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Episode Recap: "Unseen"
Oh, how I love a good (mild) cliffhanger. Did anyone else expect the Guys’ new neighbors Steve (Michael Ian Black) and Tony (Ken Marino) to be demons? I mean, I think we've all come to accept that anything on this show that appears to be great at first (dads, vacuums, girlfriends) rarely is. But demons? Adoptive parent demons? Badass, lovey chefs-who-discuss-crown-moulding demons? Oh, Well. Even if they are 28,000% evil, I still want their lobster macaroni and cheese recipe. Yum.
I quite enjoyed seeing everyone's storylines flesh out in this episode. And though last week's demon was pretty gnarly, I found Herbert to be one of the scarier escaped souls I've personally seen — you can't see him coming at you! Though in a way, I've come to expect that sort of thing when I walk on New York City streets. At least in my case it's usually just the crazies and not the returned-dead to keep wary of.
Sam started the episode out in confident form, backbone intact, hallelujah. Minus his new cockiness, he was acting so much more the hero tonight. I only fear he might pay for all his sassing of the Devil later, as we've seen what bad Devil karma will get you. Sam got his soul-catching assignment with minimal clues from the big guy (his own choice), and the guys set out to catch the murderous forest hermit who'd been killing innocent joggers near his old haunts in the woods. I fully expect to see that very description somewhere on a dating site in the next few days.
As a vessel, the guys received a Magic Bullet portable food processor. It slices, it dices, it helps transport demons back to hell. If only all home appliances were so useful.
There's still the burning question of Cady's origins. Namely, is she evil? And if not, what gives?
Reasons Cady is Crazy Demon-Spawn
-she made a fish die in her presence
-she made a flower wilt
-she shattered glass
-she snores beast-growls
-she's a jealous beeyotch
-she moved a bowling ball with her mind
Reasons Why Cady is a Normal, if Icky, Girl
-'Cause the Devil said so
-'Cause The Devil gave Sam "evil- viewing glasses" and Cady looked normal through them.
Really, are you going to believe the guy with the horns or your own gut on this one? I suppose other theories might include that her mom's a demon herself or her real dad is a demon, but I don't think Jerry/Mr. Belvedere/Satan really gave us a good enough reason to discount him. Something's fishy, and it's not Steve and Tony's crab salad.
Speaking of, the most exciting part of this episode for me was the Guys' new apartment. (Time out: Three bedrooms for $1200/month, furnished, and including a parking space? Unreal, former meth lab or not.) It's the ultimate bachelor pad, and the guys even have laundry service demons awesome, handy neighbors. Neighbors who... could be evil. Sounds like my own, actually.
This story was much less about catching the demon and more about the interaction between the characters and their resulting lives because of the demon-hunting. This is what you loyal watchers have been commenting about and hoping for all along, so what did you think? Do you prefer the direction things are now going? For those who do, you'll be glad to know that Valerie Rae Miller (who plays my hero Josie) writes in her TVGuide.com blog that we can expect a lot more of that to come.
As I previously mentioned, we're also seeing this refreshing grab-the-assignment-by-the-horns (pun intended) attitude that Sam's evoking. And as Ray Wise told me earlier this week, (shameless Reaper promotion!) while the Devil may not be thrilled with Sam's ego, he sure hopes it helps make him a better guy. I still don't know how much I fully buy the Devil's pride in his charge, even though it makes you "Aww" whenever he treats Sam all fatherly.
All in all, I loved Black's and Marino's characters, I loved the guys' independence, I loved Andi doing the right thing by being honest with Sam about Cady being a freak, and I just love where this is all going. Only six more episodes left, guys. Let's see what we can do to make sure this show sticks around.
Quotes 'n Quotes 'n Quotes
Sock: "I need a bat cave. I deserve a bat cave."
Sock: "Oh dude! Magic Bullet!"
Sam: "What?"
Ben: "What is it, a vibrator?"
Sam to the Devil: "I don't need you."
The Devil: "I told you before — you're much more than an an employee. I care about you."
Hey, Reaperholics, know where you can get your daily dose of your favorite demon-hunter? Our Online Video Guide, of course.
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Mar 21, 2008 2:23 AM
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The pairing of Michael Ian Black and Ken "Vinnie Van Lowe" Marino was awesome. These two are hillarious. I expected it to be one of his other comedy partners like Michael Showalter or David Wain put was pleasantly surprised.
This show has needed these guys from the get go. It seems too little, too late now. Darn.
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Mar 21, 2008 9:51 AM
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I hope it's not "too little, too late" for the show. I thought this episode was hilarious and we were finally able to delve a bit more into the characters. I fully look forward to learning more about Josie and Sock and whether or not Cady and Sam will get back together.
I like Sam and Andy as friends. It's been said and discussed ad nausem whether or not those two have any romantic chemistry, and I hope the writers have noticed.
More Steve and Tony please! Horns or not, given the glimpse of their charity work and their "It's good for the soul" line you know that there's way more to this new duo then what's already been given.
