Episode
Adopted By: AlBingo Additional info provided by:
Brian Greene
Synopsis:
A
government committee is threatening to shut down Quantum Leap for
failure to prove that Dr. Beckett ever actually leaped.
After
saving a cat from a tree as a firefighter in 1957, Sam leaps into a cop
who is on his honeymoon on a train to Niagara Falls.
Al
tells Sam he must change
history with a kind of global significance instead of just small
personal fixes like he normally does. He must try and prevent a U2
mission from going ahead which launches the U.S. into the cold war.
While
attempting this, Sam's new wife is being hunted by her mysterious
ex-husband who is going to kill her if Sam can't stop it.
TV
Guide Synopsis: As
a newlywed cop on his honeymoon in 1960, Sam's objective is to ensure
that his new "wife," who has a violent ex-husband, will pass her bar
exam. But Al gives him a different goal: alter world history or funding
for the Quantum Leap project will be cut off. Diane: Alice Adair.
Roget: Mathieu Carriere.
Places: First Leap: Orly County, Georgia Second Leap: Train to Niagra Falls
which passes through Harlem, New York.
Leap
Dates: First Leap:
Wednesday,
April 27, 1960 Second Leap: Thursday, April
28, 1960
Al
is appearing before a Senate committee to convince them to renew the
Project's $2.4 billion annual budget. Reading over the report, the
members of the committee are incredulous towards Al's assertion that
the project has mysteriously been taken over by God, who is using Sam
to "put things right that once went wrong". Furthermore, without proof
that the time travel experiment ever actually happened or that Sam's
accomplishments carry any global or historical significance, the
senators conclude that they cannot justify renewed funding of the
project. Al contests that if their funding is cut, Sam will be trapped
alone in the past. The committee chairman, Senator Weitzman (played by
Warren Frost) mockingly suggests that Sam will not be alone, as he will
have God to watch over him.
Al goes to visit Sam, who is a fireman in the year 1957, in the midst
of rescuing a little old lady's cat from a tree. After Sam dives for
the cat and falls to the ground, the cat lands on him and safely jumps
into the grateful arms of its owner. Having accomplished his simple
mission, Sam leaps once more. This time, he leaps into Tom McBride, a
New York cop, who is riding the Honeymoon Express train with his
newlywed, Diane (played by Alice Adair). When Dianne discovers that he
brought her law books along for the trip, she thanks him for supporting
her goal to pass the Bar exam. Uncomfortable at the prospect of making
love to a complete stranger, Sam suggests that Dianne do some study
while he wanders off to speak with Al.
Al tells Sam that he has the opportunity to affect an event of global
proportions without mentioning his appearance with the Senate
committee. The U-2 spy plane flying over Russia by Gary Powers will be
shot down in two days. The event contributed to the breakdown of
U.S-Soviet relations and extended the Cold War for decades. Al tells
Sam that Dianne's father is an influential U.S Senator, who is also one
of President Eisenhower's golfing partners. If Sam can get Dianne to
contact her father and convince the President to call off the mission,
Sam will have stopped the event from happening. Sam is confused, as
none of his prior leaps have ever required him to affect a major
historical event. He wants to know what Ziggy says about his mission.
According to Ziggy, Sam must simply help Dianne pass her Bar exam.
After Al leaves, Sam hears Dianne scream. He watches down the hall as
Dianne is dragged by a man carrying a knife from her carriage. Sam runs
over to rescue her and draws his gun on the alleged kidnapper. The man,
Roget (Mathieu Carrière), reveals himself to be Dianne's ex-husband.
Roget says that Sam does not look like the sort of man who is capable
of killing another person, and voluntarily exits the train. Dianne
apologizes for not telling him about her former husband. She says that
Roget was a possessive and jealous husband who prevented her from
leading her own life. He is also a dangerous arms dealer who began his
profession by smuggling arms to the French resistance during WW2 and
continued the lucrative business thereafter.
Meanwhile, Al convinces the Senate committee to delay their ruling
until after the weekend. He declares that Sam is in the midst of
preventing the U-2 event from taking place, thus proving to the
Committee that Sam has traveled in time and that his mission carries
global and historical significance.
