Fate's Wide Wheel: A Quantum Leap Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Listen Online: Watch on YouTube: We endeavor to give you our list of the essential episodes of Quantum Leap in the lead-up to the premiere of the revival series. These aren’t necessarily the best episodes, but the ones we felt added the most to the overall continuity of the show and contained information or story … Continue reading The Essential Episodes of Quantum Leap You Need to see Before Watching the New Series
Leapers, it’s been a minute. But we’re back to talk about all the new updates that have come out in the last month and share our thoughts. Listener Mail: Have a comment or a question? Send us an email at fateswidewheelpodcast@gmail.com. Fate’s Wide Wheel on the Web: Website Facebook Twitter Tiktok Instagram YouTube Become a … Continue reading New Series Updates!
We’re back with some brief new series updates and our short review of Sam’s favorite season 2 episode, “The Americanization of Machiko”. Listener Mail: Have a comment or a question? Send us an email at fateswidewheelpodcast@gmail.com. Fate’s Wide Wheel on the Web: Website Facebook Twitter Tiktok Instagram YouTube Become a Patron on Patreon: Fate’s Wide … Continue reading The Americanization of Machiko – Revisited
Last week, some confusing information came out regarding the order of a new series pilot, which was soon confirmed by an anonymous source attached to the show. We discuss what we know and what it may mean for the new series. We also address the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Listener … Continue reading Discussing Quantum Leap’s New Pilot
NBC has ordered a new, second pilot for the new Quantum Leap series debuting this fall, an anonymous source attached to the show confirms. These last 24 hours or so have been confusing for Quantum Leap fans. On Tuesday, The Hashtag Show reported details of the new pilot script and director, but the article did … Continue reading NBC Requests Overhaul of Quantum Leap Pilot, Source Confirms
We continue our Revisited series with our review of Season 2’s “Disco Inferno”. Sam leaps into Chad Stone, a stuntman on a bad B-movie in 1976. This is great episode for a lot of reasons, most notably for its introduction of Sam’s brother, Tom into the Quantum Leap mythology. If this whets your appetite for … Continue reading Disco Inferno: Revisited
This week, we’re here to give our capsule review of the season two premiere, “Honeymoon Express”. Almost serving as a soft reboot for the uninitiated, the episode sees Al fighting for the Project’s life back in the future while Sam, in the life of a NYC detective on his honeymoon in 1960, fights for the … Continue reading Honeymoon Express – Revisited
This week, we take a break from our “Revisited” series to read and respond to some listener mail. – Nicky Sudyn talks about their experience listening to a Quantum Leap podcast hosted by “two tired dads”, and explains why Tess picking Wayne in “How the Tess Was Won” was the inevitable and right choice. – … Continue reading Listener Mail – Why Wayne Won Tess, Why It’s Inevitable Sam/Scott Will Appear in the New Show, and What the New Show Means to Fans of the Classic
We’re back! It’s another installment of our continuing “Revisited” series as we plunge into the shadows and pulp of the season 1 finale, “Play It Again, Seymour”. After we get through our assessment of Sam’s turn as a shamus looking for the dropper who killed his partner, we slide on over to our overall rating … Continue reading Play It Again, Seymour – Revisited
Leapers, we’re back after an unplanned break (what else is new?) This week, we’re talking about the news that the new pilot has officially been picked up to a series. We knew it would happen, but man, are we even more excited now! We’re also here with our capsule review of season one’s “Camikazi Kid” … Continue reading New Quantum Leap Series Officially Ordered & Camikazi Kid – Revisited
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Double your identity, double your pleasure! Leapers, we’re back with a double episode this week, giving back-to-back capsule reviews of Season 1’s “Double Identity” and “The Color of Truth”. These are two very different episodes, and Sam and Dennis have some strong feelings. Plus! Listener mail. If you would like to … Continue reading Double Identity & The Color of Truth: Revisited
