That Sam character's home in the southeast (5)
I believe the answer is:
spade
'that sam character's' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'home in the southeast' is the wordplay.
'home' becomes 'pad' (pad can mean a person's home).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'the southeast' becomes 'se' (synonyms).
'pad' inserted into 'se' is 'SPADE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spade that I've seen before include "home in Kent" , "one of thirteen?" , "Black leaf-shaped symbol on playing card" , "One in a suit" , "a gardener's needs?" .)