Originally aired August 24, 1998
Written by Scott Smith Miller
Directed by Robert M. Williams, Jr.
In a Los Angeles under the reign of Governor Schick's racist policies, Rembrandt is captured and imprisoned in a camp used to turn non-whites into faceless android slaves, and Quinn, Maggie, and Colin must rescue their friend.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Alternate History: In this world, World War II never happened. When Rembrandt mentions the war and Adolf Hitler, Harold replies, "I didn't see the film." On the other hand, the American civil rights movement proceeded in much the same way as Harold tells Rembrandt that he marched at Selma. However, in 1996, the Racial Repatriation Act, was approved by the California voters. On Governor Schick's orders, his Stompers began rounding up "migrants" - e.g. non-white people - and DNA tests are run to determine whether someone is 100% "racially pure." These "migrants" are either shipped out of the country or converted into mindless automatons known as Eddies.
- Apathetic Citizens: Harold, a black man who works at the processing center that Rembrandt is sent to, just ignores everything that's going on around him and even spends time sorting out clothes of people who were either shipped out of the country or turned into Eddies. Rembrandt is deeply disgusted by Harold's apathy and chews him out accordingly. Harold eventually decides to man up and help Rembrandt escape from the camp.
- Facial Horror: What happens to poor Vanessa after she's discovered to be racially impure.
- Humans Are Bastards: This line from Rembrandt to Harold:Rembrandt: (to Harold) There are things in this world that are so evil, you can hardly believe a human being is capable of doing them.
- If You Kill Him, You Will Be Just Like Him!: Quinn's argument to Kirk. He genuinely thinks Schick deserves to die, but he's concerned about the kid's well-being.
- Jerkass: Vanessa's son, Kirk.
- Oppressive States of America: One state in this case. California is a police state under Governor Schick.
- Putting on the Reich: California under the leadership of Governor Schick. Hence the title.
- Sadistic Choice: After seeing what was done to Vanessa, Kirk intends to assassinate Schick. The Sliders struggle to find Kirk in time, but there is some question over whether they should try to stop him.Rembrandt: They always said, "If you could go back in time and kill Hitler, would you?" Well, would you?
Quinn: This isn't an ethics exam. We're talkin' about the kid's life. - Take a Third Option: Rembrandt doesn't like the idea of leaving Schick alive, but he also doesn't like the idea of sacrificing Kirk. Quinn suggests trying to publicly expose what Schick's been up to.
- Would Hurt a Child: Very strongly implied to be the case with Schick's organization. Rembrandt finds and holds a child's discarded shoe while calling Harold out for his apathy.
- You Are What You Hate: Kirk gladly joins in on targeting those deemed to have "racial impurities." Then he finds out what Vanessa had been hiding.
