#552840
Miss Deep South
Leap Date: June 7, 1958
Written by: Tommy Thompson
Directed by: Christopher T. Welch
Original Air Date: November 2, 1990
This time: Sam leaps onto a bus as Miss Sugar Belle. At the winner of the 35th Miss Deep South Pageant, Sam gets some tips from Pageant Director Peg Myers, a veteran of several beauty pageants including Miss Southern Belle. He also literally runs into fellow contestant Connie, a fresh face at pageants who could not let the opportunity pass her up. They are met by Clint Beaumont, pageant photographer, who takes a bit of a liking to Connie that goes slightly beyond professional.
As it turns out, Sam and Connie will be roommates. Connie shares that she hopes to go to Hollywood with her winnings, something Beaumont can might help her with. Al arrives and says that not only will Connie not win, she will not even finish. She disappears and is never heard from again.
After a rehearsal, Connie goes off to talk to Beaumont. Per Al, Beaumont will take some illicit pictures which will embarrass Connie. Sam believes that if he is by her side, he can make sure Connie is all right. Al mentions that Darlene, the leapee, used the money she won to become a cardiologist which means that Sam must do well in the pageant and come in at least third.
Coming back from an interview, Sam finds Connie and determines that Beaumont has already taken the pictures. There is still time to convince him to get rid of them. At the swimsuit photo shoot, Sam confronts Beaumont and gives the evidence to Myers. She will look at the pictures, but due to regulations, the person on film will be disqualified.
Myers keeps Beaumont, since she can not get another photographer last minute, and removes Connie from the roster. It turns out Beaumont took pictures of her back in the day. Sam confronts Beaumont and gets the compromising film. Beaumont is fired and Connie is reinstated.
Wondering why he has not leapt, Al says that Sam is a solid fourth which will not do the trick. He performs Great Balls of Fire for the talent competition to the amazement of the crowd and the confoundment of the judges. Sam winds up winning! He leaps …
… into a comfortable position with a girl. Three guys approach the couple to make some trouble.
Only Sam can see and hear: Al shows up at the orientation which causes undue attention towards Sam. One wonders if they could have waited like five minutes or something to talk privately.
Mirror images that were not his own: After getting a lesson in walking (which he does not excel at) Sam sees Darlene Monte in the hotel lobby mirror. Lots of mirrors in the hotel room get duty this episode. With a total of five shots this is a record so far.
Brush with history: Jerry Lee Lewis is appearing at the hotel next week. Though the sign prominently displays June 24, the leap date of the episode is June 7.
Something or someone: Despite doing what it takes to win, Sam gets to hang around to be crowned the thirty-fifth Miss Deep South.
Let’s up the rating: Sam changes out of his talent show outfit.
One more time: “The bus leaves in ten minutes.” “So you’ll take the next one.”
Sam convincing Connie to stay.
Trivial Matter: Tony Dow and Jerry Matthers show up archival footage from Leave it to Beaver. Back then, shows had longer seasons and there was a new episode airing in July.
Put right what once went wrong: “Didn’t anyone ever teach you the proper way to walk?” “Was I doing it wrong?” “Not if you’re planning on becoming a truck driver.” Most episodes of Quantum Leap have had a singular goal. Solve a murder. Help this person. Sure, there are side paths her and there, but they are all in effort to an overall goal. It is refreshing here to have two goals with little overlap.
The pageant is a fun piece to have on display. There are laughs but there are also familiar trappings like a judge a little too eager to get measurements, talent that is questionable and a total bitch who hides the fact that she is disgusted at not winning. Although little more than glorified window dressing, these come across fairly well. Bakula plays the comedy but surely someone who is a martial artist and singer will be able to do basic choreography.
That does not distract from the sleaze ball Beaumont. The show gets all credit in the world for showing the aftereffects including Myers going along with it up to a point. It is great when she puts her foot down and while there is some sympathy for Beaumont as Sam hangs him out the window, the acting and writing are spot on. As amazing as the climax is, it is worth noting that we see the effects on Connie. She feels dirty and hops right in the shower crying and Sam is the only one who can comfort her. As much as we are supposed to feel ire towards Beaumont, Connie gets a lot of sympathy.
I would be remiss for not mentioning Darlene’s mother. She appears as little more than a glorified cameo at the start of the episode to set the stage but is ebullient at her daughter’s accomplishments. Also, Al is surprisingly subdued, considering. He likes the pageant but does not take things too far. He is an advocate of Connie and it is refreshing to see him in that role. The scenes with Sam and Connie are great at building a true friendship and it is great to see the two bonding above and beyond the pageantry. It certainly helps that the first meeting of their characters was in this episode, but it is played beautifully.
