Sliders

                     An article by Sue

This programme which recently started in BBC2 on Fridays at 6pm
uses an idea which has long appealed to me, that of parallel
universes and travel between them by the four main characters. One
of them, college student Quinn Mallory, develops the equipment
which opens a gate between universes. One bit of theory escapes
him until one of his alter-Quinns (for want of a better name)
turns up, coincidentally causing havoc in real-Quinn's universe
and helpfully provides the missing part of an equation. It is then
just a short step to his grabbing the interest of Maximillian
Arturo, his professor, and Wade Wells, another student who he
works with, part time, and all 3 decide to test the equipment with
a trip to another universe. Coloured singer Rembrandt Brown is
accidentally sucked into the vortex through which they travel and
is as surprised as the others to find himself in a snow-clad San
Francisco which is in the grips of a mini Ice Age.

Escaping that, they think they have returned to their own universe
but during a meal at Quinn's house, celebrating their return, the
arrival of Quinn's father makes them realise they have in fact
entered another alternate Earth since his father is, in his
universe, dead. They therefore set off on a series of "slides"
from one universe to another, never knowing when they will get
home ... if ever. How many other universes are there? 6? 60? 6000?
They have no idea whether the next one they visit will be their
universe.

This setting creates the opportunity for lots of experiences.
Some universes are very similar to their original one; there may
only be a slight hint that they're not home (eg Quinn's front gate
doesn't squeak as it should) which is later confirmed (in this
case, he finds his mum is now married to the gardener!). Others
are very different. In a recent one, north and south Australia
were at war - shades of Vietnam and Korea. Another universe was
undergoing attacks by giant wasps. I found that quite appropriate
since the week before I had seen part of a program on TV about
killer African bees which are sweeping across parts of the USA.
Andy Stenhouse, who has been watching the series on satellite TV
says that later episodes have some v-e-r-y interesting twists! The
3rd series is just starting on America, having gained a good
audience now after a shaky start and series 2 is just starting on
Sky. The co-creators of the series are Tracy Torme (a ST:TNG
writer) and Robert K Weiss (producer of The Naked Gun films).
There was a rumour at one stage that the part of Quinn Mallory
would be recast and played by Nicholas Lea (X-Files' Agent Krycek)
but now that the series has settled down, it looks as though the
cast will remain as it is.

One of my favourite TV programmes in recent years, as regular
SynTax readers will know, is Quantum Leap. Sliders is very similar
with someone leaping / sliding from one life / universe to another
in an attempt to find their real body / home.  Sometimes the minor
twists in Sliders are more enjoyable for me, much as the 'kiss
with Fate' caught my attention in each episode of Quantum Leap.

I've only seen the first few episodes so far but really enjoyed
them. My friend Lynn, on the other hand, has given up. It annoys
her because she thinks the characters are predictable.  Clean-cut
American college boy. His crusty professor who, under it all, has
a heart of gold. A feisty young girl. A coloured soul singer. Lynn
reckons all they need is a cute little dog to make up the team!

I don't care! I think it's good fun and I am looking forward to
seeing what other twists are employed in future episodes.












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