Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 10 Review: Paging Dr. Song
Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 10, “Paging Dr. Song,” presents Ben’s most pivotal case yet, as he must save three people whose fates are inextricably linked. Does he succeed? Does the episode deliver on the white-knuckled, high-stakes front?
The highlight of “Paging Dr. Song” is the stellar guest turns from Stan Shaw (Eli Jackson) and François Chau (Louis Tann). What a way to create memorable work from very little screen time. Both performers dole out raw, grounded, nuanced performances. Tiffany Smith (Dr. Sandra Turk) also holds her own.
BEN: I delivered a baby! Like an actual, real-life human child. It was like a miracle. But also something I never want to have to do again.
This episode undoubtedly showcases Ben’s toughest leap. Usually, he only has one life to save. This time, it’s three. While the writers try to find creative ways to inject life into the story and keep it engaging, the narrative repetition we’ve seen over the past nine episodes bogs it down.
We’ve watched this song and dance before: Ben encounters a problem, and Addison, with the aid of Ziggy, helps him tackle it. Then, another issue sprouts in its place. After some time of struggling, he remedies that one, too. But wait — it’s time to hop over to 2022 LA to watch the Quantum Leap team track down Janis, try to figure out Ben’s trajectory, conceal their doings from the government, and sometimes all three.
All this to say, Quantum Leap feels more like a repetitive, predictable procedural drama than the vibrant sci-fi thriller it’s billed as. Perhaps since “Paging Dr. Song” takes place in a hospital, it brought the “procedural” aspect to the fore.
ADDISON: Oh, he did not just call you “missy.”
That’s not to say this show hasn’t presented a handful of twists and turns along the way. There’s so much potential for this story to break the mold. Now, it desperately needs to free itself of its network TV restraints. As a viewer, it feels like we’re inching slowly in the right direction, but there’s still something holding Quantum Leap back from truly soaring.
The episodic formula and story structure need a good reshuffling. Janis ordering Addison to step away from helping Ben might be what the doctor ordered (sorry, it had to be done). We need to see Ben pushed to his limits without his safety net. He’s supposed to be this brilliant mind, and we’ve certainly witnessed some moments of ingenuity from him, but Addison and Ziggy are an incessant crutch. It’s time to take that away to see how he fares. Admittedly, the writers should’ve done this a few episodes ago to ensure the story doesn’t go stale.
Thankfully, the promo for the next episode looks like we’ll see something different from the series. Here’s hoping they stick the landing.
BEN: I know that face. It’s the, “I’ve got news and you’re not going to like it, Ben” face.
On another note, the show is spreading its focus too thin. While the Powers That Be are woefully underutilizing a talent like Ernie Hudson, there needs to be more balance between the A- and B-plots. So far, the B plots aren’t strong enough to divert so much focus from Ben and his leaps. Too many narrative balls in the air seem challenging to juggle from a writing standpoint.
“Paging Dr. Song” certainly boasts a few shining moments, but it falls victim to the show’s repetitive plot structure. Raymond Lee continues to charm the hell out of us as Ben Song. However, if the writers don’t whip out the defibrillator soon, we might continue to flatline narratively (again, sorry).
Stray Observations:
- I need to know Ben’s detailed thoughts on wearing an underwire bra. For science, obviously.
- Robert Picardo, a.k.a. a Grandfather of Sci-Fi, is guest-starring in the next Quantum Leap episode. That fact already increases my excitement significantly.
- Who else remembers CD cases and the CDs that’d accompany new computers? I still have a CD case full of DVDs. Never let go of your physical media, kids.
- Janis Calavicci is an enigma. She’s not a bona fide antagonist nor a full-fledged hero. Is she an antihero? I found her more intriguing when she was toying with the team while hiding in the shadows.
- So, Ben left the metal instrument he touched with his bare hands … in a place that must be 100 percent sterile? Where a heart transplant is taking place? That moment seems off to me.
- Watching François Chau go from a semi-villainous role on The Expanse to a tender-hearted, vulnerable performance in this episode is fun. Jules-Pierre Mao could never!
- We need more humor. Like, weird humor. Let’s get weird, Quantum Leap.
What did you think of this episode of Quantum Leap? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Quantum Leap will return on Monday, January 30 at 10/9c on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.