Quantum Leap/So Help Me God

So Help Me God
Season 2, Episode 9
Airdate	November 29, 1989
Production Number	65410
Written by	Deborah Pratt
Directed by	Andy Cadiff
← 2x08 Jimmy	2x10 → Catch a Falling Star
Quantum Leap — Season Two

This article about an episode needs to be expanded with more information. Please help out by editing it.

So Help Me God is the ninth episode of the second season of Quantum Leap, and the eighteenth episode overall.

Starring: Scott Bakula (Sam Beckett)

Starring: Dean Stockwell (The Observer)

Guest Starring: Byrne Piven (Captain Cotter), Tyra Ferrell (Lila Berry), Kathleen Noone (Sadie Cotter), Ketty Lester (Myrtle), John Apicella (Sheriff Dixon), Stacy Ray (Sugee Dancey), John Shepard (Bo Parsons)

and William Schallert (Judge Haller)

with Robert Dryer (Chigger), Scotch Byerley (Clerk), Heather Lee (Woman Gossip), Travis Michael Holder (Leonard Dancey), Philip Persons (Coroner), Cal Gibson (Gardener)

Plot Overview

Sam is a lawyer in the deep south defending a black woman on trial for murder.

Notes

Leap Date

• July 29, 1957

Trivia

Allusions and References

• Sam's only legal knowledge comes from a TV show he can't remember. He soon learns from Al it was Perry Mason.

Quotes

• Captain Cotter: Leonard. Why don't I just give you a lift home, son?

Sam: All right. (narrating) Despite the warm voice and friendly smile, I didn't like him. I didn't like the way people parted before him or the way they touched their hats and said "Captain" as he passed. But since he was obviously the man who ran this town, I had to learn all I could about him. Besides, I had no idea where I lived.

• Captain Cotter: Leonard, that nigger murdered my only son.

Sam: First of all, we don't know it was murder. And second of all, you can call her black, coloured or Negro, but don't you ever ca -- Don't you ever use that word in front of me again.

• Judge Haller: What is wrong with the jury?

Sam: None of them are black.

Judge Haller: You mean Negro?

Sam: Uh, yes, sir. And since my client is a Negro, it only seems fair that there be Negroes on the jury.

Bo Parsons: I object. There's never been a Negro impaneled on a jury in Louisiana.

Judge Haller: Overruled.

Al: I told you so, Sam.

Judge Haller: Leonard, there's only one problem.

Al: Uh-oh.

Judge Haller: In order to serve on a jury, you have to be a registered voter. And, uh, since there aren't any Negroes registered in this parish, I just don't see how you're gonna put one on that jury.

Sam: Well, that being the case, Your Honour, since the law requires a trial by a jury of one's peers, we have no choice but to reluctantly accept these white jurors as Lila's equals.