What to make of Samuel?

[luxaeterna63]

I really have no idea what to think about this character. As described in the other thread ("Samuel; am I the only one who thinks he's... off?") I also think he's a very excentric but good-hearted person.

However, don't you think he's written in a kind of unrealistic way? Talking about himself in third person and stuff like that. He almost seems to have a mental condition. I could never see a prestigious school like Blackwell Academy having someone like him as a janitor. While he probably has those good attributes, I still don't see him fitting into a school like that - or any school. I do think he's a cool character, however, placed into this story and environment, it may seem kind of unrealistic, gimmicky and forced.

I'm trying to imagine a "normal" conversation between him and the principal - or a janitor like that on my school. It just seems sooo made up and unlikely to ever happen in the real world. I don't know.

Did the developers maybe just really badly want a creepy-ish but still trusted character in the plot? For atmosphere reasons and to make the player think things like "He's creepy! I bet he's involved in the disappearing! - But actually, no. He's so kind and gentle! - But they want me to think that! - Or don't they!?"

Just kinda seems like that to me.

What are your thoughts?

[*Kitty*]

I didn't think he was forced. Maybe the school wanted to hire someone with said mental illness since it would look good on them. I've worked at a job with someone that had similar conditions. But I did think at one time he might be a killer or something. Now I'm not so sure lol.

[Taomiline]

Well... Blackwell also hired a rather aggressive and ill-mannered man like David to be their security guard, so... Samuel still seems like a better choice to hire to a "high-class" -school than David. He doesn't go hassling the students or anything, at least...

I'm keeping an eye on Samuel in my current gameplay. I think he's a cool character but there's definitely something strange about him. I'm looking forward to finding out more about him in the next episodes (hopefully!).

[maiorsolis]

I just don't know what to make of him. During my first playthrough he freaked me out as one of those possible serial killer types, especially when (spoilers) I found that box of Rachel's photos. But then during the second playthrough I started to feel bad for him? He's a poor guy in a school full of rich people, who is kind, gentle, and likes animals. I hope we get to find out more about him later!

[LuckyFrag]

Samuel is very strange. I also think he has a mental condition, but probably was Rachel that gave him that photos. She liked everyone and everyone likes her. Blackwell hired him to ''look well'' or just because of his skill. He is kinda good painting windows ^^

[Ladez]

Samuel knows things. :x

In all seriousness, I think his role for now is to fulfill the creepy janitor stereotype. This game is chock full of stereo types. And I don't mean that in a bad way, I think it is a reflection of the views of the main character. We're seeing things from her perspective, which is influenced by those around her. Samuel is believed to be a weirdo, so we experience him as a weirdo as well.

And I believe that, sooner or later, most of these stereotypes are going to be subverted. Samuel might turn out to be not so weird after all and I have a feeling that he may know things of importance to the plot, David might turn out to be a standup guy after all which we've already seen signs off, Nathan might turn out to be a pawn for someone else, and so on. As Max's perspective changes, so will how the people around her is portrayed.