Quantum Leap Episode 14 Recap and Ending, Explained (2023)

NBC’s ‘Quantum Leap’ puts Dr. Ben Song on the brink of war in its fourteenth episode. Titled ’S.O.S’, it takes place on a US Navy ship with Ben landing himself in a situation where the stakes have never been higher. Things also get complicated for Addison who finds her father at the center of this leap. As if things weren’t tense or confusing enough for the team, the return of an unlikely character makes Ben and his team worried about what the entanglement of past and future could mean for all of them. Here’s what the events in this episode spell for the Quantum Leap team. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Quantum Leap Episode 14 Recap

Quantum Leap Episode 14 Recap and Ending, Explained (1)

After helping an Indian-American family save their restaurant, Ben lands in 1989 on an American warship. This time, he is an operations officer, aboard USS Montana which is revealed to have an infamous past. Addison reveals that Montana received a distress signal from a submarine, but the captain of the ship refused to heed it. They didn’t know that the submarine was USS Tampa, which was on a secret mission to get a peek into the Chinese territory. Because Montana didn’t know about it, they thought the signal was from a Chinese submarine. The captain believed it to be a trap, which led to the loss of all the lives on the submarine.

Ben realizes that there is more to the leap than saving the world this time when Addison reveals that her father was on the ship too. He was the second-in-command and it was he who refused to answer the call. For this, he was discharged from the navy. It is his mind that they need to change, but things soon turn out to be more complicated than that. Ben realizes that if he doesn’t finish this leap, he will not only be stuck here but it could also mean the beginning of the next world war.

Quantum Leap Episode 14 Ending: What Happened to Addison’s Father?

According to the official records, it was Addison’s father, Alexander Augustine, who didn’t answer USS Tampa’s distress call. However, minutes into the crisis, Ben and Addison discover that her father actually wanted to pursue the signal. It was Captain Bill Drake whose orders he had been following. It turns out that Drake had helped Alexander after he ran away from home to escape his abusive father. Drake was the father figure who helped him turn his life around which is why Alexander doesn’t want to do anything to defy him.

Quantum Leap Episode 14 Recap and Ending, Explained (2)

Addison realizes that this loyalty must have been the reason why her father took the blame on him rather than allow Drake’s reputation to be tarnished. This means that they have to change the Captain’s mind, who, it turns out, is grieving his wife who died recently. While it means saving many lives, the change in the events that happen on this day could also have an impact on Addison’s life.

Throughout the episode, Addison reveals bits and pieces about her father who was also stoic and distant. He never showed any emotions, which made Addison think that he never loved her. He also suddenly left her and her mother and never came back. Despite what others believe, Addison assures Ben that no matter what changes take place on this day, her father will continue to be the same person, because she believes he was always the same. But then, when she gets to see him in his most vulnerable of moments, she discovers that there was a different side to him that she didn’t know about.

Alexander tells Ben that his wife is not in love with him anymore, but she won’t leave him because she doesn’t believe in abandoning a relationship. This has made them an unhappy family and he worries that this will have an impact on his daughter, who is around two-year-old. By the end of the episode, Alexander has seen a turn of events. Despite not wanting to go against Drake, he mutinies, which leads Drake to leave the command of the ship in his hands, following which he and Ben are able to save USS Tampa, while not initiating a war with the Chinese ships, which Drake believed were planning to attack them.

Quantum Leap Episode 14 Recap and Ending, Explained (3)

Changing the events of the original timeline, Alexander takes charge of the situation and saves many lives. Does this mean that he has changed things for himself and his family? How far of an impact a leap has on people’s lives will only be revealed in the next episode, but there’s a good chance that things remain more of the same for Addison. Her parents will still split up. Their marriage was doomed even before Ben found himself in the leap. Alexander had made up his mind to leave because he knew his wife wouldn’t. The discharge from the navy might have hardened him, which led to his distant relationship with Addison.

