Episode adopted by: Carol <aka> C_DEAN n C_AL
Additional info provided by: Brian Greene

Production # 65004

TV Guide Synopsis:
As a cowboy-veterinarian, Sam must keep destiny on course by breaking an ornery cowgirl (Kari Lizer) who pledges to marry him if he can prove he's a better cowpoke than she. Wayne: Marshall R. Teague. Chance: Lance LeGault. Sam: Scott Bakula.

Commercial:

Place:
Riata Ranch, Texas

Leap Date:
August 5, 1956

Leapee:
Dr. Daniel Young, DVM

 

Music:
"Cold, Cold Heart" by Hank Williams

"Peggy Sue" written by Jerry Allison. Performed in the episode by Scott Fults.

 

Best Scene:
The sun is setting and all you see is a silhouette of a hill with five riders cantering on their horses. There is a flock of birds that are startled and they all fly up together over the riders.

This scene is used in the opening sequence at the start of each show, through all five seasons.

Kiss With History:
Sam says, "Oh ... women's lib is gonna love you!"
Tess says, "What's that?"
Sam says, "Something on the horizon, like that storm."

----

Sam influences Buddy Holly to create the lyrics for "Peggy Sue."



 

Project Trivia:
Ike Betenhoff, a character we never officially meet on-screen, works at Imaging Control. Perhaps he was one of the unknown characters we see in the Control room in "The Leap Back"?

Al has to walk to the IC door and manually open and close it.

You hear a chime when Al enters or walks through things.

The handlink is smoke color and transparent w/lights that blink through on the back.

Ziggy is referenced as male in this episode.

 
Sam Trivia:
Al says, "Oh it's 1956 ... " Sam says, "I was just a baby and my sister Kate isn't even born yet. Who's president, Eisenhower?"

 
Sam's Best Line:
Sam says, "Tina's cheating on you?" Al says, "Can you believe it?" Sam says, "It boggles the mind!"

 

Al Trivia:
This is where we find out that animals can see AL as a hologram.

 

Al's Best Line:
Al says, "Don't fight it Sam, you're here to marry this cowboy, ah boy-girl, cowgirl ... GIRL!"

 

Al's Outfits:
1) Black jacket & slacks, black & white print shirt, black tie w/white poka dots & on left lapel a silver pin.

2) Blue silky shirt, multi color thread tweed jacket w/Air Force Wings on left lapel, bright yellow pants and wearing white tennis shoes.

3) Black silky shirt w/olive green & red brushed design on front and back, white pants w/olive green belt and wearing camel colored loafers.

 

Al's Women:
Lucille and Al slipped off into the energizing chamber at the Christmas party to exchange "gifts."

Tina and Al met over a poker table in Vegas. "I had a flush, she had a pair. Oh, what a pair! She ran out on me Sam. She took my second most favorite organ and stomped it to death with her four inched spiked heel."

Miscellaneous Trivia:
Al popped in and out four times and the last time Sam held open the front door for him.

When Al uses the handlink, this is the first episode where we hear sound effects. The sounds were taken from disc two of the Hanna Barbera Sound Effects Library.

Al only had one cigar, this was in the 1st scene and it was half smoked.

The Handlink's sounds are first heard in this episode! The sounds were used from sound effects owned by Hanna Barbera.

Bakula is in a studio riding a Bucking Bronco for the second Widomaker scene.

 

Regular Cast:
Scott Bakula as Dr Samual Beckett
Dean Stockwell as Admiral Albert "Al" Calavicci

Guest Cast:
Tommy Bush as Orly
Sloan Fischer as Dr. Daniel Young (Mirror image)
Scott Fults as Buddy Holly
Lance LeGault as Chance McGill
Kari Lizer as Tess McGill
Marshall R. Teague as Wayne

Guest Cast & Crew Notes:

Tommy Bush as Orly: Tommy Bush was born on February 6, 1928 in Orange County, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Rush Hour (1998), Mars Attacks! (1996) and The Getaway (1972). He died on February 4, 2003 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Sloan Fischer as Dr. Daniel Young (Mirror image): Sloan Fischer was born on November 26, 1956 in New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Quantum Leap (1989), Rockula (1990) and Mistral's Daughter (1984). He died on August 28, 1995 in San Francisco, California, USA.

