Samantha Who?: The Hockey Date (Episode 107)

Sam discovers she really, really likes presents.Frustration is setting in as Sam finds it more and more difficult to function with little to no memory of her former self.   Knowing that Todd has moved on and is currently dating isn't helping matters, nor is Sam's mom who's on her case to get in the game.

"Marriage doesn't just happen," she says, "You have to get out there and expose yourself to it—like chicken pox."   A not so gently reminder that she has "three, maybe five good years" left, Sam snaps.  Taking a break from a riveting game of Life with Dena, Sam demonstrates how a date with an amnesiac goes.  

What's you're favorite movie?  Where did you go to summer camp?  How'd you get that scar on your toe?  Don't know, don't know, don't know.  Case in point: How can Sam be herself when she doesn't know who that is?

But Sam's mom isn't won't give up without a fight.  She sets up a double blind date by asking a hardwood floor repair man (Kevin) over around the time Sam would return from work.   When Sam walks in the door, she literally falls over Kevin and is whisked to the dinner table by her mom.  There's "so much food" that mom also ushers Kevin to the table.   And wouldn't you know it?  Mom and dad completely forgot they have tickets to see "Mama Mia!" and have to rush off to the theatre.   Of course, there's really no tickets nor was this a chance encounter.  Something that's painfully obvious as Sam's mom peeks into the dining room window from outside, motioning for Sam to smile more.

Kevin (who looks curiously like Christina Applegate's real-life ex) tries to strike up a conversation with Sam.   As Sam dodges any potential personal questions, Kevin interprets this as Sam being a smart ass.  And he likes it.  Since the only information Sam offered up was that she played hockey (one measly childhood trophy on the mantle to prove it!), Kevin shows up at Sam's office the next day to ask her out.   He comes bearing gifts, a Blackhawks jersey with "Smart Ass" customized on the back.

Sam calls Andrea to gush about her upcoming date.  "I discovered something about myself today.  I really, really like presents."  But Andrea doesn't share in Sam's excitement; she's busy planning a trip to Rome with her current fling.   So Sam turns to Todd for help and advice and asks him to go with her to a hockey game.  She has twenty-four hours to learn everything there is to know about hockey.

Todd says no go, he can't help this time because he has plans with his new girl.  Sam reminds him that the quicker she moves on the less she'll keep popping by his place.   This is enough to get Todd on board with Operation Hockey 101.  As Sam tries to buy tickets to the match, she discovers she's been banned from the United Center.  

Flashback to Sam at a Blackhawks game, sitting in the handicapped section alone.  As the 'hawks win the game, Sam jumps up to cheer.   Meanwhile, everyone around her notices her sudden mobility and boos as security escorts her out.

While Sam and Todd resort to plan B (playing darts at a sports bar), Andrea's a mess since her boy left for Rome without her.   She arrives at the girls' usual watering hole but finds Dena there instead of Sam.  With no one else to cry to, Andrea and Dena finally begin to bond, but only after Dena stands up for herself and resolves not to take any of Andrea's crap.  Aww, Suki's all grown up!

Sam tells Todd that the dating scene isn't her thing.  Her future is destined to involve taking care of her aging parents and getting a cat.   Todd disagrees; what happened to the Sam who didn't give up until she got exactly what she wanted?  He tells her about the time they were in Lincoln Park and a goose stole her watch.   She chased that goose until she got her watch back.  Sam comments that she must have really liked the watch.  Todd points out that Sam has the watch on her wrist and the scar on her toe to prove it.  Turns out, he bought the watch for her birthday one year.

As Sam and Todd are having a great time playing darts, Kevin shows up.  Ever the gentleman, Todd excuses himself so Sam and Kevin can be alone.   When Kevin tries to start up some hockey banter, Sam caves and confesses that she has amnesia and doesn't have a clue about hockey.  It dawns on Kevin that he remembers Sam from her handicap incident—he even threw a cup at her while she was being escorted out!   Sam asks if he's appalled or turned on.  He thinks the later and offers to buy her a drink.

Next week Sam learns about guilt when she crashes her father’s car and tries to make it look like it was stolen.