Elizabeth finds Roger in the drawing room. He tells her he interrupted Carolyn's meeting with Devlin. He then mentions how he spent his inheritance. Liz explains that she bought the shares he sold publicly to ensure control of the company stayed within the family. Roger brings up her husband Paul, but she refuses to discuss him.
Maggie comes home to find her father with his torn up Burke Devlin sketch. He asks her why she didn't let him run away when he has the chance. She says not to worry, they'll lick them yet. After another outburst, Sam leaves, and Maggie calls Roger Collins. Vicki answers, tells Roger, and he hangs up the phone without speaking to Maggie.
As he's leaving for the office. Liz asks Roger to look for Carolyn in town. He says he'll be too busy in the office. Roger leaves and Liz asks Vicki if she knew where Carolyn was. Liz is concerned she's off with Burke Devlin. Vicki goes to tutor David, and Liz calls Joe looking for Carolyn. Joe explains that he hasn't talked to Carolyn all day. She asks him to come see her when he gets a chance, and Joe agrees.
Sam returns for another drink to find Maggie still at home. She says she tried to call Roger Collins to find out what's bothering her Dad. Sam flips out, and says Maggie may have literally signed his death warrant.
Roger shows up at the Evans' place and bangs on the door. Sam goes for a drink and Roger takes it from him. He asks what Sam told Bill Malloy. Sam says he doesn't remember. Sam explains he almost raised his hand to his daughter, and Roger says that maybe he should have. Roger leaves with a warning that he won't let Sam's weakness bring him down.
Vicki tells Liz she's going to walk into town. Liz' never leaving the house comes up and is quickly dismissed. She asks Vicki to look for Carolyn, and after she leaves, she tries to call Ned Calder again.
There's a knock at the door, and Liz opens it to find Sam Evans.
Our thoughts
John: I don't know what's more surprising; how much Sam drinks in this episode, or the fact that Roger doesn't drink at all in this episode.
Christine: Did you notice how Liz flinched when Roger refers to Paul Stoddard as a "departed husband." I believe it's the first we heard the absent hubby referred to by name. It's a wonder we haven't heard more about him by now.
John: I know Sam gets frustrated with Maggie, but I'm beginning to wonder about their relationship. If he's that close to hitting Maggie when he gets drunk, there's no way I'm believing he hasn't done that before.
Christine: Could that be what happened to Maggie's mom? Sam's a jerk. He tells his daughter to go back to her job in her "fancy restaurant" and leave him in peace. Sam mustn't get out much if the diner is his idea of a fancy restaurant.
John: It's fancy compared to the Blue Whale. Roger 'Scarface' Collins is on a tear this episode. Nice to get some more backstory, and confirmation that he's not only blown his inheritance, but that Liz bought the shares in the company that he sold. That certainly won't help Burke's attempts to buy out the Collins family.
Christine: Roger is also a jerk. No wonder he and Sam hate each other so much--they're too much alike. Did you notice the Alternate Closing Theme in today's episode? It's got a little more bass note or something to it.
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| That really is a nasty scar. It seems to be sliding down his face. |
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| The Scar in Episode 39 was a bit higher on his forehead. |
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| Good News Everybody! Isaac Collins has finally returned to his original location. |
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| We must caution viewers not to drink whenever Sam Evans drinks. |
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| Does he ever run out of whiskey? |
4 comments:
It doesn't look to me like Sam has hit Maggie. She's inches from his face when he is at his angriest, yet she doesn't flinch, doesn't slump down, doesn't show any sign of withdrawal or fear or anger or panic or sullenness or bewilderment or any other possible response to physical abuse.
"there's no way I'm believing he hasn't done that before."
I enjoy this blog, but that is patently absurd. Sam is a loving father to his daughter. You can see it in how she smiles whenever he's around. The idea that he beats her is ridiculous, and there's no way that was ever the intent of the writers.
Anon - We're thrilled you enjoy the blog, and truly appreciate your taking the time to add to the discussion! I pride myself on my patently absurd beliefs, and by no means do I claim to know the intent of the show's writers — particularly when they get to parallel time... ;)
Actually, violence against women and children in the 1960s was quite common and it's not a stretch to believe that Sam could be a loving father who didn't find anything wrong with smacking his daughter around, just as he may have done to his wife after a bout of drinking.
"50 Years Ago, Doctors Called Domestic Violence 'Therapy'"
https://time.com/3426225/domestic-violence-therapy/
"The Battered-Child Syndrome: 50 Years Later"
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/battered-child-syndrome_b_2406348
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