SBeckett said:
This would be one of the many things that make this one of the best eps. We really find out when Sam sees the photo on the mantle. Right?
Yes, that's when it's revealed, or when it's confirmed if you guessed. I figured it out shortly before Sam did, when Al was walking through the house alone. Ever since then, every time I watch this episode, I can't believe I didn't figure it out a lot sooner. They were dropping hints all over the place. I guess that's a sign of good writing, and good acting too.
I think it's very tricky to pull off this kind of episode, where the plot twist has to be hidden in plain sight, so to speak. I was so caught up in the story that I didn't think ahead about how it might turn out. I assumed, like Sam, that Al was taking it personally because it was parallel to his own life, the way he did in "Jimmy." I believed Al because he very rarely lies to Sam.
I also believe that Sam didn't succeed in fixing things for Al because Al used deception to try to get what he wanted. In "Star Crossed," Sam is honest about what he wants to do and he openly begs Al for information about Donna's father. But Al tries to manipulate Sam into fixing things for him, believing Sam won't help him if he knows the truth. But I digress.
Anyway, I'm very lucky I didn't know the name Calavicci, because I had already seen some of the later episodes, including "A Leap for Lisa." Now I'm confused about how I could have seen that episode and not know Al's last name. I think this means I have to go watch it...
Holy mackerel. I did go watch it. (God, I love that episode!) The name Calavicci is all over "Leap for Lisa." But after I first watched it last year, I got the DVDs and started watching the series in order, and conveniently swiss-cheesed the name. I guess there's something to be said for having a bad memory! I swear, when I watched MIA, "Beth Calavicci" didn't ring any bells with me!
Al: My name is Albert. Albert what, I can't tell you.
Me: Okay!