“The Right Hand of God – October 24, 1974” is episode four of season one of Quantum Leap.
Sam is talking about the events of the previous episode, “Star-Crossed – June 15, 1972”, and how he wasn’t supposed to affect his own personal future, but he was sure the big guy upstairs would understand. As he leaped into a boxer just in time to get punched in the face. The boxer’s trainer tells Sam to get up and he does. Sam is not doing so well, makes a wild swing and the other boxer goes down for a KO.
Back in his changing room, the trainer, Gomez, tells Sam – ‘Kid’ Cody – that he almost lost their last fight together. Sam says he hardly touched the other with that punch. Gomez says he hit Sam pretty good. The other man says too good. Then two nuns come in. It seems that Cody’s contract is now owned by St Mary’s Church.
Sister Angela, the younger of the two sisters, is at a site explaining to Sam how the chapel will be laid out. Sam asks what that has to do with him. He’s providing it, by winning his next prize fight. Sam says he isn’t good at fighting and the sister says he won the last ten. By knockdown. Sam doesn’t think she should rely on him. She is, though. All the sisters are. Cody can beat Tiger Joe Jackson and become the next heavyweight champion of California. It’s all going to God’s plan.
Al comments that it’s not going to Ziggy’s plan; Ziggy figured that Sam would be in Texas in the mid-50s. Sister Angela says the sisters are short of funds and want Cody to move in with them to save on housing and food. When she’s gone, Al says the sister reminds him of him and Sam trying to raise funds for the imaging chamber. Sam finds a paper showing they are in Sacramento in the 70s. A long way from Texas in the 50s. An unscheduled stop, according to Al. Sam is concerned about fighting. Al tells him not to then. Sam asks if that’s why he’s here. Then he’s in big trouble. Al lies down; his neighbour is keeping him awake working on his car in the middle of the night.
A man calls out to Sam; a Mr Edwards wants to see him. Edwards is in the back of a car and was in the audience for the last fight. Sam tells Edwards he’s thinking of quitting. Edwards says that’s a bad idea and his goon draws a gun. No, he doesn’t have people killed. He just has their kneecaps blown off. Sam agrees it’s too soon to quit. Edwards didn’t set Cody up for ten fights to have him quit now. Go fight Tiger Joe. Edwards says he will tell Cody his round later. And passes him an envelope of cash.
Back at Cody’s place and Sam calls out and a young woman, Dixie, shows. She wasn’t at the fight because a group of soldiers kept her dancing. She’s pleased to get the envelope and puts it with the rest of their cash. $20K for their dream of a doughnut shop. He can’t fight forever and she can’t be a topless dancer for the rest of her life. There’s a knock and Dixie is not happy to see a man called Roscoe there. Cody owes Roscoe some money for a bet. Dixie throws him the money and slams the door on his face. Sam tells her that the nuns want him to go live with them.
Sam is lying on the bed at St Mary’s when he hears snoring. Al. Sam wakes him, after Al was muttering about a Denise and Tina. Al’s neighbour is still keeping him awake. Denise is writing his life’s story. Sam asks what Ziggy thinks. There’s not enough data on the guy next door. Oh, Sam meant about his problem? Given the unknown variables, Ziggy thinks Sam needs to win the championship and get the money. Sam asks what unknown variables. Al points out that unknown variables are, by definition, unknown. Sam says he doesn’t know how to fight and has a nun as a trainer. Al was a boxer and will train him. Sam points out he’s not there. He needs a real trainer.
That being Gomez, who doesn’t want to train any more fighters who take dives. Until Edwards makes a comment at how good Gomez used to be at taking them. And Sam does need another trainer, because Sister Angela might be enthusiastic, but she doesn’t know what she’s doing. And, if Sam does win the fight, he needs to do it in a way that doesn’t result in Edwards having Cody kneecapped.