This article contains spoilers for Quantum Leap episode 10.Quantum Leap episode 10 reveals the project is destined to go bad. There's a sense in which NBC's Quantum Leap relaunch is really a mystery show. The classic series was known for an episodic format, where every story was basically a one-and-done; in contrast, the modern relaunch has taken a serialized format, as the Quantum Leap project team attempt to figure out the reason Dr. Ben Song began his time travel adventures in the first place. It's now becoming clear Ben has somehow acquired knowledge of the future, and he's making a desperate attempt to save the life of his fiancée, Addison.
The first half-season of Quantum Leap revealed Ben isn't the only one traveling in time; there's also a mysterious soldier named Richard Martinez, who is yet to begin his journeys. Quantum Leap's mystery leaper presumably crossed paths with Ben in the present day, and somehow passed on the information he needed to figure out what's happening and how to stop it. Surprisingly, though, Ben chose not to confide in Addison or the project team, instead approaching an outsider - Janice Calavicci, daughter of the original project's Al Calavicci. She's now been captured, though, and Quantum Leap episode 10 saw Janice begin to reveal what's going on.
Janice Calavicci Hints Ben Is Working Against Quantum Leap's Future
Janice is shocked when she learns Ben has already crossed paths with Richard Martinez during his adventures, and her comments suggest she considers this very dangerous indeed. Although she doesn't make any overt statements, she strongly implies Martinez's project is the reason Ben chose not to involve any of his friends; because, according to Quantum Leap's model of time travel, doing so would risk warning them. The present-day project team would undoubtedly keep records, and these would be available to their future successors. Should Ben involve his friends, then, he will unwittingly tell his true enemies everything he is trying to do.
The problem, of course, is that leaping affects the memory. Ben is struggling to remember the reason he stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator in the first place; he only remembered Addison was in danger in the midseason finale, and he has no true understanding of the risks. This is why Janice asks Addison to tell Ben to stop talking about the things he remembers. There's a risk he will unwittingly give his enemies the information they need.
Quantum Leap's Time Travel Is Now More Than A Plot Device
Quantum Leap has traditionally used time travel as a mere plot device, the mechanic that allows travelers like Ben to step into one person's life after another. The relaunch is taking a different approach, though, and now the show's model of time travel is vitally important. Because Ben's enemies are further on in the timeline, and because they have access to the Quantum Leap project, they are able to see the impact of everything he does. They will presumably be attempting to safeguard their future, even if it means Addison's death.
There have been hints Ben has unwittingly created a time loop - that his actions have unwittingly created the future he is trying to avoid. Magic and Jenn have already gone to see the Martinez of their time, and they feared they had made him curious enough to start asking questions about the Quantum Leap project. This would mean the Quantum Leap timeline is effectively self-sustaining - that Ben's desire to Addison is what put her in danger in the first place. If that is the case, it's difficult to see how she can be saved as Quantum Leap season 1 continues.