This episode proves that God is cruel...by that,
I mean Quantum Leap's version of God. How cruel
is it to leap Sam into someone who is about to
be fried on an electric chair? Why couldn't God
just have Sam leap a few minutes later in
the prison? Why scare the living daylights out of
him like that?

Because of a fine sense of the dramatic (it makes for a way-cool cliffhanger teaser).

I know that's why the writers did it...I wasn't
asking that. I was asking why "God or Time or
Fate" did it. :)

I know that's why the writers did it...I wasn't
asking that. I was asking why "God or Time or
Fate" did it. :)

Rene, I think it depends on how you interpret the last episode. In it, God (or Time or Fate) implied to Sam that he controlled his own leaps (the how is never explained). To me, 'The Leap Home Part I' is much more cruel - making Sam believe that he can't help his own family. I understand Sam's reaction: "It's not fair, Al. How come I can help total strangers but not the people I love? Well, I'm not doing it anymore. Do you hear me?" (looking upward)

Yes, but Al's response is even better. I'm paraphrasing, but he says something like, "If you ask me, it's d*mn fair. I'd give anything to be able to see my parents and sister for a few days. To be able to talk to them...laugh with them. I'd give anything to have what you have, Sam. Anything." So maybe God (or Time or Fate) isn't that cruel after all.

Incidentally, I think that is one of the greatest moments in probably the greatest episode of the entire series. That and Sam singing "Imagine" to his sister. But I digress. I could go on praising "The Leap Home," but we're supposed to be talking about "Last Dance" here. : )

When Al is at the church looking for the bullet he is shown climbing up some steps which is impossible for a hologram.