Quantum Leap Season 2 Episode 9 Review: Off the Cuff

Quantum Leap Season 2 Episode 9, “Off the Cuff,” finds the team scrambling to bring Ben home while Addison deals with complicated feelings. It’s a serviceable return after a month-and-a-half-long hiatus. That said, the series somewhat struggles under the weight of all the narrative balls it’s juggling. 

Ah, Love 

“Off the Cuff” shines the brightest during the Ben and Hannah scenes. Raymond Lee and Eliza Taylor’s chemistry is palpable and earnest. There’s something inherently pure about burgeoning love, and Taylor and Lee are so convincing in these roles. You can’t help but root for Hannah and Ben to succeed. 

David Clayton Rogers is also a memorable guest star as the loquacious, self-serving Kevin. He injects layers into his performance along with a natural charm and easygoing energy. Yes, he’s part of another bounty hunter storyline, but this one presents a slight twist. 

We get to watch Ben butt heads with someone who seems less than redeemable. The majority of his leaps consist of Ben attempting to help good people. At face value, Kevin has a kind heart. It’s a valuable lesson in empathy and understanding that those who hurt others are usually hurting themselves. 

It would’ve been fun for Ben to conclude that the purpose of this leap is to reunite Kevin with his brother Josh. However, Addison drops this information into his lap. There’s a lot of narrative play involved in letting Ben take the reins of his own leaps. We saw that in action in the ridiculously fun season premiere, “This Took Too Long!” when Ben was alone. 

The Addison of It All 

As for the HQ storyline, it’s nice to see momentum on that front. That said, Addison’s scene with Magic in “Off the Cuff” is a tad repetitive — we’ve seen this song and dance multiple times on Quantum Leap — and, once again, reduces Magic to the sagacious older man who only pops in with a few pearls of wisdom before vanishing into the ether. 

Magic deserves more. The great Ernie Hudson deserves more. All that aside, Addison is taking a crucial step toward her future, and it’s wonderful to witness her growth. There’s no denying she’s had a rough go of it of late, but the writing has shoehorned her into a rut, and it’s not serving her. 

That’s what makes her engagement to Tom a breath of fresh air. Of course, she’s capable of growth without a romantic partner, but it requires courage to make significant life decisions. It takes jumping off a cliff in the pitch black of night and knowing you’ll land on solid ground. If Ben can move on with Hannah, why can’t Addison take that next step with a man who loves her? 

Relationships

“Off the Cuff” digs deep into the relationships of our two leads. While Addison and Tom are more stable and grounded, which both desperately need, Ben and Hannah’s bond feels like the heady hopefulness of a first romance. There’s also the star-crossed element of, you know, existing in different times and Ben perpetually hopping between decades. 

Since Ben has declared that he’s only moving forward, it seems the accelerator is literally pushing him forward in time to places where Hannah resides. Could we see a 40-something Hannah in the 1980s? A 50-something Hannah in the ’90s? The further apart they get in age, the more heartbreaking their story becomes. Would Quantum Leap be so cruel as to present us with a Hannah deathbed scene with Ben by her side? (Hopefully, not.)

Off the Cuff 

There might be a way to pluck her from the timestream, like Ben, and plop her in 2026 as the QL team scrambles to bring Ben home. If anyone can sort through all that code, it’s Ian. They’re a genius. Fingers crossed, the team finds a way to make Hannah a permanent fixture instead of a potentially tragic footnote in Ben’s story. 

“Off the Cuff” is a solid return with a few narrative bumps, but in true fashion, there’s plenty to love. Here’s hoping the coming episodes find more of a balance between the two major plotlines. 

Stray Observations: 

• David Clayton Rogers gives off Paul Rudd vibes in this role. More specifically, he emits Paul-Rudd-as-Scott-Lang vibes. I don’t make the rules (and I don’t enforce them). 
• I want to hear the rest of Jenn’s story! You know, the one she starts telling after Ian asks how she’d feel in Addison’s situation. Jenn probably has an arsenal full of fantastic stories. 
• Hannah’s hair is very close to God in this episode. 
• Is there anything more of a hindrance to making out with your lady than her husband standing behind her?
• I like Tom. I legitimately tried hating him, but to no avail. He’s a Good Guy™.
• Kevin hasn’t seen A Christmas Story enough times. If he sticks around for another 17 years, he can start watching it on TV. 
• More Jenn, Ian, and Magic, please, and thank you. 
• “Off the cuff” is the perfect description for Ben’s leaping in general. He’s usually very unprepared when he first leaps into someone. 

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

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Quantum Leap airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.

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