Samantha Who? – Out of Africa

ABC

Season 2, Episode 2

“I’m supposed to be new and improved.” – Samantha Newly

The first season of Samantha Who? mostly focused on Samantha Newly trying to find who she is. During that time, she learned that “old” Sam was not that nice and the “new” Sam tried to do things better. However, never had Sam battled her past demons as much as she did this week. The one-year anniversary of her car accident made Sam realize that her current status was not better than what she had a year ago, even if Sam is a better person. A year ago, Sam was living with her boyfriend and had a job. Today, Sam is living with her ex-boyfriend and has no job. That realization has Sam want to do something with her life and aims to repress “old” Sam as much as possible. Her idea: go to Africa!

It’s easier said than done, as being “new and improved” doesn’t happen in a day. In order to be as different as “old” Sam as can be, “new” Sam must not use short-cuts (we learn in the episode that Sam used to take the easy way out of everything). So what is Sam to do when she sees the amount of shots she must get before going to Africa, learns about the insects and the number of connecting flights? She takes the easy way out and decides to hide in Dena’s apartment for two weeks instead of facing her fears. It would have been fun to see Sam in Africa but having her chicken out and reach to her friends allowed us to get to know them a little bit better, especially Andrea.

We may not have learned much more about Andrea but the storyline allowed us to see a supportive Andrea. Even if she was ecstatic to learn that Sam decided not to help people, Andrea pushed her friend not to quit. That little push from Andrea didn’t end up with Sam helping people, but Andrea meant well, at least for a second! We witnessed once again how Andrea is a good problem-solver. Okay, some of her ideas are wacky (suggesting she slept with the guards to escape), but she does reach her goal (this time, finding a way to explain how the three girls escaped).

Andrea’s little “do not quit” talk had its biggest repercussion at the end of the episode. Sam, really determined to change and not be her old self, decides to not only kick Todd out of the apartment, but also to not give their couple a chance, at least short term.

What’s your take on this week’s episode? Do you think Sam made the right decision in the end? Let your voice be heard in comments below.

Clacked by Isabelle Carreau
on Oct 21, 2008 @ 13:00 EST5EDT