REVENGE Hides the "Truth"

Article first published as REVENGE Hides the "Truth" on TheTVKing.

ABC's Revenge brings its second season to an explosive close this week in the two-hour long "Truth." The Initiative strikes, killing an important character. The results of the election are in, a hidden identity is revealed, a choice in loyalties must be made, and the secret behind who the Initiative is is now known. Basically, as one would expect from this soapy drama, a lot comes out, and many changes are made.

The Initiative is the shady organization responsible for what happened to David Clarke (James Tupper), the basis for Emily's (Emily VanCamp) mission of revenge. As such, figuring out who they are and what they are trying to do is a primary focus of her life. At first, she sets her sights solely on the Graysons. But this year, that has expanded somewhat as she has learned more about the Initiative.

Won't Emily be surprised when she learns Conrad Grayson (Henry Czerny) and a few of his friends are the Initiative? Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) doesn't even know this until Conrad reveals it in "Truth." It makes total sense, given his involvement in the proceedings, using the shadowy Initiative as a convenient scape goat. It also solidifies Conrad at the villain of the show, now that we know just how much Conrad has control of the situation, and he'll have even power to carry out his schemes from the governor's office.

I don't think that will mean Victoria will switch sides, though. Despite a couple of heartfelt moments for her in this season finale, including one where she truly does seem to understand Jack's (Nick Wechsler) pain and feel bad for him, she isn't altruistic. We've seen, in the flashbacks, how Victoria is complicit in a lot of the bad things that happen, and she is not above some manipulation herself. She may not be the Big Bad, but she isn't joining Team Emily anytime soon, either, more interested in her own status than helping others.

Jack may very well be on the revenge team, though, after the events of "Truth." Bent on getting even with Conrad, whom Jack is convinced killed his wife, Amanda, Jack goes off the grid. When Conrad tries to wipe out Jack permanently, Jack's brother, Declan (Connor Paolo), is caught in the crossfire, and is killed. Now Jack has even more reason to want to take out Conrad.

Emily stops him by admitting to Jack that she is the true Amanda Clarke. It's a hard thing for her to say, but the only thing that would make him pause in his rage. Jack is furious at Emily before for keeping secrets, but in this particular instance, I think the "Truth" will help him understand and forgive her. She knows a more promising path to balancing the scales with Conrad than cold-blooded murder, and Jack should only be too-eager to help he now.

Of course, the Revenge mission will have to make a detour, since Nolan (Gabriel Mann) has been arrested and framed as a terrorist. As much as Jack and Emily want to avenge their loved ones, they also want to take care of those still among them, and Nolan is one of the closest friends they both have. He is also useful in helping them out. So look for Save Nolan to be the priority for at least a time next year, before the main arc can continue.

Other characters still have not chosen a side. Ashley (Ashley Madekwe) has played to both groups from time to time. Season two ends with her helping the heroes, so that is probably the direction she'll go for now, and with Nolan locked up, they probably need her help. I still don't trust her, and think she can be flipped again with ease. But it's good to have one less person to worry about for awhile.

Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) would likely quickly join Emily and Jack if she knew the truth, especially about her dad killing Declan, the father of her unborn baby. I do not know if Charlotte will carry the infant to term, but if she does, she will likely remain ignorantly ensconced within Grayson Manor, protected both from harm and from reality. Eventually, she will learn what has happened, but until she does, she can't be counted on.

Lastly, there's Daniel (Joshua Bowman), who is a good man, used as a pawn by both his parents and Emily. He tries to do the right thing, and I think Emily, Conrad, and Victoria all care for him, but none of them put his welfare ahead of their own desires. Were he to be let in on what's going on, there is no telling where he would land, since neither party has done right by him.

I do think that Emily might actually love Daniel. She enjoys their fake relationship a little too much, and keeps coming back to him. After falling out with Aiden (Barry Sloane), who never really feels right for Emily, her heart isn't torn anymore. She could be with Daniel for real, maybe even eventually telling him who she is and what she's done.

Though, Jack will be the unknown factor here. Now that he knows Emily is his beloved Amanda from childhood, he may want to pick up where they left off, assuming he can see past recent events. It is doubtful he will be as content as Aiden to sit by and watch Emily play house with Daniel, not that Aiden is very understanding. So Jack is the one who could stand in the way of an Emily / Daniel marriage, Emily having long wanted Jack, too.

