Catching Up With THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLIDER

 Article first published as THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER Review on Seat42F.

SPOILER WARNING: This review contains spoilers about the first (and only the first) episode of the series.

Marvel’s second MCU television series premiered on Disney Plus this weekend. THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER, as the title implies, follows Sam Wilson, a.k.a. The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Doing what, it’s not quite clear in the first episode, as the two do not come into contact. Nor are two more important characters from the films, Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) and Zemo (Daniel Bruhl), anywhere in sight. But the first hour is a set up as to where the two heroes currently are and what their state of mind is before the six-episode story really gets going.

The premiere of THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER starts with a big action sequence featuring The Falcon before it gets personal. I know a lot of people watch Marvel for the big action sequences, and this one should satisfy them. It’s a start-of-the-movie bit, with the hero versus a gang of villains. Not even close to a final showdown, but something to get people excited.

Personally, I thought it went on a little long. Perhaps it did so because there was almost no more action the rest of the episode and they wanted to take care of that segment of viewership. But things got a lot more interesting for me once we checked in with Sam the person, not Sam the hero, and that’s what I hope THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER is primarily about.

Sam is not a man out of time, but he is a man out of step with everything around him. His family has been suffering financially, his sister, Sarah (Adepero Oduye, 12 Years a Slave), having to take care of the family business herself when Sam blipped out of existence for five years. (And can we PLEASE have a series set DURING the blip??? I need to see that!) Sarah doesn’t welcome him back with open arms. Sam is determined to hang onto the past, which causes conflict between them. The question remains, will it be possible for him to do so? Or does he need to move on?

Along similar lines, Sam willingly gives up Captain America’s shield to the Smithsonian, not able to see anyone else but Steve Rogers as the Cap. But by handing over the shield to the U.S. government, he gives up control of Steve’s legacy. So like his family’s business, things may now have taken a turn that he doesn’t have anything to do with and can’t get back.

By contrast, in THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLIDER, Bucky is trying to make up for the past rather than change it. He is in therapy with Dr. Raynor (Amy Aquino, Borsch) and slowly making amends for the wrongs he did as the Winter Solider. This isn’t easy, but he’s trying, and that’s what matters, even if I’m not sure he’s feeling it does. At least this is something that gives him purpose, considering almost everyone he knew is dead and he’s a man out of time.

He also dips his toe into the dating pool with entertaining results, proving just what an old man he really is at heart. It’s the type of comedy mined for Steve in the films, but somehow seems even more amusing when it happens with Bucky.

Of course, there is a villainous group rearing their heads halfway around the world, as Sam’s friend Joaquin (Danny Ramirez, The Gifted) is looking into. This will probably be the mission that brings Sam and Bucky together. Zemo and Sharon Carter are probably connected, too. I’m guessing that will be the main thrust for the next five episodes.

But I hope as THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER takes off, it doesn’t forget what this first installment was about: two men searching for their place in the world. I find that tale more compelling, and that’s the one I want to see more of. Sure, they can go kick butt against supervillains and that’s entertaining. However, rich characters are the heart of the franchise, and with six hours to tell the story, there’s plenty of time to explore that here. Let’s hope they do.

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER releases new episodes to stream Fridays on Disney Plus.

I "Fear" REVENGE May Disappoint

Article first published as I "Fear" REVENGE May Disappoint on TheTVKing.

Many fans of ABC's Revenge were hoping for a season premiere that picked up right where last spring's finale left off, given the crucial point at which it ends. Tonight's first episode of the third season, though, entitled "Fear," begins months later, leaving viewers to jump back in headfirst and catch up you go.

"Fear" begins, as the other two seasons of Revenge have, with a flash forward to a tragedy. This time, we see Emily (Emily VanCamp) in a wedding dress, shot, falling into the water. Given that Emily is the main character, it is unlikely that her death will be coming anytime this season. So, it's not only a weird tease, but also not a particularly scary one. Also, one has to wonder if the shooting is Emily's plan to fake her death and escape marriage to Daniel, something she clearly has no desire to go through with, despite setting a date.

