Ep 13. As Time Goes By

In the episode "As Time Goes By" of the sci-fi television series Sliders, the main characters are propelled into a parallel universe where the United States is modeled after the 1940s era. The episode opens with the Sliders arriving in a busy metropolitan area, mesmerized by the vintage vehicles and the retro architecture. They are surprised to find that Earth Prime dates don't exist in this universe, so they have no idea how long they will be stuck in this alternate reality. Suddenly, an orotund police officer interrupts their exploration, and begins to interrogate them on the street. The encounter is intense, with the officer assuming their recent arrival makes them prime suspects in a murder investigation.

The Sliders are forced to comply with the officer's orders, and they are taken to the precinct to be further questioned. Here, they learn that their doppelgangers are involved in organized crime, and they are mistakenly identified as members of their gang. Desperate to prove their innocence and to find a way back home, the Sliders educate themselves on the local culture and politics with the help of a newspaper, which reveals the rampant corruption of the times. Meanwhile, the impressionable Quinn falls for a charming nightclub singer named Nikki, who also happens to be the sister of a powerful gang leader.

As the plot thickens, the Sliders are able to interrupt the timeline of this parallel universe just in time to stop a catastrophic event from happening. But their return trip is thwarted when they discover that the weapon they created to stop the disaster has been stolen by an unknown assailant. Fearing that they might never get home, the team decides to find the culprit, and are eventually led to a high-stakes showdown in an abandoned factory, where they finally come face-to-face with Nikki's brother and his criminal accomplices.

The "As Time Goes By" episode of Sliders explores the concept of time travel while also paying homage to classic film noir. Fans of this genre will love the attention to detail used to create the 1940s setting, complete with high-waist pants, fedoras, and sleek hairstyles. Beyond the visual style, the episode also captures the suspenseful, hardboiled spirit of the film noir genre, with dark shadows, tense showdowns, and tense discussions that keep you guessing.

Throughout the episode, the Sliders are faced with moral dilemmas and difficult choices. The world they find themselves in is not as straightforward as they thought, and the story examines the blurred line between good and evil, challenging viewers to reconsider their preconceived notions of justice. The addition of the romance subplot between Quinn and Nikki adds another layer of complexity and intrigue, as Quinn often must choose between his loyalty to his team and his feelings for Nikki.

Ultimately, the As Time Goes By episode of Sliders is a powerful exploration of the themes of morality and time travel. The characters grow and change as they are forced to question their beliefs and their understanding of the world in which they find themselves. Through their exploits in this parallel universe, the Sliders learn about themselves and each other, ultimately strengthening the bond between them. Fans of science fiction, film noir, and classic adventure will all find something to love in this thrilling and thought-provoking episode of Sliders.