering stories left to tell. On the contrary, the revelations spread over the season and the season finale ‘MIA’ tests the personal relationships of Sam and Al. We get our first hints of how Vietnam upsets both men, a topic given serious attention in Season Three.

Of course, we do have some of those over the top history coincidences, like Sam helping Chubby Checker with The Twist and almost crossing paths with The Beatles, but Quantum Leap also acknowledges its preposterous time travel premise. We’ve always seen books and films that warn of us changing history and creating paradoxes, yet Sam insists that he must change individuals’ lives for the better. The very nature of his project and how Sam’s actions change the future is highlighted in the season’s charming opener, ‘Honeymoon Express’. A few episodes are a bit obvious or seem to retread, but writer and creator Donald P. Bellisario gives us more leaping food for thought than bad-and we’ve got three seasons left in the tank.

The DVD set for Season Two acknowledges the two man show with Al’s first appearance on the collection’s cover, but it is unfortunately devoid of features. Some effects may look hokey, and the DVD sets seem a bit behind the times themselves, but such quality television is tough to come by. Young and old can enjoy Quantum Leap together anytime.

Quantum Leap: Season One

Groundbreaking Quantum Leap Still Potent

By Kristin Battestella

I remember seeing the 1989 premiere of the neo classic science fiction series Quantum Leap. It’s the type of sf I love: mind boggling in its causes, scientifically sound, witty and humorous, yet carrying something more. This was one of the few shows that my whole family watched together, even my sister the anti sci-fi! The extra charm of Quantum Leap is still silencing time travel nay sayers and giving relevant commentary about the 20^th century.

“Theorizing that one could time-travel within his own lifetime…Dr. Sam Beckett prematurely stepped into the Quantum Accelerator, and vanished. …”

The opening sequence of Quantum Leap sets up each episode and provides everything you need. The first few moments re-establish the science of Sam’s leaps through time, his desire to help others, and his wish to simply return home. Each episode then follows a similar, but forgivable, sentimental pattern. Sam leaps into his next seemingly disastrous case, then receives future advice from a hologram named Al and an advanced computer named Ziggy. The person he has switched with is held in an empty chamber in the future, and we always get a creative mirror shot or reflection of who Sam’s host is. Is the science or the science fiction that important in Quantum Leap? Actually, no. Should we accept nothing but greatness from television genius Donald P. ‘Battlestar Galactica Airwolf Magnum PI Jag NCIS’ Bellisario? Yes.

For years before his return to sf television for Star Trek: Enterprise, Scott Bakula was synonymous with Dr. Sam Beckett. While I loved Enterprise, my mom would complain that Bakula just didn’t look right as anything but Sam. Dr. Beckett is highly intelligent, but his random journey, humility, and belief that his leaps have a higher purpose carry over to the viewer. Bakula’s easy acting style and Capra everyman instantly make Sam likeable, along with the peculiar situations in each episode. Whether its an angry, serious, dramatic turn or a singing body switcheroo played for the laughs, Bakula excels at the changes needed for each episode while keeping Sam’s motivations at heart.

Likewise Golden Globe winner and television veteran Dean Stockwell is up to the task as womanizer and oft married Admiral Al Calavicci. His wise cracks and wayward analysis of the past, present, and future add a real life flair to the leap of the faith the viewer is asked to take. Despite his humor, Al is a serious soul at heart, the lone support and connection Sam has to his proper time and place. Al is the only friend, father, and support Sam has. Truly it is the pair that makes Quantum Leap. Can we pull out the buddy cop clichés? Why not!

Today some may find Quantum Leap’s obvious use of science fiction as a vehicle to create social commentary a bit heavy handed or over the top. How many times will Sam leap into an African American or a woman? We get it! Particularly in later seasons, Leap stretches its premise by having Sam leap too close to or even into famous historical figures. The pilot and six episodes of Season One were, however, shocking and brand new at the time Quantum Leap premiered on NBC. It was before grunge, Nirvana, The X-Files, and conspiracies theories; we were coming off Wall Street and the first George Bush. Before the first Gulf War, people were still yuppies and had money and big hair. It was a time when things were relatively good (or at least glossy), and Back to the Future was as heavy as science fiction got. Then along comes Quantum Leap with all its reflections on race relations, homosexuality, Vietnam, abuse, mental illness, women’s rights, and faith. Topics that, believe it or not, were still relatively taboo at the time. Thankfully, audiences and critics took notice, and in 1990 Quantum Leap earned Emmy nominations for Best Drama, Lead Actor, and Supporting Actor- acknowledgements unheard of for a quote genre or science fiction series.

Although Season One is perhaps not the best the series has to offer, it is a fine and proper place to begin. The two hour pilot establishes the premise of the Quantum Leap project and the format of the show. With only eight hours here, one can easily plunge into Quantum Leap guilt free. Teri Hatcher fans will enjoy her fine guest performance in the second episode ‘Star Crossed’. They may be obvious now, but the homages and hints of history were fun touches back in the day. Season One gives us shades of Watergate and Buddy Holly, along with Driving Miss Daisy race relations in ‘The Color of Truth.’ Maybe these themes aren’t a big deal to the young folks, but boomers will appreciate the Bogart-esque finale ‘Play It Again, Seymour.’

Quantum Leap has little effects to speak of, which is probably why the masses were tricked into such acclaim. Beyond the opening and closing fancy blue leaps, the obligatory mirror shot, and Al’s holographic comings and goings, Quantum Leap looks like any other regular series. Sure one week Sam and Al were in 1930s Alabama, then maybe the 60s the following episode, but these easily recreated recent histories keep Leap looking fresh today. If youngsters think it looks dated, you can tell them its supposed to look that way! But I must say, the few and far between depictions of the future and some of Al’s funky futuristic get ups have not stood the test of time. Oh boy!

There are a few technical mishaps on the DVD release of Quantum Leap Season 1, namely the music and score. The great theme song is still there, but rights to all those great songs don’t come cheap, so some of the classic tunes from the series have been changed for video release. We are however treated to some behind the scenes goodness, subtitles, and games.

As kids, my nieces used to grumble when I switched on Quantum Leap, but after a few forced viewings, they wanted to know where Sam’s next leap would take him. When the series was in regular time and rotation on the Sci-Fi Channel, my mother would come home like clockwork and put it on. Quantum Leap is the show for science fiction lovers who don’t admit they like science fiction. It’s serious stories, honest cast, and timeless morals never get old. If you’re old enough to understand right and wrong, you’re old enough to watch Quantum Leap. With affordable DVDs; reasonable rental sources; online options; and occasional marathons on the Sci-Fi Channel; there’s no reason for you not to appreciate Quantum Leap.