After the leap, Alexander is in a better state of mind. He may try to save his marriage. If not, then at least, the separation will be more amicable, considering the perspective that he received from the events that happened on that day. He would also be more attentive to his daughter, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if, in the next leap, we discover that Addison ended up having a better relationship with her father.

It will be interesting to watch because it would reveal the one thing that hasn’t been touched upon in the series. In every leap, Ben saves lives and changes their future. This time, we’ll get to see what life turns out to be after the leap. The exact change in people’s lives and how it affects the memories of the people who have been impacted by the leap will be visible in Addison.

What Does Richard Martinez’s Presence on USS Montana Mean?

Quantum Leap Episode 14 Recap and Ending, Explained (4)

Ben has a surprise waiting for him when he discovers that he is not the only leaper on the ship. In trying to save the ship, Ben sparked an unlikely friendship with a certain Lt. Walker. Ben only talked with him over the radio and they struck up coordination that helped them save the day. After everything has been wrapped up, Ben is excited to meet Lt. Walker. However, he is shocked to see Richard Martinez. Previously, Martinez had appeared in Ben’s Wild West leap. Back then, he’d made it clear that he was no friend of Ben’s. This prompted the Quantum Leap team to theorize about him, wondering who sent him in the past. It turned out that Martinez, in the present, knew nothing about the Quantum Leap project. This time, he gives a few more clues, but things remain mysterious still.

While Ben and his team are still trying to figure things out, Martinez seems to be more knowledgeable than them. He has leaped from the future, which means that he might have better technology at his disposal, one of the perks of which would be that he remembers exactly why he leaped. Ben, on the other hand, is yet to figure out what he had planned when he leaped into the past. Things are coming back to him slowly, but the full picture is yet to reveal itself.

Martinez, on the other hand, is fully aware of his intentions and plan of action. This is why, he says, he will win. It makes it sound like he and Ben are in a race, which makes things direr for Ben who doesn’t even know what race he is supposed to win. This isn’t the last time that he and Martinez will cross paths. It is also possible that their destination is the same. They are taking different paths to which, which cross from time to time. This time, they helped each other because they had a common goal. In the final leap, however, it could be that both of them will work against each other.

Since it’s all to save Addison, Ben would find himself trying to save her at all costs. Martinez, however, might be tasked with harming or killing her, or doing whatever it is that Ben wants to save her from. Because that point in time is their eventual destination, Ben and Martinez will land there at the same time, even if one jumps more leaps than the other in between. Before that, Ben will have to strain his brain and try to remember exactly what he is fighting for and what he needs to do. Otherwise, not only will he fail to save his fiancée, but he will also be stuck in time, having failed to finish his leap.

Read More:Who is Richard Martinez? Is He Leaper X in Quantum Leap?

FAQs

What is the ending to Quantum Leap? ›

The cliffhanger ending of the original Quantum Leap TV series was bittersweet. Sam Beckett chose to change the life of his best friend, Al Calavicci, granting him the happily ever after he had always longed for with the love of life; but a title card revealed Sam himself never returned home.

What is the plot of Quantum Leap? ›

During a government experiment into time travel, a scientist finds himself trapped in the past, "leaping" into the lives of different people, sorting out their problems and changing history in hopes of getting back home to the present.

How many Quantum Leap episodes are there? ›

This page contains the list of all 97 of the Quantum Leap TV series episodes.

Where can I watch the original Quantum Leap? ›

Quantum Leap, a drama series starring Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, and Dennis Wolfberg is available to stream now. Watch it on The Roku Channel, Peacock TV, Vudu, Prime Video or Apple TV on your Roku device.

Who was in the picture at the end of Quantum Leap? ›

The photographs in the bar are of Al Bellisario, and the photograph under the end credits is of Al Bellisario holding a young Donald at an air show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The bar is modeled after the bar that series creator Donald P. Bellisario's father had owned.

