Quantum Leap Review: As the World Burns / Against Time (Season 2 Episodes 12 and 13)

Quantum Leap Season 2 Episodes 12 and 13, “As the World Burns” and “Against Time,” deliver a propulsive, exciting double-episode season finale that sets the stage for a potential third season. From start to finish, it’s an action-packed thrill ride that injects new life into the series. 

As the World Burns 

“As the World Burns” finds Ben in one of his most heroic modes: saving people from a fire. Here, Hannah discloses the DARPA code she’s been working on — the one that brings Ben home. 

While we initially thought the reason for Ben and Hannah constantly running into each other was their flourishing love, it’s Hannah’s vast knowledge of quantum physics that sets Ben on the right path. The accelerator ensured Ben would persuade a young Hannah to attend college, thus establishing her career as a heavy-hitter in the physics world. 

Eliza Taylor has delivered consistently compelling performances all season, and her double-episode (presumed) swan song is no exception. She plays an integral role this season in changing the game for the Quantum Leap Project. If this is her last hurrah as Hannah, it’s a damn good one. 

Taylor’s chemistry with Raymond Lee is electrifying. This sizzling onscreen connection elevates every episodic narrative where their characters collide. 

Gideon, Gideon, Gideon 

Episode 12 also alerts us to Gideon Rydge’s potential identity. While it’s a predictable development, and revenge isn’t exactly a new character motivation, it’s entertaining nonetheless to make it more personal for our Big Bad. 

James Frain always makes for a fascinating villain, whether he’s playing a vampire or a billionaire tech bro. This finale is no exception. Gideon’s confrontation with Ben in “Against Time” is heartbreaking. Frain lets us in, showing us how his knowledge of Ben and his father’s death have taken a toll on him. It’s moving work. 

Raymond Lee Is a Star 

However, it’s Raymond Lee who delivers his show-best performance in Quantum Leap thus far. He imbues Ben with boundless optimism — occasionally to his detriment, but that hope propels him. Lee’s infectious charisma and warmth leap (excuse me) off the screen. 

Lee’s monologue to young Jeffrey in “Against Time” tugs at the heartstrings. It keys into a fundamental aspect of Ben as a character. He knows true loss and will do anything to help ease others’ pain. It’s the essence of this series. 

One thing this finale excels at is thrusting our leads into danger. They raise the stakes significantly, putting us on the edge of our collective seat without pulling the trigger, as it were. The writers don’t rely on carnage for “shock value” or to push the story forward. 

Keep ’em Together 

It’s enough that Magic resigned on last week’s episode, Gideon fired the team, and Jenn died in the other timeline before the butterfly effect was achieved. There’s more room for narrative play and putting our characters through the wringer without resorting to death. We need our core crew in one piece and weathering the storm together. 

Plus, with the return of Janis, Gideon/Jeffrey becoming a donor for the project, and Ben and Addison now leaping together, there’s plenty to experiment with should NBC do the right thing and renew Quantum Leap for Season 3. Please? 

Overall, “As the World Burns” and “Against Time” are, without question, Quantum Leap‘s best episodes. This show had a bumpy start, but it’s really finding its footing and voice while paying homage to its predecessor. The double-episode finale bursts at the seams with heart, with Ben’s derring-do continuing to impress. His faith in humanity is restorative, to be sure. 

It’s not perfect, but it’s entertaining. So, sit back and enjoy the ride. We need sci-fi shows like this, ones with spirit, hope, humor, and plenty of timey-wimey action. Bring on Season 3. 

Stray Observations: 

• I’m delighted that Ian is a Community fan. Their “darkest timeline” remark proves it. It is now canon. 
• On another Ian note, I think it’s adorable they recite movie quotes when they’re stressed. 
• Did anyone else squeal when Janis gave Addison the old-school Handlink her father used? She even smacked it!
• It’s nice to see the Calaviccis again. I’d love for Janis to join the team permanently in Season 3. 
• Twice, I feared the writers were going to kill off a woman. Firstly, in “As the World Burns” with Hannah. Secondly, in “Against Time” with my girl Jenn. The latter would’ve made me extra incensed because she’s been given the short end of the narrative stick of late. 
• Methinks we’ll see James Frain, aka Jeffrey, in Season 3. Of course, now he’s a good guy. He might even help bring Ben and Addison home. (And Sam, too.) 
• We never learned what happened to Hannah. Could that be a potential plot thread in Season 3? I need closure! 
• If I had to climb down the facade of an extremely tall apartment building to escape a fire, I’d stay in the fire. 
• Do we think Tom is coming back? I hope so. It would be a shame to waste Peter Gadiot. 

What did you think of these episodes of Quantum Leap? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Quantum Leap Seasons 1 through 2 are now streaming on Peacock. 

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