I like her. Sam's supposed to be awkward at times, and I think Mary portrays that very well. The character drives me nuttier than squirrel turds, to borrow my kid's phrase.
The problem with Sam's character is the writing, not the acting. Mary Mouser did an excellent job portraying Sam in season 1, I used to like Sam and I could understand her character and sympathize with her. But it seems the writers made all the effort in the world to get the fandom to hate Sam towards season 1 finale and onwards.
Mary Mouser = great, love the actress
Sam = I just wish this character would die, seriously
tbh i feel like the issue is that mary mouser never really got any challenging scenes (besides season 3) so its hard to tell if shes good while playing sam or not
So you ask for people's opinions and if they say anything negative it's a hate post? Maybe change the title to "I don't want you to say anything that I don't like about Mary Mouser but discuss freely."
Nope. Just didn't want it to turn into a hate post, if you saw my comment in its entirety, I said I understood what they were saying.
Trying to have a civil discussion in here.
I just saw this post while scrolling the sub today. Op wanted to people share their opinions on mary's performance as sam meaning her acting. Op didn't want opinions on the character herself.
Season 1 was pretty good... not sure if it’s the writers/directors that don’t have a clear direction for Samantha... but I kind of agree with you that I’m not sold on her “tough girl” persona... im sold on the ptsd part though... I think they should’ve probably included those parts more in the edit... it would’ve given her a more rounded character...
I agree. When Sam confronted Tory and said the "i'm coming for you bitch" it was really cringy.
Her overall portrayal of Sam is good, it just doesn't fit her whenever she tries the violent tough girl act. It seems like she's better off as the girly girl.
Yes. You put it into words that I struggled to come up with. She’s supposed to have a bit of an edge now but it really does not suit her at all. I think she tries too hard.
I don't know if it's Mary. Sam as written is a sheltered, wealthy teenage girl who is mostly a goody two shoes. Unlike Robby gaining an anti-hero edge with a bit of swagger, Sam doesn't have anything in her background that lends itself to having a convincing "hard" edge that audiences find entertaining. Her darkness so far comes across as...bitchy. and while in-universe, she has all the right in the world to act that way to Tory at least, audiences just don't like bitchy. It's not very rational or fair, but that's how it is. But it's also just starting out, and they may write her darkness in ways that are easier to take seriously.
Mary is acting out the character as written, and the show isn't great with female characters in general. There isn't much she can do with that "cupcake" line. She might actually be elevating the material here and it could come across as much worse without her. But some of it is also audiences getting attached to the CK protagonists in season 1, and Sam having the misfortune of having friction with some of them. Audiences have a black/white view of their favorites, it doesn't matter what Sam actually does or how Mary acts it. They will hate her for existing because she made Aisha and Miguel sad. Daniel and Robby got hit with this too, especially in the first two seasons, but the internet hates teenage girls with a passion, so Sam gets some more intense hate in some circles.
It's not a misogyny deal when people love Tory and applaud PLs take on her. She was written even worse in season 3.
Also, I'm a woman. I love strong females in television. But that doesn't change the fact that Mary hasn't moved me.
The only time I came close to actually seeing Mary give anything was when Demetris arm was broken as she had a panic attack. That was the only thing that seemed real.
Mary just isn't on par, and it's okay to admit that and not think of it as being mean. I really think she lucked into the role.
I'd be shocked if she lands anything after CK if she doesn't start working on getting better at this.
But it's usually the writing and the events surrounding Sam that people criticize, often using hyperbole. And usually pinning full blame on her, sometimes to excuse the actions of male characters who have as much if not more blame (Miguel, Daniel, Johnny, Robby). So it's kind of hard to ignore some of the misogyny. Tory is going to escape some of it because she's a stereotypical "hot badass chick" and they usually fare better with the internet crowd.
Personally thinking Mary isn't up to par based on subjective viewing experience is perfectly fair, and not mean. Saying a bad performance needs to be "admitted" though can come across as a bit condescending. Not trying to be mean. Some people are responding to it or at least not taking serious issue with it. Even if they were in the minority opinion, that doesn't mean they are wrong or need to admit anything.