Scott Fults as Buddy Holly: Scott Fults was born on December 31, 1961 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Quantum Leap (1989), Tales from the Crypt (1989) and She-Wolf of London (1990).

Lance LeGault as Chance McGill: Lance LeGault was born as William Lance Legault on May 2, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. LeGault grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois and graduated from Chillicothe Township High School in 1955. Lance began his acting career as a stunt double for Elvis Presley; he appears in the 1960s Presley vehicles Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Kissin' Cousins (1964), Viva Las Vegas (1964) and Roustabout (1964). With his tall, lean, compact build, strong, intense and commanding screen presence, and highly distinctive deep, gravelly voice, LeGault has been frequently cast as various stern and severe military types in both movies and television series, alike.

His most memorable film roles include Iago in the Shakespearean rock opera Catch My Soul (1974), evil pimp Burt in the offbeat French Quarter (1978), vicious hired-killer Vince in Coma (1978), formidable card sharp Doc Palmer in the made-for-TV Western The Gambler (1974), the austere Colonel Glass in the hilarious comedy Stripes (1981), steely prison guard security chief Lieutenant Barnes in the terrific Fast-Walking (1982) and the strict Reverend Bates in Nightmare Beach (1989).

LeGault had recurring roles on several television series in the 1980s: outstanding as the cunning and antagonistic Colonel Roderick Decker on The A-Team (1983), ramrod Colonel Buck Greene on Magnum, P.I. (1980) and rugged cowboy bounty hunter Alamo Joe Rogan on Werewolf (1987). Among the many television series Lance has had guest spots on are Land of the Giants (1968), Gunsmoke (1955), Wonder Woman (1975), Barbary Coast (1975), The Rockford Files (1974), The Incredible Hulk (1977), Battlestar Galactica (1978), The Dukes of Hazzard (1979), Dallas (1978), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979), Voyagers! (1982), Dynasty (1981), Knight Rider (1982), Airwolf (1984), Murder, She Wrote (1984), MacGyver (1985), Major Dad (1989), Quantum Leap (1989) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).

Outside of his acting gigs in both films and television series, LeGault also
worked as a lounge and nightclub singer (he even recorded a self-titled album in 1970). In addition, Lance did voice work for cartoons and video games as well as the narrator of the tour audiotape for Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion and Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Lance LeGault died at age 77 of heart failure on September 10, 2012 at his home in Los Angeles, California.

Kari Lizer as Tess McGill: Kari Lizer was born on August 26, 1961 in San Diego, California, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for Will & Grace (1998), The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006) and Private School (1983).

Marshall R. Teague as Wayne: Marshall R. Teague has appeared in over 130 film & TV shows. He is retired U.S. Navy, and a former Deputy Sheriff in Memphis, TN. His acting career has cumulated various portions from his military & law enforcement background to his firearms training to integrate & mold into his characters for the most realistic portrayals on film. His talent for balancing starring roles with powerful supporting characters has allowed him to build a varied pivotal body of work. His theatrical breakout role was as Jimmy Reno in the 1989 cult classic Road House. From there he went on to costar on two Michael Bay films "The Rock" and "Armageddon". Also a reoccurring star on the TV series "Walker, Texas Ranger", "American Heiress", and "Babylon 5". In addition to acting, Marshall is a motivational speaker, singer/songwriter, and actively working on various TV and film production concepts.

Ivan Dixon (Director): He played Sergeant James Kinchloe on "Hogan's Heroes."

Guests Who Appeared in Other Episodes of Quantum Leap
Sloan Fischer (Doc's mirror image) played the Stage Manager in "Blind Faith."

