Quantum Leap Says Goodbye to [Spoiler] — Who Else is Leaving?
We knew there’d be serious consequences for what Ian and Jenn did — hijacking the quantum chip from the affluent tech boss Gideon (played by James Frain), who then waltzed into their headquarters unannounced — but that didn’t make the fallout any less jarring.
Tuesday’s episode of Quantum Leap found Ian and Magic sitting across from Gideon, who made it clear someone would have to pay for stealing from him.
As he explained, the Department of Defense was well aware of Ian and Jenn’s actions and planned to send a representative in the morning to ensure that Magic handled the situation to their satisfaction. Even worse, the government overlords found Gideon’s chip to be far more valuable than the Quantum Leap team.
The DoD enlisted Tom, who relayed to Addison that they intended to burn the titular program to the ground. Although he later convinced his bosses not to kill the program, they still needed someone to take the fall. Tom left it up to Magic to pick who to fire, and the latter found that to be an impossible decision given that both Jenn and Ian stood by him during his struggle with alcoholism.
Tom, meanwhile, made the choice to leave on his own accord. Despite his engagement with Addison ending so abruptly, the ex-army man held no ill will.
“I think we were meant to be together, and I think we were meant to break up,” he said, also encouraging Addison to take care of herself and to bring Ben home.
Elsewhere, Magic broke the news to Jenn that Gideon agreed to drop all charges and let the Quantum Leap program use his chip provisionally — all thanks to Tom. But someone still needed to pay for what happened, and it wasn’t going to be Ian since the team needs them to bring Ben home. When Jenn assumed she would be the one to go instead, Magic stopped her in her tracks.
“I know your heart was in the right place,” he said. “I’m sorry I have to do this, but Gideon Ridge wants a head on a platter… so I’m giving him mine.”
And just in case you weren’t clear on what he meant by that, he spelled it out: “Effective immediately, I’m resigning from Quantum Leap.”
With the two-hour season finale set for next Tuesday at 9/8c, the show will have several big questions to address, including where the team goes from here.
What do you think? Is Magic really leaving? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments.
I was holding out hope since the second half started for a drastic turn of events but I see why Scott Bakula passed on this. The first season was superb and pay respect to the original but these last three episodes have been a major disappointment. This show is falling into the same problems with Lost; I don’t think the show knows what it wants to do anymore and that’s a shame. Hopefully if there is no season three, they will get a movie like Timeless but I really only care about Ben at this point. Have him meet Al the bartender and he tells him where Sam is and call the reboot another failure. Best case scenario
Lost is a great callback. Still the best pilot episode I’ve ever seen. Season 1 was fantastic. But by the middle of the first half of S2, it was obvious that the show had no idea where it was going.
.
There is probably a reason why the OG didn’t have a serialized story component. It is like 2 different shows. The stuff at the HQ, and Ben’s forays in the past.
Try to find the original pilot script online. I read it last year and you can tell the original show runners had true deference for OG Quantum Leap
Where did you find the original script?
I don’t think I’m allowed to share links in the comments so… I googled: “script quantum leap” Look for a result with a name like “Quantum Leap Pilot – Lilien.Wynbrandt”
I wish the network didn’t but in and let those guys keep control of the show
They should dump Jenn instead of Magic
Another great episode. Can’t wait for the finale! Hope QL is renewed for a third season soon.
At this point anything is possible. I’ve followed this reboot since day 1 and 1 thing I’ve learned is…this show delivers…alot. Theoretically I can’t see why magic would have to leave…someone’s head need to be on a platter, ok, I get it but…what about Tom…he’s so called leaving…why not consider him as the 1 that got hacked?
Wow. Magic…that’s what integrity and true leadership looks like. And somehow, I knew that was the choice he was going to make. Now it will be up to Ian and Jen to make that sacrifice worth it and to honor Magic by bringing Ben home. And maybe older Hannah will have something to do with rewarding Magic for the sacrifice he made when we finally find out how she is connected to this whole thing. Or maybe one of Ben’s leaps will be what makes things right for Magic in the end. But what Magic chose to do is really consistent with his character, and we need more people like Magic in the real world and not just on TV.
I just hope that next week’s finale isn’t the series finale!
If it is, I blame NBC. In the first 2 seasons ,they changed the timeslot 3 times.
Yes,just like they often did with the original.
I think most everyone following this post would agree with you on that. :)
I agree.
is he the right age to be hannah’s son?
Who?