Apple Podcasts Spotify We continue our journey revisiting episodes of the classic series in the lead up the revival with “How the Tess Was Won”. Where will Sam’s vetinary leap rank among our previously rated episodes of the first season? Does Sam’s shirtless post-digging up our rating? What about our dear boy from Lubbock with … Continue reading How the Tess Was Won – Revisited
Next up in our Revisited series is “The Right Hand of God”. We bring our new rubric to bear on the third episode of the series to see how it measures up. What grade do we give it? Have our opinions changed? We also run through the latest news on the reboot/sequel and more! Fate’s … Continue reading The Right Hand of God – Revisited
Leapers! We’re back with our second capsule view. This week, we’re talking about the series’ 2nd episode, “Star-Crossed”. We also discuss the latest news for the reboot pilot, and the exciting opportunities lie ahead for the new Quantum Leap fandom. Oh, and hey, listen carefully (or even not so carefully), and you can tell the … Continue reading Star-Crossed: Revisited
In lieu of a fresh episode this week (hey, even we need a break sometimes), we’re bringing you our 30th-anniversary retrospective episode from 2019 on the eve of the 33rd anniversary of our favorite show. There may or may not be some comments about what we’d think of a potential reboot and/or sequel. Plus, lots … Continue reading Revisiting Quantum Leap’s 30th Anniversary
A lot has happened in the last week! We have our main cast. The cast of the Quantum Leap pilot: Dr. Ben Seong – Raymond Lee Addison – Caitlin Bassett Ian – Mason Alexander Park Jenn – Nanrisa Lee Herbert “Magic” Williams – Ernie Hudson Read more details here. We’re also getting some behind the … Continue reading It’s All Happening!
Leapers! We’re late with our blog post this week – blame Dennis. Since we recorded and dropped our episode Tuesday talking about the casting of Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Seong, we learned later Tuesday that Ernie Hudson has been cast as Herbert “Magic” Williams. Then Wednesday, news break with the rest of the main … Continue reading We Have Our Main Cast!
Hello, listeners, observers, leapers! Welcome to Quantum Leap: Revisited with Fate’s Wide Wheel – our capsule-sized reviews of the classic series. Our mission is to rank the show on a scale of 1-10 based on five different categories – writing, directing, acting, production values, and mythology. Each category is weighted based on importance – writing, … Continue reading Genesis Revisited – Video Podcast
Hello, listeners, observers, leapers! Welcome to Quantum Leap: Revisited with Fate’s Wide Wheel – our capsule-sized reviews of the classic series. Our mission is to rank the show on a scale of 1-10 based on five different categories – writing, directing, acting, production values, and mythology. Each category is weighted based on importance – writing, … Continue reading Genesis Revisited
We’re setting aside the start of our promised capsule reviews of the series (ahem classic series) to take a moment to talk about diversity.
Diversity.
We’ve heard that word come a lot on Quantum Leap forums the last few weeks as the casting call for the series was released, and that release was confirmed to be genuine. Some fans of the classic series are already saying what’s to come is “too woke”. This past week, our co-host, Sam, got into a civil debate with a fellow fan on Twitter after posting an essay on the matter.
Have a listen, and we’ll be back with our promised capsule reviews next week.
Fate’s Wide Wheel on the Web:
Website
YouTube
Become a Patron on Patreon:
Fate’s Wide Wheel Patreon
We Frequently Use These Resources:
Beyond the Mirror Image: The Observer’s Guide to Quantum Leap, by Matt Dale
Quantum Leap Info, by Matt Dale (a collection of all new info about the pilot Matt can gather)
Al’s Place
Listen here, or stream on your favorite pod catcher We’re setting aside the start of our promised capsule reviews of the series (ahem classic series) to take a moment to talk about diversity.
Diversity.
We’ve heard that word come a lot on Quantum Leap forums the last few weeks as the casting call for the series was released, and that release was confirmed to be genuine. Some fans of the classic series are already saying what’s to come is “too woke”. This past week, our co-host, Sam, got into a civil debate with a fellow fan on Twitter after posting an essay on the matter.
Have a listen, and we’ll be back with our promised capsule reviews next week.
Sam’s Essay:
I’m often curious when I read comments such as these. I wonder where it’s coming from. Why is there an issue with a notion of diversity and representation? Why do those that make these comments tend to fall back on the rhetoric of “as long as it’s good, I won’t care”? If that were truly the case, would the view be held to begin with? Wouldn’t they simply wait until the show premieres and then rail against the perceived quality of the program? Or is there something deeper at play?
Is there some sort of inherent threat in the diversity of a casting notice? Could it be that a creator’s intent to share a non-normative roster of characters impedes on some deeply rooted belief that the world must look like the beholder? And if so, where does that leave the youngster of Middle Eastern descent that’s only seen people that look like them portray terrorists or racially insensitive caricatures? What a privilege people that look like me have had to see their heroes share the outward – and in most cases inward – characteristics of myself. But wouldn’t be better for all of us if we saw a broader tapestry of stories and characters out there? Wouldn’t we all find something special in that diversity? Wouldn’t the privileged be able to do away with prejudices influenced by decades of stereotyping? Wouldn’t the marginalized be able to sit up a little straighter in seeing their heroes look like them? Wouldn’t their confidence grow knowing that society doesn’t only see them as the bad guy or the third person from the left? And wouldn’t the privileged be more accepting of those that were different from them knowing that they had much more to offer than being a bad guy or background noise? Wouldn’t we find a more harmonious balance of cultures and viewpoints in knowing that a world such as the one envisioned by this simple casting notice implies?
I’d like to think so.
Fate’s Wide Wheel on the Web:
Website
YouTube
Become a Patron on Patreon:
Fate’s Wide Wheel Patreon
We Frequently Use These Resources:
Beyond the Mirror Image: The Observer’s Guide to Quantum Leap, by Matt Dale
Quantum Leap Info, by Matt Dale (a collection of all new info about the pilot Matt can gather)
Al’s Place
Look at Sam’s sharp new mic This is our video version of Tuesday’s podcast.
We’re back this week to discuss more of what we know about the new Quantum Leap pilot, including the recent announcement that Helen Shaver will serve as both the pilot director and Executive Producer. We also have some more inside details thanks to our source – who we are lovingly calling ‘The Observer’ – at NBC:
- Details on Ziggy and the Handlink
- How they’re going to address Al’s absence in light of Dean Stockwell’s passing
- More hints on how the producers hope to incorporate Sam Beckett and other original characters into the new mythology
Then, of course, Sam & Dennis make with some serious “fan-wank” with some speculation with the tidbits we do have. Along the way, we talk about the Handlink as the original smart phone, the 80s/90s TV trope of sassy AI computers, and a lamentation of how it only took four years after its cancellation for Knight Rider to get a reboot attempt.
Our Social Media:
Some Other Resources and Articles We Discuss:
Beyond the Mirror Image, by Matt Dale
Quantum Leap Info, by Matt Dale (a collection of everything confirmed so far about the new pilot)
The Quantum Leap Podcast
What We Know About the Quantum Leap Reboot
“Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.” Listen to the episode here, or search for “Fate’s Wide Wheel” in your favorite pod catcher
We’re back this week to discuss more of what we know about the new Quantum Leap pilot, including the recent announcement that Helen Shaver will serve as both the pilot director and Executive Producer. We also have some more inside details thanks to our source – who we are lovingly calling ‘The Observer’ – at NBC:
- Details on Ziggy and the Handlink
- How they’re going to address Al’s absence in light of Dean Stockwell’s passing
- More hints on how the producers hope to incorporate Sam Beckett and other original characters into the new mythology
Then, of course, Sam & Dennis make with some serious “fan-wank” with some speculation with the tidbits we do have. Along the way, we talk about the Handlink as the original smart phone, the 80s/90s TV trope of sassy AI computers, and a lamentation of how it only took four years after its cancellation for Knight Rider to get a reboot attempt.