Just because Emily won't die doesn't mean she can't be hurt. Emily and Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) continue their dance, smiling and pretending to play nice, while secretly plotting one another's take down. This is definitely the driving force of the show, and the scenes the two ladies share, are always a high point of any installment. Emily seems to have the upper hand for now, engaged to Daniel (Joshua Bowman) and forcing the whole Grayson clan back together for a beginning-of-summer party.

Looks can be deceiving, and even if Emily is in the lead, she may not maintain it. She has Nolan (Gabriel Mann) on her side again, now that he's out of jail, but he refuses to use his technical skills, relying on old-fashioned methods instead. And Jack (Nick Wechsler) now knows who Emily is, but instead of teaming up with her, blames Emily for his brother's and love's deaths, considering them collateral damage in Emily's fight. So she's not in her strongest stance.

Jack's position, something highly speculated about during the hiatus, is likely to be the point of contention most fans have trouble accepting. He's a good guy and we want to see Emily, the protagonist of Revenge on the right side, too. Instead, by having Jack paint Emily in a negative light, the show risks turning viewers against its main character unless Jack can be won over, too, or Emily abandons her task, which would kill the premise of the series.

Expectation that Revenge can write itself out of this corner is not wholly optimistic, as the story has made some stretches before, but I think it'll work out OK. I applaud them for giving Jack this very authentic reaction, and Emily's equally believable confusion and sorrow at it. This is well-handled character development, and the more of this was can get from the show, the better.

The Graysons are not exactly in top fighting form, either. Conrad (Henry Czerny) is told by a doctor he has Huntington's disease, a fatal, degenerative illness, like Thirteen had in House. This is all a plot by Emily, he's not actually sick, but it throws the family into disarray. Let's hope for Emily's sake it keeps them as such, rather than uniting them against her.

There are some allies to the Graysons, too, some intentional, some not. Ashley (Ashley Madekwe) makes a move against Emily, but is knocked down by Emily, discrediting Ashley and having Victoria send her packing. And Aiden (Barry Sloane) is offering his services to Victoria. So the tables could turn quickly.

Victoria is distracted from the feud by the arrival of her son, Patrick (Justin Hartley, Smallville). She genuinely enjoys his company, which keeps her away from the fighting. But then he decides to return to the city, setting her off. Is she really this petty? If her children don't wish to stay under her roof full-time and obey her every wish, she goes off on them? It isn't quite in keeping with the character, unless Victoria just feels so betrayed and abandoned by everyone else that Patrick is her last life raft, and even his leaving temporarily is enough to shatter her fragile psyche.

The unintended result of Victoria's obsession with Patrick is that her daughter, Charlotte (Christa B. Allen), feels rejected, and goes on the offensive against Patrick. Charlotte has been tame and a side-lines player through much of the show's run. If Patrick's presence spurs her to take a more active role in the machinations of the show, this means a new player has entered the fold, and that can throw all the old rules out the window.

I actually like "Fear" because of the calculated way it unfolds, giving us a piece at a time of the story-already-in-progress, and moving the players around the chessboard in not-always predictable ways. Perhaps this reset, ditching the mistakes of last year, will get it back on track.

Revenge airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

DVD Review: ‘Revenge – The Complete Second Season’

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘Revenge – The Complete Second Season’ on Blogcritics.

ABC’s Revenge continues its sweeping tale of a young woman determined to even the score with the people that destroyed her father in The Complete Second Season, now available on DVD. In these 22 episodes, the protagonist’s own past catches up with her, complicating her mission.

The Complete Second Season begins with the remains of a boat wreck, and then jumps backwards in time several months, slowly allowing the action to catch up to this devastating scene over the course of many installments. This is the same formula used in the freshman year, and unfortunately becomes less effective each time it is pulled out, an unwelcome trope at this point. Thankfully, it is only a small part of the larger story.

