Quantum Leap
Season 4, Episode 6:
Raped
Libby: This isn’t real. Rape doesn’t happen to my family, it happens to strangers on the news. Not to my sister.
Written by Beverly Bridges
Directed by Michael Zinberg
Airdate: October 30, 1991.
June 20, 1980
Sam leaps into the life of a young woman, the alleged victim of a violent rape. While the details are sketchy, the evidence points to the charismatic son of a well-respected family.
Tropes:
- And This Is for...: When Sam beats down Kevin, he not only refers to the specifics of the injuries Kevin gave Katie, but alludes to other possible past (and even future) victims.
- Artistic License – Law:
- At the rape trial, the prosecution calls the defendant to testify. In the American judicial system, the defendant cannot be compelled to testify by the prosecution or the defense as they are protected by the presumption of innocence.note Then again, considering everyone doubts her accusation, its possible they just want to get the trial over with.
- The trial takes place the next day.
- Asshole Victim: No right-thinking person on the planet would be rooting for Kevin when Sam finally beats him to within an inch of his life.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Kevin pretends to be a reasonable Nice Guy and tries to calmly talk Sam out of testifying at the trial, without overtly threatening him in any way. The real Katie knows better though, and indeed, at the end of the episode, he shows his true colors when he tries to rape "Katie" again.
- Call-Back: The song that Al kept singing in his sleep was "Volare", which last appeared on the show in Season 1's "Double Identity".
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Sam delivers a savage beatdown of Kevin when he tries to rape Katie a second time.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Before becoming a prosecutor, Nancy was raped.
- Despair Event Horizon: In the original history, Katie was so traumatized by her experiences that she left town and never returned, even for her father's funeral.
- Devil's Advocate: Al suggests the possibility that Katie was beaten and raped after she left Kevin and, due to psychological trauma, she was confused. Neither Sam nor Al buy this, however and believe Katie’s account that Kevin raped her.
- Fighting Irish: Katie's father, Jim, states that the McBains have Irish grit. Sam cites this as the reason he was able to beat Kevin down.
- Gender Bender: Sam leaps into rape victim Katie Mc Bain.
- Groin Attack: Sam opens his battle against Kevin with this move and hits him there several more times during the brawl.
- Hand Wave: Unlike the last time Al brought someone into the Imaging Chamber with him, Sam is able to hear Katie in order to give the testimony. All Al gives for an explanation is that "it took enough power to light up St. Louis for a month".
- Mugging the Monster: When Kevin tries to rape Katie a second time, but was unaware that Katie is now Sam, a much larger, stronger and combat-capable individual.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: The final scene; Sam is lamenting that the rapist in question got off scot-free in a court case, because of the boy's reputation. All of a sudden, while Sam's talking to Al, the boy shows up again, knocks Sam to the ground and attempts to rape his victim again. However, this guy isn't messing with a terrified young girl anymore; he's dealing with a pissed-off Sam Beckett, who gets up and beats that son of a bitch to a bloody pulp.
- "No" Means "Yes": Irritably cited by Al when Sam explains that people doubt Katie's story because she dated Kevin a few times:Al: Oh, you mean the old "The girl says 'No', but she really means 'Yes'." crapola?
- The Oner: Variation: The scene where Katie helps Sam with the questioning at the trial is one continuous shot, where the camera slowly zooms in on her, which adds to the effect of the audience no longer hearing Sam as the questioning continues.note
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Sam's beating of Kevin is a savage No-Holds-Barred Beatdown. Sam rarely escalates conflict or uses more force than is necessary. Here he continues to wail on Kevin long after the man can no longer defend himself.
- Parents as People: Katie's parents and loving and supportive, but have difficulty dealing with the drama of their daughter's assault and the negative publicity that quickly descends on the whole family.
- Post-Rape Taunt: The night after the trial ends, he goes to her house to taunt her and try to attack her once more… only this time, Sam-as-the-girl gives him an attack he won't ever forget.
- Pre-Asskicking One-Liner: Before Sam beats Kevin within an inch of his life, he calmly remarks:Sam: (to Al; as he gets up from the ground) I think I know... I think I know why I'm here, Al.
- Rage Breaking Point: While Sam was already frustrated with the fact that Kevin was able to avoid legal prosecution for raping Katie, it's when Kevin attempts to rape her again that prompts Sam to practically beat Kevin within an inch of his life.
- "Ray of Hope" Ending: Variation: Given how we don't know what happens to Katie or her family after Sam leaps out, the ending of the episode (with Sam beating the shit out of Kevin and the cops getting called) counts as this.Jim McBain: Sweetie, what happened?
Sam: He tried to do it again, only this time I wasn't pinned inside of a car.
Jim McBain: (astounded; gestures to Kevin's prone body) You did that yourself?
Sam: Don't act so surprised, Dad... I mean, after all, I am a McBain. - Reasonable Authority Figure: Det. Shumway never doubts the veracity of Katie's accusations.
- Rejected Apology: As Kevin is enduring blow after powerful blow and Sam-as-Katie is telling him he is finally paying for his crimes, he whimpers out "I'm sorry" a couple of times, to which Sam simply ignores before knocking him out.
- Serious Business: Det. Shumway bets his new fishing rod that they can win the case against Kevin.Nancy: Shumway, what would I do with your new fishing rod, anyway?
Shumway: You'd loan it to me every weekend. - Super-Strength: Which Kevin finds out "Katie" has ... too late, when he goes to assault her once again, hoping to use his own.
- Talking in Your Sleep: One of Al's ex-wives charged him with domestic abuse because, according to her, Al would sing in his sleep.
- Too Dumb to Live: Kevin decides to rape Katie again soon after the trail, this time presumably as revenge. Having no idea that Katie is really Sam, he ends up getting beaten to a pulp and caught, destroying his future and likely disgraced his father.
- Tranquil Fury: As Katie testifies, Al is clearly affected, shaking his head and giving a Death Glare to Kevin.
- Unexpectedly Dark Episode / Very Special Episode: The phrase "No shit, Sherlock" comes to mind.
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Sam and Al expect this leap to be over the moment the DA's office takes the case. When he doesn't leap out, they realize that Sam now has to testify about something he wasn't present for.
