A couple of issues with Sam. He's not entirely stupid. He's incredibly weak with his Wife. I don't know if that qualifies as stupid - but that's how I see it - he's just weak with her. She plays him for a fool and he keeps going back for more. In terms of being stupid, I thought what he did, that was phenomenally stupid, was not give Don a job. I'm talking about when the old guy (I believe it was Don's Uncle) shows up at Sam's office pleading for him to give Don his job back. If it was me - knowing the Uncle was a relevant person, I'd have done something to keep the peace and keep the guy placated. While at the same time, never putting Don in any kind of a position with responsibility. As an example..,...
"Yes, it was real disappointing what happened with Don, but of course, I'd be happy to take him back. The only thing is, I filled his old position. The only openings I have right now are for dishwashers. This is all I have available. If Don would like to be dishwasher, I'd be happy to have him back at the casino".
Then if the old guy said "Well, do you see something else opening up in the future?"
Then I'd lie - "I'd be happy to consider Don for any future position. If you check back with me in about 6 months, we can revisit this".
That's how I would have played it. Sam turns the old guy into an enemy - and it kills him down the road.
reply
share
Heisenberg (6468)
a year ago
I agree but, like I replied above,
I could accept the Ward fiasco more easily: Sam was outraged by that stupidity. He was also stressed from every angle (starting with Ginger). He just said "fuck it" and decided to go against his better judgement. Instead of doing what he should have, which is what you wrote.
He couldn't do every single thing right, that was the little mistake that he allowed himself, maybe out of hubris or plain disdain for the locals, and he will pay enormously for it.
What it seems to me, is that he fully understand what would be the intelligent decision, but he goes against it willingly.
But Ginger, a lifetime decision, seems just too much for me to understand as a grownup.
reply
share
jacotodd47 (1081)
a year ago
I disagree with the Ginger stuff Heisenberg. The guy was very simply weak. Maybe I see it that way cuz Ive seen it happen in life. I've seen guys put up with even more than what Sam put up with - and STILL go back for more. I suppose you could say character defect, stupid, mental illness.... whatever - To me I see it as weakness. Like the alcoholic that cant help himself and grabs another shot of tequila. Or the drug addict that cant help himself and does another line of coke. At least in the end, Sam is finally honest with himself. When he is fighting her like Hell so she cant leave with the 2 mil - he finally admits to himself the real reason "I knew I'd never see her again".
Anyway, thats my take. Smart guy, very organized, talented, weak with a woman. Ive seen it over and over again.
Also I should add, I haven't been above weakness in my own life either, hahahaha. Do you know how many times I tried to quit smoking cigarettes before I actually did? Plenty, ahahaahah
reply
share