TV episode review

US airdate 13 March 2008 (The CW)

Sam balances dating possible spawn-of-Satan Cady with hunting down a cannibal soul, and even manages to save a lame rock star from selling his soul to the Devil…

Reaper returns after a lengthy writers' strike-induced hiatus, and sadly lethargy seems to have crept in. There's nothing particularly wrong with this episode; there’s just not a whole lot right either. Still, Reaper can at least rustle up a decent 40 minutes when running on autopilot thanks to its cast, and there is always Ray Wise as the Devil for any scene-stealing purposes.

Sam has a lot to do in this episode with missions both professional and personal - trying to save decidedly below-average rocker Ryan (guest star Jamie Kennedy of Scream movies fame) from exchanging his soul for rock stardom, and battling an evil soul in the guise of a doctor (who actually manages to look pretty threatening thanks to CGI fangs). Of course, the real gags in the episode are, as usual, delivered by Sock, who is stunned when his mother returns from Las Vegas and announces she’s married a quiet Asian cowboy complete with massive hat!

Despite being on cruise control, the episode at least saves the best for last. Sam's head-to-heads with the Devil in the end codas always generate the most sparks, but here Satan takes a little time out to remind his young charge that he does not get to win, even if he wins...Owen Van Spall

VERDICT: 5/10