TV Detail: Samantha Who? review. Episode 2.2—"Out of Africa"

Although I was thrilled, this is obviously not the way things are supposed to go down in order for these two to end up together. Even though Todd says it "feels right," Sam isn't convince. So, jobless and unsure of what she wants, she decides to go to Africa.

Her parents laugh when she tells them her plans, saying that they know their daughter and they know she always takes the easy way out. But Sam seems intent on helping the world and doing something meaningful with her "new" self. Too bad that after staring down a long line of needles in her doctors office, she's not so sure she wants to be all that new. Afraid to tell her parents that she couldn't go through with her plans, she hides out in Dena's closet. Doesn't last long, as Andrea shows up and convinces her that instead of hiding out in order to prove her parents wrong, she should use the next two weeks to lounge poolside in Miami and take the good kind of shots.

Of course, nothing goes as planned in a half-hour comedy, and while in Florida our girl with the forgotten past gets word that turmoil has hit Africa, leaving her family worried that she might not be alive. She rushes home to console them but still plays it off like she was overseas all along. And just when you think that's it, Sam finds out that Todd got wind that she may be in trouble and rushed to Africa to save her. Oh, dear.

Except, Todd didn't really go to Africa because he knew better. And he also thought that knowing better would score him some points, but as it turns out Sam doesn't want to be with someone that really sees that she's a girl that would never go to Africa to help people. She wants someone to help her be the kind of person that would go to Africa. And so, with that, she kicks Todd out of the apartment. Again (for good?). And no, she doesn't want to date him either. Bye until next week, Todd!

Sam does the right thing and tells her parents the truth, but they've already planned a TV interview. Guess this means everyone is playing along now. While the episode was a vast improvement upon last weeks hodge-podge, I don't ever remember Samantha being so shallow. The girl didn't have to go to Africa, but not going because of a few needles? Wouldn't the tough/mean Sam have been able to get through that? If the show wants audiences to stand by their girl, they've gotta make her likable and less whiny and confused. Otherwise, we may as well be watching those insanely self-involved doctors on Grey's Anatomy.