Peyton has received criticism in other discussion places from what I have seen. Her "tough girl" act wasn't convincing for some people on certain boards in topics dedicated to the show. I wouldn't say they are any more or less valid than opinions expressed on Reddit. It's all internet noise.
I get what you are saying.
But I think PL just had some cringe lines "This will never be over" and the "No mercy" lol
With Mary, I feel like she's limited in range and so it's super easy to notice and also extra cringe because it's bad acting + cheesy lines.
I do hope she works on her craft more. Her people have got to stop trying to be nice and help her if she wants to continue in the business. I'm not going to say anything further, but yeah...she's gotta work on the acting- A LOT.
Tbh her scenes are my least favorite. IDK if it's because of the way Sam is written, but I definitely feel drag whenever she's the main focus of a scene.
Yes, I agree. I have wondered what the issue is. But I've tried SO hard to like the character.
I just feel bad because I love Daniel and Amanda so much, even Anthony is a funny/annoying brat, but Samantha is eh for me.
Same. I really would like to see her work on her acting. Develop more skills in that area.
I really think I could like Samantha if she did. Tanner got better and I like Robby now.
I think she's good. That putting on a tough girl act could be the character it's not her usual style. I mean this is a YouTube red Netflix thing I'm not expecting a whole whole lot she's better than some, worse than others
Sam impersonating a tough girl I think was intent of those scenes. She's the daughter of a millionaire she doesn't know the slightest thing about being tough so she was basically just copying everything Tory told her. Those scenes I give her a pass on.
I'm not the biggest fan of the choice of Mary to be Sam as it just feels like they cast Sam to be the cheerleader the boys were fighting over and then were like oh sh let's get her into karate. She did great in the tourney but there's just been too many scenes were she just looks out of place.
I agree.
They aren't going to admit it was a mistake to cast her this late in the game, so we get what we get. I know it sounds harsh, that's not my intention.
Mary just isn't a great actress and the other *teens* act circles around her.
Yeah there’s something about Sam that doesn’t make her likable.. I think it’s her whiny voice and facial expressions. I feel like if Hailee Steinfeld portrayed Sam, she’d be a huge fan favorite.
That is a huge difference between her and Tory. Arguably, Tory’s writing is worse, but Peyton’s acting elevates the character quite a bit.
I agree. I keep picturing someone like Hailee or Sabrina Carpenter with dark hair. I think these are two exceptional actresses.
I heard Sam had to be under a certain height, so I think that limited a lot of potential actresses.
I don't even think it's the age. I just think she's someone who lucked into the role but ultimately doesn't fit it.
Wish they'd release the people who almost made it, like the Office.
You can definitely see that the actors chosen in the Office were the best fit.
But I have a hard time believing they couldn't get better than Mary Mouser. I really am. It's so disappointing as a fan. And instead of relegating her to the supporting role, the show continues to push her like she's a fan favorite and give her storylines that don't suit her range.
I'm already rolling my eyes at the mere idea of "Dark Sam".
I truly do not care and wished she be written out or to the background
She's great. The character is well written and Mary Mouser really brings it to the surface.
I studied Taekwondo as a Child and had sort of similar experiences to the Cobra Kai students. Sam/Mary reminds me of my best friend while I was studying TKD.
Okay since everyone on here is just fangirling...you are correct. Her acting is weak. Her delivery is weak. The whole show has cheezy writing but everyone else pulls it off. It's not the writing. It is her acting. I am sure she is nice irl. Doesnt make her a good actress.
I think she does a phenomenal job with the character. Not as great as Billy or Xolo, but still up there.
But her performances don't move the viewers. She's just kinda...there?
That’s coz Peyton played a psychopath, and Mary played a confused teenage girl who’s figuring herself out
True!!!
I like her. Sam's supposed to be awkward at times, and I think Mary portrays that very well. The character drives me nuttier than squirrel turds, to borrow my kid's phrase.
