Unsolved Mysteries Of Quantum Leap With Donald P. Bellisario | Unsolved Mysteries | Ars Technica

Today "Quantum Leap" series creator Donald P. Bellisario joins Ars Technica to answer once and for all the lingering questions we have about his enduringly popular show. Was Dr. Sam Beckett really leaping between all those time periods and people or did he simply imagine it all? What do people in the waiting room do while Sam is in their bodies? What happens to Sam's loyal ally Al? 30 years following the series finale, answers to these mysteries and more await.

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Unsolved Mysteries Of Quantum Leap With Donald P. Bellisario | Unsolved Mysteries | Ars Technica

[jerandecce]

RIP Dean Stockwell. What an accomplished actor; read his filmography.

[kenasche]

I would like to thank Mr. Bellisario for the two part show where Sam try's to stop his brother from going to Vietnam, The date on the leap was October 1969, My Brother was in Vietnam 1969, But for a 9yr. old kid I could not leap to save my brother. My brother Jim was killed January 8, 1969. The date is also My Birthday. Im not mad at the show, watching Sam & Al always gave me Hope. Thank You Again.

[ryancoulter]

Was kind of hoping last week, as NCIS New Orleans ended, we’d get a surprise ending with Bakula’s character disappearing in a flash of blue light and a surprise cameo from Dean Stockwell saying, “Welcome home, Sam.”

[TrumbullComic]

I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to know that Donald Bellisario also disliked the Evil Leaper.

[ReigginHilderbrand]

Quantum Leap represented the positivity of the late 80's/early 90's. End of the Cold War, etc. So much enthusiasm and the hope of undoing the mistakes of the past. I'm not so sure we could muster the same optimism today.

[noco]

Quantum Leap and MacGyver two of the most original shows of youth.

[xslimx]

So many great memories watching Quantum Leap with my father when I was a little boy.

[rndmevil]

Could bring back Scott Bakula, and have a story about Sam Beckett's daughter following in her dad's footsteps, trying to bring her missing dad home. I'd watch that.

[argonwheatbelly]

The final card always makes me cry, not because he never returned home, but because it resonated with me that kind of choice.

[CybershamanX]

What a wonderful show. Damn it, I feel like my parents. "They just don't make shows like they did when we were younger..." ;)

[jmeszaros]

Just watched this after discovering 1 hour before that Dean Stockwell had passed away last November. R.I.P. Mr. Stockwell. I loved you as Al in Quantum Leap, and even as the evil Cylon in the Battlestar Galactica reboot! Thank you for all the wonderful roles you played!

[OUTSIDER]

The end of Quantum leap broke my heart 💔

[michaelminneci]

I personally would have like to see Sam leap home. The whole premise of the show was leaping through time putting right what once went wrong, hope his next leap, will be the LEAP I felt fans watch the show for 5 years enjoying all the lives Sam leaped into, but always knowing in the end he will leap home. I was disappointed in the finale at the time, it was only years later that I've made peace with Sam choosing to continue to leap. Still one of my favorite shows in High School.

[eurogryphon]

Bruce McGill is such an underrated actor. He perfectly fits into whatever role he is given (MacGyver, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Voyager, etc.).

[JollyRogerVF]

I wished there would be a final season, with Scott Bakula, where Sam Backett finds his way home.

[hrdknox]

Holy CRAP!!! I had no idea Bellisario served in the military, much less with THE Lee Harvey Oswald! This show shaped my worldview and, in some ways, my own leadership style when I was in the Army!

[jackdubz]

If there's one show we need more of in these messed up times it's Quantum Leap.

[RedSiegfried]

It occurred to me recently that with Sam only leaping into his own lifetime it was an easy way to cash in on Baby Boomer nostalgia. But as Bellisario said, it also kept the budget down and made it a very grounded and believable drama instead of going hard into science fiction.

[Sharks]

My father died when I was 5 years old. Going back in time is something I dream about to see my dad. Love this show!

[jameshiggins.openworld]

Sam to me was like an angel moving through time . and I loved that