Season one ends with Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe), the series’ main villain, dead in a plane crash. Fans of the show could not stand for the wicked witch to be taken out so easily, and neither could the writers, so it will surprise no one when she rears her head again early in this run, alive and mostly well.

Victoria isn’t the only obstacle for Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), the aforementioned leading lady, this season. There’s: the White Haired Man (James Morrison), a member of the Grayson’s social circle; Takeda (unfortunately recast, as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa doesn’t look much like the original actor, Hiroyuki Sanada), Emily’s mentor who sends his pupil, Aiden (Barry Sloane, Hollyoaks), to keep Emily in line; Emily’s messed-up mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) resurfaces; and a variety of smaller players stand in Emily’s way.

Some have criticized Revenge for getting too complicated in the second season, adding in too many characters and subplots, distracting from the central arc. I disagree. Life is messy, and in a situation like this, there would be many moving parts, some unpredictable and coming in at inconvenient times. This makes sense.

However, Revenge isn’t as sophisticated or adept at juggling the balls as many other current series, especially those on cable. It’s bread and butter is gossipy, drama-infused, soapy interplay, which is does an adequate job at. When it tries to build a larger mythology, which goes perfectly well with the plot in theory, Revenge is lacking and isn’t quite up to the task. When it sticks to shifting loyalties, bed hopping, backstabbing, complicated romance, family secrets, and twisted friendships, it does quite a good job, most of the time.

Revenge is enjoyable, popcorn entertainment. Overall, the flow is fine, and there are some terrific, juicy moments, especially involving Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) and her parentage, and anytime Mason Treadwell (Roger Bart) shows up. Revenge may not be the highest quality show out there, but it mostly knows its own identity and can serve it well.

All of this builds into a startling climax in a two-part season finale that not only results in the tragic, regrettable death of at least one main player, but brings to a close a number of the year’s stories. It also allows Emily to refocus and decide what she wants. There is a cliffhanger, of course, but viewers should be left satisfied with this part of the tale, and be ready for the next bit when it premieres in September.

The bonus features in this DVD release are not as good as the first season’s. As usual, there are audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and bloopers. What the set lacks are any strong featurettes. There’s a bit on the score, which is interesting, but won’t interest a broad audience. The bonus about Ashley Davenport’s style will probably appeal more to the core fan base of Revenge, though wasn’t my cup of tea. Lastly, the book feature seems like an advertisement more than an extra to reward buyers.

In short, I’d say check out Revenge The Complete Second Season for the episodes themselves, not so much that bonuses, though there may be a piece here or there that you’ll enjoy.

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.

Revenge is my "Destiny"

Grade: 86%

ABC left REVENGE fans a heck of a cliffhanger last spring – the death of Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe) in a horrific plane crash. As the season two opener, “Destiny,” begins, lights play over a wreck in the ocean. It looks bad, and based upon what viewers are hearing, survivors are unlikely.

But this isn’t Victoria’s accident. This is Jack’s (Nick Wechsler) boat, three months into the future. Is it smart to replay the same formula that worked for season one, where we saw Daniel (Joshua Bowman) apparently shot, and then, months later, found out that it wasn’t he who was dead? Well, it does provide continuity for viewers, keeping the tone of the show the same. But it could also grow stale pretty quickly after a few seasons. The tease technique is great, but one has to be careful not to overuse it.

It would be folly to try to guess who the lifeless arm belongs to that the camera glimpses in the wreckage. With plenty of story left to happen before the sinking, there will be guesses galore, and enough twists to keep the mystery interesting. One thing is relatively certain thought: it is extremely unlike that Jack is the one that is dead. And many fans would be thrilled if it turns out to be Amanda (Margarita Levieva).

Speaking of death, losing Victoria cuts the soul out of REVENGE. She is a fantastic villain, and the first half of “Destiny” feels empty without her. It looks like a few others might want to fill the vacuum she left, but they aren’t nearly as compelling, and would feel hollow in Victoria’s place. REVENGE needs Victoria just as much as it needs its lead, Emily (Emily VanCamp). They are really the only two characters who aren’t expendable.

