Quantum Leap (TV Series)

Black on White on Fire - August 11, 1965 (1990)

Scott Bakula: Dr. Sam Beckett, Ray Harper

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Sam is embodying Ray, a black medical student whose girlfriend, Susan, is white] 

  Mama Harper : Raising your children is gonna be hard, no matter where you do it.

  Susan Brewster : Why?

  Mama Harper : Because wherever you go, they won't fit in. They won't be black and they won't be white.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : They'll be human.

  Mama Harper : Of course they'll be human, child. I'm talking about race!

  Dr. Sam Beckett : I know, but, maybe, if we teach our kids to say that they're human, instead of black or white or red or yellow, maybe race won't matter.

  Mama Harper : Huh. Not in my lifetime.

• [last lines before the leap] 

  Admiral Al Calavicci : Sam. You did it.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : [holding Lonnie in his arms, sobbing]  Is it enough, Al? Is it enough?

• Susan Brewster : I love Ray, Mama Harper. And I don't wanna see him lose his chance to be someone great.

  Mama Harper : He can be great right here.

  Susan Brewster : No, he can't. He can do good here, but he can't be great.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : You know, um... sometimes... sometimes doing good is more important.

• [Sam and Susan are working non-stop to help riot victims] 

  Dr. Sam Beckett : You OK?

  Susan Brewster : No sleep, no food - I feel like a doctor. It's great!

• Mama Harper : Back in Mariposa, it was the white man's hatred. Now it's the Negroes angry about what's supposed to be. Seems no matter where we go, we can't get away from the hate.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : Maybe it's not the place that makes the difference, but the people.

  Mama Harper : That's why you being a doctor here is so important. Show these kids in the street they can be somebody better.

• Dr. Sam Beckett : Susan. You helped a lot of people today who appreciated it.

  Susan Brewster : Did they, Ray? That's not what I saw in their eyes. I saw anger, and hatred. They tolerated me only because they were hurting and needed help.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : That's not true.

  Susan Brewster : How would you know? You're one of them!

  Dr. Sam Beckett : You're tired, or you wouldn't be talking like this.

  Susan Brewster : Maybe that's when the truth comes out. I can't go through life fighting people who hate me for the color of my skin.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : I think that's how everybody in Watts must feel tonight.

• Susan Brewster : [of Lonnie]  He doesn't wanna be stopped, Ray. He wants to die.

  Admiral Al Calavicci : I think she's right, Sam, I think he wants to be a martyr.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : Is that right, Lonnie? You want to be a martyr?

  Lonnie Harper : Me, a martyr? Oh, hell, man, Watts is full of martyrs. They don't need me to join 'em.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : Then why?

  Lonnie Harper : I'm tired of talkin' about 'why'.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : Tired or scared?

  Lonnie Harper : I ain't afraid o' nothing.

  Dr. Sam Beckett : Except living.