Mirror Image was the last episode of Quantum Leap to air, with Sam leaping into himself amidst some familiar faces and unusual coincidences. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the show’s finale and look back over the whole series.

Sam leaps into a mining community in Pittsburgh, PA at the moment of his own birth and meets an enigmatic barman called Al (Bruce McGill). Amongst a string of coincidences he encounters a miner called Gooshie (William Morgan Sheppard), workers called Tonchi and Pete (John D’Aquino and Brad Silverman) who resemble Frank and Jimmy LaMotta, and a man called Ziggy (Richard Herd) who is identical to Captain Galaxy, Mel Stein.

When Tonchi and Pete are trapped in the mine it’s Sam and an arthritic man named Stawpah (Stephen McHattie) who mastermind their rescue over the initial objections of mine owner Mr Collins (Mike Genovese). Sam is further confounded when he sees Stawpah leap out and finds nobody else remembers him. After a talk with the barman, Sam realises he has one big wrong to put right and leaps back to meet with his friend Al’s wife Beth (Susan Diol).

Mirror Image was directed by James Whitmore Jr., the last of his fifteen episodes. The writer was Donald P. Bellisario, the last of his nineteen writing credits for the show.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered partings.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Mirror Image was released in 1993. It is 47 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries.

The post Mirror Image – Episode 97 first appeared on The Leap Home.

Memphis Melody was the twenty-first and penultimate episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into Elvis Presley with the young singer on the cusp of fame. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss double acts.

Sam leaps into a young Elvis Presley just before the singer is discovered and signed to his first record deal. As a big fan of The King, Sam knows that he can’t be here to get Elvis his deal since that happened fine the first time round, so his focus turns to Sue Anne (Mary Elizabeth McGlynn), a friend with a good voice, but crippling stage fright.

Unfortunately, Sam’s efforts to help Sue Anne, over the objections of her unpleasant fiancé Frank (John Scott Clough), lead to him missing a crucial audition with legendary producer Sam Phillips (Gregory Itzin). When talent spotter Marion Keisker (Lisa Jane Persky) tries to pair Sam and Sue Anne as a single act, it looks like curtains for Elvis’s career.

Memphis Melody was directed by James Whitmore Jr., the fourteenth of his fifteen episodes (which is a bit of a spoiler for who the director is going to be next week!). The writer was Robin Bernheim, the last of her five writing credits for the show.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered harmonies.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Memphis Melody was released in 1993. It is 47 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries.

The post Memphis Melody – Episode 96 first appeared on The Leap Home.

The Leap Between the States was the twentieth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into his own great-grandfather in the heat of the American Civil War. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the Confederacy.

Sam leaps into his great-grandfather, Captain John Beckett, and is quickly wounded during a skirmish. We learn that he is then assisted by Isaac (Michael D. Roberts) and a family of escaped slaves, who bring him to a barn on the property of Olivia Covington (Kate McNeil), a widowed Southerner apparently hostile to a Yankee like Sam.

Eventually Al tells Sam that Olivia will become his great-grandmother and that he has to keep her on-side while helping prevent another escaped family from being returned to their ‘owners’ by Lt. Montgomery (Geoffrey Lower) and his unit. Sam has to convince the Confederate soldiers that he’s on their side, despite his moral objections.

The Leap Between the States was directed by David Hemmings, who returned for the first time since directing the show’s two-part pilot episode Genesis. The writer was Richard C. Okie, the last of his six writing credits.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered progress.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

The Leap Between the States was released in 1993. It is 46 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries.

The post The Leap Between the States – Episode 95 first appeared on The Leap Home.

The Beast Within was the nineteenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into a Vietnam veteran whose friends are still suffering after returning home from war. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the best place to put a Pharmacy.

Sam leaps into Henry Adams, and is immediately mistaken for Bigfoot by young Daniel Burke (David Tom), the son of Henry’s late friend John (John Hillard) who died in Vietnam during the war. Henry is trying to procure seizure medication for his friend Roy (Sean Sullivan), but has a problem in the shape of local sheriff – and Henry’s former friend – Luke (Pat Skipper).

When Luke arrests Sam while Daniel and Roy are out trying to photograph the elusive Bigfoot, his wife Karen (Eileen Seeley), also John Burke’s widow, comes to the rescue. She and Sam head off to save Daniel, with Luke in pursuit, but will they reach them in time?

The Beast Within was directed by Gus Trikonis, his only work on the show. The writer was John D’Aquino, his only writing credit on Quantum Leap, but familiar to fans as Jimmy’s older brother Frank in multiple episodes..

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered how easily cured PTSD can be.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

The Beast Within was released in 1993. It is 45 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries.

The post The Beast Within – Episode 94 first appeared on The Leap Home.

Goodbye Norma Jean was the eighteenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into Marilyn Monroe’s driver and trying his best to keep the starlet alive. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss showbiz parties.

Sam leaps into Dennis Boardman, the personal chauffeur to Marilyn Monroe (Susan Griffiths) shortly before her anticipated death. When Monroe hires Barbara Whitmore (Liz Vassey) as her personal assistant, Sam’s initial pleasure soon turns to suspicion and eventually anger as the young wannabe moves to supplant her employer on her new movie.

After saving Marilyn’s life at a party hosted by Peter Lawford (Joris Stuyck), Sam rejects her thankful advances, leading to a cooling in their relationship. When Barbara approaches director John Huston (Tony Young) and his colleague John Tremaine Jr. (Stephen Root) to take Monroe’s place opposite Clark Gable (Larry Pennell) in rehearsals, Sam must get the star back on track, fast.

