NBC has brought a sci-fi classic to a whole new generation through the Quantum Leap reboot, which has already become a huge hit since its debut last fall. The series has remixed some elements of the franchise’s canon in some unexpected ways – and it looks like that includes dropping a staple of the original series. In a new interview with TVLine, Quantum Leap writer, actor and director Shakina Nayfack flatly revealed that the waiting room does not exist in the new incarnation. Apparently, those Ben Song (Raymond Lee) jumps on experience gaps in time, rather than entering a literal waiting room.
“I think the waiting room is dead,” Nayfack explained. “I think it’s the waiting room Quantum Leap of the 1980s and 1990s, and we have a different way of expressing where the Leap Host is going on the jump.”
What’s the new Quantum Leap about?
In the new quantum leap, it’s been almost 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett got into the Quantum Leap accelerator and disappeared. Now a new team led by physicist Ben Song (Raymond Lee) has been assembled to reboot the project in hopes of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it. However, everything changes when Ben takes an unauthorized leap into the past, leaving the team to solve the mystery of why he did it. By Ben’s side during his jumps is Addison (Caitlin Bassett), who appears in the form of a hologram that only Ben can see and hear. She is a decorated army veteran who brings down-to-earth precision to her work.
At the helm of the highly confidential operation is Herbert “Magic” Williams (Ernie Hudson), a no-nonsense career soldier who must answer to his bosses who won’t be happy when they hear about the breach of protocol. The rest of the team at HQ consists of Ian Wright (Mason Alexander Park), who heads up the “Ziggy” artificial intelligence unit, and Jenn Chou (Nanrisa Lee), who heads up the project’s digital security. As Ben jumps from life to life to right what once went wrong, it becomes clear that he and the team are on an exciting journey. However, Addison, Magic, Ian and Jenn know that if they want to solve the mystery of Ben’s jump and bring him home, they must act quickly or lose him forever.
How do you feel about the Waiting Room not being part of the Quantum Leap revival? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Quantum Leap airs Mondays on NBC.
