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What really happened to Sam Dean in 'Daybreak' EXPLAINED

We have theories. - by Milly Haddrick
  • 05 Nov 2019

In case you all have come here mid-way through Netflix's hit Daybreak, we should probably tell you that to read any further would be spoiling the show for you. 

Good, glad we got that out of the way. 

WATCH: Sam Dean in Daybreak

The Daybreak finale was not at all what we expected, and while we all thought that Baron Triumph would eventually get defeated and that a couple of our fav characters would meet the same fate a 99% of the adults in the town (RIP Eli), what we didn't expect was Sam Dean turning down Josh Wheeler, and now that we think about it, we probably should have. 

Sam dean

The perf high school gal in the digital flesh.

Netflix

For those who need a little refresher, we'll recap for you. 

After a missile came down on Glendale, California, all the adults died causing the post-apocalyptic world to be run by teenagers (the good and the bad). 

Survivor Josh Wheeler has made it his mission to find his girlfriend, the universally loved and perfect highschool girl, Sam Dean. 

daybreak

Life's chill when there are no parents.

Netflix

So what happened to Sam? 

While Josh was on his heroes journey of saving Sam, Sam was living with the "jock" tribe, having turned into Turbo's personal chef. 

Later, when Turbo turned into a complete homicidal maniac, Sam helped overthrow Turbo and replace him with the equally homicidal psycho Principal Burr/Baron Triumph (Matthew Broderick). 

Once Josh figures out that Sam is with the Jocks, he infiltrates the tribe to go save her, only to end up teaming up with Sam to bring down Principal Burr who has gone completely mad with power and blood lust. 

Daybreak

Burn in hell, Burr.

Netflix

After Sam and the Daybreakers take down Baron Triumph, Josh declares his love for Sam. 

It was about here we all thought Sam was going to say 'I love you' back and we were going to find ourselves a nice little post-apocalyptic love story. 

We were wrong. 

Is Sam Dean evil? 

Sam dean

Girl wants that power.

Netflix

At the end of the season one finale when Sam took the throne and cemented herself as the new leader of "The Jocks" we were all a little shocked, mostly because this sets up season two where Sam isn't just evil, but she is Josh's enemy. 

But here's why that might not be the case. 

Season one was all from Josh's perspective who forever viewed Sam as the "girl who needed saving", but Sam Dean isn't a damsel in distress. 

There were also little hints along the way to tell us that Sam wasn't as sweet as pie as Josh describes. 

Josh also withholds the whole part where he MASSIVELY slut shames her, while Sam is unapologetic about her sexual history (so she should be). 

daybreak

The Daybreakers refusing to bow to Sam Dean.

Netflix

More than that, we get a glimpse at a moment where Sam Dean enjoys power, which doesn't necessarily make her evil. 

After Josh yells at Sam that she's a slut (his dad just died but still, not cool) Sam goes back to the high school to prepare for her homecoming queen duties incredibly upset. 

As she gets ready to become the girl that everyone wants her to be in the school bathrooms, Sam dries her eyes, lets out her wavy blonde hair and curls her lashes. 

But when she places the crown on her head her demeanour noticeably shifts, her devastation at Josh's words is suddenly eclipsed by what she sees in the mirror - a woman with a crown on her head. 

Sam likes power, and she likes being Queen. 

Sam always had control over pretty much everyone in that school, so it makes sense why she is now the queen of Daybreak. Josh had been viewing Sam through the eyes of old school romance novels when he missed the memo: Sam Dean is a complex character who is both kind, but likes power. 

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Milly Haddrick
Milly Haddrick
Milly is the Digital Content Editor for Entertainment. A devout tea and chocolate enthusiast, Milly is a lover of all things pop culture (with a little dash of politics).

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