Obsession
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Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 1 NTSC
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Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 2 PAL
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(Sliders Story No. 19, starring Jerry O'Connell)
- teleplay by Jon Povill
- story by Jon Povill and Steve Brown
- directed by Colin Bucksey
- music by Stephen Graziano
- produced by Tim Iacofano
(and Jon Povill, Tony Blake and Paul Jackson)
- Production # K0809
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Story: Wade's fantasies about a historical romance
take a turn for the bizarre when the Sliders land on a
world that embraces psychic abilities and past lives,
and a driven young man about to become the new Prime Oracle
comes into her life.
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In-Depth Analysis Review
by Martin Izsak
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WARNING: This review contains "SPOILERS", and is intended for
those who have already seen the program. To avoid the spoilers, read
the Buyers' Guide version instead.
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Once again, we are blessed with one of season two's best stories,
this one centering on Wade. Some very good writing from Jon Povill,
combined with some very compelling performances from an excellent guest cast
and the regulars, turns out a winner here.
The opening is so unusual, you may at first doubt that you're watching
Sliders - but that's all part of the flexibility of the show's format,
when one has the imagination to use it. Co-writer and creative consultant
Steve Brown probably earned his pay on this one.
It also seems to satisfy certain laws of probability to see the
regulars having to slide at that hour, if indeed the windows to
subsequent worlds are as randomly spaced apart as the timer usually indicates.
The story is a bit skimpy with effects shots of the wormhole, but in
the case of the end of the story, it looks like the production team braved
a very rainy night-shoot trying to get everything in the can. If time ran
out for wormhole footage, in a late-season story for a now well-established
show, it's okay. The more important parts of this story were achieved.
It's a very nice touch to suggest that the people of this world are
mining the moon.... and the tale certainly gets good mileage out of all
the worldly differences that Arturo is able to point out from his reading.
Excellent stuff, and a very good premise for a world. We should get more
worlds like this, and/or spend more time exploring the details of such
worlds in regular episodes.
The story has a captivating emotional heart to it, coupled with some
devious long-term planning, both of which are only
revealed gradually like a good mystery, resulting in a lot of human drama
that is particularly well-fleshed out. In fact, if season two ever did
deliver on the drama that the previous season's cliffhanger had left us
pining for, it is here in this episode. Good job.
The conclusion works very well for what it is, which isn't an ideal
opportunity for magnificent heroics from Quinn. Quinn has a pivotal role
to play which he can be proud of, but I think Arturo demonstrates the
clear head and wisdom during the episode that would be ideal. In any case,
this really is Wade's episode, and she gets the screen time and attention
that is her due. All good.
There's not too much more to be said about this one. It may be a bit
different to what many sci-fi fans want to tune into, but it delves into
many good subjects, and delivers a nice, compelling story. Good stuff.
This story has become available on DVD.
Click on the Amazon symbol for the location nearest you
for pricing and availability:
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Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 1 NTSC
for the North American market:
in the U.S.
in Canada
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Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 2 PAL
for the U.K.
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