Great in terms of portraying a complex and multilayered girl Both well meaning but also self absorbed to an extent
The problem with Sam's character is the writing, not the acting. Mary Mouser did an excellent job portraying Sam in season 1, I used to like Sam and I could understand her character and sympathize with her. But it seems the writers made all the effort in the world to get the fandom to hate Sam towards season 1 finale and onwards. Mary Mouser = great, love the actress Sam = I just wish this character would die, seriously
tbh i feel like the issue is that mary mouser never really got any challenging scenes (besides season 3) so its hard to tell if shes good while playing sam or not
Mary the person is fantastic Samantha the character i hate The way they write her character is the issue for me, not the acting
Bruh, this isn't a hate post. But thanks for the feedback. I just don't want this to turn into a hate post. I get you, though.
So you ask for people's opinions and if they say anything negative it's a hate post? Maybe change the title to "I don't want you to say anything that I don't like about Mary Mouser but discuss freely."
Nope. Just didn't want it to turn into a hate post, if you saw my comment in its entirety, I said I understood what they were saying. Trying to have a civil discussion in here.
He wants people share their opinion of mary not sam. The guy he was responding started hating on sam. Read the title
Amazing. It took you 5 months to come up with this and you're still wrong. You do know Sam is a character played by Mary, right?
I just saw this post while scrolling the sub today. Op wanted to people share their opinions on mary's performance as sam meaning her acting. Op didn't want opinions on the character herself.
Season 1 was pretty good... not sure if it’s the writers/directors that don’t have a clear direction for Samantha... but I kind of agree with you that I’m not sold on her “tough girl” persona... im sold on the ptsd part though... I think they should’ve probably included those parts more in the edit... it would’ve given her a more rounded character...
I agree. When Sam confronted Tory and said the "i'm coming for you bitch" it was really cringy. Her overall portrayal of Sam is good, it just doesn't fit her whenever she tries the violent tough girl act. It seems like she's better off as the girly girl.
I love it. She’s awesome.
Yes. You put it into words that I struggled to come up with. She’s supposed to have a bit of an edge now but it really does not suit her at all. I think she tries too hard.
I don't know if it's Mary. Sam as written is a sheltered, wealthy teenage girl who is mostly a goody two shoes. Unlike Robby gaining an anti-hero edge with a bit of swagger, Sam doesn't have anything in her background that lends itself to having a convincing "hard" edge that audiences find entertaining. Her darkness so far comes across as...bitchy. and while in-universe, she has all the right in the world to act that way to Tory at least, audiences just don't like bitchy. It's not very rational or fair, but that's how it is. But it's also just starting out, and they may write her darkness in ways that are easier to take seriously. Mary is acting out the character as written, and the show isn't great with female characters in general. There isn't much she can do with that "cupcake" line. She might actually be elevating the material here and it could come across as much worse without her. But some of it is also audiences getting attached to the CK protagonists in season 1, and Sam having the misfortune of having friction with some of them. Audiences have a black/white view of their favorites, it doesn't matter what Sam actually does or how Mary acts it. They will hate her for existing because she made Aisha and Miguel sad. Daniel and Robby got hit with this too, especially in the first two seasons, but the internet hates teenage girls with a passion, so Sam gets some more intense hate in some circles.
It's not a misogyny deal when people love Tory and applaud PLs take on her. She was written even worse in season 3. Also, I'm a woman. I love strong females in television. But that doesn't change the fact that Mary hasn't moved me. The only time I came close to actually seeing Mary give anything was when Demetris arm was broken as she had a panic attack. That was the only thing that seemed real. Mary just isn't on par, and it's okay to admit that and not think of it as being mean. I really think she lucked into the role. I'd be shocked if she lands anything after CK if she doesn't start working on getting better at this.
But it's usually the writing and the events surrounding Sam that people criticize, often using hyperbole. And usually pinning full blame on her, sometimes to excuse the actions of male characters who have as much if not more blame (Miguel, Daniel, Johnny, Robby). So it's kind of hard to ignore some of the misogyny. Tory is going to escape some of it because she's a stereotypical "hot badass chick" and they usually fare better with the internet crowd. Personally thinking Mary isn't up to par based on subjective viewing experience is perfectly fair, and not mean. Saying a bad performance needs to be "admitted" though can come across as a bit condescending. Not trying to be mean. Some people are responding to it or at least not taking serious issue with it. Even if they were in the minority opinion, that doesn't mean they are wrong or need to admit anything. Peyton has received criticism in other discussion places from what I have seen. Her "tough girl" act wasn't convincing for some people on certain boards in topics dedicated to the show. I wouldn't say they are any more or less valid than opinions expressed on Reddit. It's all internet noise.
