This article contains spoilers for Quantum Leap episode 7.Quantum Leap may be a classic science-fiction TV series, but the Devil is actually real in that universe. It’s easy to forget that Quantum Leap has always been tinged with the supernatural; in fact, Sam Beckett believed Quantum Leap‘s unpredictable time travel was controlled by God Himself. The original series’ cliffhanger ending even saw Sam encounter the mysterious being behind his leaps, and it was indeed strongly implied this was God.
The Devil, too, is real in Quantum Leap. This was confirmed in the season 3 episode “The Boogieman,” in which Sam leaped into the body of a horror novelist in 1964 (later revealed to be the young Steven King). In this episode, Sam found himself struggling against a mysterious force – ultimately revealed to be the Devil – that was able to disguise itself as other people, even taking the form of Al to deliberately mislead him. Later, in season 5, Sam encountered a group known as the “Evil Leapers.” An inversion of the Quantum Leap project, they were tasked with traveling through history and ensuring things worked out for the worst; they leaped in a shimmer of red light, reminiscent of the energy that surrounded the evil Al from season 3 on occasion. Given Sam believed he was working for God, it is logical to assume the Evil Leapers were working for the Devil.
NBC’s Halloween Quantum Leap Episode Doesn’t Actually Feature The Devil
NBC’s Quantum Leap episode 7 deliberately set up the return of the Devil, with a repeated gag from “The Boogieman” – the door-number on a house flipping, turning 669 into 666, the number of the beast in the biblical Book of Revelation. That turned out to be misdirection, however, because Ben discovered he was actually dealing with a flesh-and-blood human being who was taking advantage of devout faith to conceal a sophisticated murder. Quantum Leap hadn’t brought back the Devil after all, instead subverting viewer expectations.
Quantum Leap Still Alluded To The Supernatural, However
Ben still found his own beliefs challenged by the events of Quantum Leap episode 7, however. He only discovered the truth after a mystical experience in which he interacted with Addison; although this seemed to be only in his own mind, it’s notable that this version of Addison gave him enough hints to figure out what was really going on. The scene is styled in a beautiful white, perhaps hinting at an encounter with an angel.
Quantum Leap episode 7 also reminded viewers that Sam Beckett believed he was on a mission from God. Although this can easily be forgotten, it’s important to remember Quantum Leap‘s cliffhanger ending saw Sam actually encounter this being, thus implying he was correct. This angelic vision perhaps implies Ben Song has inherited Sam’s mission as an agent who puts history right, and if so it’s entirely possible he will indeed come up against the Devil as Quantum Leap continues.
Episodes of Quantum Leap release on NBC on Mondays at 10 PM ET. Episodes are available for exclusive streaming on Peacock the next day.
