How Quantum Leap referenced the OG series in the Season 2 finale

As the fates of the program and Ben were on the line in the Quantum Leap Season 2 finale, the show made sure to remind us once again that this is a revival. There was a mention of the OG series, mentioning both Sam and Al.

Of course, the characters have been mentioned before. When the series started, we were reminded that we still have no idea what happened to Sam after that final leap. Al’s widow, Beth, has also shown up now and then, and she reappeared in the finale to help the team figure out a way to stop Gideon/Jeffrey.

However, it was through more than Beth turning up that we got a reference to the OG series. It was all about Al and his family thanks to Sam.

Discussion of the butterfly effect in Quantum Leap

There were a lot of discussions about the butterfly effect in Quantum Leap. It turned out that Gideon was actually Jeffrey, and ever since finding out that Ben was a leaper, he wanted to take over the program for his own gain. The team had to figure out how to stop him, and it all came down to Ben being in the same time period as a young Jeffrey.

Could Ben stop Jeffrey before he became this evil tech billionaire? What would that do to the current timeline? Would everyone cease to exist?

This is where the OG series came in. Al’s daughter and Beth explained that Sam had changed the timeline. In the OG series finale, we know Sam decided to risk the butterfly effect. He told Beth to wait for Al. He was a prisoner of war and would come back. In the original timeline, Beth had remarried by the time Al got back, but in the new timeline, Beth waited. We found out in the title card that Beth and Al married and had four daughters.

Yes, that’s come up before, but the two went into more detail. Only Al (and presumably Sam) remembered the original timeline after that changed. The only reason Beth knew about it is because Al was honest with her and explained it all. She had no physical memory of marrying someone other than Al. It was because of Sam risking the butterfly effect that Al’s daughters were even possible.

So, it made it clear that while there is a butterfly effect, only Addison and Ben would remember it all. That certainly became the case when we found out Jenn was back thanks to Ben changing the timeline.

Quantum Leap is available to stream on Peacock.