Omg I hope Magic doesn’t leave otherwise without him no offense to Ian or Jen. The series might not last much longer with that main character leaving
Looking forward to next week’s 2 hr event. We’ll it’s wedx 222am in Vancouver b.c Canada 🍁 wishing everyone at quantum leap and fans a very Happy Valentine’s Day.:)
The love story between Ben and Hannah has made me stay with the show and now Addison and Tom break up? Too predictable. Let Ben move on from Addison. Makes the show a little more interesting. Having her as his hologram just makes it a cheesy soap opera.
I really hope if this show does get canceled they do what they did for Timeless. Give it a two hour movie to finish it off. With that being said, I would hope they can offer Scott Bakula a good amount of money to come back as Sam for at least part of the two hour movie. Ending the show with Ben rescuing Sam, his final leap in both of them returning home. This would close out both shows.
I was watching original QL the other day and what’s lacking from this version is joy. Al had fun Addison is always so serious.
Also she should’ve been acting as a look out when Ben was breaking into the safe instead of looking over his shoulder
that’s exactly right. part of the OG QL’s draw was the FUN they put in every episode! Al was hilarious!
and i don’t need the espionage aspect on this show. it adds unnecessary drama that doesn’t serve the show itself well.
get back to the leaping stories, show us the team working on getting Ben back plus some of their personal lives. that’s the formula for success here.
also i just don’t particularly like Addison 🤷🏻♀️
The real head-puzzler is why they gave Frain such a ridiculously unflattering and ill-fitting wig?!
I get they want him to be a schlubby Zuckerberg type, but the mop top wig is distracting and disturbing.
I love Frain–he’s been great in more roles than one can count but as written and directed he’s seriously miscast.
Generally speaking—the first season was fantastic. This one has been uneven. I really liked what they were doing with the Addison/Tom/Ben/Hannah quadrangle, until the Tom storyline concluded (seemingly) with a lame pivot.
And some of the leaps have been so badly written. The worst was (sadly) the trans episode. The messages of trans acceptance were fine, but the treasure hunt storyline was a mess that didn’t have the hint of integrity and credulity.
Magic leaving?! That totally sucks!
No way this show is getting a 3rd season. NBC made that clear when they sent it to this new time slot to die, and after LaBrea no less. It’s a pretty competitive slot with FBI MW and Good Doctor as it’s competition. Even prior to that move it was only averaging 0.28 in the ratings at 8 pm on Wednesday, so it was inevitable. I can’t blame NBC since the 2nd season was at best inconsistent and the ratings mirrored that. RIP QL.
I was shocked that Magic fired himself. But it was the right thing to do. Ian couldn’t be fired not just because he is needed but he is the only one who did not lose faith in finding Ben. Between Jen and Magic i believe Jen is more central to the operation of Quantum Leap. As for Addison and Ben, i say what i always have said. They must get back together at the end (not just as friends but as lovers). Their romance (and its troubles) are central to Seasons 1 and 2. They must get back together a little older and a little wiser . There are several teasers that have Addison changing her role (maybe being a leaper) that is OK with me, and the 12 other people in my office. Maybe Ben and Addison can leap together or maybe Ben and Addison can tag-team playing the leaper and hologram. But any other solution that has them not getting back together is NOT ACCEPTABLE. I started watchin the new QL because of their relationship and i am still hanging on with this season in the hopes that the writers finally will “put right what went wrong” when they were split up. if not it is Adios to QL for me and my office mates who have been faithful followers for two seasons. Hannah is NOT an acceptable replacement for Addison. She is a nice character but fails to have “IT” for all of us. PLEASE PLEASE return Ben and Addison to their status as lovers (married!)
Kudo’s to the writers. All of us were expecting Tom to turn out to be the bad guy. Instead he foiled the real bad guy’s plans to “burn down” QL.
I hope not. They need the whole team .
damn i hope Magic isn’t really gone and this is just a plot device for storyline!!
now, where is the FUN that the OGQL had? it’s definitely not on this show, and that’s what’s missing. Al was hilarious! we need some levity here!
and i don’t need the espionage aspect on this show. it adds unnecessary drama that doesn’t serve the show itself well.
get back to the leaping stories, show us the team working on getting Ben back plus some of their personal lives. that’s the formula for success here.
also i just don’t particularly like Addison 🤷🏻♀️
I hope Eanie Hudson doesn’t leave on a permanent basis. I like him alot, he was awesome in The Cowboy Way. Let’s hope for the best.
Ernest Hudson going back to the family business
I hope Ernie Hudson is not leaving. But if he does leave for a good reason it is OK because every actor has to make decisions. I love watching him be his character. He has presence. He deserves to be where he can show his many acting talents. So get cooking and give him some deep lines. A fan every since I discovered him in Ghostbusters decades ago.