Revenge: Saints & Sinners of Season 1

What a season it’s been in the Hamptons for the duplicitous bunch on ABC’s vengeance soap Revenge! It might have started out in the sunny summer months of beach-going fun, but the series ended its first season run in a pretty dark place.

Along the way from summer into winter, the show hasn’t been shy in reveling in the moral ambiguity of its main characters. No character is more bad and good than series heroine Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), formerly Amanda Clarke, who uses friends and enemies alike in her revenge quest on the evil Grayson family.

This season, the show has featured some surprising twists and turns. But if there’s one thing Revenge has learned, it’s the value of a good old fashioned take-down. Here are a few moments from the show’s first season that had us carving infinity signs into our porches…because that’s how long we’ll love this show.

Emily Leaks Therapy Tapes

One of Emily’s first take-downs was also one of her juiciest. With the help of a spy camera, Emily was able to record all the sessions rich Hamptonites had with a specific therapist on her hit list. Once she had all the biggest secrets of the rich, famous and sun-kissed, Emily set up a website and let the secrets free. Among the clips playing on loop at a charity benefit was one of arch-nemesis Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe) saying she never wanted to have daughter Charlotte (Christa B. Allen). Ouch!

Charlotte is Emily’s Half Sister

If you thought Charlotte was upset with her mom after the therapy tape, you only had to wait as this season saw another shocking revelation about Charlotte. This time it had to do with her parentage. You see unfortunately for Charlotte, Victoria is still her mummy dearest. But daddy dearest? That would be Emily’s father Daniel Clarke, who Victoria had an affair with before setting him up to take the fall. This revelation fundamentally changed the way that Emily saw Charlotte. Now Emily even looks out for her, like a good big sister would. Except in this case she’s also trying to destroy the rest of her little sister’s family. It’s complicated!

Burn Treadwell Burn

Journalist Mason Treadwell was on the top of Emily’s hit list. Why? He promised a young Amanda Clarke that he would write a tell-all exposing the innocence of her father. Of course, he did exactly the opposite. Thanks to a bribe from the Graysons, his career took flight on the wings of a book about Daniel Clarke’s guilt, not his innocence. No worries, because Treadwell got his comeuppance. Emily burnt down his house with all his pretentious, type-written research. Talk about a fiery take-down!

A Killer Engagement Party

The show opened with a killer start: an engagement party at which the groom was presumably shot dead. Of course, viewers fell in love and potentially saved Daniel Grayson (Joshua Bowman). Not so lucky was his psychotic friend Tyler (Ashton Holmes) who had hoped to tie his fate to the Grayson’s rising star. After flaming out spectacularly, Tyler tried to tell Daniel that his lovely bride-to-be wasn’t so lovely. Unfortunately he tried to do it at gunpoint. Daniel wrestled the gun from Tyler and shot him in self-defense. Then Emily’s mentor Takeda ( Hiroyuki Sanada) bopped Daniel on the head in cold-blooded vengeance and shot Tyler in the back. This almost landed Daniel in the slammer and put him in the hothouse of public opinion.

Don’t Mess With Mama

Victoria Grayson is certainly a dangerous enemy to have. Her cold shoulder can mean social suicide and her hugs are apparently powered entirely by hatred. (Just ask Lydia!) But it can be just as dangerous to be loved by Mama Grayson. This time you can ask Daniel, who received a tough prison beating thanks to the Grayson matriarch. Sure, her defense was that she was just trying to get Daniel remanded to house arrested. I’m not sure Daniel would have agreed with her tactics.

The Power of Shamu

Throughout the first season, there have been two superstar companions in the Revenge universe. One is the dearly departed Sammy, the 200-year-old golden retriever. The other is Shamu, the whale-shaped hidden camera. Shamu has been through a lot this season but has always stood by her good friend Nolan ( Gabriel Mann). Whether it was to record a murder attempt or just a good old-fashioned sex tape to be used for blackmail, you could always count on Shamu.

-Read the full article and sound off on your favorite season one moments on RoadRunner.com HERE!!

