The 107 episode of the TV show Quantum Leap.
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The Color of Truth -- Quantum Leap Episode 106
The 106 episode of the TV show Quantum Leap.
The Color of Truth is the 106 episode of the TV show Quantum Leap. Sam leaps into Jessie Tyler, an aging black chauffeur in the segregated South. He must save his wealthy white employer (the widow of the former … see full wiki
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"The Color of Truth," Season 1, episode 106
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Jan 21, 2010
- by Adrianna
- posted in Forbidden Planet - Sci-Fi Books & Films!
Rating:
As I watch Season 1 of Quantum Leap, I debate on which episode to review. They all have different merits to them, some being more comical and light-hearted than others. But after watching "The Color of Truth," I refused to continue the show until I reviewed it. This episode stood out to me not because it was the most unique story but because of the emotions it invoked.
+4
This episode is full of firsts. This is the first story that Sam, played by Scott Bakula, does not have a romantic love interest, which gets to be a little redundant. More significantly, this is the first episode in which Sam has leaped into a colored person's body. It is significant because it is August 8, 1955, and he is in the deep south, Red Dog, Alabama.
In today's rather progressive era, we are taught to "not judge a book by its cover" or to "walk a mile in another person's shoes." As a man of the future, Sam knows these lessons. Throughout the story, his struggle is to contain his rage at the injustices of the past, which he has been given the opportunity to experience. Sam could never truly understand what it was like for Jessie Tyler to be a black man in the south. He only experienced a few days in a rather long life. In fact, part of me was even angry that it took a white man coming into a black man's body to invoke some change into the mindsets of the people, such as Miz Melny. Ideally, the change should come from the oppressed because they are the ones who need to have the strength to take that first step and say, "No, I will not be oppressed any longer." Part of me even wondered if Sam was in fact following a natural progression of what Tyler would have done if given the opportunity, since Ziggy thought he was only there to save someone's life. What engaged me about the whole situation was all the critical thoughts that emerged during and after the show. I enjoy entertainment that is not only fun but makes me think about everyday life.
The truly compelling element to this episode, and really most of the Quantum Leap episodes, are the roles the actors take upon themselves, especially Scott Bakula. He had to play a myraid of characters from boxer to singer. Not only that, he had to be good enough to sell the idea to the audience. As I watch the episodes, I am amazed at his creative talents. Not only that, but his interactions with Al, Dean Stockwell, adds a nice amount of humor to any serious situation.
"The Color of Truth" met my expectations as far as the actors were concerned, even outside the usual interactions between Sam and Al. Miz Melny, played by Susan French, evoked memories of Driving Miss Daisy, which, as it turns out, this episode is paying homage to. Miz Melny was believable as far as being a woman of her time. She had obviously thought about the issue of color but was afraid to take a stand because she was used to the status-quo. Depressingly enough, that is often the trouble with improvements in our society or general mindset: We are afraid of anything different and so often too slow to change. I liked that this episode showed that even though people are afraid to change, they do usually understand the difference between a general knowledge of right and wrong (the Good Samaritian mentality).
Still, the episode stays very true to the time period. Not everyone is suddenly happy about a black man demanding the same rights as a white man, which creates action and drama that had me wanting to hit many of the characters upside the head. Still, the writers effectively conveyed the generational hatreds that were common in Alabaham during the 1950's.
This episode stands out because it embodies the entire meaning behind the series: seeing the truth of life from someone else's eyes. Sam usually leaps into the past and does what he is told to do, but in this case he doesn't. Sometimes there are more important things to consider than what Ziggy computes. Sometimes it suffices to help one special person, but this time it was more important to help many.
The final thing I love about this show and specifically this episode is how it always has me asking questions about history. All too often, history falls to the wayside as a "dead" subject that young people can't relate to. This show is a constant reminder of why I love the subject so much (I studied it as an undergraduate). I couldn't help but wonder about the real widow of the former Governor of Alabama during the 1950's. Was she as liberal as Mz Melny? Did she question the truth? Was there really a Jessie Tyler, and if not, how many everyday stories such as his got lost in time? After all, these everyday moments of strength and courage keep the common person fighting for the good of her or his community. We need more stories like this to be passed down between family members or written in books so that they are never lost. Ultimately, the movies, books, and episodes that mean the most are the ones which inspire us to research the truth, or truths, as is so often the case.
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QUEENBFLIX
January 28, 2010
I watched this series from time to time when it was rerunning on various channels and I usually enjoyed it. Scott Bakula can be a very engaging actor. I once caught him on what was supposed to be a documentary type shows about marine biology students which may have been Canadian! It was on the Discovery Channel or something like that. It wasn't a movie. I guess we can't believe everything we see. It was quite an old show and made long before he became famous.
Adrianna
January 28, 2010
Yes, Scott Bakula is an engaging actor, but part of me loves Dean Stockwell in this series more! His outfits were so cool, and I loved the humor he added to the show. He was such an antithesis of Bakula's character. The two worked well together. :)
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QUEENBFLIX
January 28, 2010
He always kind of bugged me, so does Dennis Hopper for some reason.
Adrianna
January 28, 2010
LOL! I could see why, at least in this role. He is always a bit crude with his jokes. He's the "ladies' man" and often comes off jerky. I think it works in Quantum Leap, though, because Bakula is the goody-two shoes guy and balances Al's debauchery. I often wonder how the two became friends in relation to the storyline of the series.
QUEENBFLIX
January 28, 2010
I agree that the character is a perfect balance for Sam.
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badbonz007
January 28, 2010
I also love this show and wish that would bring it back. Nice review Harold
Adrianna
January 28, 2010
Well, with all the remakes they are doing, you never know. The next episode, Kamikaze Kid was even better! I have plans to review that after I have finished some book reviews.
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Pardolis
January 22, 2010
I loved this review. I so want to see the Quantum Leap series now after reading this. It was intriguing, thoughtful, and it makes us look back at history and what we can learn from it. Again, awesome job. :-)
Adrianna
January 22, 2010
Thanks so much, Pard! This show is definitely up your aisle considering all the sci-fi shows you like to watch. Maybe I will have to buy you a season for your b-day! :D
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Scotman
January 21, 2010
Great review -- I liked this one as well as the seasons of Quantum Leap. The last episode of the last season was a bit disappointing.
Adrianna
January 21, 2010
I have a long way to go before I hit that season, lol! I am so slow with television shows sometimes. I can't wait to see what I think! I really like the concept for this show; too bad it didn't last longer!
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Scotman
January 21, 2010
I agree. This was one of my favorites. When you watch the shows back to back on DVD you get the flavor quite strongly. I didn't like the very last episode though. There were rumors of a new Quantum Leap with the character's daughter making leaps but that never happened.
Adrianna
January 21, 2010
That would be neat! You never know! There are so many old shows that are being remade, like Night Rider, 90210...maybe Quantum Leap is next!
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Details
Original Air Date:
May 3, 1989
Description:
S.1, Ep. 106: Sam leaps into Jessie Tyler, an aging black chauffeur in the segregated South. He must save his wealthy white employer from dying in a car crash while persuading her to play a more active role in the civil rights movement.
TV Show:
Quantum Leap
Genre:
Science Fiction,
General - Action/Adventure, Comedy, Family/Children, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Source: The Color of Truth -- Quantum Leap Episode 106 on Lunch.com
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