Which is why Victoria’s survival is not a surprise. The press screener stops before that point of the episode, probably because the network is trying very hard for the fake out. In 2012, when this sort of thing has been done over and over before, surprise isn’t going to happen for many cynical viewers. Perhaps realizing this, REVENGE does not make the Victoria reveal the end of the episode, but rather, it is done in the middle to further the story along.

These elements do not come across as fresh and original. But REVENGE isn’t trying to break new ground. It’s trying to be the best soapy drama it possible can be, a guilty pleasure treat for the masses who like watching rich people backstabbing each other and quests for justice. REVENGE knows what it is, and delivers well enough on that promise to stay worth watching.

Now that we know Victoria is alive, the next question is why she stays in hiding, and what she is planning. She has help from the White Haired Man (James Morrison, 24), which explains why she didn’t die on the plane, since the WHM is the one who blew it up. Is Victoria a pawn of his, or a willing partner? If she is a pawn, how soon before she double crosses him?

The White Haired Man is an interesting character because it seems like he is brought into the series just to save the Graysons from going down. After all, for the plot to move along, Emily must make some headway on getting revenge for what happened to her father (James Tupper). If the Graysons were the ones behind everything, she would be frustratingly stalled for the entire run of the series, since Victoria cannot be taken out of the show without killing it. The White Haired Man is likely only the first of the shadowy puppet masters behind the scenes that Emily will face.

Emily herself is really struggling with this mission, having failed in the first battle. She has to flee to Japan for further training from Takeda (unfortunately recast, as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa doesn’t look much like the original actor, Hiroyuki Sanada). But her head still isn’t in the game, having learned that her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Weeds) was also screwed over by the Graysons, and is still alive. This clouds Emily’s judgment, and she sets off, unready to engage again.

Poor Emily. Her emotions are frequently her downfall, and it’s why, after a productive start, she keeps failing to reach her goals. We don’t want to see her grow cold, which is what is needed to get her revenge, as then she would become an unlikable character. So instead, we have to watch her fail. There just isn’t a way to win for the girl who has had such a rough life. Not that she’s going to stop trying. This builds an internal journey on top of her mission that makes her more sympathetic to fans.

Adding to Emily’s woe is that her love, Jack, is trying to move on with Amanda, who claims to be pregnant with his child. One has to assume that she’s lying because, if not, then Jack is going to be stuck with a woman he doesn’t love. It would be far neater if she is telling the truth, though, and he has to break free from her anyway. As Levieva has not been made a series regular, Jack should be able to succeed, sooner rather than later.

Will that mean a happy ending for Emily? Probably not. As much as she might be tempted to settle down with Jack, she is too tortured to let go of what happened to her parents. Even if she were to be with him, she would still be haunted by events, and would still seek retribution, which is not a recipe from which to make a good relationship. So perhaps it’s better that Emily can’t be with Jack, so she won’t hurt him.

Of course, there seems to be a lingering spark between Emily and Daniel, even though Daniel has moved on with Ashley (Ashley Madekwe). Ashley has her hooks into him for the status and the money, and won’t let go easily. But Daniel isn’t in love with her, and even though Emily broke his heart, he would still take her back, maybe even change for her. Love is his weakness, and it might also be the path to his own redemption. Emily might consider a reconciliation if Daniel decides he’s not his father’s son, after all.

All in all, a fitting return, if slightly disappointing in its predictability. REVENGE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

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 is under "Duress"

     In "Duress," the return of ABC's Revenge, Nolan (Gabriel Mann) and Emily (Emily VanCamp) make a disturbing discovery about Tyler (Ashton Holmes). Learning he is mentally unstable, they call his brother in to treat him. But it's too late, as Tyler stabs Nolan, and holds a gun and Emily and the others at Daniel's (Joshua Bowman) birthday celebration. In the meantime, Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) encounters some unexpected bumps in the road to her divorce from Conrad (Henry Czerny) as they fight over custody of Charlotte (Christa B. Allen).