Revenge: The Explosive Truth

The season finale of Revenge pulls out all the stops with violence, revelations, drug use, surprise pregnancies and scheming for one heck of an explosive closer.

Mommy Dearest?

What a season it’s been on Revenge! Emily (Emily VanCamp) started the season taking down enemies one-by-one in her quest to undo the Graysons. Those take downs now seem like small potatoes. The finale saw the possible undoing of the whole family, while Emily hovered on the brink of murder. She pulled herself back from the edge with the white haired man, but the Graysons and the shadowy organizations behind them didn’t prove to be so merciful. It also appears Emily’s long-dead mother might not be resting so peacefully after all. Where is the missing Clarke and what is her connection to the larger conspiracy?

Triangle No More

The finale tied up some loose ends only to untie them again. A case in point was the love triangle central to the show since its pilot. Would Emily end up with misunderstood Grayson son Daniel (Joshua Bowman) or childhood friend Jack (Nick Wechsler)? Emily finally made her choice after seeing Daniel slowly turning into the worst thing he possibly could: all Grayson. Emily broke off her engagement and planned to tell Jack everything. The only problem? Fauxmanda (Margarita Levieva) came back pregnant. Talk about timing!

Charlotte’s Web

Meanwhile, Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) got more screen time this episode than she has almost all season. She embraced her Grayson roots when she took down Declan’s (Connor Paolo) new girl, but then felt guilty about it. I guess that’s what she gets from the Clarke side of the family. After seeing the news about her mother’s plane explosion, she ODs on pills. Conrad (Henry Czerny) helpfully rocks her back and forth without calling any kind of medical services. Father of the year award forthcoming!

Seven Devils

Of course, the biggest moment of the show came towards the end. Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) is dead set on testifying now that the feds have the evidence. As she walks toward the small plane bound to carry her to DC, Florence and the Machine’s “Seven Devils” begins playing and you know things are about to get real. If only Victoria could have heard the soundtrack! Alas apparently she perished in the plane explosion, although we all know better. What is Revenge without Victoria Grayson’s cold shoulders and hatred-fueled hugs?

— Read the full recap including best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!!

Revenge: Happy Old Year

It’s a tale of three New Year’s Eves as Revenge flashes back and then even further back to show how Amanda Clarke transformed into stone cold vengeance-obsessed Emily Thorne.

Flashbacks Within Flashbacks

Tonight’s episode of Revenge was like watching a greatest hits collection for the show. Oh look, there’s those people the show killed! (Anyone remember that Jack (Nick Wechsler) and Declan (Connor Paolo) even had a father at this point?) It was also a trip down memory lane of Emily’s best take-downs. We got to see all the people Emily’s destroyed since the show started in one room, none realizing they were headed for a collision course with vigilante justice.

Stay Cool Daddy-O

Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann) as per usual was a standout. Not only is he one of the most loyal schemers around, but he’s continually getting punched in the face for his trouble. After Jack’s girlfriend kisses him on New Year’s for seemingly no reason, Jack lays him out with a punch. And thus a beautiful friendship was born. Also before sporting multiple popped collars, Nolan liked to dress like a 1950s greaser.

Emily Thorne Rises

Meanwhile, poor Nolan has to deal with Emily (Emily VanCamp), still going by Amanda, and getting into bar fights. When she finally reads her father’s journal, she grabs the first opportunity to cater the Grayson’s New Year’s Eve party and see the wicked family for herself. Once there she bumps into Roger, an old friend of her father’s willing to help her uncover the truth. But before you can say Grayson, Roger is murdered and Emily’s anger spills over. If anything, this episode was like watching a super hero origin story for the cold Emily Thorne we know and fear.

Shame

The Graysons have their own fires to put out in 2002 when they receive a note that just says “Shame” with David Clarke’s name attached. So they invite all their cover-up collaborators to their annual New Year’s Eve party. Nothing says “starting fresh” like ringing in the new year with people who helped you frame an innocent man! While Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) flashes back to meeting David, Frank (Max Martini) takes out the perceived threat. Except Roger was innocent, and it was Treadwell who sent in the card.

—Read the full recap including best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!