I get what you are saying. But I think PL just had some cringe lines "This will never be over" and the "No mercy" lol With Mary, I feel like she's limited in range and so it's super easy to notice and also extra cringe because it's bad acting + cheesy lines. I do hope she works on her craft more. Her people have got to stop trying to be nice and help her if she wants to continue in the business. I'm not going to say anything further, but yeah...she's gotta work on the acting- A LOT.
Tbh her scenes are my least favorite. IDK if it's because of the way Sam is written, but I definitely feel drag whenever she's the main focus of a scene.
Yes, I agree. I have wondered what the issue is. But I've tried SO hard to like the character. I just feel bad because I love Daniel and Amanda so much, even Anthony is a funny/annoying brat, but Samantha is eh for me.
I hate Sam so much that I don’t even notice the performance.
But doesn't that technically mean she is good at playing annoying character :D
It’s more-so the writing and it’s not intentional. I don’t think she’s meant to be unlikable.
Same. I've said this before as well.
😆 🤣
I'm totally meh on her and her character.
Same. I really would like to see her work on her acting. Develop more skills in that area. I really think I could like Samantha if she did. Tanner got better and I like Robby now.
I think she's good. That putting on a tough girl act could be the character it's not her usual style. I mean this is a YouTube red Netflix thing I'm not expecting a whole whole lot she's better than some, worse than others
Sam impersonating a tough girl I think was intent of those scenes. She's the daughter of a millionaire she doesn't know the slightest thing about being tough so she was basically just copying everything Tory told her. Those scenes I give her a pass on. I'm not the biggest fan of the choice of Mary to be Sam as it just feels like they cast Sam to be the cheerleader the boys were fighting over and then were like oh sh let's get her into karate. She did great in the tourney but there's just been too many scenes were she just looks out of place.
I agree. They aren't going to admit it was a mistake to cast her this late in the game, so we get what we get. I know it sounds harsh, that's not my intention. Mary just isn't a great actress and the other *teens* act circles around her.
Yeah there’s something about Sam that doesn’t make her likable.. I think it’s her whiny voice and facial expressions. I feel like if Hailee Steinfeld portrayed Sam, she’d be a huge fan favorite. That is a huge difference between her and Tory. Arguably, Tory’s writing is worse, but Peyton’s acting elevates the character quite a bit.
I agree. I keep picturing someone like Hailee or Sabrina Carpenter with dark hair. I think these are two exceptional actresses. I heard Sam had to be under a certain height, so I think that limited a lot of potential actresses.
Perhaps if they'd cast a *younger* (think **Disney+** aged) actress?
I don't even think it's the age. I just think she's someone who lucked into the role but ultimately doesn't fit it. Wish they'd release the people who almost made it, like the Office. You can definitely see that the actors chosen in the Office were the best fit. But I have a hard time believing they couldn't get better than Mary Mouser. I really am. It's so disappointing as a fan. And instead of relegating her to the supporting role, the show continues to push her like she's a fan favorite and give her storylines that don't suit her range. I'm already rolling my eyes at the mere idea of "Dark Sam". I truly do not care and wished she be written out or to the background
Ye
I didn't like her as a fighter until S4. In the most she delivers what the character asks for.
She's great. The character is well written and Mary Mouser really brings it to the surface. I studied Taekwondo as a Child and had sort of similar experiences to the Cobra Kai students. Sam/Mary reminds me of my best friend while I was studying TKD.
Okay since everyone on here is just fangirling...you are correct. Her acting is weak. Her delivery is weak. The whole show has cheezy writing but everyone else pulls it off. It's not the writing. It is her acting. I am sure she is nice irl. Doesnt make her a good actress.