Sam and Dianne are enjoying champagne in the dining cart. Dianne sees a
man sipping champagne and becomes paranoid that it is one of Roget's
bodyguards (which turns out to be true). Al shows up, and Sam excuses
himself to go and talk with him. Sam is annoyed with Al because Dianne
was nearly abducted by her ex-husband, which Al failed to warn him
about. Al confesses that the project has been forced to make cuts in
the research unit. He also tells Sam it is important to prevent the U-2
event, but Sam contests that he has more important things to worry
about.
Sam returns to the carriage where Dianne wants to make love. Sam tries
to get out of it by telling her he is not Tom MacBride, but a quantum
physicist named Sam Beckett. Dianne assumes he is simply having fun and
goes along with it. However, she becomes startled when she sees Roget
through the window, preparing to re-board the train. Sam sets off to
confront him. As he walks down the hall, Roget's bodyguard deliberately
bumps into Sam and snatches his gun from him.
Sam finds Roget seated in the dining cart. Roget says he still loves
Dianne, and that her vow to "honor and obey" him requires her to stay
with him. Sam says she changed her mind. Roget says Sam is foolish for
defying him, as he killed his mother for betraying the members of the
French resistance, and has no qualms about killing him too. Al arrives
to confirm that Roget did murder Tom MacBride and urges Sam to kill him
first. However, Sam realizes his gun is missing and leaves the table.
Al advises Sam to have the conductor radio the police as Roget is
wanted for murdering his psychiatrist. However, he also urges Sam about
the importance of preventing the U-2 mission. When Sam refuses, knowing
that isn't what he is there to do, he finally reveals that the
Committee is threatening to cut off the project's funding unless Sam
can stop the mission and prove he's gone back in time. Sam realizes
that if the project is shut down, Al won't be able to contact him
anymore, and Al confirms that this may be their last conversation. Sam
tells Al he cannot go on without him, but Al assures him that he'll
manage no matter what happens. After saying goodbye for possibly the
last time, Sam returns to the carriage to ask Dianne to contact her
father. She cannot do so, as he is on a fishing trip and can't be
reached by any means.
The train conductor attempts to radio the police until Roget's
bodyguard knocks him out. Both Roget and the bodyguard appear outside
Sam and Dianne's carriage. Sam pulls the emergency cord to stop the
train and hides Dianne in the overhead luggage compartment. Sam jumps
out the window to lure Roget and the bodyguard off the train. As they
split up, Sam tackles Roget and manages to steal his knife. Roget's
coat becomes trapped underneath the train, and Sam escapes. He jumps
back on the train and tells the driver to restart the train. Roget's
bodyguard attempts to board the moving train until he slips and falls
under the train to his death. Roget, however, manages to climb back on
the train.
Sam asks the Porter for a gun and returns to the carriage to collect
Dianne. Roget appears behind them with a pistol and forces Sam to throw
his gun out the window. Dianne tells Roget she will come with him if he
spares Sam's life. Realizing that Dianne truly loves Tom, Roget is
about to pull the trigger, until Sam produces the knife he stole from
Roget and plunges it into his chest.
Al has returned to the Senate Committee. The Chairman reads a history
book demonstrating that the U-2 event is unchanged and that Sam failed
to prevent it. Al, however, argues that Sam was able to save the life
of Dianne MacBride. The Chairman becomes annoyed and accuses Al of
posturing. He says that he was the protege of Dianne's father, Senator
Max Brown and that he beat Dianne in an election race to succeed him
after he died. He tells Al to accept that he has lost.
Meanwhile, Sam is with Dianne, helping her revise for the Bar exam
while allowing himself to succumb to her advances. Sam tells Dianne
that one of her answers is wrong; a mistake that Dianne says could
otherwise have cost her the exam. Sam suddenly realizes that he's
succeeded in his mission and leaps. In the present, the Chairman is
preparing to announce his final verdict on the project's funding, when
an elderly Dianne suddenly appears in his place (a change only Al
notices). Due to Sam's helping her pass the Bar, Dianne has gone on to
become a Senator and is now the Committee Chairman. She says that the
project's ambitions are noble and thus worthy of renewed funding. She
also recalls having met a man Sam Beckett in the past but cannot
remember when or where. Al is left very relieved, knowing that he can
continue to help Sam in his future leaps. Source
Personal
Review by AlBingo:
Honeymoon Express is a better than
average episode of Quantum Leap. It has an interesting storyline, and
been one of the early episodes has more plot ideas at its disposal, as
this particular plot line was repeated many times later in the series.