Do we ever see Ziggy in Quantum Leap? ›

Ziggy can be seen and also heard in the episodes:

"The Leap Back" (Season 4, episode #11) "Killin' Time" (Season 5, episode #5) "Trilogy Part I: One Little Heart" (Season 5, episode #6)

Why did Sam never return home in Quantum Leap? ›

If Sam were to return to the series, he would have to do so without his constant partner Al, played by the late Dean Stockwell. In the final episode, Sam saves Al's first marriage in 1969 by preventing his wife Beth from remarrying after Al's apparent death.

What happened to the evil leaper in Quantum Leap? ›

In the episode "Revenge of the Evil Leaper", her final appearance, Sam, who's leaped into a women's prison inmate uses hypnosis to make Alia forget who she is, to prevent Zoey and Lothos from pinpointing her by her brainwaves. Instead, they send Zoey to leap into the prison warden to find and kill her.

Who was the bad guy in Quantum Leap? ›

Dean Stockwell, who normally plays the part of Al Calavicci, appears as "The Devil", who appears in various forms, including an "evil" form of Al to misguide Sam, who leaps into horror/mystery author Joshua Ray in 1964 Maine in "The Boogeyman" in Season 3 (ep. #5).

Did Sam Beckett ever make it home? ›

Although Sam wanted to go home, he instead chose to return and inform Beth that Al was still alive. The final caption of the show tells the audience that, in the end, Sam never returned home; with the title card at the end somewhat unceremoniously announcing it, and also with his last name misspelled: "Dr.

Does Sam marry Donna in Quantum Leap? ›

Donna ELEESE (Teri Hatcher, age 19 / Mimi Kuzyk, age 45) - Born Donna Wojohowitz, she is Sam's wife and director of Project Quantum Leap in her husband's absence.

Does Dr Beckett come back in Quantum Leap? ›

The character Samuel Beckett appeared in all 97 episodes of Quantum Leap. Scott Bakula stated that he was asked to reprise the role for the 2022 reboot, but made the decision not to be involved in the new series.

Will Scott Bakula be in the new Quantum Leap? ›

Scott Bakula, who famously played Dr. Sam Beckett on the 1989 original series “Quantum Leap,” posted a statement on Instagram which confirmed his lack of involvement in the upcoming NBC reboot series.

Why are Quantum Leap episodes out of order? ›

Quantum Leap's episodes weren't exactly filmed in the order they were aired. For instance, Double Identity was filmed right after Genesis, but Bellisario decided to put Star-Crossed second since it'd be less confusing for the viewers than a double leap.

How many wives did al have in Quantum Leap? ›

Al was heartbroken when he returned to United States. He tried to remarry, but all four marriages failed.

Who was Abigail in Quantum Leap? ›

Abigail is played by actress Kimberly Cullum as a child and actress Melora Hardin as an adult.

How many times was Sam A woman in Quantum Leap? ›

Sam leaped into nine women or teenage girls: Samantha Stormer in Quantum Leap: What Price Gloria? - October 16, 1961 (1989). Linda Bruckner in Quantum Leap: Another Mother - September 30, 1981 (1990). Darlene Monte in Quantum Leap: Miss Deep South - June 7, 1958 (1990).

Who were the other leapers in Quantum Leap? ›

There are only two known good leapers, Sam and Alia (she was evil first but thanks to Sam, she is good now). But later, also Zoey became a leaper, but evil.

What species is Ziggy? ›

Ziggy (elephant)
SpeciesIndian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)
SexMale
Bornc. 1917
DiedOctober 27th, 1975 Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, Illinois
Cause of deathOld age
4 more rows

Who texted Ben in Quantum Leap? ›

In the reboot's first episode, digital security head Jenn Chou (Nanrisa Lee) discovers that while Al has passed away, his daughter Janice has been working with Ben — and is the one who sent text messages to the physicist before he made his leap.

Does Sam ever break the wall in his mind? ›

The wall comes down in Sam's head and all hell breaks loose. Dean and Bobby are, for once, at a total loss on how to help him and are forced to stand by and do nothing while Sam breaks.

