Episode
adopted by: Rebekka E.
Additional info
provided by: Brian Greene
Synopsis:
As
he leaps in, Sam finds himself strapped in an electric chair for a
murder his host may not have committed. But as he is granted a sudden
48-hour stay of execution, he must quickly dig through legal papers and
barriers to find the truth before he goes back to the chair again.
TV
Guide Synopsis: Sam
leaps onto death row, where his life depends upon learning the truth
about the murder that put him there. Tearsa: Jenny Gago. Moody: James
Sloyan. Raul: Julio Oscar Mechoso. Ripley: Christopher Allport. Tia:
Irene Olga Lopez. Sam: Scott Bakula.
Sam
leaps into Jesus Ortega (Stephen Domingas) as the man is about to be
executed for the murder of a priest. Right as he is about to be
electrocuted, the governor calls and gives Sam a forty-eight hour stay
of execution. Sam and Al assume that they must be there to prove that
Jesus and his buddy and fellow prisoner Raul Casta (Julio Oscar
Mechoso), who was convicted as an accomplice to the murder of the
priest, were innocent. The evidence is stacked against them with the
murdered priest's dying declaration that Jesus was the killer and two
eyewitnesses. The real Jesus is no help, as he apparently believes
himself to be dead already, and is comatose.
With the covert assistance of a Florida State Assistant District
Attorney, Margerita Lorrea Tearsa (Jenny Gago), who thinks he's
innocent, he's submitted an appeal to the Governor. All of this doesn't
sit well with Theodore Moody (played by James Sloyan), the DA who
convicted him who is also now a candidate for Governor.
Fortunately, ADA Tearsa believes Jesus’ story and is eager to help him
prove his innocence. In fact, because the ballistics report was
inconclusive and the DA's office claimed that it was conclusive, Tearsa
organized that whole stay of execution in the first place. Under the
pretense of Tearsa wanting to go over the case again, Sam questions
Raul about the case. Raul's daughter was sick and needed medicine that
they couldn't afford so Jesus suggested asking the church. The priest
was sympathetic but would not give them any money for the poor for fear
that they would buy alcohol with it. Jesus smashed the lock box and
they took the six dollars inside of it. The priest was later shot and
killed but Raul says he was home with his young daughter and a witness
that has since gone missing.
The DA is running for governor on the basis of being hard on crime and
so often pushes sentences up as high as he can and arranged for all
five death row inmates to be there. In the original history, Tearsa is
caught helping Jesus and not only fails to save him but is disbarred
and ends up a social worker in an unemployment agency for the rest of
her life. Sam tries to keep her from getting caught while helping
himself.
One of the bullets is missing and Sam convinces Tearsa to go back to
the church and to look for it. Al accompanies her and, with future
technology, manages to find the bullet but cannot let Tearsa know.
Fortunately, a young child who thinks that Al is an angel is able to
communicate the news to Tearsa. No one could find it because it was
hidden behind a painting. Al jubilantly reports this back to Sam and
the two are convinced this will get Jesus off the hook for the murder
and allow Sam to leap. However, Ziggy then reports to Al that the
ballistics report on the bullet will prove conclusively that it came
from Jesus' gun and that he did indeed kill the priest, and Jesus... or
rather, Sam, is now certainly going to die in the electric chair.
Tearsa feels betrayed and she rages at a horrified Sam. The DA shows up
and threatens to destroy Tearsa. Sam tries to encourage her but she
blows him off. The DA taunts Sam about his impending death and asks if
he'll do the ‘last dance’ (another name for when a prisoner has a
futile struggle against the guards carrying him as the fear of death
hits him just before he is placed in the chair) before his execution. A
priest tries to get Sam to make peace with his fate but Sam refuses to
believe that he won't leap in time. As Sam is led away, Raul curses him
for the murder and begs Sam to confess and save him.
At the very last second before he is muzzled, Al shows up instructing
Sam to confess to the murder. It turns out that it was Raul and Tearsa
Sam was there to save. Sam frees Raul and destroys the DA by providing
the phone number and new name of the witness who was with Raul when the
priest was killed. He was an immigrant who could not practice when he
came to America and he was given the opportunity to practice in New
York to keep him out of Florida. This witness gave a statement clearing
Raul and had no idea that he was being searched for.
With the DA ruined and Raul and Tearsa achieving their happy endings,
Sam starts to panic again as he is fitted with the mouth-piece and
helmet for his execution. Al shouts at him to hurry up and leap but Sam
can't manage it until right as the electricity courses through the
chair. Source Personal
Review by Rebekka E.:
I really like this one, because Sam almost dies and doesn’t "put right
what once went wrong" until the very end! This is one of my favorite
episodes.