Goodbye Norma Jean was directed by Christopher Hibler, the last of his four episodes of the show. The writer was Richard C. Okie, the fifth of his six writing credits.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered the value of one good movie.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Goodbye Norma Jean was released in 1993. It is 46 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries.

The post Goodbye Norma Jean – Episode 93 first appeared on The Leap Home.

This special update episode marks ten years since we published Episode One of the Columbo Podcast – Murder by the Book. In this episode, Gerry and Iain look back on ten years of podcasting together and announce their plans for the Columbo Podcast in 2025.

You can find all of the shows discussed on the episode here:

Sledgecast – A Sledge Hammer! Podcast

The Jonathan Creek Podcast

The Blackadder Podcast

The Fawlty Towers Podcast

Fascinating – A Star Trek Podcast

The Leap Home – A Quantum Leap Podcast

Coffee Talk

Apolitical Podcast

Drawn Out Podcast

The Poker Face Podcast on The Columbo Podcast

If you have thoughts on the Columbo Podcast please share them below, or find us on Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

The post The Columbo Podcast – Ten Year Update Special first appeared on The Leap Home.

Revenge of the Evil Leaper was the seventeenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into an inmate facing execution for a crime she did not commit, while Alia joins him and looks to avoid being detected by Lothos. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss prison etiquette.

Sam leaps into Liz Tate (Cynthia Steele), an inmate at a notorious women’s prison. Alia (Renée Coleman) leaps with him, into fellow prisoner Angel Jensen (Laura O’Loughlin). The two women are implicated in the recent death of another inmate and the head guard, Sophie (Katherine Cortez) isn’t ready to give them any respite.

Sam hypnotises Alia to protect her from discovery, leading to Zoey (Carolyn Seymour) leaping into warden Clifton Meyers (Sam Scarber) with assistance from her holographic colleague, Thames (Hinton Battle). After hearing an account of the death from an inmate called Fiddler (Rosanna DeSoto), Sam and Alia get help from a sympathetic guard named Vivian (Barbara Montgomery) to stage an escape.

Revenge of the Evil Leaper was directed by Debbie Allen, her second and final episode of the show. The writer was Deborah Pratt, the last of her twenty writing credits.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered consequences.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Revenge of the Evil Leaper was released in 1993. It is 49 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries.

The post Revenge of the Evil Leaper – Episode 92 first appeared on The Leap Home.

Return of the Evil Leaper was the sixteenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into a crusading student with a subconscious deathwish. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the rules.

Sam leaps into Arnold Watkins, a student on a mission to protect innocents following the murders of his parents when he was a child. In his sights are the fraternity initiations conducted by Mike Hammond (Neil Patrick Harris), his friend Frank (Bojesse Christopher) and their cohorts, specifically the initiation of Sam’s roommate, Jack (Paul Sherrer).

Eventually Sam realises that the ‘Evil Leaper’, Alia (Renée Coleman), is also active in the college and makes a pact with her to try and extract her from the control of Lothos and Zoey (Carolyn Seymour). Meanwhile, in 1999, Al tries to persuade Arnold (Tristan Tait) that he doesn’t need to risk his life to protect others.

Return of the Evil Leaper was directed by Harvey S. Laidman, his only episode of the show. The writer was Richard C. Okie, with the fourth of his six scripts.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered touching.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Return of the Evil Leaper was released in 1993. It is 45 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries

The post Return of the Evil Leaper – Episode 91 first appeared on The Leap Home.

Blood Moon was the fifteenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into Nigel, a vampiric cultist set to sacrifice his new wife to the blood moon. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss whether the butler did it.

Sam leaps into Nigel, a cultist who has recently married Alexandra (Shae D’lyn), who had been homeless until she met him. They are preparing to celebrate the occasion of the ‘blood moon’ with guests Victor Drake (Ian Buchanan) and his partner Claudia (Deborah Moore), when Al reveals that Alexandra will not survive the event.

When Drake and Claudia usurp the ritual in the face of Sam’s hesitancy, it is the butler, Boris (Rod Loomis) who returns to save Sam. After rescuing Alexandra, he must work out how to protect her once the leap is over and Nigel returns.

Blood Moon was directed by Alan J. Levi, the last of his six Leaps. The writer was Tommy Thompson, who also rounded out his contribution to the series with this, his thirteenth script.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered party etiquette.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Blood Moon was released in 1993. It is 47 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries

The post Blood Moon – Episode 90 first appeared on The Leap Home.

Dr. Ruth was the fourteenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into radio therapist Dr. Ruth to allow here an opportunity to treat Al in 1999. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss prudishness.

Sam leaps into Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the renowned sex therapist, in the middle of a 1985 radio phone-in. His producers Doug (Peter Spears) and Debbie (Anita Barone) squabble in the booth as Sam squirms at a series of lurid enquiries, until he takes a call from a woman named Annie (Robyn Lively) who claims to have been sexually assaulted at work.

Taking up Annie’s cause with gusto, Sam pursues her boss Jonathan (James McDonnell) to discover the truth. Meanwhile, in 1999, Dr. Ruth (Dr. Ruth Westheimer) tries to get to the bottom of Al’s romantic hangups and childhood trauma.

Dr. Ruth was directed by Stuart Margolin, his only contribution to the series. The writer was Robin Bernheim, the fourth of her five Quantum Leap scripts.

In this episode Gerry and Iain considered escalation.

The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.

Dr. Ruth was released in 1993. It is 47 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries

The post Dr. Ruth – Episode 89 first appeared on The Leap Home.