Revenge: Like Father, Like Son

The walls are closing in around all the Graysons, as Emily’s investigation into her father’s death uncovers secrets of Nolan’s past.

Truth Comes Out

This episode of Revenge was truly a game changer. We delved into the past of several characters, learned more about David Clarke’s (James Tupper) murder and even watched as the Grayson family fell apart. Once the show finally and truly set itself free from its season-opening murder, and resulting court room drama, it also freed itself to up the dramatic ante. It finally feels like almost anything could happen in these last few episodes.

Choosing Sides

Perhaps the biggest shock had nothing to do with narrative twists and turns. No, it was the shocking moment of watching Daniel (Joshua Bowman) finally choose a side. In all the Grayson drama, Daniel has always truly felt like a wild card. Was he a family man or was he misunderstood? Emily (Emily VanCamp) secretly hoped she could trust him, but turned to ice as soon as he stood behind his father. Now another Grayson is sure to grace her hit list.

Ross is Boss

Nolan (Gabriel Mann) is a perennial fan favorite for a whole host of reasons. There’s his witty banter, his multiple popped-collar outfits and his trusty sidekick Shamu the spycam. There’s also his loyalty, intelligence and friendship, which were all on display tonight. We finally learned more about his past and his connection to David Clarke through a favorite aunt. This aunt was going to help free Clarke but ended up faking her own death, with Nolan’s help. Is there anything Nolan can’t do?

Family Feud

The Graysons are really and truly falling apart in a major way. Emily might not have much work to do, as Victoria’s (Madeline Stowe) offer of information for immunity from the feds means that the lid on the Clarke cover-up is shaking loose. Conrad (Henry Czerny) doesn’t plan to take this sitting down and has already recruited Daniel and Ashley (Ashley Madekwe) (remember her?) to his side of the upcoming Grayson feud.

—Read the full recap including best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!

Revenge: A Thousand Shades of Graysons

This week Revenge was all about tricky legal situations, blackmail and betrayal. Also, Nolan wore some adorable seasonal sweaters.

Shades of Graysons

If there’s one thing that Revenge has cornered the market on at this point, it’s edge-of-your-seat endings. This time around was no different as Emily (Emily VanCamp) realized that the Graysons were responsible for having her father killed in prison. We’ve heard a lot about the evil powers of the Grayson clan, but this might be the most duplicitous we’ve ever seen them. Fraud, blackmail, emotional manipulation, murder: Is there anything the Graysons haven’t done?

Victoria’s Secret

It seems like no accident that in the same episode we learn of the true power and evil potential of the Grayson family, we also learn about Victoria’s (Madeline Stowe) background. Her painting beau is back but quickly scared off by Conrad (Henry Czerny) when he threatens to unearth their long-ago forgery business. It’s nice to learn more about Victoria’s humble beginnings. Only for Victoria Grayson would humble beginnings also equal high-end art fraud.

Everyone Loves Jack

Meanwhile, Emily and Nolan (Gabriel Mann) have been desperately trying to save Jack (Nick Wechsler) from his own bad ideas. They’ve sent him on a wild goose chase but eventually Emily has to break into his house to retrieve the bloody hoodie Jack kept. Emily plants the hoodie on Victoria’s henchman Lee, hoping to take the whole family down. What she doesn’t expect is for the Graysons to take him out with a convenient jail suicide.

Brotherly Love

Declan (Connor Paolo) is finally proving to be a useful character in this string of episodes, and it’s certainly about time. While Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) had previously proved her interest by being Emily’s half-sister, Declan has spent most of the series pouting or poaching crabs. Now he’s stepping up to protect Jack, even if it means losing Charlotte. But soon Charlotte might not have to pop pills with her gross ex, because Lee’s suicide confession means that Daniel (Joshua Bowman) is cleared.

— Read the full recap including best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!

Revenge: Jailhouse Rock

Coming off the drama and murder-filled engagement party, Revenge realized that it had to pull out all the stops for this law and order-centric follow-up. And boy did it!