Lance LeGault was the saga sell narrator for one episode: "Another Mother."

Say What?
Doc's mirror image has glasses on, but Sam doesn't, when he looks in the mirror.

The mud on Sam's cheek changes position between the time at Riata and back at Doc's house.

Al reflects in the glass table when they are looking at the raccoon.

Instead of causing an issue for Sam, why didn't Al just look at Wayne's poker cards?

Why isn't the nearby radio turned on when Tess is teaching Wayne to dance?

It took two days for Sam to see the Leapee's reflection, but somehow Doc is completely clean shaven.

Buddy Holly didn't actually write the lyrics to "Peggy Sue." It was his drummer, Jerry Allison who penned the song. However, Holly may have changed the original name of Cindy Lou to Peggy Sue.

Quotable Quotes:
Bonanza was never like this...
-- Sam, "How the Tess was Won"

Piggy ....   Piggy .... here Piggy
-- Sam, "How The Tess Was Won"

Piggy Suey, Piggy Suey ...
-- Buddy, "How the Tess was Won"

Buddy, why don't you try Peggy Sue?  It'll sound better.
-- Sam, "How the Tess Was Won"

Couldn't you give them name tags?
-- Sam (glancing heavenward), "How the Tess was Won"

That's a cross we all have to bear, performance under pressure.
-- Al, "How the Tess was Won"

She took my second favorite organ and stomped it to death with her 4 inch spiked heels.
-- Al (about Tina), "How the Tess was Won"

~Al: Oh, well, almost all animals can see me. But you know, there must be something weird lookin' about me, because I seem to intimidate them.
Sam: Maybe it's your clothes.

 

Synopsis & Review:

Sam leaps into Daniel "Doc" Young, a veterinarian working on a Texas ranch who is coerced into entering a cowboy contest in order to marry the ranch owner's daughter, Tess.

Sam leaps into "Doc" while standing in a muddy pig pen and carrying a sick, screaming piglet. As Sam attempts to subdue the piglet, he overhears the ranch owner, Chance McGill, arguing with his daughter, Tess. Chance implores Tess to get married and produce heirs so that the ranch may continue running into the future. Tess, an accomplished cowgirl, is adamantly opposed to marriage. However, she agrees to marry any man who can beat her in a cowboy contest, though retains the right to choose her competitor. She picks Sam, convinced that his counterpart, Doc, has no chance of beating her. Chance approaches Sam with the offer, but Sam flatly refuses and takes the sick piglet home with him.

As Sam arrives at Doc's home, a boy, who is sitting on the porch and playing a guitar, tells Sam he has completed all of his chores. Sam thanks him and sends him on his way, though the boy is offended that Sam refers to him as "Pard," which is actually the name of the boy's dog.

Sam nurses the piglet with a bottle of milk when Al shows up. Sam is surprised that the other animals in Doc's home can see Al. Sam hopes his mission is as simple as curing the pig, as he was afraid he might have to enter the contest in order to marry Tess. Al tells him Ziggy is predicting that Tess will marry a man who writes her love letters. Sam stumbles through Doc's drawer and discovers that Doc has written a journal with passages revealing his love for Tess. Though Sam argues that it is a journal, not love letters, Al tells him this is proof that Doc is destined to marry Tess.

Sam returns to the ranch the next day to take part in the contest against Tess. Wayne, a cowboy who works on the ranch and who holds a clear animus for Sam, tricks him into riding Tess' prize stallion, Widowmaker. However, Widowmaker proves impossible to handle and throws Sam off instantly. Wayne helps Sam up and insists that his trick was simply "cowboy humor." Tess saddles up into Widowmaker and says that she is the only person who can successfully ride the stallion.