Revenge is fun because it's a juicy mess, full of ever-shifting allegiances, and constantly pulling new information out of the closet. "Truth" is a fitting finale because it goes big, mixing death, major action, and plot developments with a heartbreaking story. I'm very interested to see what the writers come up with for season three.

Revenge has been renewed by ABC, and will return next fall.

Sweet, sweet Revenge now on DVD

It is said that revenge is a dish best served cold. ABC's Revenge proved the opposite by delivering a steamy hot guilty pleasure drama. Beginning with a murder on a beach, much of the season flashed back and built up to the dastardly deed. With twist after twist, viewers were kept guessing as to what they really saw, and as the series eventually caught up and moved past that point, things only got juicier.

The protagonist of Revenge is Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp, Brothers & Sisters), whose real name is Amanda Clarke. She has come to the Hamptons to get even with the people who ruined her father David's (James Tupper, Grey's Anatomy) life and reputation, leading to his death behind bars.

But, despite her plan and some help, her mission isn't as easy as she might expect. The matriarch of Emily's target family, Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe, The Last of the Mohicans), who was also David's lover, is not a dumb woman, nor a push over. Emily has met her match in Victoria. The dynamic of these two leading ladies is really what sells Revenge, neither one ever gaining the upper hand for long, and always with a threat of total destruction hanging over them.

Emily's path isn't clear, not being the only one who plays dangerous games among the wealthy residents. The real Emily Thorne (Margarita Levieva) is a bit mentally unhinged. A lad named Tyler (Ashton Holmes) gets mixed up with the Graysons, and people who are friends one day can quickly turn to enemies given the proper motivation. Not to mention, romantic feelings can spring up where least expected and drive people to act in unpredictable ways.

Is Revenge the best show on television? Certainly not. But that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. On a network known for delivery scandalizing drama like Desperate Housewives, GCB, Grey's Anatomy, and the like, Revenge holds its own, and fits beautifully into the network's existing identity. The stories may not be entirely believable, but fans won't care; because they are so thoroughly engrossed in what's coming next, they won't even notice.

The rest of the outstanding cast, who perfectly execute this hyper-real world, and many of whom are no stranger to the genre, includes Gabriel Mann (The Bourne Identity), Henry Czerny (The Tudors), Ashley Madekwe (Bedlam), Nick Wechsler (Roswell), Joshua Bowman (Holby City), Connor Paolo (Gossip Girl), and Christa B. Allen (Cake).

The only real complaint I have about Revenge is the episode titles. Each installment has a single word moniker, like "Grief," "Doubt," and "Suspicion." But these descriptors don't mean a thing in reference to the episode, as almost every title could apply to every single episode. This makes them meaningless and a bit annoying. Should that adjective or emotion have a special connection to that week's story, a la Wilfred, it would make sense, but they do not.

ABC has recently released a five disc set that includes not only all twenty-two episodes of last season's freshman run, but a slew of bonus features, too. There are deleted scenes, bloopers, and two music videos. Creator Mike Kelley and star VanCamp offer an audio commentary of the "Pilot." Featurettes include: "Nolan Ross Exposed," wherein Nolan (Mann) is grilled about his involvement; "Roadmap to Revenge," which discusses the various connections and plot twists in the series; "Haute Hamptons: Femme Fatale Fashion," which examines how the clothes make the characters; and "At Home in "The Hamptons," which has actress Davenport give a tour of the set.

That's enough to keep any fan busy as they anticipate the season two premiere on September 30th. Revenge The Complete First Season is available now.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first published as DVD Review: Revenge: The Complete First Season on Blogcritics.

'Scandal' a timely topic for Revenge

With the plot now caught up to the flash forward shown in the "Pilot," ABC's Revenge begins treading into new territory with "Scandal." Daniel (Joshua Bowman) is the prime suspect in Tyler's (Ashton Holmes) murder, and the Graysons close ranks to defend him. Ashley (Ashley Madekwe) uses the chaos to grab the spotlight, becoming a press darling. Jack (Nick Wechsler) looks to be the most likely patsy to pin the killing on, since he is present on the beach that night. However, only Emily (Emily VanCamp) knows what really happened, and that Takeda (Hiroyuki Sanada) is responsible. 