Mentor Knows Best

We finally learn, for real, the mystery that started us all on this crazy ride in the Hamptons: what happened on the beach. It looks like Emily’s (Emily VanCamp) mentor in revenge, martial arts and glaring has returned to tie up some loose ends for her.

Revenge of the 99%

The action this week revolves around the defense for Daniel (Joshua Bowman) as he tries to prove his innocence in the murder of Tyler (Ashton Holmes), who he did actually shoot. But only once! Still, he gets an all-expenses-paid trip to Riker’s Island for his troubles. Looks like there might be a Hampton’s Occupy chapter because everyone is suddenly really mad at the 1%. What a time for people on this show to start caring about evil rich people, especially for Daniel. He’s much too pretty for jail.

Losing Control

Emily’s plot to destroy the Graysons has never been in such a precarious state before. Watching the formerly in-control ice queen in over her head really ratchets up the tension. You know it’s serious when she smashes her infinity box of plots and schemes at episode’s end. Between destroying her prized box, letting Takeda (Hiroyuki Sanada) get the drop on her and showing some emotion with Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) Emily is really off her game this week.

A Star is Born

Most surprisingly of all might have been the part played by Ashley (Ashley Madekwe). Usually in these recaps I don’t even get to mention her, despite my affection for the actress, because she’s mostly a non-entity. This week she really steps up as the Graysons’ spokesperson and all-around media darling. She also steps up her scheming when we find out that she was the one who sent in the beachfront murder pictures. Looks like she’s learned some tricks from Victoria (Madeline Stowe) after all.

—To read the full recap including best lines go to RoadRunner.com HERE!

Revenge: Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?

A dinner with the extended Grayson clan goes terribly wrong when Jack crashes and reveals Charlotte’s paternity secret.

Ye Olde Cassette Tape

Things are getting more complicated for Emily’s (Emily VanCamp) revenge plot. This week the complication takes the form of a video found by Jack (Nick Wechsler) of little Emily spilling the affair between her father and Victoria (Madeline Stowe). But first Jack has to call in Nolan (Gabriel Mann) and his technical wizardry in order to play the VHS tape. Everyone on the show acts like a VCR is a magical device from the 1800s or something.

Dinner Dramatics

Grandpa Grayson’s arrival in town makes everything more complicated. Emily plans to out Charlotte’s biological secret but changes her mind after watching Conrad (Henry Czerny) and Charlotte have a heart-to-heart. Not to fear though, because after Nolan fails in his minion duties to keep Jack from seeing the tape he busts into the Grayson family dinner. Once there, Jack reveals Victoria’s affair with David, which leads to Conrad revealing Charlotte’s parentage. Can the Graysons ever have a normal family dinner?

Don’t Mess With Grandpa

Grandpa Grayson for some reason is obsessed with the idea of Conrad and Victoria having a sweet, cuddly divorce. But from what we’ve seen there is nothing sweet or cuddly about Victoria. Even her hugs are powered by hatred! After the dinner meltdown, he thinks it might be time for Conrad to step down and Daniel (Joshua Bowman) to step up. He’s met Daniel before right? I imagine the Daniel CEO years will include memos written in crayon and everyone getting paid in pot and gold stars.

Find a Better Hiding Place

The biggest shocker of the night is the disappearance of Emily’s super secret box of vengeance. After burning her bridges with Amanda (Margarita Levieva) she seems the most likely culprit. But perhaps it was someone else entirely? This was a strong episode to lead into next’s week giant outing, in which we’ll finally learn what went down at the engagement party in the pilot. Sadly, if it is Daniel that takes a bullet, we’ll never get to hear any of his quality poetry.

—Read the full recap including best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!!

Revenge 1x13 Recap: Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?

Emily briefly reevaluates her actions after Jack gets an unpleasant visit from one of Victoria’s thugs, but decides vengeance really is the best path after Daniel’s stupidity comes out in full force.

DNA Don’t Lie

Last week’s revelation about Charlotte’s (Christa B. Allen) paternity continues to have wide-ranging ramifications this week. It’s good to know that even if Charlotte herself is doing nothing useful, her character still has some purpose. Unfortunately Declan (Connor Paolo) is still only there to scowl and make bitter jokes about being poor. Meanwhile, Daniel (Joshua Bowman) displays his capacity to believe anything, like a pretty, loyal golden-doodle who tries to run through a sliding glass door.

