Towards the end of last season, Revenge set a whole episode in the past and I found it to be spectacular (contrary to public opinion). Eight episodes into the show’s sophomore year and we get another time-jump hour. While this episode wasn’t as impressive, it had enough intriguing moments to make the trip worth it.
I’m not too sure how I feel about Victoria’s backstory. On one hand, it was somewhat satisfying to meet her mother (a development I honestly never even considered), but the whole mother-turns-a-blind-eye-to-her-pedophilic-husband shtick has been done before and it’s just never fun to watch. So now we’re supposed to pity Victoria? I honestly always found myself fascinated by the character that I didn’t really need her pigeonholed into the vengeful victim stereotype. The revelation honestly disappointed me as I was hoping the writers would come up with something more creative to explain her cutthroat demeanor. The good news is this backstory allows us to draw even more parallels with Emily: both women found themselves in some sort of institution after dealing with psychotic moms, and both eventually found themselves hellbent on revenge (or as Emily so wonderfully puts it: “a journey with no end.”) The fact that Victoria orchestrated an entire scheme so she could finally corner and destroy her mother on that dinner table was genius however, and effectively carried out.
Surprisingly, this was actually a stronger hour for Aiden whom we discovered joined Team Takeda (I’m copyrighting this term) thanks to Emily. It’s a compelling point that imbues their relationship with even more weight. The two avengers are just awesome together and the fact that Aiden’s dad is also connected to the David Clarke conspiracy is just icing on the cake. Suffice to say, the writers have done a great job of repositioning the season the past couple of episodes after a somewhat shaky start.
Vengeful Bits
– It was nice to see Takeda again, and in the field causing damage no less.
– Emily met Ashley when she was trying to package herself as a whore? Priceless.
– Daniel and his poetry made me laugh.
– Marian making her daughter shoot her dead husband was a bit too dramatic for me (and that’s saying a lot).
– Even Jack’s dramas in the past were boring. Okay so present day scumbag is the son of past-scumbag who was killed by Jack’s dad’s friend? It’s too painful to care…
– I liked how protective Conrad was of Vikki. I’m really rooting for the couple now.
– Badass moment with Takeda, Emily and Aiden triple-teaming the thugs in the bar.
– Nolan choosing a “convicted terrorist” over his boyfriend was a powerful moment to showcase his decade-old loyalty to the Clarkes. I wasn’t actually enjoying Nolan and his CFO boyfriend until we jumped back to the present and Daniel contacted him. This should be interesting.
– Aiden calling Emily “Amanda”. I think it’s the first time ever someone does that in the present day?
– I absolutely adored Emily sharing her infinity box with Aiden. It’s a truly poignant and satisfying moment in the show’s journey.
Devious Delights
Takeda: Are you afraid?
Emily: No… I’m ready.
Marian: I thought you’d at least enjoy taking pity on me.
Victoria: Pity is not a quality you’ve taught me.
Marian: I have nowhere to go.
Victoria: Hmm.. well, we do have a good number of rooms here. Pity as you say, none of them are for you.
Marian: You vindictive bitch.
Victoria: Oh I learned from the best. Goodbye mother. I have no doubt that you’ll land on your feet.
Conrad: Has the darkness finally been lifted?
Victoria: Ask me tomorrow.
Aiden: Double inifinity?
Emily: A journey with no end.
Conclusion
While I didn’t enjoy the episode’s primary reveal, this was a nonetheless entertaining and intriguing hour of Revenge.
Nad Rating
B
i didnt really care for this episode because its a flashback episode
It was an interesting episode – but I agree about the Jack storyline… that's just meaningless. I am so sure the boat sinking is gonna have something to do with this.
Anyway, the best moments were Aimanda scenes – I hope the writers actually stick to this and not make it alll about jack. Honestly, no one finds their soulmate at 8 years old. That's when you find your first crush, which admittedly, is a tough person to get over. It should nonetheless happen already.
I like these flashbacks… although I do agree that the stroy line could have been better. I have a feeling that Aiden is going to leave Emily again at some point; obviously at the end of the show Jack and Emily will be together.
Interesting episode and we find the Graysons are even more messed up. That is some dysfunctional family.