This episode is also the first time we see some of the world beyond Sam
and Project Quantum Leap, which I think was an aspect of the
series which was never looked at as much as it should, with only
Killin' Time in the 5th Series doing the same.
Project
Trivia:
We meet Weitzman, chairman of the committee overseeing Quantum Leap.
Also
present are several other
unnamed committee members and a woman who is with Al at his table,
presumably someone also working on Project Quantum Leap.
Project
Quantum Leap costs 2.4 billion dollars a year to operate, and a total
of 43 billion so far.
Sam
Trivia:
Al says that when Sam was
ten years old he could beat a computer playing chess. Bearing
in mind the year would be around 1963 when Sam was ten, there probably
weren't even any computers who could play rock,scissors, paper, let
alone chess. Any computer that sophisticated at that period would
probably take up an entire warehouse.
We do not see the imaging chamber door in this episode but we hear it
on one occasion.
Al
Trivia:
In this
episode we learn a little
about Al's
past. Apparently he took his first, third, and
fifth wives to Niagara Falls for their honeymoons. We also learn that
Sharon, his fourth wife, wore pink baby dolls. More suprising is that
Maxine, his fifth wife, wore nothing at all and flavored her toes with
mint leaves.
Al's
Outfits Worn in the Episode: Naval
dress whites when addressing the senate committee.
Green pants,
green shirt with white buttons, gray checkered jacket with
black tipped collar. Bolo tie with silver and black design.
Red and black
shirt with pink tie, sunglasses pin, circular white-faced wristwatch.
Al's Women: He
took his first, third and fifth wives to Niagara
Fallson his many honeymoons.
Sharon
was his
fourth wife.
Maxine was his
fifth wife.
Al:
"I loved
every woman I've ever slept with… at
the time that I slept with them."
Miscellaneous
Trivia:
Sam's first mission in this episode takes place in a different leap.
The aim, save a cat from a tree!
This
episode probably has the
record number of 'Oh, boy's' for any
episode of Quantum Leap. First, when he tries to talk to Al and Diane
intervenes with a goodbye kiss. Sam also says 'Oh,boy when he later
sees Diane in a black nighty. Sam says "Oh, boy" when he first notices
Tom's gun.
This is the first
episode to use
the "standard" Quantum Leap type font during the
title credits, which would be used throughout the remainder of the
series.
This episode marks the new opening title sequence featuring images from past episodes.
The train scenes for this episode recall the train scenes with Cary
Grant and Eva Marie Saint from the film "North by Northwest."
Kiss
With History:
Al tells
Sam he must change
history with a kind of global significance instead of just small
personal fixes like he normally does. He must try and prevent a U2
mission from going ahead which launches the U.S. into the cold war.
The
U-2 spy plane, flown by Francis Gary Powers, was flown over the Soviet
Union on May 1, 1960, and subsequently shot down. Theoretically, Sam
could have stopped the incident by telling his wife, Dianne MacBride,
to get her father (Ohio Senator, Max Brown) to convince Eisenhower to
call off the mission. Whether it could have been achieved in practice
is another matter. For the record, the two Senators from Ohio in 1960
were Stephen M. Young and Frank J. Lausche, both Democrats, whereas
Eisenhower was a Republican President.
In the new timeline, Dianne
MacBride succeeds her father as U.S Senator from Ohio in 1965 (thanks
to Sam helping her pass her Bar exam). However, it is worth noting
that, to this day, Ohio has never had a female U.S Senator.
