I may be in the minority here but I’m not loving this season of Revenge. It’s perfectly entertaining and intriguing, but I’m not finding it as thrilling as it was last year. I’m sure it’s going to blow my mind at some point soon and rock for the rest of the season (I have a lot of faith in Mike Kelly’s writing team) but so far it’s been a slow-burn.
I think my biggest gripe with the show is The Initiative looming over the central mythology. Every time I hear those words I cringe because it’s really not what the show is about. Government conspiracies and shadowy agencies are made for spy shows like Alias but not small-town dramas like Revenge. Yes Emily Thorne is a formidable enough protagonist to go up against a full-blown agency but it just doesn’t feel very organic to me. Maybe when Emily finally meets up with her mother, things will fall into place and I’ll begin to embrace this arc. In the meantime, I’m trying to enjoy the ride but I’m not terribly engrossed by it.
While the Grayson family exploits are becoming increasingly convoluted, and I’m really losing track of who’s working with who and how the White-Haired Man fits into everything, I can’t say I wasn’t entertained by Victoria’s rise from the ashes during that pretty fantastic press conference. It was great watching her reveal the truth regarding Charlotte to the whole world and it was even better watching her call Amanda on stage. They really are torturing us and dragging out Emily revealing the truth regarding her identity so I really hope it happens this season. It will undoubtedly signal a new era for the show.
I will admit that I’m also enjoying Aiden’s addition to the show as Emily’s equal. It was fascinating to uncover that he actually had a relationship with Emily at one point. Here’s hoping they rekindle their romance because he’s infinitely more interesting than Jack (and Daniel is currently busy with charisma-vacuum Ashley).
Vengeful Bits
– Emily knocking out Aiden swiftly with a vase was a badass moment.
– Is there anyone on earth who enjoys the Ashley character? Seriously if you’re out there, I’d like to know.
– So Declan’s robbing homes now? Fascinating… not.
– Loved Aiden finding himself in the dumpster with a Sky Japan plane ticket. Ems sure has a sense of humor.
– I really don’t see the point of Padma on the show. As far as I’m concerned she can hook up with Declan and disappear for good.
– White-Haired Man and Emily’s mom were a couple? That’s not creepy at all.
Devious Delights
Daniel: (To Victoria) You’re going public?
Conrad: She’s going nuclear.
Nolan: (To Emily) I love it when you’re bossy. It means something hot’s going to happen.
Conrad: Someone please pass the pain de mie.
Daniel: It’s toast.
Conclusion
An effective hour but not up to the mind-blowing standards of season one.
Nad Rating
B-
Yeah, it's all getting a little too convoluted for me, too. Still, I really liked this episode, and I can't wait to see Emily and her Mom meet again as well. I still love Revenge to bits.
Great review, Nadim =)
I watched the episode yesterday with such disinterest. As u said Nadim I can't keep track of who are allies and who are enemies. Also agree about Aeden… I think he will be a good addition to the show.
I'm going to miss Nolan yet I have a feeling we will see him again this season. Declan on the other hand, also like you said, is totally useless and is adding nothing to the show.
I'm quite disappointed to be honest 🙁
thanks panda!!! glad you're still watching the show!
what do you mean miss nolan? Where did he go? Of course you'll see him again he's part of the cast he won't disappear for a single episode!
And finally you agree on Declan. What an utter waste of space!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who's a bit disappointed this year with the show!
Let's see….
I like Aiden for Emily. He has a backbone.
Jack should just stick with FauxAmanda.
She can adapt with him.
His sissy excuse for breaking-up with FauxAmanda was totally weird.
Telling her to connect with family then rejecting her unplanned reconnection (because she was declared an official family member, albeit onstage) AND rejecting a gift from 'family', was very tsk-tsk-tsk.
Jack wants to be The Man but ends up being The Jerk. 🙂
Aiden on the other hand, (even if he doesn't know that Ems is playing with him by hiding evidences) still comes like a ranging bull; never giving up.
Even after being treated as trash.
Well I hope he's not, since in the last ep, we saw him dump the Pandora's box and leaves.
Let's not forget Nolan who introduces Ems as 'my Emily'. har-har-har.
Nice expression on his CFO's face who has a crush on him.
Pretty jelly especially when Nolan had to forgo a being arranged dinner to go to Ems because she called him.
Funny, really.
Declan? Declan who?
Whenever a scene involves Declan, this the time I get water, popcorn, or use the bathroom.
Waste of space? Really!
Why can't he be put in jail and throw away the key?
Charlotte on the other hand, was much improved as far as stopping her whining is concerned.
Daniel? I like the scene when he called both Victoria and Charlotte in the study. Very manly, very shocking, indeed, Sherlock. :-O
For me, the WHM's death was the series' writers sudden injection of mystery.
If the WHM is really the bf of Ems mom, how come he wanted to kill Ems?
Hmmm, the plot thickens.
I guess the series is starting to be like a day-time soap opera.
We need more Ems and Nolan and Aiden less unwanted character times.
Well, well, well… a triangle of sorts would be very interesting; or a quad. hehehe.
Good review, Nadim; you very impatient man. hahaha.
So far, I´m interested in how this is all going. I have a feeling Padma is gonna turn our an FBI agent or something.