Quantum Leap (s01e08)

Camikazi Kid

by Paul Brown, directed by Alan J. Levi

Release: 10 May 1989
Format: TV Episode
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adults
Content: Definite Time Travel
Original Language: English

It seeems that the only way Sam can fulfill his mission of stopping 17-year-old Cam Wilson’s older sister from marrying shithead Bob is to race Bob “for pinks” in hopes that Bob will lose his cool and show his true self, but that’ll only work if Sam (as Cam) and his buddy Jill can soup up Cam’s pink mommobile with a blast of nitrous oxide at exactly the right moment of the race.

— Michael Main

Older Brother: Come on, Mikey, we gotta rehearse.

Mikey: [waving] Bye-bye!

DEBUT

Quantum Leap (s01e08), “Camikazi Kid” (NBC-TV, USA, 10 May 1989).

VARIANTS

1 English variant

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Time Periods

Circa AD 1960 to 1969: starting on 6 June 1961

Time Travel Methods

Time Tethers: with an uncooperative retrieval mechanism

Themes

Anachronistic Music, Dance, and Other Creations: Sam teaches the Moonwalk to Michael Jackson.
Ex Nihilo Obects and People: Sam shows the moonwalk to young Michael Jackson. Never mind that Jackson would have been just under three years old at this time.
Identity Illusion
Incorporeal Traveler: Al
Touched by a Time Traveler: Sam’s touch affects Cams older sister, Cheryl, as well as Cam and his buddy Jill.

Real-World Tags

JFK: Referred to in photos and discussions of the Peace Corps.
Michael Jackson

Groupings

Leave It to Beaver (TV series): The episode “Eddie’s Double Cross” is on TV in the background.
Quantum Leap (TV series)
Quantum Leap (franchise)

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

From sitting at the lunch counter in Patty’s Cafe in Rigada, Alabama, 10 August 1955 ⋙ to San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles, 6 June 1961. Note: into Cam Wilson, the 17-year-old younger brother of Cheryl.
From Los Angeles airport, later in June 1961 ⋙ to New York City, 14 April 1953. Note: into Nick Allen, private eye.
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.