I can imagine this as a good off-Broadway play. You have the themes of lies versus truth, reality versus illusion, and the possibilities of New York City. The Quantum Leap presentation makes it better, both with a larger budget -- extras, more money on scenes -- and with the interplay of Sam and Al. This last blows up the little play and shows its internal workings, including social forces and interior character motivation (as well as the outsider views of the time traveler and the hologram). While the verbal jokes can be crass, the sensitive emotions at the middle are untouched by it. Of course, the jokes also make this episode fit in with the NBC T & A of the period. It is also somewhat stage bound, which is odd in a T.V. show with a mobile camera, and one can even imagine it being broken down into act/scene markings.
Quantum Leap (TV Series)
The Play's the Thing - September 9, 1969 (1992)
User Reviews
Review this title2 Reviews
To Like or not to Like!
ratssaidskinner4 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Although I love QL, I believe this episode falls short in two main areas.
Bakula -- the actor -- just seems tired (in "real-life") and does not act with the normal gusto one would expect. Even Al (Stockwell) seems out to lunch during the shoot!) Most QL episodes bring either a tear of happiness or sadness (or both) to my eyes. This did neither.
The other problem was the rather abrupt ending. The episode ends in the middle of a song sung by co-star Penny Fuller. The best acting comes from Fuller and her TV son, Neil, played by Daniel Roebuck.
So, to rate this, I ask, "To like or not to like?" I'll just flip a coin and not even look if it landed head's or tail's up and give it a five (5)out of 10. But believe me, my usual ratings for QL episodes are between a 7 and 9 with a few 10's deservedly given, such as the two part, The Leap Home, when Sam is himself at age 16 back in Elkridge!
Bakula -- the actor -- just seems tired (in "real-life") and does not act with the normal gusto one would expect. Even Al (Stockwell) seems out to lunch during the shoot!) Most QL episodes bring either a tear of happiness or sadness (or both) to my eyes. This did neither.
The other problem was the rather abrupt ending. The episode ends in the middle of a song sung by co-star Penny Fuller. The best acting comes from Fuller and her TV son, Neil, played by Daniel Roebuck.
So, to rate this, I ask, "To like or not to like?" I'll just flip a coin and not even look if it landed head's or tail's up and give it a five (5)out of 10. But believe me, my usual ratings for QL episodes are between a 7 and 9 with a few 10's deservedly given, such as the two part, The Leap Home, when Sam is himself at age 16 back in Elkridge!
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