Which just brings us all the way back around to the strong possibility that Sam is concealing the fact that he was repeatedly raped from the world. Or even denying to himself that it was rape. See the RAINN information page that I included on Male Sexual Assault victims, particularly on the misconception that "all men enjoy sex so it must be consensual."

"Self-shaming" and "denial" are two other terms that come to mind. While I informed friends, authorities, and my school of my rape immediately, I concealed it from my family for more than six months - which ultimately made the recovery process much worse. This episode just sends bad messages all over.