Quantum Leap (s01e05)

How the Tess Was Won

by Deborah Arakelian, directed by Ivan Dixon

Release: 14 April 1989
Format: TV Episode
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adults
Content: Definite Time Travel
Original Language: English

Sam leaps into Doc Young, DVM, back in 1956 Lubbock, Texas, where it seems his purpose is to out-rope, out-ride, and out-posthole-dig cowgirl Tess McGill in an effort to win her heart.

— Michael Main

You can’t expect me to do this and not get involved. So if Tess falls in love with Doc, I’d appreciate it if you just leap me outta here as soon as possible.

DEBUT

Quantum Leap (s01e05), “How the Tess Was Won” (NBC-TV, USA, 14 April 1989).

VARIANTS

1 English variant

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Time Periods

Circa AD 1950 to 1959: destination date

Time Travel Methods

Time Tethers: with an uncooperative retrieval mechanism

Themes

Animals or Small Children Sense Time Travelers
Artist Paradox: Exactly who came up with the name of that song?
Identity Illusion
Incorporeal Traveler: Al
Touched by a Time Traveler: Even Al isn’t sure whether Sam is there to fix Tess.

Real-World Tags

Buddy Holly

Groupings

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

From a locker room at a Sacramento boxing arena, 29 October 1974 ⋙ to a pig sty near Lubbock, Texas, 5 August 1956. Note: into Dr. Daniel Young, DVM.
From Doc Young’s porch in Lubbock, Texas, mid-August 1956 ⋙ to Don Geno’s attic, Brooklyn, New York, 8 November 1965. Note: into gangster Frankie LaPalma.
From the imaging chamber at the project lab, New Mexico desert, circa 1996 ⋙ to various locations and times in the episode at an unknown time. Multiple round trips. Note: Al’s hologram.