Quantum Leap
Season 3, Episode 7:
Black on White on Fire
- Al: The Watts riots were not just anything, Sam.
Sam: And we can't stop it?
Al: No. We would've had to come here fifty years ago.
Sam: You said it started this afternoon when Frye was arrested.
Al: It started when the first black couldn't find a job or live where he wanted to. It started when the first baby went hungry. Or the first cop hassled some guy just because he was black. This match has been burning a long time, Sam.
Written by Deborah Pratt
Directed by Joe Napolitano
Airdate: November 9, 1990
August 11, 1965
Sam lands on the streets of Watts just as the infamous race riots begin. As a black man engaged to a white woman, he finds himself torn between two communities set to explode.
Tropes:
- All for Nothing: In the middle of breaking down and cradling Lonnie's corpse, Sam says that henote has to stay in Watts so that Lonnie's death and all the destruction of the riots can't result in this trope.Sam: It can't be for nothing, Al. I can't let his death be for nothing.
- "Angry Black Man" Stereotype: Lonnie is pretty much a textbook definition.
- Big Fun: Papa D clearly sees himself as this. Even as the riots are starting, he is only interested in hosting his house party.
- Child of Two Worlds: Ray's mother is concerned that any children Ray and Susan might have would not be this, but instead be children of neither world.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Sam winds up experiencing the brunt of the riot in the worst possible way on his way to Lonnie and Susan, as a group of cops viciously beat him within an inch of his life.
- Dating What Daddy Hates: Downplayed. Captain Brewster isn't thrilled about his daughter dating a black man, but only starts losing his cool after the riots begin.
- Despair Event Horizon: After Papa D dies, Lonnie snaps, takes Susan hostage, and swears to execute her if the police kill another black man.
- Downer Ending: Despite Sam managing to talk Lonnie down and getting him to let him and Susan leave, the cops assume the worst and shoot him dead. The literal only bright spot is that Sam gets Ray and Susan to stay in Watts so that Lonnie wouldn't die in vain.Al: [reads from the handlink; glumly] Sam, you did it.
Sam: [broken] Is it enough, Al? Is it enough? [leaps out] - Greater-Scope Villain: The riots themselves are a conflict beyond the scope of what Sam can fix.
- Heroic BSoD: Sam is utterly devastated when Lonnie gets killed by the cops despite managing to get through to him.
- I Choose to Stay: Ray, with Sam's help, decides to stay in Watts, a community that needs a good doctor. Susan affirms that she will stay with him.
- Inspirational Martyr: Al thinks that Lonnie wants to become one.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Captain Brewster is rightly concerned for Susan's safety once the riots get started.
- Maligned Mixed Marriage: No one is supportive of Ray and Susan's relationship.
- N-Word Privileges: Lonnie uses the word to his own little brother.
- Oh, Crap!: After holding Susan hostage, Lonnie issues out his demand: if any more black people die during the riots, Susan dies. And as Susan quickly realizes, he knows this is impossible.Susan: [dawning horror] You're going to kill me, no matter what.
Lonnie: If your daddy stops murdering my people, I'll let you go.
Susan: He can't stop what's happening out there.
Lonnie: ...no. ...I don't suppose he can. - Police Brutality: Once the riots kick off in earnest, so does this trope as the police and the rioters clash. In fact, Sam almost gets beaten to death by several police officers towards the end.
- Pursue the Dream Job: Ray and Susan are both in medical school. For Ray, he also sees it as a chance to get out of Watts.
- Where da White Women At?: Sam has leapt into Ray, a black medical student in the 60's who was engaged to a white woman. Neither of their families approved (although Ray's mother was more concerned about Susan's safety than disapproval of her son dating a white woman.)
- You Can't Fight Fate: Discussed. Al states that even if Sam had been able to prevent the arrest of Marquette Frye, racial tensions in LA had been building for half a century and the riots were inevitable.
Mama Harper: Back in Mariposa, it was the white man's hatred. Now it's the Negroes angry about what's supposed to be. Seems no matter where we go, we can't get away from the hate.
Sam: Maybe it's not the place that makes the difference, but the people.
Sam: Maybe it's not the place that makes the difference, but the people.
