Since I've been watching the California Dreams, I've really been enthralled by the romances of Jake and Tiffani (played by Jay Anthony Franke and Kelly Packard) and Tony and Sam (played by William James Jones and Jennie Kwan) (I also like the relationship between Sly and Lorena (played by Michael Cade and Diana Uribe); to find out why, click here).
While much has been written about Jake and Tiffani, hardly anything has been said about Tony and Sam. In my opinion, I believe the two are an amazing couple, for even though they come from different cultures, they mesh quite well together. They both have a gift for gab and a flair for style. They're hip, cool, and VERRRY sexy together. Another quality of the two is that they're very supportive of each other, willing to stand by their mate's side whenever the "going gets rough" (Examples listed below in the "Favorite Episodes" section). To sum it up, their romance was the epitome of love of the highest degree, and I wished it could have continued forever. However, being the cynic that I am, I know that something like that (even if it was real) was too good to last. After the couple's graduation from high school, it was time to move on, to proceed to the next level. Seeing as though their goals differed (Tony wanted to be an actor, Sam was interested in (I think) physics), they had to go their seperate ways. At least they ended it as friends, and who knows, maybe someday, their paths may cross again. It would be something I would love to see.
Blind Dates - Tony and Sam discover, via a computer chat service, that they are attracted to each other. However, because they are worried what the gang and others would think, they almost let a good thing slip through their fingers. Personally, I think the implication here was the fact that they were an interracial couple, which in most cultures is considered taboo. Although I could be wrong, it is a possibility, considering that no one made an issue out of Jake dating Tiffani and Lorena, who, like Tony and Sam, were "friends" of each other. Fortunately Sly, who has never been shy about dating anyone, convinced them that it didn't matter what others thought, as long as they were together. Eventually, Tony and Sam decided to give it chance (symbolized by a kiss), and the romance begins!
Winkle/Wicks World - When Tony drooled over the girls at Sharkley (a diner where the band usually plays), Sam tells him it was okay, saying "it didn't matter how the water heats up, as long as it boils!" With that statement, Sam affirms her trust in her boyfriend.
Babewatch - The following is a quote from Melissa's Episode Guide: "Tony tries to get a part in the TV show, "Babewatch" that's filming on the beach. While he charms the producer, the leading man is charming Sam and Tony's jealous." To this I would like to add that Tony's jealousy motivated him to do whatever he could to keep Sam, including disrupting the "Babewatch" filming. I found especially funny the scene where Dan Hasikoff attempts to defuse a bomb. As "Has-it-all" (a term used by Tony when referring to Hasikoff) is about to "defuse" the bomb, Tony springs out of nowhere and yells "BOOM!," startling the actor and ruining the scene. Eventually, after overhearing the actor ask Sam to be his girlfriend, Tony gave up and tried to break up with Sam. In the end, even though "Has-it-all" was charming and nearly irresistible, it wasn't enough to sway Sam from Tony. Eventually, after Tony and Sam had a talk, in which Sam says she was disheartened because Tony didn't trust her, Tony apologizes, saying (in not so many words) that he would never doubt her again. After a steamy, passionate kiss, everything was "all good."
My Valentine - As his final year in high school is about to end, Sly reminds Tony, who is on the verge of buying Sam an expensive Valentine's present, that Sam, a foreign exchange student from Hong Kong, won't be in the country much longer. Tony, scared of losing Sam, proposes to her in a desperate attempt to stay together. However, neither of them really wanted to get married, and when they found out that neither one told their parents about the impending marriage, an argument ensues, resulting in a breakup. The gang, feeling they were partially at fault for the split by discouraging matrimony, attempts to get Tony and Sam back together. Their efforts culminated in the Valentine's dance at Sharkey's, where Sly pushed aside the DJ played the song that Tony wrote to serenade Sam just prior to his proposal. Even though they were reluctant to do it, Sam and Tony, who were persuaded under false pretenses by the band to go to the dance, decided for old times sake to dance to the tune. During the dance, they both came to an understanding about how their relationship went astray, eventually seeing that they were not ready for marriage. They finally agree to make-up and make the most out of the time they had left together, and that no matter what, they will always be friends.
