Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 18 Review: Judgment Day
Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 18, “Judgment Day,” finds Ben in an unexpected place. Thus, he must race against time to right what once went wrong. It’s the freshman show’s season finale and indisputably the strongest outing. That said, it’s not without its flaws.
“Judgment Day” thrusts us into the action from the get-go, which keeps the narrative moving briskly. Much of the episode feels like an expositional dump, almost as if we need our collective hand held to comprehend the plot. Exposition is par for the course with Quantum Leap, but “Judgment Day” dishes it out exponentially.
IAN: We need each other. That’s the only way it’s gonna work.
It’s somewhat exhausting, notably in the opening scenes with Ian and Ben, where the latter parrots back everything Ian says to him. This also showcases the weaknesses in the dialogue.
One thing this series has struggled with from the jump is the dialogue. There’s a certain sanitized, wooden quality to it. It doesn’t flow freely or organically. Even the actors occasionally become hampered by it.
Raymond Lee, a consistent, solid lead for Quantum Leap, stumbles somewhat regarding the dialogue delivery in his scenes with 2051 Ian. The dialogue wrinkles smooth out little by little as the episodic plot progresses, but perhaps it would’ve fared better with more show and less tell.
JENN: Sorry, I don’t usually get emotional. Putting up walls is sort of my thing.
BEN: You’re head of security for a reason.
Flaws aside, “Judgment Day” delivers answers concerning Martinez and his quest to kill Addison. Well, more like his objective to take out all of them. The fight sequence between him and Ben is well-executed, and it’s fun watching them return to the points in time where they crossed paths.
It’s probably the most intricately-choreographed fight sequence of the season, complete with bloodshed. Where the Martinez story falters is his supposed death. Having anyone else but Ben kill him feels like a cop-out and a hasty conclusion to a season-long arc.
Because Martinez’s demise is rushed, it doesn’t feel like the end of his story. Will we see him again? That would make the most sense, given said end.
MAGIC: I risked everything to bring Sam home. But there’s nothing wrong with having a weakness for people. I think that’s what makes you the kind of leaper the Quantum Accelerator can depend on.
Magic finally gets to become a hologram like the rest of his team. His scene with Ben encapsulates the season’s essence: having a weakness for people is a strength when saving the world. Ernie Hudson, a seasoned performer with the longest career among the core cast, undoubtedly deserves more screen time in Season 2.
Nanrisa Lee stands out as a strong performer, namely in her scene with Raymond Lee in front of the elevator. She beautifully conveys Jenn’s vulnerability as someone unused to expressing herself. She reveals the tender heart of the typically witty, sharp-tongued Jenn. Lee takes everything the writers give her and knocks it out of the park.
“Judgment Day” has fun playing with and expanding the show’s mythos, from having Ben leap into his own body four years prior to the three Ians from 2018, 2022, and 2051 converging to save the day. The multiple mentions of Al Calavicci are lovely, too. Despite the show’s initial struggle to gain footing, “Judgment Day” feels like a step in the right direction.
Overall, the Quantum Leap season finale doesn’t entirely wow. Still, it’s serviceable enough — it answers long-held questions while presenting a few loose threads (the Ziggy “mole” situation, who returned in the Quantum Accelerator) for viewers to cling tightly to until Season 2. There’s enough to keep audiences entertained and some displays of derring-do that solidify Ben Song as a likable sci-fi hero.
Stray Observations:
- 2018 Ian is just as irritated about someone skipping out on trivia night as 2022 Ian. There is no difference.
- More of Nanrisa Lee in Season 2, please, and thank you. Jenn is a nuanced, layered, fun character who deserves more screen time.
- If Season 2 doesn’t open with Sam Beckett in the Quantum Accelerator, I won’t do much about it but silently fume. Maybe fire off a strongly-worded tweet like the internet warrior that I am.
- At some point, will we learn why Ziggy was dubbed “the mole”? Perhaps it has something to do with the Lothos-sized elephant in the room?
- I was hoping “Turtle Time” was a reference to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
What did you think of this episode of Quantum Leap? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Quantum Leap Season 1 is now 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.