Originally aired March 28, 1997
Written by Josef Anderson
Directed by Allan Eastman
The Sliders arrive on a world plagued by earthquakes and populated by primitive people as well a race of subterranean, humanoid monsters. Wade falls into a deep chasm and Quinn goes to rescue her, while Rembrandt learns of Arturo's illness.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Brick Joke: Talking about babysitting, Quinn quips that he'd give parents a discount if he dropped a kid. Just before the slide, Wade asks him if he ever did actually drop a kid. Quinn assures her he didn't, but after she slides, he remarks, "It's a good thing they bounce."
- Continuity Nod: Rembrandt references "The Guardian" and "Desert Storm" when noting Arturo's unusual behavior.
- Divergent Character Evolution: Quinn suggests the subterranean monsters were like the tribe at one point, only to get caught underground.
- Freudian Excuse: Quinn says he'd like to have a bunch of kids some day because he regretted growing up without any siblings.
- Friendship Moment: Rembrandt and Arturo in what ends up being the latter's final scene ever.Arturo: Mr. Brown, I want you to know that I count myself very fortunate having you as a friend.
Rembrandt: Aw, man. See, now I'm gonna have to be nice to you. [smirks]
Arturo: [laughs] Oh, we don't have to create a precedent. - Hidden Depths: Quinn handles the baby very well, saying he used to babysit while in high school.
- Hit Me, Dammit!: Arturo struggles with intense itching. He doesn't have the willpower to not scratch and restraining him doesn't help, so he tells Rembrandt to hit him.Arturo: Hit me, man! Knock me out!
Rembrandt: Hit you with what?
Arturo: WITH YOUR FIST, YOU BONEHEAD!
[Rembrandt obliges] - Homeschooled Kids: When Wade asks how he'd pay for college for multiple kids, Quinn suggests the Slider variation of this idea: after they graduate high school, just give the kids the timer and tell them to go sliding for four years.Quinn: They'd learn a lot more.
- Properly Paranoid: When Arturo tries to play coy about his health, Rembrandt notes the times he noticed something was wrong with him.
- Red Shirt: During the earthquake, Wade and another woman both fall into the chasm. Guess which one dies and which survives.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Rembrandt is deeply insulted that Arturo kept his illness a secret.
- Whole Episode Flashback: The episode was produced before John Rhys-Davies was fired, but aired after. For it to make sense, an additional scene was shot where Wade and Rembrandt reminisce about the events of this episode.
- Whole-Plot Reference: To The Time Machine.
