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"The
Leap Home, Part II: Vietnam"
Leap Date:
April 7, 1970
Episode Adopted by: Eleiece
<aka> Sherdran
Synopsis:
In Part 2 of "The Leap Home", Sam
ends up in Vietnam with his brother, Tom, and gets a second chance to save him from being
killed. But because the event happened over 25 years before Al's present time, Ziggy is
having a hard time interfacing with the pentagon computers to find out exactly how Tom was
killed. This episode ends with a shocker that can not be missed!
Audio
from this episode
Place
Leap Date
Project Date
Name of the Person Leaped Into
Songs
Music Artists
Project Trivia
Sam Trivia
Al Trivia
Al's Women
Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode
Miscellaneous Trivia
Kiss with History
Writers
Director
Producers
Crew
Broadcast Date
Guest Stars
Guest Cast Notes
Guests who appeared in
other Quantum Leap episodes
Cast members who have passed away
Personal Review
Best Lines
Best Scenes
Say what? (things in the episode that make no sense)
Quotable Quotes
Awards
PLACE:
Somewhere in Vietnam, on the banks of the Mekong River (5 miles from the coast).
LEAP DATE/DAY:
April 7, 1970/Tuesday
ORIGINAL AIRDATE / DAY:
October 5, 1990/Friday
NAME OF THE PERSON LEAPED INTO:
Herbert "Black Magic" Williams
SONGS/MUSIC:
"Wild Thing" by the Troggs
"Raindrops" by Dee Clark
"Someday We'll Be Together" by the Supremes
"I Wish That It Would Rain" by the Temptations
PROJECT TRIVIA:
Ziggy had problems interfacing with an old Pentagon computer while searching for
information on "Operation Lazarus".
AL TRIVIA:
In the bunker he knew that the frequency on the radio didn't seem right, and he remembered
the correct frequency for Sam to contact to secure from battle stations.
MISCELLANEOUS TRIVIA:
Co-Executive Producer, Michael Zinberg won the Director's Guild Award for this episode.
---
Michael Watkins won an Emmy (Cinematography) for this episode.
---
Dean Stockwell received an Emmy nomination for this episode.
---
This episode was shot on location some 60 miles outside of Los Angeles in a heavily
overgrown area passing for Vietnam. It took 8 days to shoot this episode.
---
The mini-gun Sam was supposed to fire was capable of shooting 6,000 rounds a minute.
---
The camera Maggie used was a Nikon.
AL'S OUTFITS WORN IN THE EPISODE:
That scrumptious dress white uniform! (He's positively drop-dead gorgeous in that uniform!
Okay, okay...I'll stop drooling.).
SAM'S OUTFITS WORN IN THE EPISODE:
Camouflage fatigues, sleeveless camouflage tee shirt, head rag, camouflage face paint ,
dark socks and heavy shoes, and dog tags; and
Khaki shorts (sans underwear and the top button not buttoned), khaki-colored tee shirt,
sneakers (sans socks), black wrist watch and dog tags; and
Dark fatigue pants, sleeveless dark tee shirt and, probably, tennis shoes.
WRITER: Donald P. Bellisario
DIRECTOR: Michael Zinberg
PRODUCERS:
SUPERVISING PRODUCER(S):
Harker Wade & Robert Wolterstorff
CO-PRODUCER(S):
Paul Brown & Jeff Gourson
CO-EXECUTIVE PRDUCERS:
Deborah Pratt & Michael Zinberg
PRODUCER: Chris Ruppenthal
REGULAR CAST:
Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett, and Dean Stockwell as Al Calavicci
GUEST STARS:
DAVID NEWSOM (Tom Beckett):
A few of David's starring roles:
Talk to Me (2000)
House Rules (1998)
Boys (1996)
New Nightmare... aka A Nightmare On Elm Street 7 (1994)
Homefront (1991-1992) (TV)
Again, a few of Mr. Newsom's guest starring roles besides Q.L:
Judging Amy (1999)
Will & Grace (1999)
Suddenly Susan (1998)
Touched by an Angel (1996)
Chicago Hope (1994)
China Beach (1989& 1990)
ANDREA THOMPSON (Maggie Dawson):
Television credits other than acting:
Psychic Detectives (2003) Documentary - Host
Headline News (2001-2002) Anchor
Film/TV movie credits:
Rocket's Red Glare (2000)
Sweetheart Swindlers (2000) (TV)
Encounter in the Third Dimension (1999) (voice)
Lost Valley (1998)
A Gun, a Car, a Blonde (1997)
Delirious (1991)
Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988)
Hot Splash (1988)
Wall Street (1987)
Manhattan Gigolo (1986)
Nightmare Weekend (1986)
TV Starring Roles:
NYPD Blue (1996-2000)
Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys (1996) (voice)
JAG (1995-1998)
Babylon 5 (1994-1995)
Falcon Crest (1989-1990)
Other of Andrea's Notable TV Guest Appearances:
"Saturday Night Solution" (2002)
"The Wild Thornberrys" (2000)
"Nowhere Man" (1996)
"Silk Stalkings" (1993)