     ABC needs to stop spoiling things. Not only is Tyler's gun wielding scene shown in the opening of "Duress," but it is also revealed in the preview that aired after the fall finale. Plus, several juicy tidbits that should be left as surprises are shown in next week's look ahead, including why Daniel might propose so soon to Emily. It actually hurts the series. Rather than sparking interest, it gives things away. And please, why have Tyler point the gun at Emily so much? Everyone knows she's going to live. It would be far more interesting if he points it at, say, Amanda (Margarita Levieva, How to Make It in America), who wasn't shown in the future events of the "Pilot."

     Note: for ease, I am referring to the revenge-driven character as Emily and her juvie cohort as Amanda. Yes, their names are actually the other way around, but it's simpler to use the names the characters usually go by.

     Complaints about spoilers is a sign at how gripping Revenge is. It is quickly becoming ABC's new primetime soap, a staple of the network, and one in need of replacement since Desperate Housewives will make its final bow at the end of the season. Revenge so far has not quite lived up to the early days of that last big hit, possibly partly because of the smaller ensemble. Sometimes it ventures a little near CW territory, with the contrived romances and added drama. However, for the most part, Revenge is succeeding, and creating a story that will be intrigue-worthy for at least a few seasons.

     Tyler's complete breakdown in "Duress" is delightful. Finally getting off of his meds, he becomes the unstable individual he has been trying to hide all along. It also is time for him to leave, as he has been distracting from the main plot of Emily trying to bring down the Graysons, which needs to be gotten back to as the wedding date, glimpsed in the "Pilot," rapidly approaches. He is a good side trip to take up a portion of the season, but now that he's been played out, it's time for him to move on.

     Amanda, on the other hand, will continue to be a thorn in Emily's side, possibly for some time to come. Her presence is the biggest threat to Emily's mission. While Amanda's relationship with Jack (Nick Wechsler) is kind of a low blow, it is mostly a distraction, as Emily is single-minded enough to keep from unfurling over her feelings for Jack. But that doesn't mean Amanda won't slip, most likely in front of Jack, and let on that she's not, in fact, Amanda Clarke. Given that Amanda is already proving herself not the sharpest tool in the box, unlike Emily, and Victoria seems suspicious, it probably won't be a long wait until Amanda blow Emily's cover. But that could just be the beginning of open warfare, not an end to the entire scheme, and thus, an exciting twist to look forward to!

     How much emotion does Emily still have left after everything that has happened to her? She makes an apology to Nolan this week that, while beating around the bush a little, comes off as sincere. At first, Emily doesn't want Nolan's help. Now she's relying on it. Is Emily motivated to repair her friendship with him merely to help her complete her goal, as he has become a valuable asset? Or does she care about the man who refuses to go away, and who has made himself as much an instrument of revenge as any in Emily's arsenal? The series plays Emily close enough to the vest that it's impossible to tell.

     The battle over Charlotte in "Duress" is a curious one. Despite Victoria's private confessions about not wanting Charlotte, she does really seem to care. It's a credit to Stowe that she can capture these layers in a highly manipulative, mostly unlikable character. Yet, the fight for custody over Charlotte does seem genuine, not a tactic. Might Victoria have had a change of heart? Certainly she's not just going after Charlotte because Conrad wants her. It also should make Charlotte feel valued in a way she has not been, which the girl might use to her advantage, as she clearly possesses shades of her mother within. Which makes Charlotte an unpredictable wild card in the series of unfolding events, as Charlotte's wants could easily get in the way of anyone else's plans.

     Watch Revenge, a highly satisfying guilty pleasure drama, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

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.