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Mar 21, 2008 10:40 AM
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Great ep! I sooo missed this show. I like that they are showing a maturing of the characters, and thank goodness Sock has been toned down some.
I think that Cady has some sort of powers/gift/thing going on and does not know it. Having her be demony could be great fun.
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Mar 21, 2008 12:02 PM
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I loved this episode!
What a great ride - it's great to see the boys finally stike out on their own - and I love their neighbor demons!
Funniest scenes:
Sock sleeping in the store!
Ben falling from the tree!
And as far as I am concerned - Cady is the devil's spawn!
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Mar 21, 2008 1:28 PM
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I get that Sam's parents feel guilty about selling his soul to the devil and cut him a lot of slack, but if I'd had a girl sleep over in my parents' house when I was 21...at the end of a long list of possible consequences, I'd definitely be looking for a new place to live, by necessity not choice (they're much more like Mrs. Wynsocki, my stuff would be packed up and waiting on the porch, while my room would've become an arts & crafts studio...I'd hope they'd let me know before divorcing or bringing home new partners, though).
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Mar 21, 2008 1:57 PM
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I really liked this episode and I liked how Sam is starting to get more confidence and work without the devil's help. Sock and Ben were great as well. Sock with the tree hugging was funny. Ben falling out of the tree was funny as well. Even if the the gay couple are demons, they are cool. 
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Mar 21, 2008 2:46 PM
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You knew there had to be something up with the gay couple, because they were just too cool. Plus, the excuse for the power sanders seemed rather awkward. It will be interesting to see if Sam gets assigned to catching them. And, if he does, what happens? Do they revert back to being bad once their current life is threatened? Does Sam have a hard time doing it because he knows them already?
I hope they renew this show.
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Mar 21, 2008 3:24 PM
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I am betting that the Devils next door do some mundane work on Earth like Gladys. Of course, the apartment just "happened" to open up with such friendly neighbors. I would not be surprised at all that they were told by Mr. Big to help out the guys.
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Mar 21, 2008 7:35 PM
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I think I liked this episode the best, primarily because it had to do more with the characters and not the soul.
I love Michael Ian Black and Ken (Don't Call Him Dan) Marino. Great casting. I hope they turn out to be hum drum demons, like Gladys, and not a threat. They're fun, plus they have the best food on TV outside of the Food Network!
I'm glad they moved out and moved in together.
I'm very happy that Andi came through, and did it without telling the whole story. Nice job!
No preview for the next episode, wot up wit dat?
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Mar 21, 2008 10:05 PM
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Great review as always Sandy.
I have to say my favorite part was Sam's Dad telling him that moving away was too dangerous, and Sam's reaction of "Really Dad, too dangerous?" The way he delivered it was great, without revealing to his Mom that he is still working for Jerry.
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Mar 21, 2008 11:19 PM
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I also wanted to add a question.
What was up with the commercial break after Ben fell out of the tree onto the body? I timed it out and it was nearly 6 minutes! All of the other breaks were around 3 minutes, so that length really was crazy!
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Mar 21, 2008 11:20 PM
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I agree with thegreatestjake. Your reviews are always entertaining Sandra!
This was one of my favorite episodes to date. Like others, I loved the neighbors. I really liked the character of Vinnie VanLowe on VMars also.
I actually think Andi and Sam have a fair amount of chemistry. It is not always well written though. Love this show. Sure hope it gets a second season!
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Mar 22, 2008 5:46 PM
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I loved this episode. I saw Michael Ian Black's name in the credits, but I missed Ken Marino's, so seeing "Vinnie Van Lowe" with "Phil Stubbs" was a pleasant surprise. I still miss both Ed and Veronica Mars.
I want to think that Steve and Tony are doing mundane work like Gladys, rather than evil demons. Too funny that they sand off their horns every day.
I'm glad that we're getting more episodes beyond next week's, and hope that they do well enough for the CW to renew the show.
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Mar 23, 2008 11:27 PM
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Sorry so late; I didn't get to watch the episode until this weekend. (Yes, I spent Easter weekend watching a show about Satan. I fully expect lightning bolts any minute now.  )
I thought this was one of the better episodes; I like the idea that Sam is starting to develop some confidence in his work. I did find it interesting that while the Devil has been pushing Sam to 'grow up' and 'take responsibility' he only wants him to do it when it coincides with what the Devil wants. So I found it a little jarring that when Sam exerts his new-found grown-up persona, the Devil gets a little tetchy about it! Could make for some interesting plots...
Yet Sam still makes mistakes - dealing properly with his relationship with Cady felt very normal and real, especially for a guy his age. I like the idea that this show could explore how a 21-year-old finds independence, grows as a person, and discovers who he is, but still do it with the humor and pratfalls we expect. That would give the show the layer it's been missing - and keep Sam from looking like a total whiner/slacker!
That, and let's get the gals involved in the demon-catching! I liked seeing more of them this episode, instead of them being just background filler.
And I love the new neighbors. I hope in the end they're good guys - or as good as demons get, anyway! How could I not love Vinnie Van Lowe and Phil Stubbs????
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Mar 24, 2008 10:23 AM
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