'Reaper': Time is on my scythe
Now what I'm going to say might sound at first like a negative, but trust me, it's a positive: I wish there wasn't another episode of Reaper this season. That might sound like I don't like the show as a whole, didn't like this episode in particular, or just am ready to enter a Tuesday night bowling league. But none of those things are true: I enjoy the show, loved this episode, and am absolutely horrible at bowling.
But this episode would have made a fantastic season-ending episode. All the major plots of the season were represented, one major epiphany was achieved, and a major new story arc was teased. While watching, I had to actually check online and make sure this in fact was not the season finale. Everything about it screamed, "We're wrapping up things for the time being." And yet, clearly, there are episodes left to go. A good thing in general? Yes. A good thing in terms of overall plotting? The jury's still out.
Let's start with the epiphany: Andi finally learning Sam's secret. This is something most people would call a "big deal." Something normally reserved for epochal episodes. Something not normally doled out in the middle of a season. I give credit to the show for not dragging the whole "Andi never quite figures out Sam's dual life" thing longer than it has, because sooner rather than later it would have made Andi irredeemably dumb and not worth our sympathy. I just didn't picture it happening until the very end of the season, that's all.
Then again, maybe I shouldn't have been surprised: things happen pretty fast on Reaper. Take the whole "Tony rising from the ashes to wreak his vengeance upon Sam" plotline. That story arc lasted approximately 134 seconds, so near as I can tell. So maybe I shouldn't have long-term hopes for this newest plotline whereby Sam cashes in his favor to the devil by spying on Tony's rebuilding efforts to overthrow the Devil.
However, this show has shown, on occasion, an ability to plot beyond one episode. I for one am keenly interested in learning the specifics concerning Sam's contract with the Devil. Early episodes hinted a dark mystery surrounding not only Sam's parents, but Andi's mother, as well. I thought perhaps Andi's use of the Scythe of Awesome hinted at a further connection to the Devil, but I'm more than likely reading too much into the situation. (If any of you can remember any other vessel used successfully by anyone other than Sam, please let me know in the comments below!)
It wasn't all mythology, plot twists, and future story setup this week, however. It was also "The Week of Actresses I Love On Other Shows Collecting Much Needed Paychecks" as well, what with Dawn Tinsley and Anastasia Dualla showing up to tease/torment a lovelorn Ben. I love the original version of The Office, and stay in most Friday nights to watch Battlestar: Galactica (much to the chagrin of my wife), so it was nice to see them appear on my television screen. Here's hoping they are permanent fixtures on the show versus one-off appearances, as there's no such thing as "too much Ben" in my book.
Tossed liberally into all of this were some of the funniest lines uttered on the show in some time. Tonight's episode had me laughing out loud more than it had in months. Top four lines:
- "I have a four foot vertical leap."
- "You need to find your own Phil Collins."
- "Hey...Hi...I brought you a juice box!"
- "We'd like to see you happy making someone else miserable."
All in all, as solid an episode as you can hope for. It felt more like a season finale than a normal episode, but how can you quibble with more episodes of Reaper? Let's just hope the remaining episodes live up to this one.
What did you think about Andi discovering Sam's secret? Are the Tony-centric plots moving too quickly or at the right speed? Will Sam's contract issues reappear before the end of the season?
Ryan also sharpens his scythe over at Boob Tube Dude.
I thought the same thing when the vessel worked for Andi! I really hope we see some more hints to this mystery, and soon!
I am so loving this show lately. :)
I really enjoyed tonight's episode, and can kind of agree that it would have served as a good season finale. But as you said, I too cannot turn down more episodes of this show.
And while I kind of think that Andi may in fact be special, it has been mentioned by others on another board that Sock used the sweater vessel in What About Blob? (but he was touching Sam at the time, which may have been why he was able to use the vessel). So yea, simply put, I'm not sure if Andi's use of the scythe makes her special, or anyone can use a vessel.
Sock was able to use the sweater in...What About Blob, so there's that instance.
Tonight was too good though and I would be very upset if CW let this one get away. I need to see where they can take the show.
Great ep!
Had a little bit of everything...
A tricky escaped soul to capture, a very cool vessel, Gladys at the DMV, Andi & Sam advancing their relationship (kinda sorta), Ben finding his own "Phil Collins" in the beautiful Kandyse McClure (of BSG), plus some of the most humorous lines of the season (as Ryan points out in his recap).
I missed the first 3-to-5 minutes of Reaper both last week and this week due to the local affiliate pre-empting the show with some 'breaking' news updates (why don't they ever run these breaking news stories during the commercial break before or after the opening?).
1) Did last week's episode ever discuss/wrap up how Sam broke it off with Cady?
2) Did I miss anything this week? It began with an overhead shot of the Seattle city skyline and then (breaking news!!!), when they finally rejoined the show, Josie was dropping Sock off at the Work Bench.
Anything worth mentioning?
Thanks!
This is my favorite new show in years - I went to the DMV in a very good mood, and even mentioned it to the clerk, but she didn't know what I was talking about...
Fantastic writing, characters, and I like every single actor. I've watched every episode numerous times!
I did think this episode moved too fast through Andi's discovery, and Tony's anger. And I hope they're not going to explore Andi's background and possibilities so soon!
Not enough Gladys, either.
Note to everyone who loves this show -- Reaper is in big danger of cancellation. If you want to see a second season, I beg you to write a letter (or several) to the CW and tell them you want more Reaper, will tell your friends and support the sponsors:
The CW
ATTN: Executive in charge of Reaper
411 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, California 91505
Please do this!
Very funny, especially when the guys were at the sperm bank!
I think they are rushing the rebellion storyline a little... I would like to see that slow down.
I am glad Andi knows. Any longer she would have been an idiot. I missed a couple episodes at the beginning, so I am out of the loop on what is special about Andi's mom... I will have to try and figure that out, because I thought nothing of it...
This did seem like a season finale, especially since the weapon was the cl***ic scythe of a reaper and everything...
Also remember to write to CBS, the owners of the CW; dumping large bags of foodstuffs seems to get results.
I will say: the worst thing about "Reaper" is that with the fast pacing you think the series was near-death the entire time. Which it's only *about* near-death all the time.
Great episode.
Ray Wise gets better every week. His scene in the porn shop this week had me in tears.."I don't know, I am not a Doctor!" and after Sam told him that he was still breathing; "Oh, thank heaven."
This show is so good.
Runner up for best moment was when Sock answered "Possibly." to whether he left the keys in the car after Andi was already about a half mile away! Cl***ic.
RYAN: Another excellent review. I love everything about this show, especially the character development. On any other show, the writers would have stretched out the "Will Andi find out?" plot for 5 seasons. As a Smallville viewer, I always hated how Clark was never allowed to tell Lana about him being an alien (which led to a million annoying conversations where Lana whines about Clark keeping secrets from her).
When Andi captured the soul with the vessel, I immediately thought that maybe the Devil wanted her to be a reaper too (or maybe she's a vampire slayer?). It would be cool if the writers let Andi help Sam, Sock and Ben on their bountyhunting adventures. Although they need a cool name... they can't be called
the "Scoobies" or "Angel's Avengers"! ;-) What about "The Devil's Own" or something?
Ryan, you forgot to mention another familiar face. Ian Gomez played the escaped soul in this episode. He has been on "Jake in Progress" and "The Drew Carey Show", but he'll always be Javier from "Felicity".