Somebody Somewhere Season-Premiere Recap: Hold the Pepper

As someone who has watched more than my fair share of heartbreaking rom-coms and tear-jerking dramas, I must say that Sam’s story in “Somebody Somewhere” really struck a chord with me. Her fear of change and her inability to seize opportunities when they present themselves are all too relatable.

With a mix of joy and sadness, I’m delighted to greet everyone as we return to Manhattan, Kansas, our cherished home for Somebody Somewhere. Despite my excitement to delve deeper into the series once more, acknowledging that this third season is also its last, it’s a bittersweet realization that leaves me yearning for around a hundred margaritas and a moment of denial on a cool bathroom floor somewhere. Although this may sound overly dramatic, isn’t it a testament to the essence of our beloved show, which teaches us to accept ourselves, just as we are?

In simpler terms, the show “Somebody Somewhere” is a story about a woman named Sam who has been gradually moving towards change, but with apprehension due to her deep-seated fears and insecurities. Over two seasons, we’ve seen Sam navigate her relationships, confront her past, and rediscover her love for singing. These experiences have enriched her life, yet she remains hesitant, fearful of change or taking risks due to the fear of failure or rejection. The final season of the show seems to be about encouraging Sam to step out of her comfort zone, not just wishing for better, but actively making changes to improve her life and experience the benefits that come with stepping into the unknown.

A powerful method for recognizing such a situation is observing others in your circle undergoing similar transitions and prospering – realizing that while everyone else seems to be progressing, you remain stationary. This is exactly what happens to Sam in “Margarinis” by the close of the season three premiere; she finds herself completely alone as those closest to her become engrossed in the transformations they’ve adopted.

Initially, there’s Tricia who has recently divorced from her ex-husband Rick. Despite knowing that she made the right decision, she harbors concerns about moving backwards in life. An attempt by Sam to lift her spirits over chili con queso and margarinis fails to produce the desired result; instead, Tricia seems to fall deeper into despair when reminded that even Sam is not someone’s significant other. This emotional response from Tricia, though painful, is characteristic of her unique personality. However, Tricia’s tears do not fully convey her situation: She is a woman who, though she may not realize it at the moment, is flourishing following her divorce. Leveraging funds from her successful adult toy business, she has purchased an Escalade and is actively engaging in online dating. Determined to pursue the life she desires, Tricia isn’t content with idleness. Although Sam remains supportive and wishes the best for her sister, it still hurts when Tricia cancels their planned outing at the last minute for a date. Left speechless, Sam watches as Tricia exits hurriedly, leaving instructions on how to reheat the enchiladas she prepared for what will now be a solitary evening.

Sam finds herself in an awkward situation when her friends are unavailable after their church bake sale. She anticipates a social outing afterwards, but Fred and Susan are off to their fantasy football league, leaving Brad and Joel busy with clean-up duties and delivering leftovers to a senior center. Joel invites Sam along, but she looks visibly uncomfortable, as if she feels like an unwelcome third wheel. To make matters worse, Sam is still reeling from the shock of learning that Joel sold his house. He’s concerned about her disappointment over not earning money from his small rental business, and on top of that, the sale means Joel will be moving into Brad’s house. This is just another instance of someone Sam cares for making significant changes, which she finds difficult to cope with.

In this particular episode, the signs couldn’t be more obvious; it seems as though Somebody Somewhere is practically flashing a neon sign above Chef’s that reads Sam Fears Change. Not only does Sam feel abandoned by her friends, but in just this one episode, she encounters the potential consequences of letting fear control her and the rewards that could come from facing it head-on.

Could we discuss Pepper? I’m still deeply saddened about Pepper. Sam found a lovable little dog named after the spice on a pet adoption site. She seems to be smitten by this pup. She went to the shelter for some affection from the old boy, Pep. In her selfie with him, Sam looked happier than ever! It appeared she was going to adopt him, but it’s a significant decision and change, so she left without the dog but holding onto the adoption form. Later, after watching everyone else leave with their new companions, and a few glasses of pinot grigio in her, Sam returned to the shelter, determined not to leave without Pepper. Unfortunately, Pepper had already been adopted by someone else. She hesitated, she waited too long, and she lost out. Instead of accepting the loss and remembering there are other dogs to love, she immediately decided that Pepper was better off and drove away in tears. If this story doesn’t embody how Sam handles relationships in her life, I’m not sure what does.

Meanwhile, this episode provides us, as well as Sam, a peek into the consequences of confronting one’s fears. Despite her insistence that she won’t return to her parents’ house and farm now that it belongs to someone else, Sam struggles with the thought of a stranger occupying their home. She’s unfamiliar with the man they call Iceland due to his Icelandic origin and the difficulty in pronouncing his real name. When Tricia can’t retrieve Iceland’s rent check, they find themselves in need of the money, compelling Sam to face her fear.

In a somewhat peculiar and awkward situation, here we have Iceland, a man with a rough exterior and few words, encountering Sam. Could it be that he’s trying to flirt with her? It’s definitely a unique style of flirting – clumsy, endearing, and slightly rambling. After all, inquiring about the authenticity of Icelandic Northern Lights is an unconventional move. Yet, behind his scraggly beard, a smile appears. He finds Sam charming. It’s so sweet it’s almost overwhelming. Whether anything will develop from this moment remains to be seen, but for Sam, it feels like a significant leap forward. And all she needed was to step out of her comfort zone. I, for one, am eagerly waiting to see where the story of Sam Miller takes her as she embarks on an uncertain journey.

Tender Moments

• Susan, we were all rooting for you! While I treasure Fred and Susan’s wedding, she might be the worst? I mean, it’s good that she’s pushed Fred to go to the doctor — he actively avoids them — and taking care of yourself is important, but forbidding your husband from hanging out with his friends at their favorite diner? It’s a bridge too far, Susan, and I will not stand for it!!

Instead of going to Chef’s every morning as usual, Fred has decided to make a concession and establish a “Catch Club”. The members of the group will play baseball during their regular meeting times at this new club, and I can’t wait to see Sam and Joel in action on the baseball field.

• Somewhere, Someone’s musical preferences continue (quite expectedly) to be refined. Seeing Sam passionately belt out Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” in the car brings joy. And her exclamation, “fuck, I wish I could hit that note,” resonated with me deeply.

2024-10-28 07:54

Somebody Somewhere Season-Premiere Recap: Hold the Pepper

Tender Moments

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