Catch A Falling Star was the tenth episode of Season 2 of Quantum Leap, also the 19th overall series episode. Written by Paul Brown, the episode, which was directed by series creator Donald P. Bellisario, originally aired on NBC-TV on December 6, 1989.
Summary[]
Sam leaps just seconds before curtain time, into Ray Hutton (played by Michael Carl), the understudy to an alcoholic actor in the role of Don Quixote, on a way-off-Broadway production of Man of La Mancha. He must prevent the obnoxious actor from ending his career with a drunken fall on stage that breaks his leg. The situation is further complicated when Sam decides he does not want to leap after meeting his old piano teacher, whom he had a boyhood crush on- and who is in love with Sam's host.
Plot[]
Nothing could be more nerve-wracking than being an actor in the theater. Unless, of course, you are Sam Beckett, and leap in a minute before you are supposed to take the stage as Don Quixote in a Syracuse production of “Man of La Mancha”. Luckily, his host, Ray Hutton, is only the understudy to John O’Malley (played by John Cullum), who arrives at the last moment, drunk, but still able to act. John taking the stage causes a wave of sympathy to hit Sam from the crew for not being able to perform, but a very relieved Sam is joined by Al and they watch the play from backstage.
Al has very fond memories of joining the theater after having left the orphanage, and has a great time reminiscing. He tells Sam that he is there to keep John from getting so drunk that he falls off the balcony at the next performance in three days, breaking his leg and ruining his career. Sam worries that he will not get John sober in time and that he'll have to perform. Al tells him not to worry, Syracuse is a long way from Broadway, and with Sam's photographic memory and singing talent, he'll make it and he can not pass up the chance to be a star.
Backstage, Sam recognizes a woman from his past, Nicole (played by Michele Pawk), who was his piano teacher as a teenager and the first woman he ever loved. She left him when he was fifteen to go to Julliard. He thinks she recognizes him, but during their warm greeting she had clearly recognized his host Ray, who is an old friend of hers. Nicole reveals that she has been cast as an understudy for the role of Dulcinea. Sam and Nicole are interrupted by John, who is immediately smitten with Nicole and invites her to the after-party.
At the after party, John makes a spectacle of himself, singing about going to the bar, and introduces Nicole as “the new Dulcinea”, infuriating Michelle (played by Janine Turner), who normally has that role. Sam is sent to the bar by John to get drinks. Sam tries to convince John that he has had enough, but the suggestion is laughed off. At the bar, Michelle tries to get Sam to come upstairs with her, but he rejects her advances. When he returns to Nicole, Sam finds that John has passed out, and so is removed.
Nicole takes Sam to her home, where they talk and reminisce (or rather, Nicole reminisces while Sam pretends to). Sam sits down at the piano and plays a scale that reminds Nicole of a student (him). Sam reveals that he had a crush on his piano teacher. Nicole finds this adorable and says that Ray must have a thing for piano teachers. It's clear that Ray and Nicole have a romantic past, and although Sam warns her that he's not the same Ray she fell in love with, she says that she's changed over the years too, but her feelings have not, and they kiss.
At the rehearsal the next day, Al arrives with a copy of the script of “Man of La Mancha” that only Sam is allowed to see. Al becomes suspicious as Sam reads the lines with great passion, as they accurately reflect his feelings for Nicole. Nicole also reads beautifully and sings "What Does He Want Of Me" flawlessly. Sam and Nicole are both praised by John, who arrives late and immediately asks that Nicole take the role of Dulcinea in the next show, to which the producer agrees. Sam explains to Al that he will not stop John from his accident because he is in love with Nicole and if he stops John from breaking his leg, it would mean he would leap and have to leave her.
