Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * *
Cast: Raymond Lee, Caitlin Bassett, Mason Alexander Park, Nanrisa Lee, Ernie Hudson, Georgina Reilly, Eliza Taylor, Peter Gadiot, Alice Kremelberg, Susan Diol, James Frain, Wyatt Parker, Josh Dean, Mehrnaz Mohammadi, Connor Esterson, Lou Diamond Philips, Aaron Abrahms.
Time and Time again we have the opportunity to see science fiction as more than just setting stories as a gateway to romance, the inevitable conclusion that seems to drive the genre by displaying humanity as more than just a conduit, but nothing less than at times irrational.
Many has the premise of a science fiction been derailed by love’s slender kiss, and whilst that is agency behind the sequel/renewal of Quantum Leap is that of absent tenderness, it also leaves the watcher understandably dealing with searching through a tonne of issues that leave little, or next to nothing, to enhance the storyline or give up to a personal element of danger; unrequited or unfulfilled love after all is best left to the genre which exemplifies it better.
Whether it is down to the knowledge that the series was going to end in its second season or the surprise of cancellation hit squarely, the fact is that the revived Quantum Leap was heading nowhere; it had some good story lines, some ideals that deserved attention and follow up, but as with its debut season, the characters were lacking in connection to that of its more illustrious predecessor, some good performances when required, but for the most part it felt simply drawn, and the decency that remained was driven by those in guest roles, not least Lou Diamond Philips, Aaron Abrahms, P.J. Byrne, Wilder Yari, and Eliza Taylor as Hannah Carson.
The issue with revived series is clear, if it doesn’t make an immediate impact the chances are that it will flounder, no matter how television friendly it is, it will not withstand the urge from executives to reach for the cancel button quickly.
The fact this series borders just above the routine most episodes, and for that it barely makes a difference to the world of television; a crying shame from what it could have been.
Ian D. Hall