"Samantha Who?"
The Birthday (2008)

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Turns out the end of the last episode was a cheat since Sam and Todd are still sneaking out at the bookstore (in the Military section, no less!) with Sam telling Todd to break up with Chloe or it's off. Todd agrees and says he doesn't want her to feel bad at her birthday party. Later, as Sam allows Dena to make the birthday party plans and Andrea reminiscences about her and "bad Sam" just getting hair and nails done, they see Todd and Chloe kissing through a window as all three hide under the table. When Sam confronts Todd about putting his "tongue through her mouth", Todd says Chloe's been having a hard time since her aunt went to the hospital. Sam, perhaps acting a little like her old self, says Chloe would be just fine there since there's "skimpy outfits and drugs" and leaves. Meanwhile, Andrea goes to Sam's house and tells her mom Regina that the party is going to be held in her apartment and not the house and "you can go if you want". Hubby Howard is actually fine with the switch since he may meet one of his favorite sportscasters there. Elsewhere, Dena finds out 21 people she invited to Sam's party "has jury duty" so that leaves her, Andrea, Regina, Howard, and eventually Frank, who comes because his wife thinks he's too hard on his daughter during "homework time". When she tells Sam about those 21, Sam remembers how she and Andrea used to talk about "sick aunts" to get out (or maybe into) dates. She then goes to the hospital hoping Chloe's story is fake too. While there's no Wendy, there is a Gwendolyn and while there's a dead old lady in her room, when Chloe comes in and is comforted by Sam, Aunt Wendy comes in a wheelchair looking alright! Before leaving, Sam offers TLC whenever Chloe needs a shoulder to cry on. Chloe comes to Sam the next day and asks for just that after Todd breaks up with her. Let's just say signals are mixed a little more before Chloe decides the two "deserve each other" and Sam decides to leave since she and Todd have too much history together. Back at the party, which now has some "Euro-partiers" that Andrea quickly called up, Sam seems very happy with her parents, best friends, and Frank celebrating with her when Todd comes in "introducing" himself and saying his number is on his balloon if Sam decides to call. As he leaves, Sam is even more ecstatic as we hear her narration for the last time this season...Not a great episode, but a little better than the last one and what funny exchanges between Sam, Todd, and Chloe! How nice to see Regina and Andrea bond a little over a certain issue of Good Housekeeping and to see Frank out of his doorman uniform. Christina Applegate has grown as an actress in portraying both the decent and devilish side of her (her previous role as the slutty Kelly Bundy on "Married...with Children" certainly helped) with the result of being funny and endearing at the same time. It's good seeing the whole cast together for this season finale. The fact that "Samantha Who?" usually aired after ABC's No. 1 show-"Dancing with the Stars" certainly helped its success. Still, I think its a good enough show on its own to merit that. So with that said, may this program continue its enduring appeal all the way through next season. Until then...