OMG... The Quantum Leap reboot is....Good!
Hilariously, it's so obviously on the Universal backlot that I recognize almost every building and street corner. But, that's fine. Whatever.
So we're following in the footsteps of the original. We get the same narration opening, and they fill in saying the project was mothballed until recently when they figured out a way to go after Sam, or just get the machine working right. Then our main guy -- I believe the only current Asian lead on TV -- goes rogue just like Sam Beckett and we're off.
There's much more of what's happening at Quantum Leap HQ -- we have the nonbinary LGBwhatever who takes Gooshie's place. He has a much more active behind the scenes computer-whisperer role.
Replacing Dean Stockwell is our new Leaper's new fiance. In keeping with the rules of the original, only the person with the closest connection to the Leaper can actually appear and communicate with them. She's got big Stockwell shoes to fill but she does a great job. And, strangely, the hologram guide's technology hasn't advanced much in 30 years...
Ernie Hudson is the boss of the Quantum Leap project. He's actually playing the same character that Sam Beckett saved in a Vietnam leap in the original series.
And we have a pan-Asian playing tough as nails head of security. She doesn't have too much to do in the pilot except feel sorry for herself.
Behind the scenes, we have a mysterious figure pulling the strings. This person has convinced our new Leaper to upload a bunch of code that no one can figure out and take his unauthorized leap. There's a Much Bigger Narrative Ahead (tm).
So any fan knows that Quantum Leap's finale sucked ass -- Sam learns he's on a mission from God and is taken away to heaven (or away from the prying eyes of the QL Project back home). The pilot's a bit vague as to whether or not they actually believe they can find Beckett. That vagueness, I think, dovetails into the Mystery. Pretty easy to guess: There's a group of people who want to find Sam and figure out what happened, and our main group of people will simply want to save our new guy because they're all his best friends.
All fine. This is a watchable, entertaining, and well-crafted homage/update to the original series.
