NBC’s Quantum Leap Premiere Name-Dropped Scott Bakula’s Sam Beckett, But Could He Actually Return?

Warning! The following includes spoilers for NBC’s Quantum Leap series best, called “July 13th, 1985.” Read at your own danger!

NBC’s Quantum Leap revival didn’t function Sam Beckett in the flesh, however Scott Bakula’s renowned time-traveling character did get a lot of referrals in the series best. Dr. Ben Song’s pals and coworkers attempted to understand his choice to leap prior to they’d refined their theory of bringing individuals back however didn’t get lots of responses. The program likewise acknowledged the occasions of the initial series and the experiment that caught Beckett back in time years prior to. 

In the years because Sam Beckett’s disappearance, Dr. Ben Song and other dazzling minds continued working to ideal the time travel technique and even believe they can drill down on how to bring individuals back from their dives. The latter, naturally, is necessary, as the characters later on verified the disappointment ending of the initial Quantum Leap that was infamously set out through title card. Yes, Sam Beckett never ever discovered his method house, and as far as the characters in the series understand, he’s either dead or still taking a trip through time. 

It’s rather a grim expose, however all hope is not lost. Viewers find out the Quantum Leap job rebooted under the assistance of Herbert “Magic” Williams, which for the previous 5 years, they’ve dealt with establishing a method for somebody to leap to a single moment, and after that return back to today after leaping. Unfortunately, Ben submitted a lot of brand-new information to the program prior to taking an unscripted dive, and thanks to amnesia he suffered as an adverse effects from it, he can’t discuss why he did that. For now, he’s simply as stuck in time and delving into bodies Sam Beckett was, however need to the group find out how to bring him back, there’s an opportunity they can do the very same for Sam if he’s still out there. 

Quantum Leap left the door open for Scott Bakula to repeat his function as Sam Beckett, however whether that will in fact occur is another story. While there was rampant speculation he’d be included and the actor showed enthusiasm about a revival, Bakula himself verified he needed to deny appearing in the job which it was a “difficult decision” for him to do so (even with the cancellation of NCIS: New Orleans most likely releasing him up for more tasks). With that stated, the program provides a chance for Sam to make a look, so offered there’s a chance for him to appear in a future season, it may still be on the table. 

There’s likewise an opportunity that Scott Bakula and those associated with Quantum Leap are playing coy about whether he’ll return as Sam Beckett. Although we can just hypothesize, there is something curious about a reaction that showrunner Martin Gero provided throughout the TCA press trip in regard to Ben Song’s leaping capability. Gero was asked if Ben can delve into non-Americans, females, previous individuals Sam delved into, or perhaps Sam, and reacted with the following: 

Martin Gero definitely didn’t drop all the spoilers for what’s to come about who can be delved into, which might be an indication that the character will be referenced beyond what audiences saw in the best. I, personally, would take that as a favorable indication there’s an opportunity we’ll see Sam Beckett in the future, though whether that’s somebody played by Scott Bakula or another person I cannot state. The reveal currently needed to release without star Dean Stockwell following his death, so it’d be an embarassment if it eventually needs to advance without Bakula in any capability also.

Quantum Leap airs on NBC on Mondays at 10:00 p.m. ET. As the fall season of tv gets underway, make certain to inspect it what new shows are showing up to remain on top of all the enjoyable tv boiling down the pipeline.