“The Prince of Slides” is episode ten (originally shown as episode nine) of season three of Sliders.
The Sliders are in a hospital as the professor slid in on top of a bee colony when a pregnant woman is rushed in accompanied by guards. Rembrandt recognises her, Danielle, and she recognises him, as do the people with her, who call Rembrandt ‘Your Grace.’ Rembrandt is told he will be prepped in another room – Rembrandt thinks it’s for a blood transfusion; he’s the same type as Danielle on their world and has done it before. After Rembrandt has gone, Wade asks how long the transfusion will take. And is told they’re transferring the baby into Rembrandt.
The professor is watching late breaking news about the Duchess of Hemmingshire, the cousin of the late Queen, Sally, and how the duke arrived just in time to take on the gestation and complete the pregnancy. There’s an interview with George Stelios, head of the royal household, who addresses rumours about the duke’s recent disappearance from the public eye. Wade and Quinn arrive; the professor says that announcing Rembrandt is an imposter will hardly help.
Rembrandt is being sedated and still doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Quinn enters and is trying to get him out when Rembrandt lapses into unconsciousness. Quinn is taken out by security, but a woman, Lady Mary, says he’s a friend of the duke; she saw them talking. The professor claims they are the duke’s personal assistants and that he was called from Buckingham Palace. They are told that the transfer is complete and father and son are resting comfortably.
They are escorted to a royal residence; in the duke’s bedroom it seems that Rembrandt’s double is not in line to the throne as he’s a commoner, but the son is fourth. Rembrandt starts coming around. He’s told that a viral epidemic destroyed the capacity of the female population to carry a child beyond the second trimester, but an artificial womb that allows fathers to carry to term was invented. Rembrandt is shocked to find out he’s pregnant. He’ll deliver in a week, but they’re going to slide out before then. They need to find the real duke or Rembrandt is stuck.
Lady Mary is speaking to someone who, it seems, dumped the duke into the ocean. She isn’t pleased with the assassin’s incompetence. He has failed her for the last time.
The real duke apparently had difficulty living in the royal spotlight and Wade heard from a maid that Lady Mary spread rumours that he was cheating on the duchess. Which the maid didn’t believe. George enters Rembrandt’s bedroom and turns on the news. A fire at the royal palace at Monticello was arson, and the American revolutionary party claimed responsibility. The king and both sons died. The unborn baby is now the future king.
Lady Mary is speaking to someone about, more than likely, killing off the remaining heir, saying she and her nephew will be grateful. The professor approaches and asks about funeral arrangements and what the duke will do.
Wade and Quinn are still looking for the duke when the professor joins them and Rembrandt. He spoke to the duke’s driver; the duke made a clandestine trip to Camp Muir. Rembrandt suggests telling Danielle the truth. They don’t think that’s a good idea. Wade and Quinn will continue looking.
Danielle is talking to George about what will happen. George is his majesty’s deputy and will hold official power until the child is born, at which point the duke will become regent. Afterwards, she comes across Rembrandt singing to the baby. It looks like this is unexpected.
Quinn and Wade find the real duke, who has to be disarmed. He explains he was knocked out and pushed over the side of a motorboat at sea. There’s definitely an assassination campaign going on and it looks like Lady Mary has her own idea as to who should be next on the throne. They need to get the baby into the real father whilst someone is trying to kill both duke and future king.