Second: So why was Rachel and the boy saved and the father not?
Because Rachel and the boy made a copy of the tape and the father didn't - Samara wanted to be heard, so the only way people survive is if they make sure she is.
Talk about cruelty - My roommate is on a date with a guy now watching the Ring at his house, For when she comes in, I have a blank tape marked "COPY" sitting on the TV and on the TV is static because I've got it on a channel we don't get. Ain't I fun!
She won't ever forgive me for this...
Crystal