Revenge had quite a quandary, as the series sets Daniel up to die midway through the first season. As Daniel has become such a popular character, solving this dilemma became a priority, and solve it the writers did! Instead of getting rid of Daniel, Revenge has made him the center of a flashy murder trial, which gives his character even more to do. Brilliant move!

Revenge is a product of its time, and "Scandal" proves that on a number of levels. While many Americans seek a battle with the rich 1%, Revenge is the story of taking down those who can buy their way out of any situation. Daniel's trial is a flashpoint for that sentiment, and even though fans like Daniel, and know he is innocent, it plays wonderfully into the theme. This theme, of course, is also evident in Emily's larger story of ruining the people who destroyed her father (James Tupper). But the murder trial is an extra delicious layer that enhances this.

Ashley is also a character that speaks to people. In the age of Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and others who become famous for seemingly nothing, she is a product of a generation that would like to be in that position. Ashley may have career goals, but that is superseded by the desire for fame and fortune. Sensing an opportunity, Ashley leaks photos of Daniel to the press, than steps up as spokesperson for the family, showing public grace in a crisis.

Nolan (Gabriel Mann) is the only one who figures out what Ashley is up to, and calls her on it. However, as seems to be typical of the characters in Revenge, it's better to hold something over someone than to expose them outright. Thus, it looks as if Nolan will let Ashley get away with her stunt, for now. That is, until there is something that she can do for him in return for keeping her secret. Can't wait to find out what favor Nolan will call in!

Jack and Declan (Connor Paolo) undergo a role reversal in "Scandal." So far in the show, Jack has been Declan's protector and caretaker. Jack is an older brother, not a father, so this role isn't complete, but there's an obvious bend to their relationship. Now, with Jack's freedom in danger, Declan steps up to protect his brother. How might he go about this? Will Jack really be framed for a crime that he didn't commit?

Emily is the center of Revenge, but the events of "Scandal" prove that she is not in control of everything. For instance, she would never frame Jack for anything, since she actually cares about him. She didn't intend to get Daniel into such trouble, either. Yes, she uses him as a pawn, but many viewers like to think that Emily has shown signs of actual affection for Daniel, despite who his parents are. It's hard to tell the extent of messiness this brings at this early juncture, but surely the whole trial thing has thrown Emily's machinations into disarray.

Why has Emily strayed off of her path? The murder is something that she can't control, but Tyler would never have been on the beach trying to expose her lies to Daniel had Emily not grown careless. She is very lucky that Takeda is there to finish off Tyler, and knock Daniel unconscious before he hears something that Emily doesn't want Daniel to hear. Takeda has been Emily's mentor, and now he acts as her savior.

Yet, Emily and Takeda's relationship is far from stable or certain. Why is Takeda employing Nolan separately to keep an eye on Emily? Is this about protecting her, or does Takeda have ulterior motives? Why would he possibly care so much for Emily that he is willing to kill a man, as well as make Amanda (Margarita Levieva) disappear? Takeda has been a fringe character, and suddenly, he is being thrust to the forefront of the story in "Scandal." This is a cool move, but at this time, Takeda is far more an enigma than a predictable player in the larger game.

Now that some secrets are exposed, Emily and Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) know that they are sisters. Well, Charlotte actually thinks Amanda is her sister, since Emily is the real Amanda. What implications might this have? Can Emily still bring down Charlotte's parents, knowing that she will hurt an innocent relation? Not to mention, Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) is soiling Charlotte's opinion of their father, and Emily can't speak up about it without telling Charlotte the truth. How painful it must be to listen to Charlotte complain about the "lousy" man who gave her life! This is a juicy subplot that has to figure into the main story, but, like other elements, it's not clear how it will yet.

Revenge has done a superb job setting up a complex story with an intertwining web of characters. Sixteen episodes in, as of "Scandal," the series is just getting started. There isn't even time left in the first season to tie up all the major arcs, and new ones keep getting added in! As long as the quality of the acting and writing, which has been excellent so far, stays consistent, Revenge has many happy years ahead of it.


Watch Revenge Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter. Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Revenge. Article first published as TV Review: Revenge - "Scandal" on Blogcritics.

