Retro Review #32: “The Labor of Man”
FANDOM ENTANGLEMENT is back with another retro review of the 90s sci-fi series SLIDERS. This time, we’re taking a look at Season 3, Episode 9, “The Prince of Slides” (original airdate: November 22, 1996 on Fox).
On a world where the American government is a monarchy, Rembrandt is mistaken for his double and discovers that he is about to be a father of royalty. The only problem is, on this world, it’s the men who give birth to children.
This episode was written by Eleah Horwitz (her first of three) and directed by Richard Compton.
Co-hosts Mike Bloxam & Damon Sugameli are joined for the first time by special guest Suzanne Smiley, frequent contributor to The Quantum Leap Podcast and administrator of the Facebook group Scott Bakula and Company.
Speaking of Quantum Leap, this episode shares some obvious similarities (specifically the male pregnancy scenario) to the infamous “8 1/2 Months” episode from Season 3 of the original series (which incidentally did it first and a bit better). But that’s not to say this was a bad episode. In fact, it’s one of the better ones we’ve gotten from this show in quite some time. We do have some serious questions, though, such as: how exactly do male pregnancies work? Why is there an accelerated growth rate when the fetus is transferred to an artificial womb after six months? How is Rembrandt able to move around so freely after having what was presumably two C-sections in less than a week? And what’s the connection between America being a monarchy and women no longer able to carry a baby full-term? But at least we get another chance for Jerry O’C to show off his NYU fencing skills! 😜
Hope you enjoy our analysis and review!
Next up: “State of the ART,” with returning guest, author Erik Dreiling.
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Check out these resources for a veritable who’s who and in-depth information about the series:
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Recorded on November 8, 2025.
Episode edited by Damon Sugameli.
Opening narration by Mike Bloxam.
Main theme produced and composed by Danny Lux.
Screen captures provided by slidecage.com, Albie Burdge, and Brian Greene.
No copyright infringement is intended.
Episode main cast:
- Jerry O’Connell (Quinn Mallory)
- Sabrina Lloyd (Wade Welles)
- Cleavant Derricks (Rembrandt “Crying Man” Brown)
- and John Rhys-Davies as (Professor Maximilian) Arturo
Episode guest cast:
- Hallie Foote (Lady Mary)
- Victoria Mahoney (Duchess Danielle)
- Dan Gauthier (George Stellos)
- Clinton Derricks-Carroll (Rembrandt No. 2)
- Collin Bernsen as Captain of the Guards (Lance)
- Tom Astor as Guard
- Paul Goodman as Guard #2
- Terry Markwell as Anchor Woman
- Gabrielle Beimford as Nurse
- Kristopher Logan as Assassin
- Marian E. Green as Mother
- Brooke Elizabeth Crocker as Little Winged Girl #1
- Kahlee Elizabeth Barrio as Little Winged Girl #2