Michelle, angry at being rejected by Sam and now losing her role, plots revenge against Nicole. She lures her co-star Manny into helping her with the promise of sex (he had been trying to woo Nicole for some time). That night, they make it look like Nicole has returned to John's house overnight, which infuriates Sam. The next day, he ignores and snubs Nicole, which angers her, and tells Al that he still will not help John after "what he did" and tells John to "break a leg". Manny feels guilty and tells Sam the truth before the show. As a result, he changes his mind at the last minute and Sam catches John as he falls, preventing any injury. John decides he can not perform and Sam has to go on. He gives a brilliant performance, offering him a last-minute opportunity to reconcile with Nicole. When Sam reaches the top of the stairs, on the last note of "The Impossible Dream", Sam leaps.
"Catch A Falling Star" Full Cast & Crew[]
- Donald P. Bellisario - Writer/Director
- Paul Brown - Writer
Cast (in credits order)[]
- Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett
- Dean Stockwell as Admiral Al Calavicci
- John Cullum as John O'Malley / Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote
- Michele Pawk as Nicole / Aldonza / Dulcinea
- Janine Turner as Michelle
- Ernie Sabella as Manny / Sancho Panza
- Paul Sand as Charlie
- Myra Turley as Dolores
- Maria Lauren as Anita
- Michael Carl as Ray Hutton
- Marshall Borden as Dr. Carrasco (in 'Man of La Mancha')
- Rand Hopkins as Pedro (in 'Man of La Mancha')
- Michael DeMarlo as Muleteer (in 'Man of La Mancha')
- Jay Horton as Muleteer (in 'Man of La Mancha')
- Jon Huffman as Innkeeper
- Dafidd McCracken as 3rd Muleteer
- Ruth Miller as Housekeeper (in 'Man of La Mancha')
- Sam Rapp as 4th Muleteer (in 'Man of La Mancha')
- Deborah Pratt as Narrator (uncredited)
Production team[]
- David Bellisario - Associate Producer
- Donald P. Bellisario - Executive Producer / Series creator
- Paul M. Belous - Supervising Producer
- Paul Brown - Co-Producer
- Jeff Gourson - Co-Producer
- Deborah Pratt - Supervising Producer
- Chris Ruppenthal - Co-Producer
- Harker Wade - Producer
- Robert A. Wolterstorff - Supervising Producer
Music Department[]
- Velton Ray Bunch - Music
- Jerry Grant - Music
- Mike Post - Composer/Theme Music
Cinematography[]
- Michael Watkins - Director of Photography
Film Editing[]
- Gary Griffin - Film editor (as Gary Griffen)
Casting By[]
- Ellen Lubin Sanitsky - Casting director
Production Design[]
- Cameron Birnie - Production designer
Art Direction[]
- Peg McClellan - Art Director
Set Decoration[]
- Robert L. Zilliox - Set Decorator
Costume Design[]
- Jean-Pierre Dorléac - Costume designer (as Jean-Pierre Dorleac)
Production Management[]
- Ronald R. Grow - Unit Production Manager (as Ron Grow)
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director[]
- Robert Brooks Mendel - Second Assistant Director (as Rob Mendel)
- Paul Sirmons - First Assistant Director
Sound Department[]
- Paul B. Clay - Supervising Sound Editor (as Paul Clay)
- Mark Hopkins McNabb - Sound Mixer
Stunts[]
- Diamond Farnsworth - Stunt Coordinator
Camera and Electrical Department[]
- Mark Abbott - Gaffer
- Peter Gulla - Assistant Camera
- Ed Nielsen - Camera Operator
Costume and Wardrobe Department[]
- David Rawley - Costume Supervisor
- Donna Roberts - Costume Supervisor (as Donna Roberts-Orme)
Music Department[]
- Tom Boyd - Oboe Soloist
- Tom Gleason - Music Editor
Transportation Department[]
- Dennis Junt - Transportation Co-Captain
Other crew[]
- Winnie Rich - Script Supervisor
- Dale Wasserman - Writer: 'Man of La Mancha' dialogue
Music[]
- The Man Of La Mancha
- Dulcinea
- What Does He Want Of Me
- The Impossible Dream
Podcast[]
http://quantumleappodcast.com/episodes/season-two/018-catch-a-falling-star/
Quantum Leap Revisited - Catch a Falling Star