Quantum Leap Reboot (spoilers allowed)

[Umbran]

It sounds like the main character was American. As such, he may not have spoken other languages.

Sorry, but that doesn't hold up. Sam Beckett holds six doctorates, one of them is in linguistics. In one of the first episodes, he reads hieroglyphics, even.

(as the sequel show already has another one)

?!? I saw no other leaper in that one episode.

Perhaps, the main character being an American is sent to help out American problems, but if they were from another location they would help out with that locations problems?

I am not a fan of addressing major issues in a show with stuff that isn't even hinted at in the text. We can make up non-canon excuses for virtually anything.

The point is that linking religion to American only would be a source of criticism from a goodly chunk of the audience these days. They'd have to explicitly address it on screen to not have folks complaining to them.

 

[GreyLord]

Sam speaks "seven modern languages and four dead ones.” He can read Egyptian hieroglyphics

the new go is identified as speaking a few languages too, including Romanian

Well, guess the kills that idea. As you can tell, didn't watch the show much.

 

[GreyLord]

?!? I saw no other leaper in that one episode.

What I meant is in the new show, we have a new leaper. Or at least the new main character is leaping into various people now.

 

[payn]

I watched the pilot last night. It's ok, but I have reservations. It has some glaring weaknesses that a lot of modern television has these days. I liked the characters but felt the pace was a bit too break neck. I liked in the original they slowed things down and let Sam cook in his new reality. We got to live vicariously through him as he figured out what has happened to him.

Spoiler: spoiler

So, the air of mystery is clear here. Why did Ben blow off his engagement party and jump himself? We get just a few nibbles, but its going to stay that way because now he has amnesia. Each episode we will get a little piece of the puzzle. This is a very intriguing beginning to a series. It is also rife with pitfalls. You reveal the mystery too soon, and the show becomes boring and viewers have little reason to stay tuned. You drag the mystery on and people lose interest as good guys become bad guys and bad guys become good guys and you even get to the reverse etc...

Will they avoid the traps? Maybe, but most network television runs face first into these buzzsaws lasting 1-2 seasons. I guess we will see.

 

[Morrus]

Why is his grilfriend not telling him she's his girlfriend? Is there some law of Temporal Secrecy they haven't mentioned which will cause the world to blow up if he knows?

 

[payn]

Why is his grilfriend not telling him she's his girlfriend? Is there some law of Temporal Secrecy they haven't mentioned which will cause the world to blow up if he knows?

I figured it was just dramatic tension. She is hurt that he went and did this, and likely frustrated that he isnt of right mind to discuss it. Unlike, the original QL, they jump right into mortal danger and focus kinda needs to be on Ben's survival at the moment.

 

[Morrus]

I figured it was just dramatic tension. She is hurt that he went and did this, and likely frustrated that he isnt of right mind to discuss it. Unlike, the original QL, they jump right into mortal danger and focus kinda needs to be on Ben's survival at the moment.

Feels like secrets for secrets' sake.

 

[payn]

Feels like secrets for secrets' sake.

Kind of tricks of the trade for network TV these days. It can make folks latch onto mediocre TV. Problem is, as soon as the secrets are revealed, its often a disappointing payoff and folks lose interest.

 

[fba827]

Why is his grilfriend not telling him she's his girlfriend? Is there some law of Temporal Secrecy they haven't mentioned which will cause the world to blow up if he knows?

Well, story drama reasons. Unnecessary in the context of this episode.


That said, in the original, Sam was actually married but they chose not to tell him so that he could embody the person he kept in to, romances and all, without guilt of remembering he’s married. ( of course, they did not even make that as part of the story until later seasons). Don’t know if they are using the same reasoning - if they are expecting him to be pulled out after this then in story they’d have no reason for that same reason in the moment. So, a totally valid thing to question…..

 

[fba827]

Just finished watching it. Some random thoughts as a fan of the original.

Not yet sure how I feel about switching back and forth between time lines. I hope not done too much if it detracts from immersion of focus on the personal story being leapt in to. Ex: if this were the original series they’d show more of the restaurant guy and his wife interact so you could see the humanized struggle whereas instead we are just told through one brief scene of them and then exposition to feel bad for their situation. Though the fact that the team are main characters not recurring suggests there will be the regular pacing

A little over the ‘ I must do this but can’t tell you why’ thing in many shows but this is doing it too - Ben just had to do it and not tell anyone… ok… but you are going to try really really hard to convince me through the writing that it was a smart and justified thing to do.

I hope the guide character gets a little more personality written in other than just being the pissed off all business girlfriend.

All that said, I am looking forward to a couple episodes at least to see how it finds its groove!