With just one episode to go for the season (though not the series...HUZZAH!), Reaper finally asked the question the majority of us have been asking since the beginning: What does Ben look like with his shirt off? Oh wait, that's not the question. Here's the question at the heart of the show: is Sam the son of the Devil? All evidence points to this fact, which means the season finale should absolutely, unequivocally, without a doubt, hedge their bets.

And really, why shouldn't they? There's nothing I can see to be gained from any definite answers at this part of the game. More than likely, Tony's acceptance at the end of the episode guaranteed that Sam is not the literal son of the Devil. There's some workaround or loophole or six degrees of insemination by which the Devil can claim some form of paternity in a legal, if not biological, sense. Maybe the Devil, just like Gladys, got sick and tired of being lonely.

After all, if this episode drove anything home, it's how the Devil is both omnipotent and yet isolated, generally unmoved by emotion and yet susceptible to Sam's pleas. It's not that Sam always gets what he wants; far from it. But there have been times throughout the season during which Reaper has gone out of its way to prove just how unique Sam's relationship to His Most Badass truly is. At first, the mere fact that the Devil spoke to Sam wowed the demon folk. But having seen the two share turkey jerky, well, now the demons are waiting for the two to reenact the last scene of Field of Dreams.

I'm curious to see if next week's episode finally pays off the incident alluded to in tonight's episode: the ripping of the contract by Sam's father. What seemed at first a cruel and callous act may yet be seen ultimately as one of compassion. After all, would you want to know that you shared DNA with the Emperor of Evil? Rather than make the relationship between the two more friendly,  I would think it would make it far creepier were Sam to learn that the Devil considers him to be his son, especially if it was a paternity by proxy. That would suggest a type of almost obsession on the part of the Devil towards our lovable Work Bench employee.

What it ALSO suggest is a possible avenue for Season 2: demons seeking to kill the son of the Devil. Would be a heckuva lot easier than taking the Big Guy down himself, no? This development could break the mold of "demon of the week" episodes and focus on Sam watching his back from all angles. In addition, it could deepen the relationship he has with the Devil, who could occasionally protect Sam out of as close to compassion as the Devil could muster.

I spend all this time looking at the relationship between the Devil and Sam, because, honestly, it's not like the rest of the episode had a lot to offer. Sure, Mike Volta was a perfectly smarmy woman chaser, but we've seen charismatic demons before. I never bought that Gladys was truly dead, and giggled (in a not good way) when a cross between Audrey II and a sand worm from Dune popped up and ate her. And who didn't see Sarah conning Ben out of his Formula 1 racing fund? None of these elements were horrible, but neither were terribly compelling, either, especially in lieu of the monumental movement on the Devil/Sam front.

Luckily, these subplots did yield us some great quotes. To wit:

1. "I feel the night air on my nipples!"
2. "Seat belts, everyone. Safety first...unless you're dead."
3. "We could fold her."
4. "Let's have a three-way...hug, I mean."

All in all, an episode designed to fill a week's worth of episode in order to pad the only development that mattered: Sam's potential identity as the spawn of Satan. Luckily, we only have one week in which to find out the answer.

What do you think the relationship between the Devil and Sam truly is? What deal did Sam's parents actually make? And would this relationship ultimately help or harm Sam?

Ryan shakes it like a Polaroid picture over at Boob Tube Dude.

Comments

next week's ep will be huge, but i'm not convinced Sam is the son of the Devil....I bet the Devil wants them to think that ,but I don't believe Sam is really his son, it's too obvious for this show to go in that direction.

newish guy | May 13, 2008 8:59:20 PM | #

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when did this show become one of the best in tv?

1.Dexter
2.BSG
3.Reaper

ps | May 13, 2008 9:01:16 PM | #

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God I love this show. I can't be more relieved that it's been renewed. It'll be a long tough hiatus but just knowing it's coming back will make it easier. Great episode and I'm scared for Sam now.

PJ | May 13, 2008 10:02:18 PM | #

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I agree with ps. For me the show started off great, had a slight dip in the middle, but has really come up trumps recently. Great news that it's being renewed and hopefully the story will continue to expand during season 2 with less reliance on demon of the week eps.

Lee Richards | May 14, 2008 4:53:49 AM | #

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I almost died laughing with Ben's night air on the nipples line.
I am curious if the imminent death of Ben's father was even the reason for the contract...

Mandy | May 14, 2008 6:42:30 AM | #

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I wasn't expecting the whole, "Is Sam the devil's kid" angle because it felt too soap operay. In my opinion, the show took a small step backwards last night.

The guys did have some good lines though, and I'm glad that British chick is finally gone. She was getting annoying.

MC | May 14, 2008 12:08:46 PM | #

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"I feel the night air on my nipples!" is one of the greatest TV quotes of all time.

Jim | May 14, 2008 2:56:06 PM | #

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News of Reaper being renewed doesn't make me relieved. After seeing how the industry responds to low ratings or a writer's strike, I'll believe it when I see it. It's premier could be pushed back, the show could just not air, or the direction of the show could be altered.
Anyone remember "The Loop"!?!!

Shawn | May 14, 2008 5:20:49 PM | #

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I like where this is going. There are many possibilities outside of Sam actually being the son of the Devil.

Sam might be a fallen angel or God's son? Would explain why the Devil is so bent on corrupting him. And why he's so special. The Devil did love God, after all.

Some other memorable quotes:

"Me, Devil. You, minion." (Devil to Sam)

Sam: "I think you just got official demon approval."
Andi: "Ooh, that’s going on my resume."

"She can walk it off." (Devil to Sam after returning Gladys in the parking lot)

"Go ahead, do it, see if I care. Seriously. You could have picked anything in the whole big, bad universe to use as a human shield. You picked the one thing that I care the least about. You could have grabbed that old TV guide over there and held a knife to it and I would have been more conflicted.” (Sock to Mike Volta as he holds a knife to Galdys' throat)

Rick | May 14, 2008 6:41:58 PM | #

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Didn't Tony and Steve mention that they played tennis with Gladys in one episode? Ok, maybe not tennis because I can't picture Gladys playing tennis, but I seem to remember them mentioning her so I was surprised Tony didn't recognize her in this episode.

Also, maybe I missed the explaination, but how can Sarah get a job at The Work Bench if she's not legal? It's not like they can pay her under the table! I'm in HR so that's been bothering me.

jen | May 15, 2008 12:03:42 AM | #

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Speaking of explanations for Sarah, why wouldn't Sarah and Ben tell the marriage inspector that they met at work, since they work together? That's much easier than coming up with a lie.

Dan H | May 15, 2008 7:45:34 AM | #

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