This article contains spoilers for Quantum Leap episode 1.NBC's Quantum Leap revival opened with an episode exploring the theft of the Hope Diamond and a coverup called "Operation Blue Glass." It has been almost 30 years since the cliffhanger ending of the original Quantum Leap revealed Sam Beckett, a time traveler who leaped from one body to another, righting wrongs, never returned home. The reboot series sees a new scientist, Dr. Ben Song, follow in Sam's shoes.

Quantum Leap episode 1 began with Ben traveling back to 1985, where he got caught up in an attempt to steal the Hope Diamond. According to his advisers from the future, the Hope Diamond was mysteriously stolen in 1985; the government learned the truth, but the fake version put in its place was so convincing that they simply pretended the theft never happened. The secret project that concealed the theft was known as "Operation Blue Glass." Although it's apparently still secret in 2022, Ben's superiors at the Quantum Leap Project knew about it.

Related: Quantum Leap 2022 Cast & Character Guide

Quantum Leap has always explored real-world history, but Operation Blue Glass is entirely fictional — or, alternatively, an NBC science fiction TV series has just blown the lid on a 37-year-old conspiracy. It's certainly the case that the events described in Quantum Leap episode 1 never happened, including the bomb blast. Quantum Leap clearly decided to start with an exciting, high-risk adventure that bore no real connection to history so that they could focus on (re-)establishing their core concept.

Has The Hope Diamond Ever Been Stolen?

The Hope Diamond

According to legend, the Hope Diamond was originally looted from a Hindu temple, and a curse rests upon whoever possesses the precious stone. It found its way to King Louis XV of France but was stolen from his son Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution. The Hope Diamond was one of many precious items taken from the royal couple when they attempted to flee, and it was placed in the royal storehouse known as the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne. This storehouse was not well-guarded, however, and it was stolen in 1791. It didn't resurface until 1823.

The Hope Diamond has been associated with many tragedies over the years, but it hasn't been stolen again since 1791. The successful robbery in Quantum Leap episode 1, and the associated coverup, don't even have any parallels. This particular plot is another fiction, about as real as the urban myth the Hope Diamond was on the Titanic when it sank. Hopefully, future episodes of NBC's Quantum Leap relaunch will deal with some real-world incidents.

Episodes of Quantum Leap release on NBC on Mondays at 10.00 PM ET.