The best episodes of Quantum Leap

Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.

1. 01

   S02E22 · May 9, 1990 · 1h

   M.I.A. - April 1, 19698.3

   When Sam leaps into the life of an undercover cop, Al explains that his mission is to convince a navy nurse that her MIA husband is still alive, and to prevent her from marrying a lawyer she meets on the day Sam leaps in. But a series of coincidences causes Sam to wonder about the true nature of his mission.Leap Details: Jake Rawlins, April 1, 1969, San Diego, California

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2. 02

   S01E07 · May 10, 1989 · 1h

   Camikazi Kid - June 6, 19618.2

   As a high school nerd, Sam is required to prevent the marriage of his sister to an abusive drinker, with the wedding only three days away. By drag racing the prospective husband, beating him with a car that couldn't have won without nitrous oxide, Sam shows the groom's true tendencies.Leap Details: Cameron "Cam" Wilson, June 6, 1961, Los Angeles, California

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3. 03

   S01E06 · May 3, 1989 · 1h

   The Color of Truth - August 8, 19558.1

   In the life of Jesse Tyler, an aging black chauffeur, Sam must face discrimination in the South while trying to prevent the death of an elderly white woman. Actions motivated by his own belief in equality cause violent reactions, as Sam tries to convince one of the pillars of the community to change her views on racism and the futility of trying to change a society for the better.Leap Details: Jessie Tyler, August 8, 1955, Red Dog, Alabama

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4. 04

   S01E04 · April 14, 1989 · 1h

   How the Tess Was Won - August 5, 19567.9

   As a veterinarian in rural Texas, Sam's mission appears to be winning the love of an heiress to a large ranch. Sabotaged by another suitor, Sam fails and finds that his true goal was to save the life of a sick piglet, and to help an unnamed cohort with a task he's performing.Leap Details: Daniel "Doc" Young, August 5, 1956, Texas

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5. 05

   S02E13 · January 10, 1990 · 1h

   Another Mother - September 30, 19817.8

   After leaping into a single mother, Sam must prevent the 15-year-old son of his host from disappearing. Al and Sam also find out that very young children can see them as they really are.Leap Details: Linda Bruckner, September 30, 1981, Scottsdale, Arizona

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6. 06

   S03E02 · October 5, 1990 · 1h

   The Leap Home Part II - Vietnam - April 7, 19707.8

   Sam tries to prevent his brother's death in Vietnam by stepping into the life of a soldier under his command. Leap Details: Herbert "Magic" Williams, April 7, 1970, Vietnam

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7. 07

   S03E12 · March 6, 1991 · 1h

   8 1/2 Months - November 15, 19557.8

   Sam leaps into a very pregnant teenager and must convince her father to help her keep the baby.Leap Details: Billie Jean Crockett, November 15, 1955, Claremore, Oklahoma

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8. 08

   S03E14 · March 20, 1991 · 1h

   Private Dancer - October 6, 19797.8

   An aspiring dancer working as a waitress in a strip club is in danger of being led into a life of prostitution unless Sam can convince her to audition for a spot in a professional dance group. But since she's deaf, the choreographer doesn't believe she has the time to give the young lady the attention she'll need.Leap Details: Rod "Rod the Bod" McCarty, October 6, 1979, New York City

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9. 09

   S01E05 · April 21, 1989 · 1h

   Double Identity - November 8, 19657.7

   Sam leaps into a Mafia hit man who may not live long since he is romancing the godfather's girlfriend. Also an attempt to bring Sam home causes the 1965 East Coast blackout.Leap Details: Frankie LaPalma / Geno Frascotti, November 8, 1965, Brooklyn, New York

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10. 10

    S03E01 · September 28, 1990 · 1h

    The Leap Home - November 25, 19697.6

    As himself at the age of 16, Sam has the opportunity to both win the high school basketball championship and save his family from their sad fates.Leap Details: Sam Beckett, November 25, 1969, Elk Ridge, Indiana

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11. 11

    S01E03 · April 7, 1989 · 1h

    The Right Hand of God - October 24, 19747.5

    Having leapt into Kid Cody, a boxer on the take, Sam has to win the championship to fund a new church for his trainers, a group of nuns. Sam must face the bookie who counts on him to take a dive in the final bout, and, with the help of several trainers, streaking, and Al's appearance in the ring to guide his punches, Sam wins the bout and finances the chapel.Leap Details: Clarence "Kid" Cody, October 24, 1974, Sacramento, California

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12. 12

    S01E08 · May 17, 1989 · 1h

    Play It Again, Seymour - April 14, 19537.5

    With looks that could double for Humphrey Bogart, Sam is Nick Allen, a private investigator looking for the murderer of his partner and, if he doesn't find the answer in time, himself. The case is solved with a number of Casablanca references as Sam launches a new pulp novelist along the way.Leap Details: Nick Allen, April 14, 1953, New York City, New York

