In Review: Quantum Leap (S1 – EP2) Atlantis

Synopsis: Ben finds himself headed into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1998. Addison confides in Ian about the discovery and finds herself at odds with Magic and Jenn.

The Story

Having found a message left to her with a thumb drive from Ben in last week’s episode. Addison confides in Ian and asks for his help. Meanwhile, Magic and the projects security chief Jenn investigate Ben’s connection with Janice Calavicci and turn up a hard drive. Elsewhere in time, Ben finds himself on board the Space Shuttle Atlantic in the body of astronaut David Tamara. The mission is to prevent Tamara from being killed while on the mission. 

Magic and Jenn suggest to Addison that she try not to jog Ben’s memories about events prior to when he started to Leap. As they feel it best to find out what his agenda was and why he was working with Janice Calavicci. Of course, Addison isn’t initially on board with this but later changes her mind.

The Acting

Once again the chemistry between Raymond Lee and Caitlin Bassett is pretty solid as the show leads Ben and Addison. This mission in particular sees us learn a bit more about their characters. But again there is very little humor in their relationship. As the set up for this show is more of a drama whereas the original series was more of a light comedy drama. We also get good performances from Ernie Hudson and Nanrisa Lee as Magic and Jenn investigate what Ben was working on with Janice Calavicci, who is a nice call back to the original series as she is Al’s daughter.

Overall

This is not the original Quantum Leap and isn’t likely to get anywhere close to it in regards to the love that fans have for Sam Beckett and Al. It’s the next generation but done with 21st-century production values and a really boring fashion sense in that everyone was wearing greys except the astronauts. This is a wasted opportunity in a sense because the original series was set in the near future and as such the fashions for the present/future of the series were made up and were a lot of fun. This current iteration is set in the present day and our present-day fashions. Particularly those on television are pretty boring.

In regards to this episode though. It was a pretty good adventure set during a mission that never actually took place. Although there was a real Atlantis Shuttle, which was decommissioned in 2012.  The concept of Ben having to save the life of the person that he had lept into was well executed as were the various action set pieces. But I still find myself wanting more from this show. It doesn’t really have the social conscience of the original show. Thus far the first two episodes have had more emphasis on the action-adventure component. I’m kind of hoping we get to see these new characters tackle more issues-based drama like the original show did with episodes such as ‘Jimmy’, ‘Black on White on Fire’, and other episodes like that.  Lord Knows, there are plenty of issues this new show could shine a light on such as LGBTQ things, and the rise of the Alt-Right. The early days of the internet. There is a wealth of history that this new incarnation has in its playground. Hopefully, we’ll get to see some of it.