Why does Rembrandt keep calling Quinn "Q-ball"?
In "Sliders," Rembrandt keeps calling Quinn "Q-ball". Why does he do that?
I think I know, I would just like to make sure. In theoretical physics, Q-ball refers to a type of non-topological soliton. The physics in Sliders is kind of hairy: not exactly far-fetched, just silly, like no one's even trying to pursue ... well, any level of scientific verisimilitude. I was thinking that one of the authors may have misread "soliton" as "solution" and figured he'd impress the hell out of his/her colleagues with his/her superior knowledge.
Best Answer
This appears to be a hangover from an earlier version of the script. The alternate Quinn they meet attempts to explain the differences between the various parallel realities using a roulette metaphor with themselves as the ball/s.
ARTURO: Your double said Sliding was like spinning a roulette wheel. Our "ball" must've landed on an Earth that's suffered a terrible climactic cataclysm.
[shortly afterwards]
REMBRANDT: End of discussion Q-ball. We're OUTTA here!
In the revised show script, the conversations are much farther apart, making the connection less clear.
Obviously the nickname suits quite nicely since he's white (e.g. cue ball)
Pictures about "Why does Rembrandt keep calling Quinn "Q-ball"?"
The Rembrandts- I'll be there for you (official video)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Anna Tarazevich, Karolina Grabowska, Polina Tankilevitch, Anna Shvets