A "Quantum Leap" Ahead Of Its Time

Quantum Leap (1989)

Starring Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell

Created by Donald P. Bellasario

The Story:

Dr. Sam Beckett (Bakula) theorized that it was possible to time travel within the confines of your own lifetime. Hoping to prove his theories correct and continue funding for his project, he entered his own experiment, and vanished. He finds himself popping into the lives of other people, and with the help of Al (Stockwell) who appears to Sam as a hologram, they attempt to put right what once went wrong, hoping with each leap that Sam will leap home.

I don't watch a lot of science fiction shows, but when I do, I try and make sure they are good ones.

This, this was a good one.

I have fond memories of watching it with my dad, and then later with my wife.

We all loved the show, and aside from dabbling with an "evil leaper" later in the series run, for me, this show never jumped the shark.

Sadly, this show never gained the mainstream success and popularity of one of Bellasario's later creations,  NCIS or earlier effort Magnum P.I.

But I will take this show any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.  I think most of the fans of the show would also agree.

Bakula got to offer a great range throughout the series, by leaping into a wide assortment of characters. No topic or idea was off-limits as Sam wound up inhabiting people of different race, color, creed, gender, ability and so-forth.

Putting right what once went wrong was often something as subtle as making sure someone didn't get married or making sure they took a left instead of a right.

They were very human interest stories, and while they tried to show that they weren't sent back in time to change anything major (JFK assassination, things of that nature) the life events for these people, it was indeed very major.

Bakula brought humanity and an earnest performance to every episode, a touch of class and a bit of humor. He was teamed with Stockwell who brought the sleaze, brought the funnies, but brought the friendship and guidance that Sam desperately needed. The two worked amazingly well together throughout.

Most of the series is available to stream on Netflix as of this viewing.  However, the pilot and the finale are not.

In a way, I'm glad the series finale isn't, because it's one that requires a box of tissues after viewing.

Well worth the time to revisit, or to try for the first time if you missed it 25 years ago.

Final Grade: A

I Want To Attend Greendale "Community" College!!

Community (2009)

TV PG

Starring Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, Jim Rash, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase

The Story:

Disbarred lawyer Jeff Winger (McHale) heads back to Greendale Community College when it is discovered that he lied about having a degree. While he's taking Spanish, he wants to hit on a fellow classmate, Britta (Jacobs). To do that, he makes up a fake study group to get to spend more time with her. However, Abed (Pudi) think Jeff really wants to start a study group and invites the rest of the gang along.

This is their story!

So this was a show I had wanted to watch when it came on, but usually I don't have time weekly for a television show, so this one passed me by.

Then the kids started watching it online, and were always laughing.

So in December, they bought Season 2 and had me watch the 2nd episode.

Then I watched the rest of the episodes.

I was hooked.

Starting in Season 2 was a bit of a cheat, but well played on their part.

The show, writing, acting, chemistry is great in the second season. Going back to watch the first season later, you can see the skeleton of the show it would become, but Seasons 2 and 3 are incredible from start to finish.

Also, don't be shocked to find the show turn into a musical, a cartoon, a stop motion or any of a million other TV or movie tropes. 

While McHale is the *star* of the show, it's a true ensemble throughout.
However, I am of the mind that Danny Pudi as Abed is the real star of the show.
As the grounded center, emotionally detached and through the eye of his documentary lens, he captures the friendship that builds and grows throughout the seasons.

Because what starts as a show about a lawyer looking for a degree at the community college that isn't even the best college in the community becomes a show about...

Friendship.

It's a slow build, but oh so worth it.

You've probably heard about the drama that surrounded creator Dan Harmon, Chevy Chase, and even NBC...

Irrelevant.

The first 3 seasons are great. Seasons 4 and 5 are good.

Season six?

Coming to Yahoo in March.

I can't wait.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I now own all 5 seasons and have watched all the episodes. And some episodes...several times. :)

Not All Heroes Have Powers..."Agents of SHIELD"

Welcome Back, Agent Coulson...

The Story:

SHIELD operative Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returns.  Nuff Said!  But no, he brings with him a team of operatives: Ward (Brett Dalton) the muscle; Melinda May (Ming Na-Wen) the reluctant one; Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) engineering; Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) bio.  With Coulson calling the shots, they go after the group The Rising Tide and recruit one of them, Skye (Chloe Bennett) to help them track down the latest unregistered  hero.

Throwing in a nice cameo from Agent Hill (Cobie Smulders) and a cryptic tease about Agent Coulson...

It's a nice extension of the Marvel Universe on the small screen, and a worthy pick up from the events from The Avengers movie as they expand the mythos.

Considering we haven't had a quality live-action Marvel show since The Incredible Hulk, it's a nice change of pace.

I'll have to let the kids watch the old Nicholas Hammond Spider-Man show to see how good they've really got it.

It's an entertaining show that attempts to tell a story that enhances what we've enjoyed in the movie theaters. 

Plus, do not underestimate the appeal that Agent Coulson has resonated with the fans of the Marvel Universe.  His presence alone will carry a lot of good will throughout the season.  He got the best lines, but there was growth amongst the team as the show went along.

Happy that  Joss Whedon has brought the Agents to tv, and hope these all enjoy a nice long Buffy the Vampire Slayer type tenure.

I'm in for the season, and the DVR is set to go!

Final Grade: B+...A-... it's all good. ;)

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  I'm sure we'll hit a few episodes more than once in the near future, or while waiting for Season 2.  Will I be buying it?  Seems like the Marvel Universe would be missing them if the don't join the movie lot. :)