I think everybody knows that television series have special Halloween episodes, some mild to wild, but always crammed into 47-minutes, well I found a series I used to watch long ago called Quantum Leap, a sci-fi show that starred Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell, they a had great relationship during the entire long-run production, anyway I recently had the opportunity to view a few episodes.

(left) Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) and Al (Dean Stockwell) (right)

However, before I launch into this review, I need to recap on the show’s backstory Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula (Lord of Illusions [1995])) was a brilliant scientist, holding multiple degrees, maybe a little too smart, he had a theory that a person could time travel within his own lifetime, and he launched himself into this new world. The series narrator would explain each week that Sam’s mind, body, and aura surrounded him but that he appeared as the person everyone knew from that time and his voice sounded the same to them; too. An unknown guiding force (God suggested) would place him where it was necessary to right wrongs, Sam had no control of his placement, and once fixed he leapt to his next assignment, though assisting him was Al (Dean Stockwell (The Dunwich Horror [1970])) a hologram only he saw. Yeah, sounds complex but really wasn’t, especially when assisted with images of Sam’s leaps.

Herein, was the fifth and final season of the series, which started with Sam awakening in a coffin and uttering his catch phrase “Oh Boy” in the past he would look into a mirror to see his image to help identify himself and with his surroundings to adjust correctly until Al arrived with the proper information. The official title was ‘Blood Moon’ and noted the date of March 10, 1975, though in it aired on February 9, 1993; the 90th episode of the series, fifteen of the seasons and was written by Tommy Thompson, was directed by Alan J. Levi (Blood Song [1982]). Although this time, he determines it was a castle in England, that borrowed from gothic designs found in famed Dracula movies from the Hammer Studios. Al informs him that he is Lord Nigel Corrington, a well-known eccentric artist, though he believes he’s a vampire, because he looks like Bela Lugosi and a corpse; in fact, he starts wearing a cross and garlic, because in holding room of sorts is the body and soul of the person Sam replaced.

Alexandra Hill (Shae D’Lyn) and Sam

Sam needs to save Corrington’s new bride Alexandra Hill, (Shae D’Lyn), marriage that shocked as she was a homeless girl; as history states she is found tomorrow thoroughly drained of all her blood; and with him in place of Nigel, he knows it’s one of guests staying at the castle, Victor Drake (Ian Buchanan (The Seventh Sign [1988])) or his companion Claudia (Deborah Moore).

(left to right) Victor (Ian Buchanan), Claudia (Deborah Moore), and Horst (Rod Loomis)

As the night continues along, his guests are present for a special ceremony, and Drake presents a gift of a silver dagger, which said used to belong to Count Báthory clearly murder weapon for the future crime; (I know what you are thinking more on this later).

Sam asks Al what he looks like, and Al points out the portrait of the ancestor is the identical representation to Nigel and begins to believe they are one in the same, therefore Sam needs to dismiss his insanity, as vampires aren’t real. When Sam tries to call off the ceremony, his dog, Vlad, is found dead, he finds himself tied up and Claudia flashing fangs to gorge on his neck; thankful rescued by his butler Horst (Rod Loomis Jack’s Back [1988]), and Sam discover her fake vampire teeth. Now, without spoiling the ending let’s say it is similar to Scars of Dracula [1970] conclusion, though not vampires that possess serious murderous intent, as episode nears the near, Sam grabs a shining tray to see his reflection, but none is cast and he leaps.

The chemistry between Bakula and Stockwell, still the best, it was very natural with them, and D’Lyn delivers a so-so performance, though she really doesn’t have much to work with hence a judgement of her role is a tad unfair, as for the rest of the secondary characters the due ham up their performance but its all-in good fun. They all work with the good set design feeding from the gothic exploits, and a fun trivia noted the dagger is the same one that is used in The Craft [1995] as a Wiccan knife. Alright, time to handle the pink elephant in the room, yep the ‘Count Bathory’ is pure artistic license, though I’m unsure as the historic facts are just as ghastly, but she is changed to him and added walled up in his castle for three years living on his own blood. As all know it was actually Countess Elizabeth Bathory, who killed and tortured hundreds of poor village girls, and confined to live within her Castle. As an added treat, for you to sink your fangs into the music is from Velton Ray Bunch, entitled ‘Bite Me’ who plays a bit homage to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable 47-minutes, that doesn’t become bogged in various details, though the changing of Bathory history is unforgiveable since the historical details are known, it was only the episode set in United Kingdom. The real Nigel (Robert MacKenzie) appears for a briefest moment and has the homage to the legendary bloodsucker that Lugosi played in Dracula [1931] and strangely the IMDb list Horst character as Boris, ah wishful thinking, well the next one I will cover from this series shall be The Boogieman from Season 3; sometime in the future; but alas this fun and very campy, one can easily tell, it was comedic behind the scenes.

Nigel (Robert MacKenzie)

IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

Baron’s Rating: 5.5/10

Full episodes currently be found on Peacock with a subscription.