Our Social Media:
Some Other Resources and Articles We Discuss:
Beyond the Mirror Image, by Matt Dale
Quantum Leap Info, by Matt Dale (a collection of everything confirmed so far about the new pilot)
The Quantum Leap Podcast
What We Know About the Quantum Leap Reboot
As a new chapter of Quantum Leap looks to be upon us, we’ve decided to add a video component to our podcast.
One thing’s for sure – we certainly got faces made for podcasting.
Watch for the deep dive, but here are some things that our source has confirmed:
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The casting notice that started making its way around last week is accurate. Our new leaper is Dr. Ben Prassad. His holographic companion will be a woman named Addison.
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This will be much more of an ensemble show than the classic series. We’re going to see a lot more of Project Quantum Leap – including Ian, a non-binary person, and head programmer; Jenn, head of security; and Herbert “Magic” Williams, the retired-military liaison between the project and the Pentagon. (Also a legacy character: Sam leaped into Magic in “The Leap Home, Part II – Vietnam”.)
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Though it has not been confirmed Scott Bakula will be involved, it is the producers’ intention for Sam to be an integral part of the story, calling on Bakula to at least occasionally guest star.
Resources:
Beyond the Mirror Image: The Observer’s Guide to Quantum Leap, by Matt Dale
Quantum Leap Info, by Matt Dale
The Hashtag Show: Meet the Key Characters in the Quantum Leap Reboot
Our social media:
Listen to the episode here, or stream from your favorite pod catcher Here we go! We’ve got official confirmation from our source – our Observer – of numerous facts about the Quantum Leap pilot. We break down the confirmed cast notice and get into as many specifics as we can for each character. We also address aspects of production and story. And, perhaps biggest of all, we give the best answer we can about THAT question: Is Scott Bakula going to be involved. Longtime listeners, you will not want to miss this episode and if you’re just joining in, this is the perfect place to start.
Resources:
Beyond the Mirror Image: The Observer’s Guide to Quantum Leap, by Matt Dale
Quantum Leap Info, by Matt Dale
The Hashtag Show: Meet the Key Characters in the Quantum Leap Reboot
Our social media:
We’re back! And so is Quantum Leap! An official announcement dropped on January 13th, 2022. NBC brings back our beloved series with a continuation set 20+ years after Dr. Beckett’s final televised leap. We might be a little excited. On top of that, we’ve been hard at work mining all our resources and reaching out to a few contacts to bring you any and all news that’s currently available. In addition to all the official information available, we talk about our hopes for the new series, how we expect they might tell this new story, cast expectations, and a rundown on the creative team’s past work.
This is a new era for the show, and we are thrilled to be back at the project and stepping into the accelerator for more thrilling adventures.
“Time’s a little funny here.”
Truer words were never spoken. We have come to the end of the televised adventures of Sam Beckett – at least, for now. Cokeburg, PA, August 8, 1953. Sam Beckett walks into a bar, orders a beer, looks in to the mirror, and everything changes. Arguably the most momentous episode of our beloved series, we give you an equally momentous – in size, anyway – episode of Fate’s Wide Wheel. And we welcome back our very first guest, Jessica Conger, to discuss all the ins and outs of the series finale. Plus, Dennis and Sam give their usual overview after Jessica leaps out. We cannot begin to thank our listeners enough for coming along on our journey as we become the first Quantum Leap podcast to complete the whole series and maybe, just maybe, we aren’t even done yet… In the meantime, enjoy our thoughts on “Mirror Image”.
The circle will, in fact, be unbroken It’s the penultimate episode of our beloved show. Nothing to get all shook up about… Dammit… TV guide worthy puns abound as Sam leaps into an 18-year old Elvis Presley on the verge of discovery… Well, according to Project QL time, that is. Of course, nothing is ever easy for Sam as he makes a mess of things almost immediately and has to fix things to ensure Elvis’ success while also making life a little better for young Sue Anne Winters. We talk about the King’s place in pop culture, grappling with his influence and those that influenced him in an age where cultural appropriation is very much under scrutiny, and how he has impacted both of our lives. Couple that with our usual tangents and some preparation for the final episode, and you’ve got one super-sized Thanksgiving weekend podcast!