"Civil Wars" (1992)
"Baywatch" (1991)
"Spenser: For Hire" (1988)
"Crime Story" (1987)
ERNIE LIVELY (Col. Deke Grimwald):
A few ('few' being the operative word) of Ernie's film/TV movie credits:
"American Pie 2 ' (2001)
"Goodbye Lover ' (1999)
"The Legend of Cryin' Ryan: (1998)
"Fire Down Below" (1997)
"A Stranger to Love" (1996) (TV)
"My Family", a/k/a "Mi Familia" (1995)
"The Beverly Hillbillies" (1993)
"Passenger 57" (1992)
"Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot" (1992)
"Showdown in Little Tokyo" (1991)
"Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase" (1990) (TV)
"Hard to Kill" (1990)
"Turner & Hooch" (1989)
"Scandal in a Small Town" (1988) (TV)
"Badge of the Assassin" (1985) (TV)
Other film credits:
Sandman (1998) - Director
A few of Mr. Lively's Notable TV Guest Appearances besides Q.L.:
"The West Wing" (2000)
"JAG" (1999)
"Just Shoot Me!" (1997)
"Renegade" (1996)
"The X Files" (1995)
"Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" (1994)
"Civil Wars" (1993)
"Baywatch" (1992)
"Hill Street Blues" (1987)
"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" (1985)
"Dukes of Hazzard, The" (1984)
DAVID HAYWARD (Dempsey):
Film credits:
Accidental Meeting (1993)
A Case for Murder (1993)
For the Very First Time (1991)
1,000 Pieces of Gold (1991)
Eve of Destruction (1990)
Northstar (1986)
Fallen Angel (1981)
Who'll Save Our Children (1978)
Flying High (1978)
Starring Roles:
Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972)
Some of David's TV Guest Starring Roles:
ER (1997 & 2002)
JAG (2000)
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1994 - 1995)
Family Matters (1990-1991)
Matlock (1990)
Knots Landing (1989)
RICH WHITESIDE (Doc)
Crew credits:
Quantum Leap (The Leap Home, Part 2 - Vietnam) (Technical Advisor)
Guest Starring Roles:
Quantum Leap - (1992)
Quantum Leap - (1990)
Co Starring Roles
JAG - (1995-1996)
TIA CARRERE (Ti Ti , the chu hoi):
Movie/Crew Credits:
20 Dates (1998) - Executive Producer
If... Dog... Rabbit... (1999) - Co-Executive Producer
The Immortals (1995) - Associate Producer
Starring Roles:
Stitch! - The TV Series (2003)
Relic Hunter (1999)
Hollywood Squares (1998)
General Hospital (1985-1987)
Some of Tia's TV Guest Starring Roles include:
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (2002)
Disney's Hercules (1998) (voice of Marigold)
Veronica's Closet (1998)
Murder One (1995-1996)
Late Show with David Letterman (1994)
Tales from the Crypt (1992)
Friday the 13th: The Series (1990)
MacGyver (1988)
Tour of Duty (1987)
MacGyver (1986)
Airwolf (1985)
Some of Tia's Movie/Mini-Series/Special Roles include:
Lilo & Stitch (2002) (voice)
2001 ALMA Awards (2001) (TV)
Operation Delta Force 3: Clear Target (1998)
Hollow Point (1995)
True Lies (1994)
Wayne's World (1992 & 1993)
Rising Sun (1993)
1992 MTV Movie Awards (1992)
Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)
Fatal Mission (1990)
ADAM NELSON (Preacher):
Starring Roles:
Mancuso, FBI (1989)
TV Guest Starring Roles:
CSI (2002)
ER (1997)
Diagnosis Murder (1994)
Booker (1990)
Mancuso, FBI (1989)
Co Starring Roles:
JAG (2003)
The X-Files (2002)
Movie/Mini-Series/Special Roles
O Pioneers
The Abyss
The Pledge
PATRICK WARBURTON (Blaster)
Movie/Crew Credits
Salsa (1988) - Associate Producer
Starring Roles:
Game Over (2003)
These Guys (2003)
The Venture Brothers (2003)
Kim Possible (2002)
The Tick (2001)
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000)
Maggie Winters (1998)
Dave's World (1994-1997)
Some of Patrick's Guest Starring TV Roles:
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002-2003)
Malcolm in the Middle (1999-2002)
Family Guy (2001-2002)
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000)
NewsRadio (1998-1999)
Seinfeld (1995, 1997-1998)
Ellen (1995)
Mad About You (1993)
Designing Women (1993)
Murphy Brown (1992)
Some of Patrick's Movie/Mini-Series/Special Roles:
Sex & Violence (2002)
Big Trouble (2002)
Men in Black II (2002)
Dirt (2001)
Scream 3 (2000)
Angels in the Infield (2000) (TV)
Emperor's New Groove (2000)
American Strays (1999)
Camouflage (1999)
RYAN REID (Shamoo):
Guest Starring Roles other than Quantum Leap:
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992)
RODNEY KAGEYAMA (Choo-Choo) :
Film credits:
Stanley's Gig (2000)
Next Karate Kid (1994)
Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)
Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes (1990)
