5 things we want to see in a potential Quantum Leap season 3

The season 2 finale of Quantum Leap delivered plenty of twists and turns that kept us on the edge of our seats. We learned that the tech billionaire Gideon Rydge (James Frain) is actually Jeffrey Nally, the son of Dr. Ben Song's (Raymond Lee) leap love interest, Hannah Carson (Eliza Taylor). If you've been following the season's course, Gideon has become the central antagonist, with a hard edge over Ian (Mason Alexander Park).

The unveiling of Gideon's true identity was indeed a surprise, but it worked beautifully with everyone else's arcs. Without Gideon's madness for dominance and revenge, the finale wouldn't have been as emotionally profound. His unique characterization is foreshadowed in "Off the Cuff," when "Uncle Kevin" makes a statement that Jeffrey will "rule the world" one day.

Ben took a young Jeffrey/Gideon under his wing in 1976 and taught him how a simple act of kindness could alter one's life and those around them. That one act can trigger the Butterfly Effect, a phenomenon that could result in more immense consequences, even if the initial cause or event is just a small one. In Jeffrey's case, his revenge plans never came to fruition, and he was a top supporter of the Quantum Leap program.

Another vital element that led to Quantum Leap's success this season is the relationship between Ben and Hannah, which was first sparked in 1949 when the former lept back to solve two mysteries in Roswell. Ever since their first meeting, Ben and Hannah's development grew, and as it turned out, Hannah invented a code that could potentially take Ben home.

Towards the end of the finale, Ben's and Hannah's unique love story came to a close, but not before leaving that speck of hope they could meet again.

What's next for Ben and his group, including Addison (Caitlin Bassett), who had a trying season herself? As of this writing, NBC hasn't greenlit a season 3 renewal, leaving the fans on high alert as so many more stories could be told. As fans, we would like to see some of our ideas of how Quantum Leap could travel and get even more insight into our favorite characters.

5 things we want to see in Quantum Leap season 3

The continuation of Ian's intelligence with Ziggy and Ian himself

Ian quickly becomes the face of Quantum Leap, besides Ben and Magic, due to their sharp wits and cracking the code with QL's supercomputer Ziggy. Whenever an equation or a code string had to be quickly accessed and solved, Ian was right there in front of the monitor, letting their technology talents course through them. It was because of Ian's elite programming skills and knowledge that the QL team understood each leap's historical significance, a central component to the Bring Ben Back solution, but it's only a piece of the puzzle.

If Quantum Leap is renewed, Ian's connection with Ziggy could only expand, opening doors to why Ben leaped in the first place. Additionally, as Ian is non-binary (Mason Alexander Park is also non-binary), I'd like to hear and see more of their life outside Headquarters because having a member of the LGBTQIA+ community on a broadcast network gives the audience a much-needed understanding of people who are apart of this diverse group, with hopes that viewers can relate or connect with them in a positive light.

The location of where Ben and Addison have lept to

The season finale left a cliffhanger where Ben and Addison are joined hand-in-hand in their latest leap. Given the situation and attire, it's extensively hinted that they're in World War II Europe. But when and where exactly? And how will Ben and Addison manipulate the treacherous German Reich without impacting the Butterfly Effect? Alternating too much history, even if it's downright evil, will impact the future's course and civilization.

Word War II has story potential, as so many have seen the horror through their eyes, building up different experiences.

Ben and Hannah meeting again

When Ben met Hannah at that Roswell diner in 1949, their lives changed unexpectedly, and a Somewhere In Time love story emerged between them. Yet, Hannah served a more productive purpose in her character's arc, her and Ben's relationship, and the series overall. She was formulating an equation for the Darpa Program for years, hoping to bring Ben back home. With nearly every leap, Ben and Hannah's love grew,

Yet, time itself can be heartbreaking. When Ben and Hannah connected again in 1970, he found she was married and had a young son. Though disappointed, Ben accepted Hannah's new life and even saved Jeffrey in the first half of the finale. In "Against Time," Ben and Hannah said their final goodbyes, ending their romance, and breaking our hearts because of it.

But if Ben and Addison lept to World War II, could it mean Ben and Hannah see each other again? In case you need a little insight into Hannah's background, she was a female ENIAC computer programmer during the war so it's possible a reunion could occur. Perhaps she was working on a solution to stop Hitler but got distracted by Ben's surprise encounter.

Per NBC Insider, showrunner Martin Gero confirmed that Ben and Hannah's "bittersweet goodbye" was their final goodbye, however, he also said Eliza Taylor would be welcome back on set, so never say never.

"As fans of Eliza and making the show, it would be great to have her back. It's kind of like Janis. We love that character, but it just didn't make sense to have her in the season this year. But we found out a way towards the end. So, who knows? We would all love her to come back, but that story does feel very finished."

Ben and Hannah's dynamic should be a lesson on developing relationships that suits the series' arc, its environment, and the audience, without sacrificing quality or the climatic points.

More diversity in the leaps

History itself holds lots of diversity issues and racial injustices, and realistically, we don't have the power to correct it; only to educate ourselves from allowing it to happen in the future.

But with Quantum Leap being a sci-fi show, alternating history with time travel can be done."One Night In Koreatown" exemplifies this, with Ben going back to the early 1990s, where he got to experience the LA Riots. Through his struggle, Ben was able to help Magic with his own oppression from his past, and together, they were able to change the outcome for a family.

Episodes like these teach us the value of life, as racism only divides society. Again, if World War II is a possible season 3 storyline, Ben and Addison could witness the antisemitism and racism of the era. They could save lives like the Nazi resisters did while they fought against Hitler's policies. Who knows? Maybe the person, or people Ben and Addison saved, would become someone of guiding importance in society.

If season 3 happens, it'll be a huge plus to have more diverse-rich episodes.

An update on Jeffrey Nally and his future with the QL program

So what happens to Gideon/Jeffrey after he "turns good" and his evil-doing is nonexistent? We know he allows the QL team to use his chip for free and is one of its proudest benefactors.

But is Gideon/Jeffrey finished with the Quantum Leap universe after his change of heart? I hope not because he could fill in with Ben regarding his mother's well-being and continue providing technology support now that he's a "good guy." If Eliza Taylor can't continue her role as Hannah, then her son could fulfill the audience's curiosity regarding her whereabouts.

Along with giving us updates about Hannah, Gideon/Jeffrey could pop in here and there to check how his technology at QL Headquarters is operating. If any of the gadgets have any bugs or glitches, then Jeffrey would help Ian combat those and, perhaps, even form a friendship with them. If anything, the two geniuses could even make Quantum Leap more superior.

Quantum Leap seasons 1-2 are available to stream on Peacock.