Only three episodes to go, Leapers! We’re back with with our re-watch of “The Leap Between the States”. Sam secedes from the regular rules (thank you, TV Guide, for that brilliantly horrible pun), and leaps back almost a hundred years further than his own lifetime, into the life of his great-grandfather, Captain John Beckett, of the Union army. After the initial shock of finding himself in an era he was never meant to travel to, Sam finds himself in a somewhat “Back to the Future”-esque plot where he must make sure his great-grandfather and great-grandmother get together as intended. He also gets involved with the Underground Railroad and former slave, Isaac – who will go on to have a very, very important descendant. Plus, this episode wouldn’t be complete without a dastardly Confederate villain, right?
As always, we deconstruct the episode and examine how well it holds up to present day viewing. Also going well off-topic (Us? Never!), and discuss the 2020 presidential election. (We recorded this just one day after the race was called for President-Elect Biden.)
Just four TV episodes remaining of our beloved series! This week, we’re chatting about “The Beast Within”.
First mistaken for a “Bigfoot” creature upon leaping in, Sam is actually Henry Adams, a Vietnam vet living in the woods of rural Washington. He must prevent his fellow vet, Roy, a fellow vet, from succumbing to a seizure the following night, and meanwhile, helping to heal a troubled friendship with another vet who they both served with in the overseas conflict.
We deconstruct the last mostly non-gimmick episode of the series. But we have a lot of thoughts about the notorious one gimmick this episode has! Sam Fain has some strong feelings in particular. Do the final moments derail the whole episode?
This episode seems like it brings everything full circle for our little podcast hosted by Sam & Dennis. Our hero, Sam Beckett, leaps into Dennis Boardman, the chauffeur to Marilyn Monroe.
Yes, that Marilyn Monroe.
Season Five of our favorite show continues its trend of leaping Sam into the lives of celebrities and historical figures. Sam has arrived just days before the icon’s suicide, and Ziggy says the odds are high he’s there to prevent it. Meanwhile, a new assistant, Barbara, has come into Marilyn’s life, and it quickly becomes evident we’re in an “All About Eve” situation.
We break down the episode as always, and discuss what we think works and what doesn’t. We also delve a little bit into the real life Marilyn (i.e. Norma Jean(e)).
Settle in and listen to the first of our last final TV leaps!
Well, here we are. It’s the end of the road for the Evil Leaper storyline. What do we think of Alia’s final bow? Wait… Alia’s in this?!?! But seriously, it’s an interesting leap with a lot to love but some serious problems as well. Don’t worry, Thames isn’t one of them. Join us as we venture into Mallard Women’s Correctional Facility and discuss an episode that’s chock full but perhaps misses the mark on its most important promise. Of course there’s some obligatory theorizing and fan-wanking over where the Evil Leaper story originated and where it may have gone given another season or two of our favorite show.
Our 100th episode!
“She’s not gone, Al. Alia. Is. Not. Gone, “ Sam ominously warned us at the conclusion of “Deliver Us From Evil”, a few episodes back. In “Return of the Evil Leaper”, the evil leaper…well…returns!
Sam has leaped into college student, Arnold Watson, “The Midnight Maruader”, a wanna-be on-campus caped crusader in 1956. As Arnold, Sam immediately butts head with Mike Hammond, macho frat bro (played with perfection by Neil Patrick Harris, as he was wrapping up his stint as a certain genius child doctor). But things get really complicated when Alia returns, leaping into Mike’s girlfriend. Meanwhile in the future, Al counsels the real Arnold, urging him to stop his dangerous acts as a would-be avenger.
Co-host Sam loves the episode, but Dennis has some reservations. Buckle in for a wild ride as we talk about what works, and what doesn’t!