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« Reaper
Episode Recap: "Rebellion"
Plenty of shows on TV these days know how to balance their funny factor with drama. Scrubs and My Name is Earl particularly do a good job at being comedies that the audience takes seriously. Reaper isn’t quite in that category yet, probably because it deals with the Devil and a demon-catcher instead of folks we can empathize with like a young guy moving up in the ranks at his job or a poor guy trying to do some good in the world. When those shows have a serious message to convey, you quit your laughing and pay attention. Not so much with Reaper. Tonight’s episode did get closer to that than it ever has though, demon rebellion and all. I'm not certain this show even needs to be on that track to Serioustown, but tonight's episode lended this show a new kind of importance, and to me it felt good.
Andi was still hanging out in a hospital bed when we revisited her tonight, on the verge of release after the car accident last episode. Whatever you were hoping she would keep in her memories, it seems she did because she does remember details about the acid queen. Though really, who’s not going to remember a girl dripping bloody acid from her fingers? Sam and the gang hired a hospital janitor to dress up as Andi’s doc and tell her hallucinations are common with head trauma and to give her a bottle of brain medicine Tic Tacs. I guess Sam had to cover his ass somehow incase Andi had prying questions. But what I think no one expected was Andi’s new lease on life, seizing the day and violently making out with Sam whenever they were in the same room together. That, of course, after a predictable mega- awkward moment together. They don't disappoint, those two.
Sam is all businessy with the Devil in this episode, no love at all, and I got to wondering why. My guess is being a dog-catcher-of-the-underworld has started getting old, which was confirmed by his eagerness to join the demon rebellion to overthrow the devil. I don't expect Sam to just grin and bear it when he's been forced into a new life/”career”, but hello, the dude’s Satan. And he owns your ass. You really think a rebellion is going to work? Man, I'm such a pessimist. But really? I can't be the only who thought that sounded like a bad idea.
The soul, Cubby Bryce, was around for a smidgeon of time, and easily captured by Sam and the gang. Maybe not so easily, as Sam had no idea how to maneuver the vessel (a whip) and ended up hurting himself, Sock, Ben and messing up the Work Bench’s break room while he was at it. He also assumed his weekly position-o’-death in the process, on his back on the floor, pinned down by a demon who wants to eat his face, right before capturing the guy. There was no more Cubby Bryce action until late in the episode when Sock and Ben realized all the unsolicited Beers of the World packages they’d been delivered were for their apartment’s previous tenant, a one Cubby Bryce. No coincidence.
Ironically, Steve and Tony reminded me of door-to-door salesmen, or those people on TV who think they can change your life by motivating you to buy their treadmill. We all knew something fierce was nigh, but a revolution? The proposed death of Satan? As Sam, I would have shut the door, even with the possibility of release from bondage. This isn’t some regular Joe to outsmart, but the Devil himself. How could Sam think that Satan didn’t know everything that was going on? Steve and Tony became fanatical in their ideas, but at least Steve’s motivation was to overwhelm the world with Good, and not to literally attack Satan. I knew that Archangel Michael sword was fake from the start, and I knew those guys were in for some serious annihilation. The Cubby Bryce apartment realization by Sock and Ben clued Sam in to the scam the Devil was running, having set up the rebellion himself so he could do away with the Demons who posed a threat to him (the ones trying to make the world a better place). I didn’t expect Sam to end up a pawn in the Devil’s games once more, used and abused (but thankfully unscathed). That's a little disappointing. What a bummer, to taste your freedom and then find out your captor was behind your false hope from the start.
Satan demo’d the building the opposing demons were in, with all of them them in it. And since only Tony climbed out of the rubble alive, I assume we’ll see him continue his mad crusade (sans Steve? Cry), Sam now surely being no friend of his.
Do you think Sam and the Devil are actually friends? I think Sam deserves to be free and have a normal life and not have to lie to Andi or put his loved ones in danger, and still at times he felt like guilty for betraying him. Is Sam too good of a guy? And is the Devil really lonely? It’s never easy to know who to trust.