Operation Tony - When Tony had to undergo surgery to mend as injured shoulder, he gets a case of the jitters and believes he's going to die. This worries Sam, and she gives in to Tony's demand to practice "mourning" at his impending funeral. I guess Sam must really love him if she was willing to do that (personally, I think the gesture is unrealistic). Eventually, Tony was so scared that he left the hospital, and it took Sly, who caused the injury, to convince him that he should face his fear and have the surgery, even if it meant he could lose all his money via a potential lawsuit that Tony could have pursued against him. This put Tony at ease, allowing him to have the surgery he needed. After it was over, Tony proclaimed that he can get back to playing the drums. At that instant, Sam loudly cleared her throat, which cued Tony that he shouldn't forget about hugging his "sweetie."
Diss-honored - When Sam gets elected president of the Honor Society, her new duties cut into the time that she could spend with Tony. Fearful of losing her, Tony attempts to get accepted into the Honor Society. However, an obstacle (Trigonometry) gets in Tony's way, and he resorts to cheating to get into the Honor Society. After he aces all his exams (including Trig), he gains acceptance into the exclusive club. However, Harvey, the past president, detects that something is amiss and accuses Tony of cheating. Sam, confident that Tony didn't cheat, defended his integrity and told Harvey to back off. Harvey then challenges Tony to a "smart-off" to prove that he is deserving of a spot in the Honor Society. Tony reluctantly accepts. Later, after infighting within his conscience (with the good and bad sides portrayed by "Slimy" (Sly) and "Marcia Brady" (Tiffani)), Tony tells the gang that he cheated. Sam, upset that she defended him unbeknownst of his illegal activities, decides to stop talking to him; shortly thereafter, the rest of the band follows suit, except Sly, who decides to help Tony by cheating on the "smart-off." Even though Tony is tempted to do it, he declines, and admits to the audience at the event that he cheated. Consequently, he got an "F" in Trig, but Mr. Blunford, the principal, allowed him to make it up. More importantly, he was able to win back Sam, impressed by Tony's courage to admit to his wrongdoing, and decides to make up with him. Somehow, they were able to work things out, and as a result, resumed their relationship.
Senior Prom - Sam and Tony decided to run for prom king and queen. In order for them to win, they had to beat many other couples, including Jake and Tiffani. Unfortunately, this takes a toll on their friendship, and that leads to the near-breakup of both couples. As fate would have it, their van broke down on a deserted road as they were headed to the prom, causing them to miss out on the festivities. As Jake tried to fix the van, everyone's nerves were on edge. It reached a high when they found out over the radio that the couple elected king and queen were Mark's former date and another guy. As everyone stood around blaming and insulting each other, Mark, who was dateless due to being "stood up," finally had enough and declared that everyone (including Sly and Lorena, who pitted the couples against each other for the sake of a bet) should have ashamed of themselves for the way they have been carrying on. He made them realized that they let the contest take precedence over friendship, and that if they didn't come to their senses, they were going to lose something that really mattered. Fortunately, Mark was able to get through to them, and they decided to patch things up. In the end, prom night turned out to be pretty decent. With all the couples (including the "non-couple" of Sly and Lorena") patching things up, they were able to dance and romance to the sweet sounds of Mark's guitar and his and Jake's voice. I want to add that all the girls were just drop-dead gorgeous!!!, and the couples looked great, including my favorite one, Tony and Sam.
- Sam (Jennie Kwan) & Tony (William James Jones).
- Sam & Tony engaged in a passionate kiss.
- "Thump, thump, baby" (a quote from Sam just prior to the kiss; click here to hear Sam bellow that sensuous phrase).
- Ringing in the (Chinese) New Year.
- Hangin' out by the locker.
- Donig the world's longest tango.
Most of these photos were taken from Arthur Dent's California Dreams Photo Gallery and Melissa Robert's California Dreams Page.
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