Project
Trivia:
It is not always easy to find Sam after he leaps.
The handlink can be
converted so that it can detect a lead bullet in a
hologram scenario.
He says "Oh, God"
instead of "Oh, boy" in this episode due to the circumstances of his
leap-in.
Sam once again tells
someone (Tearsa) he is not who they think he is.
Al
Trivia:
Once again, a child can see Al. He uses this to communicate with Tearsa
and help Sam uncover evidence.
Al’s
Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Al’s first outfit is a ruby, silk, striped, circle shirt with a black
rhinestone vest and black rhinestone pants.
The second outfit is
blue
jeans a purple and gold leather jacket, and a salmon colored shirt.
Miscellaneous
Trivia:
Al appears in the episode eight times. The imaging chamber door opens
two
times. Sam looks in the mirror once.
The title and leap
date shown at the beginnign of the episode are shaky and faded over the
stock footage of the prison. The rest of the credits are back to their
normal quality.
Guest Stars:
Jenny Gago as Tearsa Margerita Lorrea
Julio Oscar Mechoso as Raul Casta
Christopher Allport as Alan Ripley
James Sloyan as Theodore Wallace Moody
Leonard C. Lightfoot as Officer Little
Jack Jozefson as Officer Hudson
Michael Holden as Herb Stein
Krista Muscare as Maria
Charles Woolf as Father Raftery
Irene Olga Lopez as Tia
A.J. Freeman as Bart Manners
Wendy Jill Gordon as Reporter
Andrew Almador as Reporter
Harry Fleer as Older Man in Jail
Neil Barton as Black man in Jail
Stephen Domingas as Jesus Ortega (Mirror image)
Jenny Gago as Tearsa Margerita Lorrea:
Jenny Gago is one of Hollywood's most versatile and respected Latina
actresses. Her powerful portrayal of the matriarch Maria Sanchez in
Gregory Nava's hit film, My Family/Mi familia (1995), was a critically
acclaimed contribution to what she describes as "an honorable and
poignant script." Gago has starred in many feature films, including
Coach Carter (2005) with Samuel L. Jackson, The Tie That Binds (1995),
Blood In, Blood Out (1993), Under Fire (1983) and Nurse Betty (2000)
with Renée Zellweger. She was honored with the Golden Eagle Award for
her performance as Garduna in the film Old Gringo (1989) in which she
starred with Gregory Peck and Jane Fonda. Her television films include
Grand Avenue (1996), Nowhere to Hide (1994) and Sweet 15 (1990). Series
regular roles include DEA (1990), Dangerous Minds (1996), Alien Nation
(1989), and Freddie (2005). Gago was also a member of the esteemed cast
of the recent Golden Globe-nominated mini-series, American Family
(2002), on PBS. Some of her more recent guest starring roles include
Crossing Jordan (2001), 24 (2001), The West Wing (1999), The Agency
(2001), Alias (2001), Jack & Bobby (2004), Without a Trace (2002),
and Lost (2004). Gago earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts
from UCLA. She was then personally awarded a scholarship by Lee
Strasberg to attend his Institute. Honored by such prestigious
organizations as the Association for the Advancement of Mexican
Americans, the Image Awards, the National Council of La Raza, the
TELACU Education Foundation, The Hispanic Women's Network of Texas, the
BRAVO Awards and the Alma Awards, Gago has also received awards from
the County of Los Angeles and El Centro. The U.S. House of
Representatives recently acknowledged her for "her talents and
portrayal of Latino characters in the film and television industry, as
well as her dedication and drive to pursue nontraditional roles to pave
the way for other Latinos." Gago's passion is her 13-year-old son,
Sean. She loves family, friends, music and dancing (especially salsa),
and believes in the spiritual evolution of man towards one human family
on earth. She volunteers regularly in schools to support the importance
of education.
Julio Oscar Mechoso as Raul Casta:
Julio Oscar Mechoso was born on May 31, 1955 in Florida, USA. He was an
actor, known for Planet Terror (2007), Jurassic Park III (2001) and
Blue Streak (1999). He died on November 25, 2017 in Burbank,
California, USA.
Christopher Allport as Alan Ripley:
Christopher Allport was born on June 17, 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts,
USA. He was an actor, known for To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Jack
Frost (1997) and Queen (1993). He was married to Susan Elizabeth Hayden
and Carolyn Jones. On Saturday morning, January 26, 2008, the body of
the 60-year-old actor, a skiing enthusiast, was found after he and two
other persons were reported missing the day before following a trio of
avalanches which swept off-trail canyons in the San Gabriel mountains
at the Mountain High ski resort, northeast of Los Angeles. He died on
January 25, 2008 in Wrightwood, San Bernardino, California, USA. Wrote
a story that appeared in the Los Angeles Times in 2004 about the
pleasures of back-country skiing. Veteran character actor who played
both nice guys and heavies on film and TV for over four decades. Lived
in Santa Monica, California at the time of his sudden death. He guest
starred in two unrelated television series featuring a regular
character named Sam Beckett: China Beach (1988) and Quantum Leap (1989).