As Al is appearing before the
Senate Committee, one of the Senators jokes that, given the size of the
Project's budget, Sam should have been able to accomplish something
more substantial like "altering the results of the last Presidential
election". At the time of the episode's transmission in 1990, the last
Presidential election was the 1988 contest in which George H. W Bush
defeated Michael Dukakis. However, since the episode is set in 1995,
the last Presidential election would have been in 1992, when Bill
Clinton beat George H. W Bush. By inference, the Senator making the
joke, an African-American male, must have been a Republican. In the
real world, the only African-American senator at the time was Carol
Moseley Braun, a female Democrat. Source
Regular
Cast:
Scott Bakula (Sam)
Dean Stockwell (Al)
Guest
Stars:
Alice Adair as Diane McBride
Mathiew Carriere as Roget
Hank Rolike as Porter
Warren Frost as US Senator
James Mastrantonio as Henri
Fitzhugh G. Houston as Black Senator
King Moody as Southern Senator
Virginia Paris as Woman Senator
Kirk Scott as Yankee Senator
Donna Hardy as Gray Haired Lady
William McDonald as Conductor
James Clark as Engineer
Stan Garner as Assistant Engineer
Ron Chabidon as Tom McBride (Mirror image)
Alice Adair as Diane McBride: Alice
Adair was born on June 26, 1966 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. She
is an actress, known for Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Quantum Leap
(1989) and Szuler (1992). She was previously married to Josh Brolin.
Mathiew Carriere as Roget: Mathieu
Carrière was born on August 2, 1950 in Hanover, Lower Saxony, West
Germany. He is an actor and writer, known for La maison des bories
(1970), Young Törless (1966) and Quantum Leap (1989). Sibllings, Till
Carrière (1952-1979) and Mareike Carrière (1954-2014).
Hank Rolike as Porter: Hank
Rolike was born on June 20, 1927 in Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known
for Rocky (1976), Quantum Leap (1989) and Rocky II (1979). He was
married to Rose Watkins. He died on October 14, 2002 in Detroit,
Michigan, USA.
Warren Frost as US Senator: Born
and raised in upstate Vermont, Warren Frost left home at age 17 to
enlist in the United States Navy during World War II, serving aboard
the destroyer escort USS Borum (DE-790) in Europe during the Normandy
landings. After his service, he worked mainly in theater. He had a
doctorate in theater arts from the University of Minnesota and was a
published playwright with four plays to his credit and also wrote a
novel. Father of Mark Frost, Scott Frost and Lindsay Frost. He acted in
Mark's co-createdTV show, Twin Peaks (1990). Played Dr. Will Hayward in Twin Peaks.
James Mastrantonio as Henri: James Mastrantonio is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Matlock (1986) and Phenom (1993).
Fitzhugh G. Houston as Black Senator: An
actor/musician for over 40 years, Fitz Houston has appeared in such TV
series as Fresh of the Boat, This is Us, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Baskets,
Rosewood, Outlaw (2010), Crowne Royale Street King (2010), The Secret
Life of the American Teenager (2008), The Forgotten (2009), True
Jackson, VP (2008) and According to Jim (2001). Other TV credits
include Sacrifices of the Heart (2007), NYPD Blue (1993), Jane Doe
(2001), That's So Raven (2003), JAG (1995), The X-Files (1993), Sister,
Sister (1994), The Parent 'Hood (1995) and Sparks (1996), among others.