Revenge engages in "Duplicity"

     ABC's Revenge continues its mission to get even with "Duplicity." This week, Emily (Emily VanCamp) turns her attention on Dr. Michelle Banks (Amy Landecker, A Serious Man, Dan in Real Life). At a mother / daughter charity benefit, a video plays of confidential taped sessions between Dr. Banks and her patients, including Emily and Victoria (Madeleine Stowe). This ruins the doctor's practice, and she is locked in a shed for awhile which terrorizes her on a personal level. Of course, Emily is behind the whole thing, but by putting herself in the video, does she keep suspicion away?

     The episode title is meaningless, as in other installments. Issues of "Duplicity" occur in every episode, as do "Trust," "Guilt," "Betrayal," "Intrigue," and "Charade" which are all other episode titles. There is no discernible quality in each episode that chooses which of these go with each outing. This makes for a less than satisfying lineup, and gives no clue about what will happen in the upcoming weeks. Plus, there are only a finite number of such words that will fit the show, so someone is going to have to rethink this strategy soon.

     Of the many things expected from Revenge, a procedural element is not one of them. Yet, for four episodes now, Emily has taken down four different people connected to the trial of her father, David (James Tupper). Is this the formula Revenge will be following? If so, certainly they will run out of targets for Emily to go after soon. Yes, David's ordeal is large and complicated, but by two or three seasons down the line, she has to have gone after all of the people who were involved. More likely, the procedural format is a first season gimmick to hook lazy television viewers who want their stories wrapped up in an hour, and the series will grow out of it relatively soon.

     Banks is a more personal attacker of Emily than previous guest stars have been. Victoria actually pays off Banks to institutionalize young Emily / Amanda (Emily Alyn Lind), so that Emily can't spoil the case against David. As such, Banks does something bad to Emily, not just David. Perhaps that explains why Emily steps the game up a notch, kidnapping Banks instead of just humiliating her. Emily doesn't go as far as hurting Banks, but she does want her to suffer more than the previous offenders.

     All of this casts doubt on whether or not Emily is involved with the shooting at the beginning of the series (which is set a few months in the future from the main storyline). Up until now, Emily only engages in personal attacks. But in "Duplicity" Emily does something highly illegal, and causes more than just a little embarrassment or career ruination. However, Emily stops short of physical harm. Will she continue to escalate things, culminating in a murder or attempted murder? Or, will Emily be shown to have limits, and will someone else be responsible for the gunshot?

     As for Victoria, she gets a little more sympathetic as Revenge goes on. Yes, she commits horrible actions, such as getting Emily locked up and stealing a laptop, but she also tries to get David's name cleared because she truly is in love with him. This adds a layer to every one of Victoria's moves. It is probably not enough for Emily to leave the woman alone; Victoria seems to be the ultimate target. It may be enough that Emily could find an ally, rather than an enemy, should she give the older woman a chance. If Emily does, it will be because of extenuating circumstances that force the two together, or Victoria uncovering the plot and blackmailing her way in. Either way, a team up would be delectable!

     Emily's love triangle with Daniel (Joshua Bowman) and Jack (Nick Wechsler) continues. Obviously, Emily is after Daniel for less than authentic reasons. But, Daniel is actually quite a good guy, who deserves a little happiness. Maybe Emily will soften towards him? He may be sympathetic to Emily's machinations and willing to help. However, the reveal that Daniel is responsible for injuring a girl might be enough to harden Emily for falling for him that much. Considering the fact that she will soon be getting engaged and marrying Daniel, as shown in "Pilot," there are a number of questions to be answered before making any conclusions.

     Daniel's roommate, Tyler (Ashton Holmes, Nikita, The Pacific), screws up things between Daniel and Emily in "Duplicity."  It is hard to see what happens as more than a small, and admittedly fun, stumbling block to keep the story going a little longer. It is possible that Victoria even put Tyler up to it to try to break Daniel and Emily up.

     Jack is a much more suitable suitor for our heroine. Or is he? He carries a torch for Emily / Amanda, caring for a childhood dog, and naming his boat after her. He also has an interest in her as an adult, even if he doesn't realize he's falling for the same girl a second time. He decides to keep his father's bar open, in part so he can stick around town and keep open the possibility of being with her. But Jack is a very good man, a family man, and surely he will eventually learn of Emily's revenge tactics. This could kill any chance of them being together. Despite being sympathetic for what happens to David, it is unlikely Jack would condone Emily's behavior. More likely, as with David, Jack would argue to forgive and forget. If Emily did that, there would be no series. But it's probable that Jack can't be with her, long-term anyway, unless she does.