Leap Date: June 7, 1958
Written by: Tommy Thompson
Directed by: Christopher T. Welch
Original Air Date: November 2, 1990
This time: Sam leaps onto a bus as Miss Sugar Belle. At the winner of the 35th Miss Deep South Pageant, Sam gets some tips from Pageant Director Peg Myers, a veteran of several beauty pageants including Miss Southern Belle. He also literally runs into fellow contestant Connie, a fresh face at pageants who could not let the opportunity pass her up. They are met by Clint Beaumont, pageant photographer, who takes a bit of a liking to Connie that goes slightly beyond professional.
As it turns out, Sam and Connie will be roommates. Connie shares that she hopes to go to Hollywood with her winnings, something Beaumont can might help her with. Al arrives and says that not only will Connie not win, she will not even finish. She disappears and is never heard from again.
After a rehearsal, Connie goes off to talk to Beaumont. Per Al, Beaumont will take some illicit pictures which will embarrass Connie. Sam believes that if he is by her side, he can make sure Connie is all right. Al mentions that Darlene, the leapee, used the money she won to become a cardiologist which means that Sam must do well in the pageant and come in at least third.
Coming back from an interview, Sam finds Connie and determines that Beaumont has already taken the pictures. There is still time to convince him to get rid of them. At the swimsuit photo shoot, Sam confronts Beaumont and gives the evidence to Myers. She will look at the pictures, but due to regulations, the person on film will be disqualified.
Myers keeps Beaumont, since she can not get another photographer last minute, and removes Connie from the roster. It turns out Beaumont took pictures of her back in the day. Sam confronts Beaumont and gets the compromising film. Beaumont is fired and Connie is reinstated.
Wondering why he has not leapt, Al says that Sam is a solid fourth which will not do the trick. He performs Great Balls of Fire for the talent competition to the amazement of the crowd and the confoundment of the judges. Sam winds up winning! He leaps …
… into a comfortable position with a girl. Three guys approach the couple to make some trouble.
Only Sam can see and hear: Al shows up at the orientation which causes undue attention towards Sam. One wonders if they could have waited like five minutes or something to talk privately.
Mirror images that were not his own: After getting a lesson in walking (which he does not excel at) Sam sees Darlene Monte in the hotel lobby mirror. Lots of mirrors in the hotel room get duty this episode. With a total of five shots this is a record so far.
Brush with history: Jerry Lee Lewis is appearing at the hotel next week. Though the sign prominently displays June 24, the leap date of the episode is June 7.
Something or someone: Despite doing what it takes to win, Sam gets to hang around to be crowned the thirty-fifth Miss Deep South.
Let’s up the rating: Sam changes out of his talent show outfit.
One more time: “The bus leaves in ten minutes.” “So you’ll take the next one.”
Sam convincing Connie to stay.
Trivial Matter: Tony Dow and Jerry Matthers show up archival footage from Leave it to Beaver. Back then, shows had longer seasons and there was a new episode airing in July.
Put right what once went wrong: “Didn’t anyone ever teach you the proper way to walk?” “Was I doing it wrong?” “Not if you’re planning on becoming a truck driver.” Most episodes of Quantum Leap have had a singular goal. Solve a murder. Help this person. Sure, there are side paths her and there, but they are all in effort to an overall goal. It is refreshing here to have two goals with little overlap.
The pageant is a fun piece to have on display. There are laughs but there are also familiar trappings like a judge a little too eager to get measurements, talent that is questionable and a total bitch who hides the fact that she is disgusted at not winning. Although little more than glorified window dressing, these come across fairly well. Bakula plays the comedy but surely someone who is a martial artist and singer will be able to do basic choreography.
That does not distract from the sleaze ball Beaumont. The show gets all credit in the world for showing the aftereffects including Myers going along with it up to a point. It is great when she puts her foot down and while there is some sympathy for Beaumont as Sam hangs him out the window, the acting and writing are spot on. As amazing as the climax is, it is worth noting that we see the effects on Connie. She feels dirty and hops right in the shower crying and Sam is the only one who can comfort her. As much as we are supposed to feel ire towards Beaumont, Connie gets a lot of sympathy.
I would be remiss for not mentioning Darlene’s mother. She appears as little more than a glorified cameo at the start of the episode to set the stage but is ebullient at her daughter’s accomplishments. Also, Al is surprisingly subdued, considering. He likes the pageant but does not take things too far. He is an advocate of Connie and it is refreshing to see him in that role. The scenes with Sam and Connie are great at building a true friendship and it is great to see the two bonding above and beyond the pageantry. It certainly helps that the first meeting of their characters was in this episode, but it is played beautifully.
New places for old(er) keywords: Continuing Mission
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