Pretty Woman (1990)
Let It Ride (1989)
Vibes (1988)
Lucky Stiff (1988)
Teen Wolf (1985)
Girls of the White Orchid (1983)
Best Friends (1982)
Starring Roles:
Gung Ho (1986)
Some of Rodney's TV Guest Starring Roles:
Brotherly Love (1997)
Home Improvement Chicago Hope (1995)
Empty Nest (1994)
Murder, She Wrote (1992)
Baby Talk - (1991) (Voice of Baby Robert)
Designing Women (1989)
Charles in Charge (1985)
Riptide (1984)
Tales of the Gold Monkey (1983)
Quincy, M.E. (1982)
The Jeffersons (1981)
Co Starring Roles
Arli$$ (2002)
Little House on the Prairie (1982)
CHRISPTOPER KIRBY (Herbert "Magic" Williams / mirror):
Film credits:
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Ocean Girl (1994)
Some of Mr. Kirby's Guest Starring Roles besides QL:
The Burning Zone (1996)
The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air (1996)
Space: Above and Beyond - Technician (1996)
Flipper (1995)
GUEST CAST NOTES:
Andrea Thompson was born in Ohio but
was raised in Australia.
---
Andrea was the victim of a stalker, Italian designer,
Gianluigi Assenato, in December, 1998.
---
Andrea was a reporter for CBS affiliate KRQE News 13
in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a year before landing a
short (only 7 months) controversial stint (2001-2002) as
an anchorwoman for CNN's Headline News.
---
At present Andrea hosts the Saturday night lineup on Court TV.
---
David Newsom has been focusing his talents toward
photography in the last few years. He and another
photographer (Karen Izenberg) recently had an exhibit
titled "Works" on display at the Detroit Street Gallery.
---
Ernie Lively appeared in the 1995 film "Mia Familia"
("My Family") along with Scott Bakula.
---
Tia Carrere was born in Hawaii and her real name
(on her birth certificate) is Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo.
---
In 1998 Rich had a book published, The Screenwriting
Life: The Dream, the Job, and the Reality.
---
"The Leap Home, Part 2 - Vietnam" was Rich Whiteside's
first acting job in Hollywood. (Here's the link if you want to
read the article where I found this information.
----
Rich Whiteside not only acted in this episode, he also served as
technical director for this episode, his qualifications being that he
served several years in Vietnam.
GUESTS WHO APPEARED
IN OTHER QUANTUM LEAP EPISODES:
David Newsom (Tom Beckett) also appeared (as Tom Beckett)
in "The Leap Home, Part 1."
---
Rodney Kageyama (Choo Choo) also appeared in "Lee Harvey
Oswald" (as Joda).
---
Rich Whiteside (Doc) also appeared in "A Leap For Lisa"
(as a Marine guard)
PERSONAL REVIEW:
"The Leap Home, Part 2 - Vietnam" is one of my two favorite 'Al' episodes, tying
for first place with 'M.I.A." Dean Stockwell was nominated for an Emmy for this
episode, and in this fan's opinion I think he should have won. But that's another
discussion for another time.
In watching this episode again as preparation to writing this synopsis, something occurred
to me. Perhaps GTFW leaped Sam into Tom's squad, not just to perhaps save his brother's
life, but also to learn a hard lesson. A lesson about selfishness, about the too often
unexpected price that life exacts for allowing selfishness to get you what you want.
That's what Maggie's death did for Sam.
In this respect, how much like Sam are we?
But "The Leap Home, Part 2 - Vietnam" also taught Sam another lesson, gave him
an example in selfless sacrifice.
Al could very easily have told Sam that he was one of those POWs being led along that
trail 'right over there'. And, knowing Sam as he does, Al knew he had a darned good chance
that he could get himself rescued if he'd just opened his mouth and said so. He had a
chance to change his own history. But he didn't. Instead he chose to help Sam save Tom's
life. What's more, he didn't allow Sam to feel guilty about it later in the bar.
A verse from the Bible says it best: "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay
down his life for a friend." John 15:13.
That's what Al did. He sacrificed himself, his chance for freedom, to help his best
friend. Ultimately, Sam was able to repay his best friend's unselfish act later when he
gave Beth the hope she needed to hang on and wait for Al to come home. How many of us,
with only a few minutes notice, be willing to give up something we want more than anything
in the world in order to let someone else get what they want or perhaps, even more, need?
