First Episode 3 screenshot!

[DrRocketGenius]

I immediately thought of Flint Paper, but dirty Harry works too.

[Power46]

Originally Posted by NickClick2

I immediately thought of Flint Paper, but dirty Harry works too.

I actually thought "Indiana Jones," with those clothes.

[tabstis]

this picture is very...very interesting.
a sign of darker things to come perhaps?

[Ash735]

An interesting take would be that Max doesn't appear at all in Episode 3 as he's comatose, so Sam has to team up with Flint Paper and has spent weeks searching for the people who have done this to Max, ...which is an idea I actually like the sound of a lot!

[Zonino]

You have to remember Sam has the potential to go, for lack of a better term, bat-**** crazy. He just doesn't because watching Max seems to give him some sort of fulfilment.

Plus Max is his life long best friend and he's just had his brain removed. It's not too much to expect the whole thing might cause something to snap in Sam's head.

[Wootman]

Maybe its Sam pretending to be Max?

[light_rises]

Originally Posted by Zonino

You have to remember Sam has the potential to go, for lack of a better term, bat-**** crazy. He just doesn't because watching Max seems to give him some sort of fulfilment.

Plus Max is his life long best friend and he's just had his brain removed. It's not too much to expect the whole thing might cause something to snap in Sam's head.

We're on a similar wavelength here. Sam has been separated from Max before, but never quite like this (i.e. this is pretty much the most heinous instance so far). Considering the circumstances, and just Sam and his relationship with Max in general, it's not all that surprising he'd "go hardcore" as a result.

Originally Posted by Wootman

Maybe its Sam pretending to be Max?

Naw, the comparison to Flint Paper seems more fitting. Also -- although this is just speculation -- I would imagine Noir!Sam to be very single-minded in where he directs his energy/anger, while Max is more a force of impulsive, chaotic mayhem. Sam likes mayhem too, but With a Cause (usually).

[lombre]

Originally Posted by light_rises

We're on a similar wavelength here. Sam has been separated from Max before, but never quite like this (i.e. this is pretty much the most heinous instance so far). Considering the circumstances, and just Sam and his relationship with Max in general, it's not all that surprising he'd "go hardcore" as a result.

Yeah, remember how depressed he was when they were separated in Culture Shock and What's New, Beelzebub? And that was just with Max being kidnapped/separated from him. I could easily see him going completely insane with Max dead (or essentially dead).

[wefeelgroove]

So that's what happened to Noogie...

I agree with everyone else that Sam definitely doesn't lool like he's in the mood for witty banter and inventory puzzles. I think it'd be pretty cool if this episode had a hard boiled detective/film noir feel to it, especially combined with the pseudo-Lovecraft themes that have been popping up so far.

[GinnyN]

Originally Posted by lombre

Yeah, remember how depressed he was when they were separated in Culture Shock and What's New, Beelzebub? And that was just with Max being kidnapped/separated from him. I could easily see him going completely insane with Max dead (or essentially dead).

Max was dead once. In Bay Day on the Moon. For, like, a page. I'm totally sure he can go bat-*Bleep* crazy in the moment he knows who did it. Then I'm going to need my camera =P

[MRN]

I just hope we get to see Sam shooting someone in the face

[SillyStell]

The way I sorta imagin it is Sam going depressed about it (much like in Bad Day on the Moon) but it soon turns into anger and the bad ass Sam emergess from the ashes! ... Hm that'd make a neat movie poster.

[S@bre]

Sam & Max: Conviction.

Following Sam's stint as a Freelance Police duo, the canine shamus returns out of hiding having learned that his best friend's brain stealing was no accident. Betrayed by the commisioner he gave his life to, Sam now finds himself on a mission to uncover the true nature of his friend's brain theft. He must now stand by his convictions as his investigation leads him to the discovery of a greater conspiracy.

[Captain Viku]

Maybe the third episode happens some time after the end of the second. In previous moments where Sam and Max has been separated, they have pretty much reunited on the same episode and also a short perioid of time.

My guess is that episode 3 will start some days or even weeks after the disappearance of Max's Brain, so the time without his dear crazy violence-lover best little buddy has leaved him with an empty void which only Max's chaotic shenanigans used to fill. So now it's Hardcore Sam time!

I still hope we'll see Max in the episode in some way. After all, the main gameplay mechanic of the season is Max's Psychic Powers, so an episode without 'em would feel weird (also I wanna see more new toys!)

[GinnyN]

Originally Posted by Captain Viku

I still hope we'll see Max in the episode in some way. After all, the main gameplay mechanic of the season is Max's Psychic Powers, so an episode without 'em would feel weird (also I wanna see more new toys!)

If I read the Private Forum Thread correctly, don't worry, you will.

[RMJ1984]

Looks like a flint paper hardcore bada** COP!

Also thats one hell of a rain catch on that cap, that the dude is wearing lol.

[Falanca]

Looks like Sam has just pulled us a Sam Fisher of 'SC: Double Agent' or a 'Max Payne 3'.


Only, you know, good.

[Evil Monkey g1]

Honestly.... now I am more excited then ever. What's been great about devil's playhouse is the variety so far. Started with a normal episode but with powers then 100 years in the past and now bad ass sam. So many ways they can take this episode, hell the entire season.

Wait a moment, he has a slight beard. This suggests it might be a week or a month later.

[queen_of_the_lobsters]

Originally Posted by SillyStell

The way I sorta imagin it is Sam going depressed about it (much like in Bad Day on the Moon) but it soon turns into anger and the bad ass Sam emergess from the ashes! ... Hm that'd make a neat movie poster.

Yes! YES! VERY YES!!! DO IT!!! SOMEONE!!! PLEASE!!!
Heck, I might do it!

[light_rises]

Another thing: Remember what happened the moment Hugh Bliss threatens to kill Max in Bright Side of the Moon? One of the only times Sam's done talking and whips out a gun on a perp with the immediate intent -- and attempt -- to plug him a few.