Originally aired January 11, 1999
Written by Steven Stoliar
Directed by Paul Lynch
A mishap splits the Sliders up on a world divided by the computer-savvy, those who shun technology, and scavengers. In order to reunite, the Sliders must play matchmaker for a couple who met on the Internet and contend with a group of scavengers bent on preventing the union.
Tropes present in the episode:
- The Bard on Board: This episode is Romeo and Juliet set in a world where the Onliners, who embrace technology to the point of having cybernetic implants, have completely separated themselves from the Offliners, who are forbidden to have any form of technology. Rick Montana, an Offliner who possesses a laptop, met Joanne Capshaw, an Onliner who lives in the Ivory Towers (that's actually what her apartment building is called), on the Internet. They fell in love over the Internet without ever meeting in person. Joanne initially believes that Quinn is Rick. Unlike the play, however, it has a Happy Ending as Joanne leaves her high-tech world behind and goes to live with Rick. And his mother Shirley. Even the character names, Rick Montana and Joanne Capshaw, are very similar to Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet.
- Different World, Different Movies: Shirley Montana refers to Leave It to Heaver.
- Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: On Colin's world, which as previously seen in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" is about 140-150 years behind Earth Prime, Audrey Hepburn was a famous stage actress. She was Colin's first crush. His parents had a photograph of her in their house.