     The really sweet love story unfolding in Revenge involves Daniel's sister, Charlotte (Christa B. Allen), and Jack's brother, Declan (Connor Paolo). Charlotte has a sort-of boyfriend, who is a real jerk, and cheats on her. Declan offers innocent overtures of real romance. Even when the other guy beats Declan up, and Declan gets evidence of the jerk's cheating ways, Declan holds off on giving this information to Charlotte. It would cause her to dump the boy, but it would also hurt her. Declan is far from perfect, and he has the rebellious nature of some youths, but he is not cruel, and will not hurt Charlotte when he doesn't have to. He's playing things smart, which is probably why he will win her in the end.

     Nolan's (Gabriel Mann) part in the situation is still quite murky. Why does he want to be involved in Emily's plot so badly? Yes, he has affection for David. But that would only go so far. Might he be interested in Emily? If so, he isn't showing it. He's offering help, but no real flirtation or overt moves on her. Maybe Nolan has some personal, hidden reason he wants to see the Hamptons elite crowd go down? If so, that would explain why he is willing to throw his money at the problem. What did they do to him?

     The only serious (slight) complaint I have about Revenge thus far is that it seems awfully convenient that Emily is rich, as is Nolan. Might it not have been neater, albeit harder for the writers, if these people were poor, a condition they would more likely be in? I like the fact that David seems to trade his innocence to buy Emily a life, a clever twist, but would it have been one as luxurious as the one she is living? Would any pay out really be that large? Perhaps there is further explanation coming on this front, but for now, it just seems like an easy way to get the story going.


     Watch Revenge Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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     Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Revenge.

Article first published as TV Review: Revenge - "Duplicity" on Blogcritics.

Revenge delicious guilty pleasure

     In the "Pilot" of ABC's new drama, Revenge, Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp, Brothers & Sisters) rents a summer home in the Hamptons. But Emily's real name is Amanda Clarke, and she's not there to vacation. She is on a mission to get even with the people that ruined her father, David's (James Tupper, Mercy, Grey's Anatomy), life, framing him for serious crimes. Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe, Raines) is the woman David loved, and seems to be Emily's biggest foe. This episode is interspersed with scenes from the past, and from the future at Emily's engagement party to Victoria's son, Daniel (Joshua Bowman, Make It or Break It), who is murdered.

     There is a lot going on in the Revenge "Pilot," so please forgive me if it's hard to keep everything straight after a mere one episode. That's actually to the show's credit, as a large playground has been created, and there is plenty to keep viewers interested. VanCamp capably leads a fairly talented cast, and her character's specific motivations are kept shrouded in mystery. Perhaps there are people she wants to take out, and others that will be spared her wrath. She already has a good start, getting a woman ostrasized from society by the end of the first episode. But this is all still up in the air to viewers.

     "Pilot" opens with a quote about revenge, and there's an apt point to be had. No one can take revenge without it costing them something dear, as well. This is likely why David warns Emily to just forgive the people that ruined him, rather than seek justice. But David also secures a way for Emily to be well off, so she has the means to do what she wants. And who can blame her for her dark actions, given the circumstances? She had no home or parents around to raise her properly for half of her child hood. Who wouldn't be angry?

     The cast includes Gossip Girl's Connor Paolo as a tough-talking jerk and Henry Czerny (The Tudors) as Victoria's cheating husband. Czerny does the same thing he has been so good at in the past, while Paolo's abrupt turn around is still murky on whether it works or not. Only time will tell.

     Revenge is a guilty pleasure series because it's soap opera drama. There will convoluted twists, and many of the characters are larger than life. But the quality of acting is good, and the performers commit fully to their vibrant characters, making the pay off something many people will find worth watching. As such, Revenge actually does a decent job of setting up a cool story.

     That being said, there is still the "ABC-tone" to the show, where danger is glamorized, rather than being threatening. The same element can be seen in plenty of others shows on the network, but it's why Revenge will only ever be a guilty pleasure, rather than a truly dark, disturbing, affecting tale. There is nothing wrong with that, but it does make the series lean a little more towards pulp fiction that high brow.

     Watch Revenge Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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