Other notes
-When Josie gave Ted her scarf, “I See Spiders When I Close My Eyes” by The Boy Least Likely To was playing. And Eew, Ted and Josie?
-Why didn’t I think of Beerios myself?
-It was nice to see Robert Clendenin as Bob the demon.
-I was hoping for some Gladys action, but nothing. I want more demon deposits!
-The Devil’s number is in the Phoenix area code? I’m back to wondering about Cady now. And what kind of Hell might break loose when she gets backfrom her "break".
-The Devil got all emo on Sam, talking about his love for God and his loneliness. Again, what’s the truth and what’s a ploy?
-Why the heck would Andi trust Sam more than anyone I the world? All he’s done is let her down!
Quotes
The Devil: “What, you don’t like banana splits? What, are you some kind of a Commie?”
Sock to Josie: “Even though I’ve moved on, it’s nice to see my mark is still all over you like dog pee on a pretty, pretty little tree.”
Sam to the Devil: “You are so weird.”
Sock to Cubby: “I would be wiling to put on your underwear with you still in them for seven figures.”
Sock: “There is no way Josie thinks she’s better than me.”
Steve, at the human sacrifice: “Here, just jam this through his heart, easy as pie!”
Hey, Reaper fans, looking for more goodies? Our Online Video Guide will hook you up.
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Apr 23, 2008 8:36 AM
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This had to be one of my favorite episodes of the season. It was well paced and executed so well. I love Josie giving Ted her scarf and then Ted imparting some advice to sock.
I thought it was a great way to tie in the whole "free beer" with the 'A' plot and also it finally answers the question on how those guys ever got such a nice apartment.
Michael Ian Black was alot of fun and I am sorry to see him go. Ken Marino - I always liked him but still for about five seconds after he comes onscreen I get flashbacks as him as Vinnie Van Lowe on VM.
Also I love the area code for the Devil's cell was in Phoenix, especially since it get quite hot there. Nice playing on the whole hell symbolism.
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Apr 23, 2008 9:23 AM
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Great episode! I loved everything about it. Nice to see all of the major players (except Gladys) in action! Just the right amount of Ted, Andi and Josie who are terrific!
I have to admit that I, like Sam was almost feeling sorry for Satan myself! Great job of sucking us in. I loved the Devil melting ice cream scene.
Now next week looks very interesting!
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Apr 23, 2008 10:47 AM
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The Closed Captioning was horrendous last night, skipping some spoken words, fractured and just after Lucifer, Beelzebub, Satan ... Jerry, blew up the building and Tony crawled out of the wreckage, The Devil faced Sam and the captions cut out completely. Anyone know what was said? I need to wait for the DVD to rewatch it.
From what I understood though, yes Sam was stupid to go after his 'boss'. However, what made me curious, and may have been explained in the above, why he sparred Sam and what his special connection to Sam is.
My Theory: The Freedom of Choice in the Bible is true in this case. There by Sam's parents could NOT sell his soul. My guess is Satan **IS** Dad.
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Apr 23, 2008 11:01 AM
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I agree GimplyGump, I think the Devil is Sam's biological father.
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Apr 23, 2008 12:53 PM
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I questioned how they would get the Archangel Michael's sword. That just seems like it would be in Heaven, not earth bound. I also was surpised that Sam was swayed by the rebellion. As much as he wants his soul, I don't think he could do anything bad to get it back. And, as much as he says he doesn't like the devil, he does seem to have some respect for him.
I may be crazy, but I actually believe that Satan truly loved God. You can't have hate without love, so it makes sense that the ulimate hatred and evil came from someone who used to love. But, the devil has no problems parlaying his pain into gain. Which is why he manipulated Sam into leading him to the rebellion.
I will miss Steve and his kill him with kindness crusade. Tony is a little scary and I a little scared to see what happens now that he has lost Steve and all his friends. He probably will blame Sam, even though Sam tried to save him.