     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 - "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.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter

TV Reviews: Brothers & Sisters

     I put off watching ABC's Brothers & Sisters when it first returned to the air this fall. I didn't do that because I don't like the show. On the contrary, I love it. But the events that unfolded at the end of last season, combined with known casting changes, made the thought of what the new episodes would be tough to stomach. I finally watched the first four hours, and it was as hard as I thought it would be.

     I was fully invested in Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) and Justin (Dave Annable) as a couple. They thought they were siblings for awhile, but ever since then, I didn't understand why their romantic plot had to be so rocky. They were perfect for each other, the attraction was obvious, and it took far too long for them to walk down the aisle. I was mad as hell that VanCamp decided to quit the show then, effectively forcing the writers to end something that had been so long in building. Rebecca's recent two-episode return helped with some closure, and certainly, her leaving for a job in New York to help her grow that way that Justin had makes sense. It was tied up as nicely as possible. However, I would feel much better about the whole thing if VanCamp remained in the cast, with a promise that she would return and they would end up together. I won't rule it out, especially if the show ends in the next season or two, but it is far from a sure thing.

     Similarly, I loved Kitty (Calista Flockhart) and Robert (Rob Lowe) as a couple. Between his heart attack, her cancer, and her emotional affair, I was livid with all of the troubles their marriage kept going through. Yes, I know to keep TV interesting, things have to happen. But for the McCallisters, it just seemed so much more than necessary. Lowe's decision to leave the series, coming after Flockhart's desire for a limited number of episodes this year, pushed them apart permanently. In this case, the writers chose death. Why, I do not know, as if Kitty would only appear every so often anyway, Robert could appear even less. He could leave the show, but still be her husband. I'm happy that Lowe has already signed on full-time for the upcoming season of Parks and Recreation, but he couldn't even come back and lie in the bed for the first episode, until Kitty pulled the plug? It left his death a much-less emotionally moving thing than it should have been. Not to mention, with both of their prior health problems, death felt like a huge cheat.

     Also, Tommy Walker (Balthazar Getty), who had appeared so infrequently, was dropped from the cast. I wish I could say that his gradual fading out made it easier, but it didn't. It's not the same to have the Walker family down a sibling. Sure, plenty of families have their black sheep, but the Walkers would want to keep theirs close, not let him leave.

 

     Can the show recover from such monumental shifts? I'm sure it can, if these past weeks are any indication. I found it physically painful to watch, especially the season premiere. My gut ached. However, the characters that remain still shine. I remember how furious I was that Sarah's (Rachel Griffiths) husband Joe (John Pyper-Ferguson) was gone after season one, but I'm glad that she is now in a long-term relationship with Luc (Gilles Marini, the only new full-time cast member). It will be an adjustment, and I can't remember a show that dropped such a heavy burden on the viewer all at once before. That may have been why a shortened season was ordered this year. But additional episodes have already been picked up, as the Walkers slowly go back to normal, so will the show.

 

     As I mentioned, Luc is now a main character. I wish they would do the same for David (Ken Olin). Obviously he is going to be in the picture for awhile to come with his position as Holly's (Patricia Wettig) condition. I hoped awfully hard all summer that Holly would return full-time, and I am gratified to see that it is so, though she's worse for the wear. I understand why Rebecca leaving might help her, but hopefully Justin will maintain what he is building with his now ex-mother-in-law, as it's such a moving story. I think that he will, based on the characters.
 

     The silver lining I see in all of this is perhaps Saul (Ron Rifkin) will finally get more screen time. As the uncle, he was always pushed into the background, and for four years hasn't had a great deal to do. He'd get expanded plot for a few weeks, and then fade into the background again. His dating life has been front and center lately, though I'm still just waiting for that to be it from him for awhile. I sincerely hope it is not, and his opening a restaurant with Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) may be a sign that the producers are also leaning in that direction.

     Brothers & Sisters airs Sunday nights on ABC at 10pm.
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Article first published as TV Review: Brothers & Sisters on Blogcritics.