Strawberry Allergies Forever

Things are heating up this week in the Victoria (Madeline Stowe) and Conrad (Henry Czerny) divorce proceedings. Making things a little steamier is the leaked tape of David Clarke confessing his paternity of Charlotte. After a DNA test confirms, Victoria leads Daniel to believe Clarke raped her while Conrad kicks Charlotte out. Things aren’t much better in the dirtier, more boring side of town as one of Victoria’s thugs beats Jack (Nick Wechsler) senseless. At least Jack has a nice Dear John letter from the fleeing Amanda (Margarita Levieva) to read while on bed rest. Ouch…in more ways than one.

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served With Diamonds

You know it’s a big episode when a dramatic rain-soaked proposal isn’t the first thing mentioned. Still, Daniel’s proposal was both exceedingly cheesy and romantic. Too bad Emily (Emily VanCamp) is only marrying him out of a burning desire to see his family destroyed. It’s hard to know where Emily stands when it comes to Daniel. With Jack, it’s obvious that she cares about him, but with Daniel everything is wrapped up in her revenge plot. Does she actually care or is she just in it for the take-down?

Recommitted

Emily has stopped to question her actions a few times since she’s begun her revenge quest, but never as much as she did in this week’s episode. After Jack’s beating, Emily seemed legitimately shaken. Nolan (Gabriel Mann), meanwhile, continues to suffer vengeance multiple-personality disorder. One day he’s cheering while Emily burns down a house, the next day he’s horrified that she indirectly lead Jack to get face-punched. Personally, I’m a fan of his wise-cracking, arson-admiring ways and hope he puts his morality back on the shelf next to Shamu the whale-cam.

— Read the full recap including best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!

Revenge 1x12 Recap: Set Fire to the Book

Emily sets her sights on the disreputable journalist who sold out her father but her fiery take-down comes with a shocking family secret.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Are you still picking your jaw off the floor from that final revelation? Revenge fans and conspiracy theorists have been buzzing for weeks that Emily (Emily VanCamp) might have a secret sibling. And while some have advocated for hair-alike Nolan (Gabriel Mann), finding out it’s Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) makes much more sense. Better still, it gives the formerly useless character an actual function on the show besides whining and tucking Declan (Connor Paolo) in after a hissy fit.

Of Mice and Men with Bowties

The dream team is back together when Emily and Nolan set their sights on Mason Treadwell, formerly Leo, a Grayson-bought journalist who wrote a tell-all about her father. She enlists Amanda (Margarita Levieva) but before you can say cray-cray sisterhood, she handily sets her up for arson. Meanwhile Daniel wants to get the shares from his trust to combine with Victoria (Madeline Stowe) and rule the Grayson fortune. Just one problem first: he’s gotta put a ring on it. Daniel’s game but Victoria wants Emily to remain a single lady.

Charcoal Coated Memories

Besides the shocking final revelation, the episode had a lot of great moments. While it’s enormous fun to watch Emily wreck havoc on the lives of the rich, snotty and bowtie-d it would be much less satisfying without seeing into her backstory. Watching a young Emily (or Amanda then) burn the beloved picture of her father when she finally gave up hope was heartbreaking. It makes watching her burn down Treadwell’s house into a Million Little Pieces so much more delicious.

Till Death

The season is really ramping up now to the inevitable beachfront shooting conclusion. The shockers are getting bigger and the consequences more dire for our favorite vengeance-starved anti-heroine. Will finding out she’s related to a Grayson change anything? Hopefully only Charlotte’s ability to annoy the audience with her boring. If you’re keeping tabs at home on who might have shot Daniel Grayson (Joshua Bowman), I hope you didn’t place a high bet on Nolan. I’d be surprised if our favorite three on the Kingsley Scale could hit the broad side of a barn.

What did you think of the revelation that Emily and Charlotte are half-sisters? Did you see it coming?

— Read the full recap plus best lines at RoadRunner.com HERE!

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