I’m a huge fan of Quantum Leap, so I was incredibly excited to have the chance to chat with series stars Ernie Hudson (Herbert “Magic” Williams), Mason Alexander Park (Ian Wright), and Nanrisa Lee (Jenn Chu) about what the rest of the show’s second season has in store. The cast was every bit as excited about the show (and even more charming) as one would expect, and their enthusiasm is nothing less than infectious.
My first question had to be about team leader’s Magic’s struggle with alcoholism following Ben’s (Raymond Lee) presumed death at the end of the first season. Ben’s loss impacted each character differently, and Magic’s personal battle has impacted the way he relates to the team, both as a leader and a friend.
Hudson recognizes that Magic’s relationship with the team has evolved over the course of the show. “As much as they rely on him, he really, really relies on them.” However, Hudson acknowledges that Magic’s struggle hasn’t changed his purpose. “He sees himself as much more vulnerable than he ever as before, but he’s determined to see this through and get Ben back.”
To-date, fans haven’t had as much of a chance to explore the impact Ben’s “death” had on team members Ian and Jenn. They’ve been rather preoccupied with the computer chip subplot that opened a back door into Ziggy. For undoubtedly nefarious purposes. Will we get a chance to explore this emotional impact more fully? The answer for both characters is essentially, “Maybe.”
Let’s be honest: Jenn isn’t exactly the best at embracing her emotions. Or, as Lee puts it, “I don’t know that feelings are ever her first priority.” Of course, that isn’t to say that she isn’t emotional. We all know she’s a hard shell around a soft, gooey center. A center she protects fiercely.
Lee explains, “I really don’t know if we’ll see her falling part. … Because of the way she learned to be extremely independent from a young age, I would not be surprised if Jenn just boxes that up real neat, and you just shove it down, and you keep moving forward.”
As for Ian, they’re rather…preoccupied at the moment, making sure the computer chip subplot “doesn’t come back to bite them in the tush.” Though the support of their friends and team members helps.
There’s no question that Ian is a fan favorite character, with fans eager to see each week not only what they’re up to but also what they’re wearing. (Do they have the best style on the show? Maybe.) I had to ask Park what we could expect to see of their character in the future, outside of the computer chip plot.
Sadly (for me), they didn’t fall into my ‘give me some show spoilers’ trap. But that isn’t to say they didn’t give cause to be excited about what the future has in store, teasing, “This show is just headed in such a great direction … if anyone is a fan particularly of any of the people on the show … they’re going to be really well-fed as the series continues.”
And now that Addison (Caitlin Bassett) is resuming her position as Ben’s support hologram, does that mean that the rest of the team will no longer take their turns in the imaging chamber? Not necessarily. Or, at least, we’ll likely continue to see the team step outside of their normal roles. “… [t]he show has … created an interest in what these people are doing outside of just work alone.”
Park talked about the future, but Lee took a moment to discuss the past. Specifically, Jenn’s past, which is still shrouded in a hint of mystery. There’s no question that there’s more to Jenn than meets the eye. There’s also more than we’ve gotten to see. Will we ever get to see more about what made Jenn into the person she is today?
Lee would love to see it, but there’s admittedly a lot going on in the Quantum Leap world.
“Functionally … as much as I’d like to make it all about Jenn, you have a finite amount of time.” Though she also admits that mystery is a big part of Jenn’s character, and maybe she even likes having that air of mystery about her. So while she’d like to explore a little more of that, Lee herself doesn’t necessarily want to show too much about her past. She’s more interested in seeing how Jenn evolves in the future, thanks to her relationship with the team.
Speaking of how past meets future, I grew up on Ghostbusters. Like that movie, Quantum Leap is the kind of show that families will watch together and children will grow up with. I had to ask Hudson what it’s like to have such a multigenerational impact, as an actor. It’s something he doesn’t take lightly. Or for granted.
“It’s nice that families, to have something where we can all come together. Unfortunately we’re at a time where there’s not a lot of things that we can all come together on with our families, our children, our parents … Quantum Leap is one of those shows that crosses generations.”
As my interview wound down, I asked the cast what they would like to see for the future of their characters. If they could see their characters do anything, would would it be? Would they want to see their characters take a turn as a Leaper? Would they want to see Jenn or Ian shake down the CIA? And is there a chance Magic will ever pass the leadership baton to another member of the team? (Because, honestly, they get themselves into enough trouble, it has to be exhausting to always be the one getting them out of it.)
In short, “Anything is possible.” Particularly from Magic. Not that we’d want to see him step down for good, of course. But, who knows? It might be fun to see Ian and Jenn scrambling to keep the ship afloat in Magic’s esteemed absence! (I can’t be the only one who thinks that would be hilarious, right?)
And what would Lee like to see? She’d love to see Ben get himself into the kind of trouble that only Jenn could get him out of. “…[t]hat’s the exciting thing about more people come into the imaging chamber,” after all.
So what is it fans want to see most on the show? That’s easy, and the cast knows it: We want to see Ian and Ben’s teased-but-never-shown Under Pressure duet. As to whether or not such a scene is ever in the cards? Well…I’ll let them answer that for themselves.
Yes, please. Sign me up. And while I can’t speak for anyone else, after my chat with the cast, the rest of Quantum Leap‘s second season can’t come soon enough.