His film credits include starring roles in such features as Get Thee
Behind Me! (2005), The Deposition (2007) and in the short films Cold
Comfort (2006) and Just Another Day (2009). Theater credits include the
the lead role in the hit shows "Chicago Club Rumboogie", gospel
musicals "A Sugga Daddy Aint Always Sweet" and "Sid Burston's Get Thee
Behind Me". A partial list of other plays include "Summers in Suffolk",
"Proposals" (Best Supporting Actor Award 2001) "Fences", "A Soldier's
Play", "Once on This Island", "The Wiz"; "Guys and Dolls", Luke in "The
Amen Corner". In 2003 Fitz begin producing a 30-minute gospel variety
TV show, "Gospel Vibes", a series whose 75 episodes showcased unknown
gospel talent, originally airing on the local Time Warner channel for
four years as well as running on L.A. Channel 36. He is constantly on
the lookout for any and all who have a God-given talent to share. He
also produces "Singing Your Heart Out" (7 episodes), all styles of
music, "The Acting Zone" (10 episodes), showcasing acting talent, and
"A New Direction" (12 episodes), a ministry show helping those addicted
to sex and pornography. All in all, to date, combining Youtube, Vimeo,
and LiveVideo, Houston has over 2,000 videos online focusing on
ministry, music, his poetry and fitness. He has produced and directed
the Christian plays "Your Soul is at Stake (Flesh vs. the Spirit)",
"The Healing Power of Christmas" and the anti-violence short film "Too
Young to Die". He produced, wrote and edited the short film "Just
Another Day" in which his wife, Jahna Houston, debuted as Director. The
husband-and-wife team produce, direct and edit projects as JahnaHugh
Entertainment. Also an accomplished flugelhorn player, Houston has
released five Christian CD projects, "Interludes I & II" (for
prayer and meditation), "Rappin' and Praisin' His Name", "Jammin' With
The Lord" and "Sixty-Six Books In The Bible", a fun rap song that
teaches you the order and the books in the Bible. As a writer, his
published works include Christian books "Men, Let's Talk" and his book
of inspirational poetry, "Spirit Rhymes". His wife, Jahna Houston, is
also an actor and he is also the proud dad of his son, Jonathan, and
six grandchildren.
King Moody as Southern Senator: King
Moody was born on December 6, 1929 in New York City, New York, USA. He
was an actor, known for Teenagers from Outer Space (1959), Quantum Leap
(1989) and Get Smart (1965). He was married to Jacqueline L Larson and
Rachel Rosenthal. He died on February 7, 2001 in Tarzana, Los Angeles,
California, USA.
Virginia Paris as Woman Senator: Virginia
Paris was born on September 12, 1934 in Bronx, New York, USA. She was
an actress, known for Stand and Deliver (1988), Quantum Leap (1989) and
The Greatest American Hero (1981). She died on March 23, 2008 in Santa
Monica, California, USA.
Kirk Scott as Yankee Senator: Kirk
Scott was born on June 7, 1936 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. He was an
actor, known for Heathers (1988), Quantum Leap (1989) and Dallas
(1978). He died on November 16, 2013 in San Luis Obispo, California,
USA.
Donna Hardy as Gray Haired Lady: Dona
Hardy was born on December 3, 1912 in San Diego, California, USA. She
was an actress, known for Superbad (2007), The Running Man (1987) and
Universal Soldier (1992). She died on February 13, 2011 in Birmingham,
Alabama, USA.
Stan Garner as Assistant Engineer: Stan Garner is known for Jonah Hex (2010), There Will Be Blood (2007) and 3:10 to Yuma (2007).
Ron Chabidon as Tom McBride (Mirror image): Ron Chabidon is known for Quantum Leap (1989) and The Experts (1989).
Say What? How
is Al supposed to prove a change in the timeline to the Senate
committee? Wouldn't they all just remember the new history as being the
only history?
Al's reflection can be seen in the window of the train when he's talking about Diane.
When
Al talks about Sam beating computer chess at the age of ten, that would
have been in the 1960's. However, computers didn't start beating uman
chess players until the 1970's.
In the mirror, Tom takes a
step backward, but Sam doesn't.
Al says the U2 mission
happens in two days, but it was actually four days.
Quotable
Quotes:
Al: "I took my first, third, and fifth wife to Niagara Falls."
--
Al, "Honeymoon Express"
Why
would a cop bring his gun and handcuffs on his honeymoon? . . .
I'm thinking like Al!
-- Sam, looking at Diane, "Honeymoon Express"
Why are you wasting this on him?
-- Al (glancing heavenward), "Honeymoon Express"
Not the men's room again, Sam, I'm starting to feel like a pervert.
-- Al, "Honeymoon Express"
I've done everything I think you put me here to do, so please, either
leap me out of here or look the other way.
-- Sam, "Honeymoon Express"
You'll enter politics ... and become the first President of the United
States to give birth in the oval office.
-- Sam to Diane, "Honeymoon Express"
Is that how your mother calmed you down, by making you laugh?
No, she gave me a book to read.
