Unsatisfying finale

‘Quantum Leap’ ended with the Season 5 episode ‘Mirror Image’ in 1993, but that wasn’t always going to be the case.

Whilst the producers were aware that the show was verging on the edge of cancellation, its fate was unknown during the making of Season 5. As the programme’s continuation was very much up in the air, the producers opted to write the episode as open-ended as possible, with the hopes that the show would be renewed for a sixth season.

As such, Sam Beckett was sent far into the future, with the idea being that Admiral Al Calavicci would leap forwards in time to rescue him.

Sadly, the programme was cancelled, and so ‘Mirror Image’ ended with the card: “Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home."

The cast were very dissatisfied with the ending, as were the producers and fans across the world.

Reflecting on the ending, main star Scott Bakula insisted the ending wasn’t as bad as people interpreted it as.

He said: "I think it’s a beautiful ending. It was challenging, it was difficult, but I think it was the only answer. I like it. I like that Sam’s out there, and I like that Al got to make his life right.”