Does Sally Become a Reaper? Exploring the Complex Fate of Sally Malik
The answer is complex. In the Syfy series Being Human, Sally Malik does indeed grapple with becoming a Reaper. She uncovers that she was the Reaper all along, or rather, destined to become one. This realization comes in Season 2, Episode 9. This aspect of her character arc explores the dark potential within her and the struggles against embracing a destructive role. While she doesn’t fully embrace the role and actively fights against it, the revelation that she was destined to be a Reaper is a significant plot point that shapes her journey.
Sally’s Journey with the Reaper Entity
The Origin of the Reaper Connection
Sally’s connection to the Reaper emerges as a terrifying revelation. This entity, a dark version of herself, torments her and attempts to take over her spirit. It even manifests in her subconscious, taking the name Scott, aiming to usurp her identity and control. The show deeply explores the nature of good and evil within a single individual, highlighting Sally’s internal struggle against succumbing to the darkness.
Overcoming the Reaper’s Influence
Despite the immense power of the Reaper, Sally ultimately manages to overcome its influence. She fights back, asserting her own will and identity. This victory, however, is not absolute. The Reaper continues to exist as a part of her, a constant reminder of the darkness she must perpetually confront and control. This internal battle becomes a central theme in her character development.
The Alternate Timeline and Final Sacrifice
In the Alternate Timeline, Sally’s destiny takes a tragic turn. After experiencing love with Aidan and subsequently ending the relationship due to the altered circumstances, she returns to help him. In this act of selflessness, she dies, highlighting the profound changes in the timeline and her ultimate willingness to sacrifice herself for others.
The Complexities of Sally’s Character
Sally’s story is a rich tapestry of paranormal elements interwoven with human struggles. Her experience as a ghost, her fight against dark forces, and her relationships with Aidan and Josh collectively paint a portrait of a complex character navigating a world beyond the living. These interactions provide significant commentary on friendship, love, and the importance of fighting for one’s identity in the face of adversity.
Death and the Afterlife
Sally’s death is particularly brutal and senseless. She dies due to a fit of rage from Danny when he accidentally pushes her down the stairs. She had taken her engagement ring off to wash up before bed, and Danny misinterprets this as a sign she is dating other men, leading to a violent outburst. Her death becomes the catalyst for many of the series’ events.
Revenge and Consequences
After becoming a ghost, Sally initially focuses on seeking revenge on Danny. However, as the series progresses, she learns to grapple with her anger and finds ways to move forward. Danny, haunted by the ability to briefly see and hear Sally after her death, eventually confesses to the police that he started the fire and killed her.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sally Malik
1. What exactly is a Reaper in Being Human?
In Being Human, a Reaper is a powerful entity that guides souls to the afterlife. However, the show subverts this typical role by portraying them as potentially malevolent forces that can be corrupted or controlled by dark influences.
2. How did Sally die in Being Human?
Sally was accidentally killed by her fiancé, Danny, who pushed her down the stairs during an argument. He thought she was going out with other men, when really she just wanted to take a bath before bed.
3. Can Danny see Sally after she becomes a ghost?
Yes, after Sally’s death, Danny briefly experiences the ability to see and hear her. This supernatural occurrence haunts him and ultimately leads to his confession to the police.
4. What are Sally’s powers as a ghost?
As a ghost, Sally has the ability to teleport, phase through objects, and occasionally interact with the physical world. She also has the ability to see other ghosts and interact with the living under certain circumstances.
5. How does Sally defeat Donna?
Sally defeats Donna by turning her into sawdust, which Donna breathes in to regain her youth. However, the influx of Sally’s essence causes Donna to radiate light and explode, seemingly destroying her for good.
6. Do Sally and Aidan ever get together romantically?
In the original timeline of the series, Sally and Aidan have a complex relationship but do not become a couple. However, in an Alternate Timeline, they fall in love but ultimately end the relationship due to the altered circumstances.
7. What is the significance of Sally’s connection to the Reaper?
Sally’s connection to the Reaper highlights the internal battle between good and evil. It explores the idea that everyone has the potential for darkness, but it is their choices that determine their path.
8. What happens to Sally at the end of the series?
At the end of the series, Sally finds peace and moves on to the afterlife. She ultimately finds closure with her past and makes amends for her actions.
9. How does Sally come back to life in Season 3?
In season 3, Josh and Nora employ a witch who uses blood magic to bring Sally back to life. However, she is cursed such that if anyone from her previous life sees her, they will be doomed to die.
10. Why does Sally struggle with her identity as a ghost?
Sally struggles with her identity as a ghost because she is caught between the living world and the afterlife. She is no longer alive but cannot fully move on, leaving her feeling lost and disconnected.
11. What are some of Sally’s major character flaws?
Sally’s major character flaws include her impulsiveness, her difficulty controlling her emotions, and her tendency to seek revenge. However, she also shows growth throughout the series, learning to overcome these flaws.
12. What role does friendship play in Sally’s journey?
Friendship is a crucial element in Sally’s journey. Her relationships with Aidan and Josh provide her with support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. They help her navigate the complexities of being a ghost and confront her inner demons.
13. How does Sally’s story reflect themes of loss and grief?
Sally’s story profoundly reflects themes of loss and grief. She experiences the loss of her own life and the grief associated with her unfulfilled dreams. She also witnesses the loss and grief of those around her, further amplifying these themes.
14. In the series, what’s the significance of Sally being a ghost in the house Josh and Aidan rent?
Sally’s ghostly presence in the house Josh and Aidan rent creates the central premise of the show, which is about three supernatural beings (a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf) trying to live together as roommates and navigate human society while dealing with their respective supernatural challenges.
15. Where can I learn more about the intersection of narrative and game design in series like Being Human?
For those interested in exploring the narrative structures and game-like elements often found in television series and other media, the Games Learning Society website is a valuable resource. You can visit them at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Sally’s arc is a compelling exploration of morality, identity, and the consequences of our choices. Her struggle with the Reaper and her ultimate triumph over darkness make her a memorable and complex character in the world of supernatural drama.