At 2?
-- Diane and Sam, "Honeymoon Express"
I have loved every woman I ever slept with ... at the time I slept with
them.
-- Al, "Honeymoon Express"
She thinks I'm her husband ... in a few minutes she's going to expect
me to go in there and make love to her.
What's the problem?
-- Sam and Al, "Honeymoon Express"
Oh Sam, you're going to have to bite the bullet. While I go back
to put research on line, you're going to have to face a beautiful
woman, who wants to spend the entire night making mad, passionate love
to you. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.
-- Al, "Honeymoon Express"
Admiral, are you trying to tell us that God has taken control of
Project Quantum Leap?
-- the Senate Committee Chairman, "Honeymoon Express"
Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, but if you kill this project you will end one
of the greatest adventures mankind has ever taken. And more
important, you'll leave a brave man back there alone.
He's not alone, Admiral, he has God.
-- Al and the Senator, "Honeymoon Express"
If you don't prove you're back here they're gonna shut down the project.
In case you hadn't noticed, I don't need the project, they aren't
leaping me around any more, God is.
-- Al and Sam, "Honeymoon Express"
If they shut down the project, you won't be able to contact me.
I was thinking of trying a couple of tin cans on a piece of string.
-- Sam and Al, "Honeymoon Express"
I don't think I can make it without you, Al.
-- Sam, "Honeymoon Express"
Next time it will be easier.
-- Roget, after Sam stabs him, "Honeymoon Express"
I know you haven't proven that Dr. Beckett has traveled back in time or
that if having done so he can make an impact of global importance, but
it is the opinion of this committee that such heroic undertakings
advance the human cause and whether or not they succeed is not so
important as the fact that we tried.
-- Senator Diane McBride, "Honeymoon Express"
In two days, the Russians are going to shoot down the U2.
The rock group?
--Al and Sam, "Honeymoon Express"
Production Credits:
Music by: Mike Post Supervising Producers: Deborah Pratt, Paul M. Belous, Robert Wolterstorff Co-producers: Paul Brown, Jeff Gourson, Chris Ruppenthal Produced by: Harker Wade Created by: Donald P. Bellisario Written by:Donald P. Bellisario Directed by: Aaron Lipstadt
Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario Associate Producers:David Bellisario Director of Photography: Michael Watkins
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie Edited by: N. Mario Di Gregorio Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow First Assistant Director: Ryan Gordon Second Assistant Director: Rob Mendel Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac Costume Supervisors: David Rawley & Donna Roberts-Orme Sound Mixer: Mark Hopkins McNabb Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth Sound Editor: Paul Clay Music Editor: Tom Gleason
Shaun O’Banion, who worked on the Quantum Leap set, gives some insight to his experience with this episode in the video below:
Panaflex ® Camera and Lenses by: Panavision ®
This
motion picture is protected under laws of the United States and other
countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may
result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.
The
characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any
similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Bellisarius Productions and Universal, an MCA Company
Podcasts:
Quantum Leap Podcast
In
the ninth installment of The Quantum Leap Podcast, Albie and Heather
discuss Season two episode one “Honeymoon Express”. There’s first
impressions, an episode recap, thoughts and opinions, a great interview
with Holly Fields, best known for her film, television and voice roles.
She also played Jill in the Quantum Leap episode “Camikazi Kid”, and
listener feedback.
Let
us know what you think… Leave us a voicemail by calling (707)847-6682
and Send in your thoughts, theories and feedback, Send MP3s & Email
to quantumleappodcast@gmail.com. Also join us on
Facebook.com/QuantumLeapPodcast and Twitter.com/QuantumLeapPod
Join hosts Allison Pregler, Matt Dale, and Christopher DeFilippis to go
all abroad Sam’s Leap as a newlywed New York cop who must save his new
bride from her deranged ex-husband. Meanwhile, Al needs to convince the
committee not to pull the plug on Project Quantum Leap.
Tell us what you think! Leave us a voicemail by calling (707) 847-6682. Send feedback and MP3s to quantumleappodcast@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Or drop us a line at Quantum Leap Podcast, P.O. Box 542, Bayport, NY 11705.