Did Sam ever leap into Al? ›

After dancing close to Al's past life in both “M.I.A.” and “The Leap Home, Part II”, the Season Four finale goes all out and has Sam actually leap into his buddy in 1957.

Did Sam leap into Al? ›

Sam spends the day back in his old life, spending time with his wife and working a the control center to support Al. But he is forced to leap into Al when his life hangs in the balance, as Al is seconds away from being killed while trying to complete his mission.

Was there another leaper in the original Quantum Leap? ›

History behind "The Evil Leapers"

One evil leaper named Alia (played by Renée Coleman) was originally the first evil Leaper, until Sam was able to convince her to turn good, in the process, helping her out of the control of the evil leaper group. Like Dr. Beckett, she is trying to get back home to her own time.

Does Al see Sam as Sam? ›

So what's the answer? The most workable theory is that Al sees Sam's real body under the "illusion of the physical aura," and sees the physical aura superimposed over it. At the February 1991 Hitchcock Theater screening of "8 1/2 Months," Dean Stockwell said, "I see the person he leaped into. But I know it's him."

Did Sam save his brother in Quantum Leap? ›

In the original sequence of events in the two episode Season 3 opening story arc, "The Leap Home, Part I" and The Leap Home, Part II (Vietnam), Tom was killed in the Vietnam War, but during the leap; However, Sam was able to save him from death in leaping into an enlisted Signalman 2nd Class and buddy in his SEALS unit ...

Why did Beckett move to Paris? ›

He had returned to Ireland after leaving the École Normale Supérieure in 1930. But eventually, his deteriorating relationship with his mother and his country brought him back permanently to Paris.

Is Sam still leaping? ›

Even though he was always able to set things right, he always ended up leaping into another body again and again. In a fun narrative device, Sam was able to leap into different types of people, making for an interesting spin. In the ending of Quantum Leap, however, Sam was never able to leap back home.

Did Sam Beckett have memory loss? ›

The sequel series, with Bellisario on board as executive producer, stars Raymond Lee as our new leaper, Dr. Ben Seong, tasked with reviving the Quantum Leap program and himself inadvertently subjected to the same lost-in-time amnesia that afflicted poor Dr. Beckett.

Who is the father of Donna's baby? ›

According to Dina, Jesse is JJ's biological father. While JJ never met his father, Dina promised to ensure that JJ knows about Jesse's legacy. Based on Ellie's journal, Dina tells JJ about Jesse regularly, and Jesse's parents have visited the farm at least once.

Who does Sam end up with in the end? ›

Sam and Eileen got married. Dean approved. And they all lived happily ever after. The end.

Why is the Quantum Leap computer called Ziggy? ›

He was brought in for the Starbright Project in 1982 by Assistant Director Albert Calavicci. He did the main programming on the quantum computing mainframe which he named SID (System Interface Database). He also chose that name from the cat in the comic strip "Ziggy".

Why was Dr Beckett killed? ›

In "Sunday", Beckett is killed while attempting to safely dispose an explosive tumor that he had removed from a patient. His body and personal effects are sent back to his family on Earth.

Does Beckett have baby? ›

It was seven years later, Castle and Beckett had three kids together, and they were still holding hands. That all felt…fast. That epilogue, while pleasant and necessary, was obviously just tacked on there at the end when the series was canceled, but we guess that's to be expected.

Did Beckett get pregnant? ›

Beckett is pregnant when she gets shot and Castle is the father (he doesn't even know she's pregnant). She goes MIA for a few months recovering at her dad's cabin. Castle is worried so her goes to find her. When he does, she is unconscious, bleeding, and obviously pregnant.

Did Scott Bakula pass away? ›

Scott Stewart Bakula (/ˈbækjʊlə/; born October 9, 1954) is an American actor.
...
Scott Bakula
BornScott Stewart Bakula October 9, 1954 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1977–present
SpousesKrista Neumann ​ ​ ( m. 1981; div. 1995)​ Chelsea Field ​ ( m. 2009)​
2 more rows

How does Scott Bakula feel about the new Quantum Leap? ›

Here's the simple version of what's going on with the Quantum Leap reboot and me: I have no connection with the new show, either in front of the camera or behind it. In January, the pilot was sold and a script was sent to me because the character of Sam Beckett was in it, which makes sense, right?

