So did Sam actually have sex with Delores? Or was that just a story Delores cooked up to put the blame on him for her pregnancy?
I assume Delores *was* actually pregnant, or else she wouldn't have shown up at the abortionist's place in the middle of the night.
So basically my question is, did Sam ever do anything more than just be a peeping Tom? Or is this left ambiguous?
No, she just figured that Sam would be a good choice to blame it on. Of course, today, DNA testing would put her claim to rest in one hell of a hurry. In her rather simple mind, she probably thought that pinning it on Sam would at least make the father someone with a decent job who could more likely be court ordered to support her and the baby.
shareSam was considered the perfect fit for a dad, because of his Peeping Tom habit and the fact that he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, as we find out in the beginning of the film.🐭
shareFrom what I gathered (not paying full attention)--Sam didn't deny it--in fact seemed to confirm it--so presumably although he later turned out to be neither the killer nor the girl's baby's father, it was still statutory rape in Mississippi so presumably he was still out of a job over the entire affair. (Her boyfriend may have even conned her into seducing Sam so he couldn't deny it.)
shareThe idea that it was intentional by Ralph would have been a great subplot. It'd also answer my question as to why Delores lets people know that she's pregnant. Maybe Ralph and Sam had a rough spot and this is his revenge. There's certainly tension between the characters and real revenge has been under even more bizarre circumstances.
shareMy question about that whole story arc is why she even lets it be known that she's pregnant. She's getting an abortion a couple days later. What possible purpose does this serve?
shareGood question! I don't think she planned to. I think her brother found out somehow and dragged her down to the station.
shareI’m a little unclear about this point too. I’m not sure if Sam impregnated her or not.
She was dating Ralph, the pie dude at the store right? And he gave her money for the abortion. So I think Ralph might have gotten her pregnant, and she decided to blame Sam in order to save Ralph. But then we never see Sam deny that he impregnated her, which causes some confusion
I've always thought Sam was the goat for one simple reason: Delores may not have been the brightest bulb in the box, but she had to know - and I think she did know given some of the dialogue - that Sam had eyes for her as they say. That's all she needed. Sam didn't dare utter a word because had he done so it might have meant his job. Ralph did actually get Delores pregnant but pinning the proverbial tail on Donkey Sam (or even suggesting it) would have gotten Sam out of their hair so to speak. Sam did what he did because he could and neither Ralph nor Delores had any undying affection for him.
The whole scheme might have worked if not for the city boy from Philadelphia.