Return of the Evil Leaper – Episode 91

Return of the Evil Leaper was the sixteenth episode of Quantum Leap’s fifth season to air, with Sam leaping into a crusading student with a subconscious deathwish. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the rules.



Sam leaps into Arnold Watkins, a student on a mission to protect innocents following the murders of his parents when he was a child. In his sights are the fraternity initiations conducted by Mike Hammond (Neil Patrick Harris), his friend Frank (Bojesse Christopher) and their cohorts, specifically the initiation of Sam’s roommate, Jack (Paul Sherrer).


Eventually Sam realises that the ‘Evil Leaper’, Alia (Renée Coleman), is also active in the college and makes a pact with her to try and extract her from the control of Lothos and Zoey (Carolyn Seymour). Meanwhile, in 1999, Al tries to persuade Arnold (Tristan Tait) that he doesn’t need to risk his life to protect others.


Return of the Evil Leaper was directed by Harvey S. Laidman, his only episode of the show. The writer was Richard C. Okie, with the fourth of his six scripts.


In this episode Gerry and Iain considered touching.


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You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.


Return of the Evil Leaper was released in 1993. It is 45 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on NBC’s Peacock streaming service in the UK and in the United States. The show is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries