Sam Eliot

**Sam Eliot** is one of the main characters in the first season of *The Society*. He is portrayed by Sean Berdy

Sam is deaf but can communicate through sign language, often his friend Becca Gelb interpreting for him. He is painfully acute of the unfair vicissitudes of fate, and is often withdrawn. He is the younger brother of Campbell and the cousin of Cassandra and Allie Pressman.

## Early Life

Sam grew up with his brother Campbell Eliot. When Sam was three or four years old, he had meningitis, which made him deaf. He tells Grizz that he remembers the sounds he heard from before he went deaf, such as his dad's laugh and mother's voice when she used to read to him and Campbell.

Sam admits to the core group that when was little, Campbell and Sam were not allowed a dog. He explains that this is because they previously had a yellow and green bird named Oliver that had disappeared from its cage. Sam said that he went outside to check if it had escaped, but found his brother torturing the bird, cutting its wings off and watching it try to fly away.

He later found out that his parents had Campbell tested, and discovered that he was indeed a psychopath.

Sam also mentions that his parent's never kept a gun in the house with Campbell there, as they were afraid of what he might do.

### Season 1

The teenagers in New Ham are about to head out for a camping trip that will take them away from the town for a week. However, it's short-lived. After departing by bus, the students end up returning to town, being told that the road to the camp is blocked. Returning home the kids soon discover that no one besides themselves are in the town. The class attempt to go back to their normal lives as best as possible, but it becomes apparent that they need to work together to survive. Sam and Becca stick together through it all, becoming an investigative duo as they attempt to uncover what happened. Although Becca is not deaf, she communicates to Sam by speaking and signing.

Becca and Sam go through old photographs of the town, looking for any sort of clues, but then Becca runs out of the building and throws up in a nearby bush. Shortly after they find out that she is pregnant. After Becca leaves him, Sam keeps going through the photos and documents of the town, when Campbell, his brother, stops by for a visit. Sam finds a letter from Pfeiffer, demanding $1.5 million for the removal of the mysterious smell. The town refuses to pay in a letter dated the day before they disappeared. He tries to talk to Campbell about the documents, but Campbell demands that the papers must be destroyed so their family isn't blamed for anything.

During prom night organized by Kelly Aldrich in attempts of having some normalcy, Grizz approaches Sam and the two have a conversation about sign language, which Grizz admits that he doesn't know how to. Shortly after Cassandra's death, residents Gordie, Will, Becca, Sam, Luke, and Grizz push Allie into taking on Cassandra's role in leading the town.

Later Becca and Sam talk about her pregnancy, yet she is not thrilled about it. Sam asks who the father is and Becca grows visibly upset over the question, refusing to answer him. She states that she never wants him to ask about the father again.

A few days later Sam goes back to talk to Becca again, and for the first time, she feels the baby kick. Once again, Sam asks about the father of her baby, but she still refuses to answer. Still pressing, Sam decides that he should be the father, and that Becca should tell people that. At first, she's upset because she doesn't want Sam to commit to something that he doesn't want to do. However, he insists that he wants a family himself and because he feels that he will never fall in love with anyone anyway, she agrees to the arrangement.

Thanksgiving is approaching, but before they can even focus on the holiday, Will has bring news that the food they have will only last them through the upcoming winter and spring before running out. There's already a plan in motion for an alternative solution, and Grizz offers to lead an expedition into the woods to try and find land suitable for farming. Classmates are quick to point out how none of them know how to farm, but know that their survival depends on it, and thus, they must learn.

On the same day, all of Luke's declarations of love inspire Grizz to act on his own feelings. Heading to the library, Grizz talks with Sam. Secretly learning sign language, Grizz attempts to impress but accidentally learnt British Sign Language instead of American.

After spending a day going over farming techniques together, Grizz eventually asks Sam how to say *"kiss me"* in sign language and Sam kisses him. After this, they sleep together. Grizz notices several texts on Sam's phone, and Sam leaves immediately to find her.

Later on, Grizz observes Sam and Becca together in the hospital and learns about the baby. Fibbing, Sam tells Grizz that he and Becca would often have sleepovers, and that they were lonely and decided to sleep together.

People are shocked to know that Sam and Becca are having a baby together as Sam is well known to be gay. When Kelly confronts Becca about her pregnancy and Becca names Sam as the father for the first time, Kelly accepts Becca's answer dutifully. Only Grizz is upset by the idea of Sam having slept with his best friend, since he and Sam just had sex themselves. Rather than defending himself to Grizz that he's not really the father, Sam holds firm onto his promise to Becca, refusing to deny his role in the baby's life.

A couple of days after, down at the school, Grizz is getting ready to head out on an expedition with a group of explorers. Allie stops by to talk to him, and Grizz shares the fact that he's worried about everything, mostly just because he's recently seen some “signs”. Trying to put it out of his head. Allie reassures him that everything will be fine, but Grizz still isn't sure. Meanwhile, Sam tries to talk to Grizz, but Grizz isn't interested, still hurt that Sam didn't tell him about the baby.

The whole town gathers to see Grizz, Gwen, Bean and Mickey off as they head out in search of suitable land to farm. Again, Sam goes to visit Grizz just before he is about to leave on his expedition to find farmland, kissing him and telling him he must come back to him. Sam also presents him with a book that means a lot to him and Grizz is extremely touched by this. They hug and promise to see one another again.
## Personality

Before New Ham, Sam Eliot is withdrawn and only has his best friend Becca Gelb. He loses hope over finding another boy to be with, as his town seems to be conservative with no one else openly out. After the discovery of only the class being left in the town, he becomes more involved with surviving and openly goes against his brother, knowing what Campbell is capable of. He acts cautious and is shown to value loyalty, as he does not tell Grizz, his romantic interest, the truth about Becca's baby. Despite being related to the Pressman family, he does not communicate that much with Allie and formerly Cassandra.

## Relationships

### Becca Gelb

*Main article: Becca and Sam*

Sam and Becca are best friends throughout season one. Despite their ups and downs, they are always there for one another. She often is the translator for Sam, like when he shares the story of when he was younger with Campbell. When Becca discovers that she is pregnant, Sam makes a promise to her that he will be the father of the baby in order to avoid any embarrassment on Becca's part. People are surprised by the news that they are having a baby together, as many know Sam is gay. Despite the baby almost impacting on his relationship with Grizz, Sam stands by his best friend and promises to be there for her and "their" baby for as long as they may live. Becca gives birth to a healthy baby girl who they name Eden Gelb.

### Grizz Visser

*Main article: Sam and Grizz*

Sam and Grizz begin an unexpected relationship when Grizz is showing him how to garden. Grizz admits to Sam that he is gay and that he had spent so long pretending to be straight he sometimes doesn't even remember. He makes a bad attempt at trying to talk to Sam in sign language, mistaking BSL and ASL. Grizz eventually asks Sam how to say "kiss me" in sign language and they kiss. Whilst they sleep together, Becca begins to feel unwell and attempts to contact Sam. Afterward, Grizz notices several texts on Sam's phone, and Sam leaves immediately.

Later, Grizz sees Sam and Becca together in the hospital and finds out about the baby. Sam lies to Grizz saying that he and Becca would often have sleepovers and that they were lonely and decided to sleep together. Grizz dismisses this and their relationship comes to a stop. Sam tries to rekindle it in the garden, but Grizz isn't interested, still hurt Sam didn't tell him about the baby. After this, however, Sam goes to Grizz just before he is due to leave on his expedition to find farmland, kissing him and telling him he must come back to him. This is the last time we see them together in Season One.

### Campbell Eliot

*Main article: Campbell and Sam*

Campbell is Sam's older brother. Unfortunately, their relationship is turbulent, as Campbell feels envy towards him and always resented his presence. He is also verbally abusive, calling Sam homophobic slurs constantly. Sam then outs to Allie, Gordie, Grizz, Luke, and Becca that his parents got Campbell tested and he is a diagnosed psychopath, expressing how afraid he is of him and that he needs to be properly contained.

### Allie Pressman

Allie is one of Sam's cousins, the other being her older sister Cassandra. She is one of the few people who can communicate with Sam through sign language. Sam supports Allie as the leader of West Ham and always stands by her through her decisions.

## Appearances

Season One (10/10)
* *What Happened?*
* *Our Town*
* *Childhood's End*
* *Drop by Drop*
* *Putting on the Clothes*
* *Like A F-ing God or Something*
* *Allie's Rules*
* *Poison*
* *New Names*
* *How It Happens*

## Trivia

* Sam specifically utilizes ASL (American Sign Language) in order to communicate, not other forms of sign language such as BSL (British Sign Language).
* Sam and Grizz are the only two LGBTQ+ characters (that we know of at least) on the show.
* Sam came out as gay some point prior to season one.
* Sam lost his hearing to meningitis when he was about three or four.
* The actor who plays Sam is also deaf

## Gallery

*See also: Category:Images of Sam Eliot*
* Promotional
* Season 1 Screencaps