Brothers & Sisters was riding smoothly until the crash

     I have some complaints about ABC's Brothers & Sisters finale, "On the Road Again", but first, let's start with the good stuff.  The Walker family mostly worked out their issues.  Justin (Dave Annable) and Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) seemed to be in a good place.  They have decided to spend a year apart, but, based on interviews I've read with the people that make the show, they'll be all right.  Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) was taking the dissolution of the family business pretty hard, but I'm sure that she'll recover.  Though are her kids ever on the show anymore?  Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) and Saul's (Ron Rifkin) restaurant looks to be the new business venture for the family, and I'm hopeful.

     Sadly, though, Saul has HIV.  I understand the explanation that he could have had it for decades without symptoms, but it seems to be stretching some already stretched believability.  When the series began, there was no hint of Saul's homosexuality, and it seemed to come from nowhere.  I am glad to see plot for Saul, when he is often left out, so I will forgive those mistakes.  I will also forgive the finding of water at Narrow Lake, though again, it seems very convenient, and a little cheap.

     Killing off Robert (Rob Lowe) was the best way to go, if he had to leave the show, though I'm still bitter about his departure.  It was also nice that it was done in an unexpected way.  However, the multi-car pileup, with so much of the family involved, was not handled all that way, and I am unsatisfied with it.  If Holly (Patricia Wettig) dies, I will be furious.  She is easily one of the most interesting characters on the show, and sorely needed.  I was sad to see her get so little screen time this week, but the series has been fairly good to her lately, so it can have a pass, for now.

     I am being this tough on Brothers & Sisters because it is usually such a good show, and I was not happy with the finale.  I don't feel it lived up to the show's usual standards.  I am not sure about how the reduced role next season of Kitty (Calista Flockhart) will bode, nor is it a good sign that only eighteen episodes have been ordered.  By contrast, this year saw twenty-four hours, and most drama series deliver twenty-two currently.  Next year will also pick a year after the events of this season, so perhaps that may give it a new injection of life.  I am simply concerned, and really hope that I one of my favorite shows bounces back soon.

Brothers & Sisters does the time warp

     ABC's Brothers & Sisters returned from a short hiatus for a two hour episode this week, and there were plenty of surprises.  The episode was called "Time After Time", and for the first hour and twenty minutes or so, we got flashes of the siblings in their younger days.  Specifically, when most were in their teens, on a night that rocked the family and changed their lives.  The thing is, none of the kids knew what really happened that night until this episode, and the really big twist was not obvious.  Unfortunately, most of the casting of their younger selves felt false and pretty off base, the one exception being Sarah (usually played by Rachel Griffiths).  And those long ago scenes were far from the best ones in the episode, though some of them were slightly fun.

     The story changed Kevin (Matthew Rhys), as he was the one that did the very bad thing.  Accidentally, he pushed a guy, and paralyzed him for life.  Nora (Sally Field) covered up the entire thing, providing for the boy, but lying to her children.  Now we know what the mysterious Dennis York (Peter Gerety) was holding over Nora to try to force her family to sell their shares in the family business, though we still don't know why he wanted them so badly.

     On the topic of this season's mystery, much was developed in that, as well.  The budding friendship between Nora and Holly (Patricia Wettig) is fun and sweet, and was taken to whole new levels as they teamed up to break the law and figure out what their deceased mutual lover was up to back in 1973.  Instead, they did discover what their two children were up to.

     The show's couple who has faced the most obstacles also found time in the jam-packed two hours to take a huge leap forward themselves.  Poor Justin (Dave Annable) and Rebecca (Emily VanCamp), after having their beach wedding interrupted months earlier, eloped, only to find their mothers bust in on their secret honeymoon.  To make matters worst, moments later other family, and then the police, showed up, and the aforementioned women were carted to jail.  That has to go down as one of the worst honeymoon's ever.  And they took it in such good humor.

     It was a wonderful episode, with all the best elements of Brothers & Sisters, a fast pace, and plenty of story development.  Brothers & Sisters regularly airs Sunday nights at 10pm on ABC.