Sam (Scott Bakula) experiences racism firsthand when he leaps into the body of an elderly black man in the pre-civil rights South of 1955. Guest star Susan French. With Dean Stockwell. watch
Sam becomes Cameron Wilson, an awkward 17-year-old high school student, with a penchant for junk food and the acne to prove it. Cam's car, the 'Nomad' is the subject of ridicule by the cool car club members, and he himself is the object of first love by Jill, a tomboy. Cheryl, Cam's sister, excitedly announces that she and her fiancé, Bob Thompson, have been accepted to the Peace Corps. Albert, the Observer, informs Sam that according to Ziggy, Bob ended up selling used cars for his father and was arrested for drunk driving; Cheryl, who never joined the Peace Corps, was a battered wife. Sam must stop the wedding. watch
Sam leaps into the body of Jessie Tyler, a 70 year old black man who lives in Red Dog, Alabama, and works for Miz Melny, the 75 year old widow of the one-time Governor of Alabama. Sam/Jessie drives her to the cemetery where she visits her husband's grave. Albert informs him that Miz Melny will be killed tomorrow when a train hits her car at a crossing. Sam/Jessie brings Miz Melny home and is chastised by Clayton, Miz Melny's son, for sitting at the lunch counter at Miz Patty's diner. Sam/Jessie becomes livid when Clayton tells his mother to keep her "negro" in line. Albert, who participated in the Civil Rights marches, orders Sam to stay out of politics, but Sam begs to differ, hoping that his reason for the quantum leap is to initiate the Civil Rights movement. watch