James Sloyan as Theodore Wallace Moody:
James Joseph Sloyan was born on February 24, 1940 in Indianapolis,
Indiana; his family moved to Europe when he was a young boy, living in
Rome, Capri, Milan, Switzerland, and Ireland. When he was 17, his
family moved back to the United States and settled in upstate New York,
where he managed a theater. He received a scholarship to the American
Academy of Dramatic Arts and after two years he went to work for Joseph
Papp at the New York Shakespeare Festival. In 1962, he was drafted into
the United States Army; after four years he returned to the NYSF and
performed in 28 plays and choreographed all the onstage fights. He also
appeared in the original off-Broadway stage version of "One Flew Over
the Cuckoo's Nest". He played multiple memorable roles in Star Trek: 1.
The Next Generation - He played a conscientious Romulan admiral
manipulated by sinister forces. 2. The Next Generation - He portrayed
Worf's son Alexander as an adult who returns to his past to help his
father understand and accept his son's gentle nature for what it is and
the glorious future he would help initiate. 3. Deep Space Nine - The
scientist who studied and taught Odo under a repressive regime. 4.
Voyager - The scientist who destroyed Neelix's homeworld and wanted to
redeem himself. Was the voice of Lexus from 1989 until 2009, having
been replaced by actor James Remar. Sloyan has been hired to do
voice-over work for Mitsubishi.
Leonard C. Lightfoot as Officer Little:
Leonard Lightfoot was born on December 2, 1947 in Carlisle,
Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Tentacles (1977), Murder,
She Wrote (1984) and Quantum Leap (1989). He played the first African
American social worker on Silver Spoons during the entire first season,
and was replaced by Franklyn Seales, who played a more neurotic, whiny
character to Leonard's more normal, helpful one. Sometimes when acting,
whether speaking or listening, a nerve in his jaw-line would twitch,
which was a noticeable tick.Has retired from acting.
Jack Jozefson as Officer Hudson:
Jack Jozefson was born on December 5, 1931 in New York, New York, USA.
He was an actor, known for Bruce Almighty (2003), NYPD Blue (1993) and
The Buddy Holly Story (1978). He died on November 28, 2005 in Indio,
California, USA.
Michael Holden as Herb Stein: Michael Holden is known for The Green Hornet (2011), Timecop (1997) and No Strings Attached (1997).
Charles Woolf as Father Raftery:
Charles Woolf was born on October 30, 1926 in Los Angeles, California,
USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Mr. Mom (1983), Elvira:
Mistress of the Dark (1988) and Darktown Strutters (1975). He died on
June 18, 1994 in Sherman Oaks, California, USA.
Irene Olga Lopez as Tia: Irene
Olga López is known for The Big Lebowski (1998), Falling Down (1993)
and Basic Instinct (1992). From projects ranging from Archie Bunker's
Place to Fletch to The Big Lebowski, she's been numerously cast as a
maid, and each time her character/credit is simply, Maid.
A.J. Freeman as Bart Manners: Irene Olga López is known for The Big Lebowski (1998), Falling Down (1993) and Basic Instinct (1992). From
projects ranging from Archie Bunker's Place to Fletch to The Big
Lebowski, she's been numerously cast as a maid, and each time her
character/credit is simply, Maid.
Wendy Jill Gordon as Reporter: Wendy Gordon is known for The Abyss (1989), Dave (1993) and Quantum Leap (1989).
Andrew Almador as Reporter:
During his active television and radio career, Andrew has worked as a
news anchor and reporter for television stations in Los Angeles, San
Francisco and Detroit; he also has anchored and reported for CBS radio
in Los Angeles (KNX, KFWB). A fixture on Los Angeles television for
many years, Angelenos may remember Andrew as the personable
weathercaster and environmental reporter for KCAL-TV in the 1980's and
1990's. Andrew has twice been nominated for a local news Emmy and was
recognized for his journalistic excellence by the Associated Press, The
Radio-Television Digital News Association and the Los Angeles Press
Club. He is the recipient of a Golden Mike for his reporting work at
KNX. Andrew's acting resume is highlighted by roles in "L.A. Story,"
"The First Power," "Taking Care of Business" and "The Net." Network
television appearances include work on "Dallas," "Murder She Wrote,"
"Quantum Leap," "The Hogan Family," and other hit TV shows. His
voice-over and narration portfolio encompasses a wide range of projects
including commercials for artists associated with nearly every major
recording label in the U.S. and abroad. Andrew is proud to be a part of
the Los Angeles theatre scene; his favorite roles include blind
baseball fan Greg in an award-winning production of "Bleacher Bums,"
iconic playboy Elyot Chase in a well-received revival of Noel Coward's
"Private Lives," and the pompous Petkoff in Shaw's "Arms and the Man."
