Retro Review #36: “The Countdown Begins Anew”
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 14, “Slide Like an Egyptian” (original airdate: January 17, 1997 on Fox).
On a world ruled by Egyptian culture, Quinn is used in a life-after-death experiment and thought dead. The others miss the slide when trying to save a woman from a sacrifice and become trapped in a pyramid with a big scarab.
This episode was written by Scott Smith Miller, was directed by Adam Nimoy (his last of three), and guest-starred Apollonia Kotero (from Purple Rain fame).
Co-hosts Mike Bloxam & Damon Sugameli are pleased to welcome back friend and author Erik Dreiling whose next book, Operation: Viper’s Den (the third in the Fractured Timeline series), is expected to be published for summer 2026 release.
The post-Tormé era of Sliders has arrived, and with it, a few significant events that occur so quickly in succession that we barely have any time to catch our breath! How does one break down and describe an episode that Mike thinks is actually worse than “The Fire Within” but which also has such a punny title? Why, through a Bangles-inspired song, of course:
The countdown begins anew
As our Sliders get trapped in a pyramid.
When the alarm sounds (oh way oh),
They let loose a very big scarab.
Quinn’s blood is drained, he starts to die,
He meets his dad, then they pull him back.
Remmy’s got the moves (oh way oh)
To shock the bug through the wooden crack.
Now the old timer’s a paperweight;
A new one is found by Quinn and then,
They all make the slide (oh way oh),
And the Sliders’ journey starts again.
All the pharaohs in the limousines say:
(Way oh way oh
Way oh way ohhhh) Slide like an Egyptian.
Hope you enjoy our analysis and review! It only goes downhill from here…
Next up: “Paradise Lost,” with both co-hosts of the Florida Men on Florida Man podcast, Wayne McCarty & Josh Mills!
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Follow Erik on his Facebook Author page link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…
Jumpmaster Press website: https://www.jumpmasterpress.com/
Erik’s Virtual Seasons stories (as well as Mike’s and Damon’s) can also be found here: https://quantumleap-alsplace.com/virt… (under the “TVS Writers” tab)
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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 March 28, 2026.
Episode edited by Damon Sugameli.
Opening narration by Mike Bloxam.
Main theme produced and composed by Danny Lux.
Screen captures provided by slidecage.com and Albie Burdge.
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:
- Shaun Toub (Kheri-Heb)
- Claudette Mink (Sheilah)
- Rocco Vienhage (Dr. Achtbit)
- Jim Turner (Michael Mallory)
- Armando Valdes-Kennedy (Seyn Jebid, Royal Architect)
- Steven Meek (RDI Agent)
- Apollonia as Dr. Deera Mubaric
- Justin M. Gorence as Priest
- Terry Markwell as Reporter (a.k.a. Tess Martin)