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13. 13

    S02E06 · November 8, 1989 · 1h

    Good Morning, Peoria - September 9, 19597.5

    Rock 'n' roll is about to become big, but not in Peoria. That is, unless Sam, as DJ Howlin' Chick Howell, can manage to keep the radio station where he's employed from being shut down by overly conservative town elders.Leap Details: Howlin' Chick Howell, September 9, 1959, Peoria, Illinois

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14. 14

    S03E08 · November 16, 1990 · 1h

    The Great Spontini - May 9, 19747.5

    Sam becomes a nightclub magician battling his ex-wife for custody of their 12-year-old daughter.Leap Details: Harry Spontini, May 9, 1974, Oakland, California

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15. 15

    S03E11 · January 4, 1991 · 1h

    Runaway - July 4, 19647.5

    Sam must contend with a sadistic older sister and a mother on the verge of running away from an unfulfilling marriage in search of the feminine mystique, all while on a cross country trip.Leap Details: Butchie Rickett, July 4, 1964, Carbon County, Wyoming

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16. 16

    S03E13 · March 13, 1991 · 1h

    Future Boy - October 6, 19577.5

    Sam leaps into the life of an actor who fears for his television partner's well being at the hands of the partner's daughter.Leap Details: Kenny "Future Boy" Sharp, October 6, 1957, St. Louis, Missouri

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17. 17

    S05E10 · December 15, 1992 · 1h

    Promised Land - December 22, 19717.5

    Sam leaps back to Elk Ridge, Indiana to help save the lives of the Walters boys as they try to save their farm from a banker with designs on getting rich from foreclosure.Leap Details: Willie Walters, December 22, 1971, Elk Ridge, Indiana

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18. 18

    S01E01 · March 26, 1989 · 2h

    Genesis - September 13, 19567.3

    Although the Project Quantum Leap (PQL) isn't ready yet, Sam doesn't listen to supercomputer Ziggy and hops into the Accelerator and leaps. As Tom Stratton, an Air Force test pilot, Sam finds his memory Swiss cheesed, with only enough left to know that he is not where or when he belongs. Al explains that the Project has gone "a little caca" and that the only way Sam can leap out is by flying the X-2 to Mach 3. Instead, Sam leaps after saving his wife and child, only to find that rather than leaping home, he's leapt into Ken Fox, a minor league baseball player in Texas, at the end of the 1968 season, where he must make the winning play in order to leap.Leap Details: Tom Stratton, September 13, 1956, Edwards Air Force Base, Blockfield, California / Tim Fox, Summer 1968, Waco, Texas

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19. 19

    S02E09 · November 29, 1989 · 1h

    So Help Me God - July 29, 19577.3

    Though he can't remember much more than habeas corpus, Sam finds himself the defense attorney for a young black woman accused of murdering the son of the most powerful man in a small Louisiana town.Leap Details: Leonard Dancey, July 29, 1957, Louisiana

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20. 20

    S02E14 · January 17, 1990 · 1h

    All-Americans - November 6, 19627.3

    Sam must prevent a fellow high school football player from throwing the championship game and losing his scholarship.Leap Details: Eddie Vega, November 6, 1962, Woodland Hills, California

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21. 21

    S02E19 · March 28, 1990 · 1h

    Leaping in Without a Net - November 18, 19587.3

    Sam remembers he's afraid of heights when he leaps into a trapeze artist, whose sister wants him to catch her as she does a triple without a net. Dad is less than pleased, since his wife died a few years earlier while attempting the same stunt.Leap Details: Victor Panzini, November 18, 1958, Near Denver, Colorado

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22. 22

    S02E20 · April 4, 1990 · 1h

    Maybe Baby - March 11, 19637.3

    Babysitting a kidnapped tot and a flaky, compulsively lying stripper keeps Sam busy as they cross Texas, on the run from the legal father and a squad of cops.Leap Details: Buster, March 11, 1963, Texas

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23. 23

    S03E07 · November 9, 1990 · 1h

    Black on White on Fire - August 11, 19657.3

    Sam becomes a black medical student during the Watts riots, torn between his white fiancée and loyalty to his community.Leap Details: Ray Harper, August 11, 1965, Watts, Los Angeles, California

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24. 24

    S03E09 · November 30, 1990 · 1h

    Rebel Without a Clue - September 1, 19587.3

    As a member of a motorcycle gang, Sam is an uneasy rider who has to prevent a Jack Kerouac inspired young woman from meeting her death on the road.Leap Details: Shane "Funny Bone" Thomas, September 1, 1958, Near Big Sur, California

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25. 25

    S03E16 · April 3, 1991 · 1h

    Southern Comforts - August 4, 19617.3

    Sam becomes the owner of a house of ill repute in New Orleans, where he must avert the murder of a mysterious young woman who lives there.Leap Details: Gilbert LaBonte, August 4, 1961, New Orleans, Louisiana

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