Did Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell get along? ›

Scott Bakula Mourns 'Quantum Leap' Co-Star Dean Stockwell: “I Loved Him Dearly” "He became a dear friend and a mentor and we grew very close over the next five, very intense years," the actor says of their time on the classic sci-fi program.

Can you skip the quantum Break episodes? ›

"It's important to understand that the live-action episodes in Quantum Break are not cut-scenes. It's like the whole sort of TV episode right there, and there's four in the game. “Now, if you want to keep playing, you can skip the episode," he added.

What episodes are the evil leaper in Quantum Leap? ›

Revenge of the Evil Leaper is the third episode featuring Alia, another Leaper, and her observer Zoey; it was the 17th episode in Season 5 of Quantum Leap, and the 92nd episode in the series overall.

What was the catchphrase in Quantum Leap? ›

Bouncing around time, putting things right which once went wrong.

What is the meaning of the last episode of Quantum Leap? ›

The plot of “Mirror Image” gives Sam the chance to right a wrong that hits close to home: Saving the union of Al and his first love Beth; a marriage that ended in the series' original timeline, thanks to a wartime mix-up in which Beth remarried after believing her first love to be dead while he was a prisoner of war.

How did Sam get stuck in Quantum Leap? ›

Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. He awoke to find himself trapped in the past, facing mirror images that were not his own, and driven by an unknown force to change history for the better."

What is the waiting room in Quantum Leap? ›

The Waiting Room is a room with only one table and a door out. It's the place where Leapees are while Sam is correcting a mistake in their lives. The Leapees are also questioned in this room, to find more information that can be given to Sam by Al; however, if the Leapee isn't in the Waiting Room, Sam can't leap.

Will Scott Bakula return to Quantum Leap? ›

Quantum Leap showrunner Martin Gero will not stop asking Scott Bakula to reprise the role of Dr. Sam Beckett in the revival. Sadly, it has now been confirmed that Quantum Leap star and science fiction staple Scott Bakula will not return for the recent revival. But this will not stop showrunner Martin Gero from asking.

Did they ever finish Quantum Leap? ›

Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) closed on a fizzling cliffhanger in “Mirror Image,” the 1993 series finale that dashed out a hasty explanation for all those lingering, leapin' loose ends.

Who is the other leaper? ›

There are only two known good leapers, Sam and Alia (she was evil first but thanks to Sam, she is good now). But later, also Zoey became a leaper, but evil.

Who is the other leaper in the new Quantum Leap? ›

His name is Richard Martinez

Watch Quantum Leap Mondays at 10/9c on NBC and next day on Peacock.

Did Sam Beckett have a child? ›

No, Samuel Beckett did not have children. Beckett began a relationship with Suzanne Dechevaux-Dumesnil in the 1930s which would last for the rest their lives....

Who was Sam Beckett's wife? ›

Suzanne Georgette Anna Déchevaux-Dumesnil (Argenteuil 7 January 1900 – Paris 17 July 1989) was the lover and later wife of Samuel Beckett.

Why did Ben Leap in Quantum Leap? ›

Their promise to stick together prompted Ben to remember why he leapt in the first place: He was trying to save Addison. Before the physicist could expand on that, he made his next leap. What did you think of Quantum Leap's midseason finale? (Season 1 resumes on Jan. 2, 2023.)

Who is Al's wife in Quantum Leap? ›

M.I.A. Beth Calavicci (played by Susan Diol) is Al's wife, and the only woman Al has ever really loved. Beth was a US Navy nursing officer while Al was a pilot. They married in 1961, but due to their differing duty assignments they only cohabited for a total of 2 years before the end of the decade.

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