Harry Fleer as Older Man in Jail:
Harry Fleer was born on March 26, 1916 in Quincy, Illinois, USA. He was
an actor, known for Black Sheep Squadron (1976), Tormented (1960) and
Little Giants (1994). He died on October 14, 1994 in Woodland Hills,
Los Angeles, California, USA.
Neil Barton as Black man in Jail: Neil Barton is known for My Big Fat Independent Movie (2005), Entourage (2004) and Guy Suave: Homicidal Spy (2011).
Say What?
The clock on the wall in the first scene stays at 7:00 the entire scene.
There were no executions performed between 1967 and 1977.
The
headline on the autopsy report reads, "Description of gunshot wound
perforating the head" but the picture shows wounds to the stomach and
left chest area.
Sam can hear Al
through the telephone?
Raul had to have
known what happened in all this.
You can see the
light pen Dean Stockwell is holding under the handlink when he is
looking for the bullet fairly clearly.
"You
can’t live with 2000 volts of electricity running through your body."
"It’s
hard to be loyal to the devil."
"To
make right, what the times have made wrong."
It's not like
you're lost in a mall, you're lost in
time!
-- Al, "Last Dance Before an Execution"
I never knew there were lawyers with morals.
-- Al, "Last Dance Before an Execution"
What have you got, an angel on retainer?
-- Tearsa, "Last Dance Before an Execution"
Are you an angel?
-- the little girl in the church, to Al, "Last Dance Before an
Execution"
I sure hope Al's your guardian angel.
-- guard, "Last Dance Before an Execution"
Where the hell have you been? I almost died in the electric
chair.
Sam, it's not always so easy to find you... it's not like you're lost
in a mall - you're lost in time.
-- Sam and Al, "Last Dance Before An Execution"
You can't just dump a bucket of water over his head and say 'Hey, hey
get up, you're not really dead, you're just 25 years in the future.'!
-- Al, "Last Dance Before An Execution"
If I'd had an attorney like that when I was in court, I'd still be in
court!
-- Al, "Last Dance Before An Execution"
Al:
Sam, you're going to die on May 14th. That's in two days.
Sam: I know that Al! Why?
Al: Why? Well, probably because you can't live with two thousand volts
of electricity going through your body! "Last Dance Before An Execution"
Best Line:
"Are you going to dance before your execution, Jesus? Oh, it’s an old
prison saying, that a man on his final walk to the chair, the stinch of
fear chokes him and he panics. Struggling in the arms of his captor for
one more moment of freedom. Some people say it looks like a dance. The
last dance before death. Romantic, don’t you think?"
Best Scene:
The best scene is when Al is in the church looking for the bullet and
he talks to the little girl. He has the little girl help the "angel"
tell Tearsa where to find the bullet.
Production Credits:
Theme by: Mike Post Music by: Velton Ray Bunch Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt Co-Executive Producer: Michael Zinberg Supervising Producer: Harker Wade Co-producers: Paul Brown, Jeff Gourson Produced by: Chris Ruppenthal Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Teleplay by: Deborah Pratt
Story by: Bill Bigelow & Donald P. Bellisario & Deborah Pratt Directed by:Michael Watkins Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario Associate Producer:James S. Giritlian Executive Story Editor: Tommy Thompson Director of Photography:Michael Watkins, A.S.C. Production Designer: Cameron Birnie Edited by:John Koslowsky, A.C.E.. Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow First Assistant Director:Ryan Gordon Second Assistant Director:Kate Yurka Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac Costume Supervisors: David Rawley & Donna Roberts-Orme Sound Mixer:Barry D. Thomas Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Technical Advisor: Joe Vita Sound Editor: Paul Clay Music Editor: Donald Woods
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 - Last Dance Before An Execution
Listen to The Quantum Leap Podcast
on this episode here:
You are cordially invited to join us for a Last Dance Before an Execution.
In this electrifying episode of the podcast, hosts Allison Pregler,
Matt Dale and Christopher DeFilippis discuss one of Sam’s darkest Leaps
yet — into a death row inmate headed to the electric chair. Sam’s
desperate quest to prove his innocence turns into a larger exploration
of fear, punishment, bigotry and faith.
Don’t worry, we find some funny stuff to talk about, too…
Let us know what you think!
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