The first stage of the contest is roping and rangling cattle, which Tess wins easily. Wayne gives Sam a few tips about how to rope the cattle and Sam goes out to do so, but fails miserably. Chance sympathizes with Sam and corrects his technique. Sam is then able to catch one of the calves, until it manages to escape suddenly, and he lets out a yell. Sam pretends to have had his thumb yanked off, until he reveals to a startled Wayne that his thumb is fine and that his stunt was simply playing a bit of "cowboy humor."

That evening, Sam and Tess are competing in poker. Al says that Wayne is palming aces and eights. Sam accuses Wayne of cheating, and Wayne rises up in anger. Chance overturns Wayne's cards to reveal that Sam's accusation was wrong. As Wayne is about to fight Sam, Tess pulls him away to the bar. Sam looks at Tess' cards and sees that Tess was the one holding the aces and eights. Tess tells Wayne she does not need him to win the contest, but Wayne is unsure, as he believes Sam to be a more formidable opponent than he thought.

The next day, Tess and Sam are participating in a pole digging contest in the hot sun. Tess becomes overheated and collapses from exhaustion. Sam takes her back to his place and cools her down by stripping off her clothes down to her bra and panties. Tess awakens and, misinterpreting Sam's actions, punches him in the face. Sam insists that he is trying to help, and asks that she trust him. Tess reluctantly accepts his help.

While Tess waits at his place for an overhead storm to pass, Sam convinces her to dance with him. As the two are about to kiss, Tess pulls away. She concedes that the contest is a tie, but that since the object was for Sam to win outright, he has effectively lost. Sam asks for a tiebreaker, and Tess tells him to ride Widowmaker. Assuming that he will not do so, Tess leaves and cries as she drives away.

The next morning, Sam takes Widowmaker out into the pen to ride her. He tries to get Al to distract the animal so he can keep control. However, Al is called away, and Sam is left to ride the Stallion alone. Nonetheless, Sam manages to get control and ride the animal successfully, with Chance and Tess watching on. Sam tells them he rode Widowmaker to prove he could do it, not for Tess to marry him. Sam is convinced that Tess must marry him out of choice, not coercion, so he gathers Doc's journal to give to her. Tess is flattered and surprised to discover Doc's infatuation for her. She asks him to dance with her, seemingly accepting the idea that they are to be married.

However, Wayne appears outside the house, confessing his own feelings for Tess and produces unsent love letters that he wrote for her. Sam realizes that Ziggy's prediction was true - that Tess would marry a man who wrote her love letters - and that, in fact, Wayne was her true suitor all along.

As Tess and Wayne go off to get married, Sam remains at his place, tending to the now-cured Piglet. The piglet races off into the front yard, while Sam calls "Pigee Souiee" after it. The boy on the porch suddenly begins playing his guitar and incorporating the words "Pigee Souiee" into a song. Sam and Al look at one another knowingly. Now realizing that the boy's identity is that of a young Buddy Holly, Sam tells him that the lyrics "Peggy Sue" might sound better, and leaps... Source

I like this one, but it's not my favorite. I think Scott had fun doing it though. Because he got to be out in the fresh air, with animals and do some horseback riding. I believe he likes to do that, he's very physical and athletic. Dean didn't have that many lines so I'm sure he liked that !!! This gave him more time to play golf. His favorite thing to do!

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.

Copyright © 1989 by Universal City Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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

Quantum Leap Podcast

In the fourth installment of The Quantum Leap Podcast, Albie and Heather discuss Season One episode five " How the Tess Was Won". There's first impressions, an episode recap, thoughts and opinions, listener feedback, a special announcement and much more.

In this episode of The Quantum Leap Podcast we used all new recording equipment 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 and Twitter.

Quantum Leap Podcast: Revisiting How The Tess Was Won

Saddle up Widowmaker pardners, because we’re Revisiting How the Tess Was Won!

Join hosts Allison Pregler, Matt Dale, and Christopher DeFilippis as they lasso Sam’s silly Leap as a country veterinarian roped into a contest to marry the fiercest filly in Texas.

It’s a romancin’ cowboyin’ good time!

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.

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