In this respect, how much like Al are we?
BEST LINE: Hands down, no contest:
Al to Sam: "I was free. (taps his temple) Up here...I was always free."
BEST SCENE:
It's thumbscrew time again. The entire episode should fall into this category. But, all
joking aside, without any question, IMO there is no contest. THE best scene, is the last
scene in the bar. However, leading up to the best scene is what I consider to be
"Best Scene 1-a", the river scene with Al, Sam and Doc.
The Second 'best' scene : The river scene:
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(Sam and Doc are hiding in the reeds along the river. Al suddenly pops in.)
Al: "Sam! I found the POWs! The VC are leading the down a trail right over
there."
Sam: "Al, look at this."
Al: "Sam, there's only two guards. You and Doc can free 'em."
Sam: "This radio is tuned to 47.30. That's the same frequency the radio was tuned to
in the bunker
last night. We took the radio off the sappers. 47.30 is the frequency they were
using."
Al: "The chu hoi. She must have radioed them right after Maggie left the
bunker."
Sam: "She's leading them straight into an ambush." (Doc crosses to Sam.) "I
gotta go warn Tom."
Al: "You'll never catch him in time!"
(Doc grabs Sam by the arm)
Doc: "You flip, Magic, I'm gonna sedate you."
Sam: "Al, help me!"
Al looks behind Doc; he knows how close rescue was for him as a POW/MIA. He makes his own
tough choice.
And THE BEST SCENE:
---
The last bar room scene after the squad gets back to camp.
---
(Blaster's doing pushups on the bar with a bargirl sitting on his back, the other guys are
counting off each pushup, music is playing ("I Wish That It Would Rain"). Sam
and Tom are sitting at a table drinking beer and talking.)
Tom: "You didn't kill her, Magic."
Sam: "Well she sure as hell didn't die the first time April 8, 1970 rolled
around."
Tom: "What are you talking about?"
Al: "No, but Tom did."
Sam: "Well there it is. I traded a life for a life."
Tom: "You are one weird dude, Magic." (He leaves the table and goes to the bar.)
Al: "I was the one that led you back to save your brother. So if anyone's
responsible, it's me."
(Colonel Griswold enters, carrying a large manila envelope; he crosses to the bar. Blaster
completes the 50 pushups then does one more)
Blaster: "51. That one's for you, Maggie."
Col. Grimwald: "Can a solider get a drink around here?"
(He hands the envelope to Tom)
"Maggie's last photographs. Choo Choo, give me a beer."
(He's handed a beer)
(Tom takes the photographs from the envelope and looks through them, impressed.)
Tom: "She was one helluva photographer."
Col. Grimwald: "She was one helluva a woman."
Sam: "And I killed her."
Col. Grimwald: "No. I did."
Tom: "Oh stop it, both of you."
Al: "What did she say to you that time in the bunker?"
Sam: "She said she'd sell her soul for a Pulitzer."
Col. Grimwald: "Not just her soul."
Tom: "Yeah, well I wish she'd have got it."
Al: "She did."
Sam: "What?"
Tom: "The Pulitzer. I wish she'd have won the Pulitzer prize."
Al: She did. For her last photograph."
(Sam looks up at Al's words then jumps up and goes to Tom and grabs the pictures from
Tom's hands. He turns back to the table and spreads the pictures out, looking for Maggie's
last photograph. He finds it. For a moment all he can do is stare at it before he slowly
straightens up, meeting Al's gaze.)
Al: "What the hell? I get repatriated in five years."
Sam: "You could've been free."
Al: "I was free." (He gently taps his right temple) "Up here...I was always
free."
Tom: "Hey! Hey, it's midnight. It's April 9th and I'm still alive."
(He turns to Sam with a grin and puts his arm around Sam's shoulders.)
"Thanks to you, little brother."
Sam leaps.
QUOTABLE QUOTES:
Al to Sam: "I was free. Up here...(taps his temple) ...I was always free."
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Sam/Al: "What do I say when I get them?" .... "Help!"
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Al: "Ziggy's having trouble interfacing with it (an old Pentagon computer). It's like
trying to get two members of the U.N. to talk without a translator."
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Al: "Sam, I'm the one that thinks with his glands, not you."
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Sam/Al: "Dempsey...sappers are coming in from the river at midnight." ...
"Tough choice, kid."
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Al: "It's showtime."
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Maggie: "Honey, this film can get exposure where the sun don't shine."
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Maggie/Al: "I'd bet a month's per diem she'd have shot me if I tried to leave."
... "No bet."
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Al: "Oh shoot! ... She put her jammies on."
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Al: "Just remember...you've got an ace in the hole. Me."
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