Quantum Leap Season 2 Episode 1 Review: This Took Too Long!

 Quantum Leap Season 2 Episode 1, “This Took Too Long!” is a solid premiere that lays the groundwork and raises the stakes for a narratively exciting season. It feels more confident and self-assured in its identity as a high-octane sci-fi series, although it isn’t entirely out of its predecessor’s shadow yet. That said, given the numerous nods to Sam Beckett, Al Calavicci, etc., the series doesn’t need to become too far removed from what came before. 

Season 1 of Quantum Leap certainly had flaws and took a while (although not too long, wink-wink) to find its footing. The series struggled to strike a balance between narrative momentum, worldbuilding, and character development. Thankfully, the back half of the season showed great promise, tapping into that potential we could see from the jump. 

“This Took Too Long!” capitalizes on the plot movement established in the Season 1 finale and sets the stage for a second season with an even stronger story to tell. While there’s undoubtedly a desire to see this team bring Sam Beckett home, we’ve grown attached to this crop of characters, and they can carry the narrative on their own. 

It’s also fun to immediately throw Ben to the wolves right out of the gate. We’ve never seen him discover the reason for a leap/save the day without Addison and Ziggy by his side. It ups the stakes for Ben while creating unexpectedly funny moments. Raymond Lee is a consistent bright spot in this series, a reliable talent who deftly steers the ship. “This Took Too Long!” allows him to flex his comedic muscles. 

Lee garners plenty of laughs as Ben navigates a landmine (sorry) of pop culture references that are as out of time as he is. Have we ever been this close to those around Ben discovering he’s not who he’s pretending to be? Again, this ratchets up the tension in more ways than one, making it an entertaining watch. 

Besides Lee’s delightful comedic timing, this episode boasts one of the show’s best guest roster in a minute. Melissa Roxburgh, François Arnaud, P.J. Byrne, and Aaron Abrams are an excellent support system for Lee. Roxburgh and Arnaud, in particular, deliver moving performances that are surprisingly nuanced for their limited screen time. 

Meanwhile, Byrne and Abrams establish a brotherly rapport and humorous dynamic that injects the episode with levity. The running gag about Enock’s unknown “betrayal” is a delight. All in all, this supporting cast is unforgettable. Despite the narrative unlikelihood, reuniting with this group at some point would be fun. 

“This Took Too Long!” culminates in an exciting reveal, wherein we learn three years have passed since the Season 1 finale, and Project Quantum Leap has been shuttered. This proves to be rejuvenating for the series, injecting new life into the story and giving us a taste of things to come. The return of Ben’s memories also means we’ll hopefully get more fun flashback scenes that fill in the blanks. 

Overall, Quantum Leap hits the ground running with “This Took Too Long!” While we don’t spend much time with the rest of the main cast, and it’s not quite as heartfelt as other outings, the season premiere is equal parts lighthearted comedy and propulsive action. It’s a great showcase for Raymond Lee and the rock-solid guest cast. Plus, it introduces new loose threads for audiences to unravel. 

Stray Observations: 

• Oh, hey, it’s the famed director of Dawn of the Seven, Adam Bourke! (P.J. Byrne, aka Enock, plays this character on The Boys.)
• Melissa Roxburgh + plane disasters = a recipe for small-screen success. 
• I know this is network TV, and everything’s supposed to look glossy and perfect, but I would’ve appreciated more realism regarding character appearances post-crash. Everyone appears a little too put together, considering they emerged from a plane in fire-engulfed pieces. 
• Perhaps this stems from a lack of biological knowledge, but something tells me one wouldn’t be walking as easily as Enock after having 1,000ish pounds of material sitting on their leg. Maybe adrenaline or survival mode is a factor. However, his limp improves throughout the episode, which is strange. 
• You really have to suspend disbelief in this episode. As much as I enjoyed it, their location/terrain looks nothing like Russia (at least based on what I’ve seen), even its green areas. 
• Ben’s perpetual positivity is as infectious as it is adorable. 

What did you think of this episode of Quantum Leap? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Quantum Leap airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.

 Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

15 Most Binge-Worthy Shows of 2023 (So Far!)