OMG! Demon 12-step had me ROFLMAO. I mean, "I was about to eat a kid, but I knew it was bad. So, I let him go and called my sponsor. Randy, you saved me." If you didn't laugh at that, you had to be dead on the inside! Bob Clenindin stole the show with that bit.
I am starting to agree that Sam may be the son of the devil. He really looked nothing at all like his brother (thank God they don't show him anymore). Plus they keep mentioning that the Devil never talks to Reapers. I don't just think it was all about the manipulation to get to the rebellion. But, I guess we will see how the Devil acts towards Sam in the next shows.
This show was a little uneven, but overall it was good. I really hope it gets renewed.
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Apr 23, 2008 1:39 PM
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So what does that make Cady? Potentially his half-sister?
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Apr 23, 2008 1:47 PM
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I loved this episode. This show keeps getting better and better. Why did they kill off Steve, though?? I had a bad feeling about halfway into this episode that this would be the end of their fun, gay neighbors. Too bad. I was thinking all along how stupid it was of Sam to think they could actually take down the Devil. I mean, hello--he's the Devil! Of course he was playing them all along. I don't think anything that comes out his mouth is actual truth. He's all about manipulation and he's no fool. I kind of liked Andi taking charge in this episode and I also liked that the soul of the week thing was kept to a minimum. They should have more Ted on the show. He's hilarious. I'd also like to see more of Josie. She's always in the background. It also occurred to me that Sam is really the Devil's son and I wondered about Cady, but I don't know. Obviously, there's some mystery going on here. We still haven't learned why Sam's dad ripped those pages out of the contract. Should be an interesting explanation. I'm also curious as to what Tony will have planned for Sam and the Devil.
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Apr 23, 2008 2:52 PM
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So what does that make Cady? Potentially his half-sister
Maybe the devil was telling the truth, she's not his daughter. Why does she kill fish and flowers? The Devil isn't the ONLY demon in town. I mean by nature demons are horny. <insert groan here> 
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Apr 23, 2008 3:34 PM
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Obviously, there's some mystery going on here. We still haven't learned why Sam's dad ripped those pages out of the contract
That's what keeps buggin me too! What would causehis dad to do that - unless he wasn't his real father and he found out that his wife cheated on him with the devil maybe?
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Apr 23, 2008 4:09 PM
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I like that the show is having more serious moments; after all, it's Ol' Scratch we're talking about here. I think they balance the comedy and drama quite well.
I think Sam truly felt guilty about tricking the Devil, and was moved by his speech about loving God. These two characters are starting to show more complexity, and Reaper is moving away from the "demon and vessel of the week" formula. Although I miss Gladys!!!
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Apr 23, 2008 4:58 PM
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Best episode yet!
I really hope that it gets renewed.
Gonna miss the neighbor demons, or at least one of them.
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Apr 23, 2008 11:17 PM
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Steve is dead for sure? I thought it looked like Tony had his arm around someone at the end. Like he was dragging someone else up. I wish I hadn't deleted it now. I hope Steve is still around.
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Apr 24, 2008 12:43 AM
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I'm new to posting about Reaper, because I mostly like to sit back and relax. Last night was the first time I actually watched it on television so I have to admit it was quite different for me.The plus side was the show didn't freeze up. The downside was longer commercials. Is there a law for 30 something second commercials on the internet? Not to mention that I realized I skipped a couple of episodes, because the CW constantly changes which episodes stay and go. Other than that, I easily adapt to shows in the middle of a season...unless they're like LOST.
As for yesterday night's episode I fairly enjoyed it. The rebellion meeting was fantastic and when I saw the human sacrifice I...*looks around cautiously*...snorted. But what had me startled was when Andy and Sam started dating again. WTF Sam? Isn't he putting her in danger by starting up their relationship? I think lover boy's finally forfeited his common sense to his heart.
Interesting theory about Sam as the son of the devil, but does that mean all demons make flowers wilt and fish die?
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Apr 24, 2008 1:00 AM
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does that mean all demons make flowers wilt and fish die?
Probably not. They were angel's then demons, and they probably have more control that someone who is new to the powers.
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Apr 24, 2008 9:36 AM
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