What more can you ask from a return episode? We missed you too, Revenge, and "Duress" felt like a fifty-minute hug for the fans. This was also the episode that made me actually like Emily's character. It wasn't the dramatic gun to her head after the coolest opening sequence ever that did it; it was her apology to Nolan. Their make-up scene left me all warm and fuzzy on the inside. You guys! Let's call off this whole vengeance thing and just go on a road trip. And Nolan can play DJ because I think he was listening to Ariel Pink poolside? I love this show.
One of the best things about Emily and Nolan being back in cahoots was Emily finding the whale-cam while Nolan directed her via laptop as if he was her own personal Money Penny. And Emily's impressively fast thinking when she found the bottle of anti-psychotics was just awesome writing. The show revealed that Tilda had A) attacked his doctor and B) was wanted by the police in about three breezy lines that were pure comedy.
Tilda was center stage this episode, and oh, how he relished it. I think it's Ashton Holmes' choice, not the director's, to deliver every one of his lines like a John Waters villain, and it cracks me up. ("I bet you do -- SLUT.") I think it's inspired the writers, who made one of the signals for his psychosis a series of increasingly awkward turns of phrase. (Ticket to Cali? Best Buds?) Oh, and sitting in the dark waiting for Daniel, next to a lamp. Plus I think this might be a metaphor:
Victoria and Conrad are working on their divorce, and is it just me or has it sparked a cute chemistry between them? The way they get together and conspire to protect their crazy web of secrets and then take little pot-shots at each other is old-school sexy. I am still kind of unclear on whether Emily simply recognizes Victoria's lawyer, or if he's one of her minions. Can I borrow someone's notes?
Nolan definitely got MVP this episode not only for his coy show of emotion at Emily's apology, but for his very realistic reaction to Tilda slashing him and that single shot of him heroically heaving his chair onto the floor. That's kind of a dangerous shot for an actor to do, and it was well done. Although: Where is his bodyguard? Didn't the show establish that Nolan has a bodyguard? Or at least an alarm system for his all-glass house?
Back to Emily. Another reason I now officially like her: Did you notice how she rolled her eyes at the edge of the frame when Tyler grabbed the gun? Between that, egging Tyler on, and slipping Frank's wallet into his pocket, Emily is awesome. Even with a gun to her head, she's just pulling strings right and left. I loved that Nolan and sexy Tilda brother saved her, but really shouldn't that have been Declan's job? As the smallest target, he should have been the first one to rush Tyler. Like, I don't think he's big enough for a bullet to go through him and leave a margin around the hole. He'd just wrap his arms around it like a cartoon character around a cannon ball, fly half a mile out to sea, and swim back to shore. Or just hop over it like you do, Declan.
I did like watching Ashley and Nolan lick each other's wounds at the end (not literally) but be careful, Nolan: Sad Sack is contagious, and Ashley's got a full blown case of sourpuss. After she snapped at Emily about being more empathetic toward Tyler, I half expected Emily to mouth "Empathize with this, bitch!" while Tyler marched her out at gunpoint. Ashley is once again at Sad Sack Square One, but hey, she looks cute!
Also cute: Kara is so effing sexy all the time, and she's channeling such a nicely done jealous vibe at Jack and Emily's relationship. Yes, she chews the ends of her lines like the Swedish Chef, but it's cute. As for Jack, was his hair remarkably solid-colored? Still, good to see him. I like that he and Emily are starting to have a relationship that's based more on present-day footage than flashbacks.
When I think back to how this show started, as a borderline procedural, compare it to how everything is now clicking together so tightly, every storyline is paying off so richly. And the energy of the actors is absolutely fantastic. With the success of the series and recent critical nods (yay Golden Globe nom to Madeleine Stowe!) the cast is visibly enjoying themselves on camera. They seem to really be enjoying their characters and sparring with each other, and their considerable skills are setting off the soapy dialogue to their best advantage. Revenge is riding high, and it's a joy to watch.
Questions:
… Where's Lydia? I miss her steely blue gaze and Rear Window vibe.
…. How much did you love Victoria stealing Emily's scrapbook gift idea? Also, what poems do you think Emily collected for Daniel? Maybe Yeats' "Second Coming"?
… Mini music video at the end of the episode: Do you get chills every time, or is that just me?
… Madeleine Stowe should definitely get the Golden Globe. NOT A QUESTION!
I really like this show and this episode was fantastic.
I just hope Emily gets back to her destroing peoples lives ways. In recent episodes I had the feeling the carefully layed out plan for revenge she carried out was slipping. Now with Tyler out of the picture I am looking forward to the schemes she has in store for the rest of them.
Agreed, loved this episode! Well, I love every episode, actually... And I do think Madeleine Stowe is perfect in this role. I love when she and/or Emily are in a scene.
And, I LOVED Emily finally treating Nolan well, and being so sweet to him, inviting him to the clam bake, showing she was worried about him being hurt after Tyler was arrested. It was kind of wonderful to see Emily being human and genuine, like she really cared about Nolan and valued his friendship. Which is why the next day after watching the episode I started to get a little suspicious. It was so nice to like Emily so much in an episode, because I was getting tired of watching her abuse Nolan over and over again even though he does nothing but help her and try to be a friend to her.
But now I'm kind of wondering how genuine it is. It seemed genuine. But then again, if I didn't know better, I would think she genuinely loves Daniel too. I think she has demonstrated repeatedly now that she will pretend to care about someone to achieve her own ends (Daniel, Ashley, Kara...). So, is this friendship and caring for Nolan the real Emily finally coming out, or is this just her placating Nolan to get him to continue to help her? Because frankly, I don't know if she can do this without Nolan. I wonder if she decided that she needs his help and thus decided to strategically apologize and act all friendly with him now, because she knew he wanted it so badly and could be that easily manipulated with a few kind words. I hope I'm just being cynical though, because I like her and Nolan being genuine friends. Am I being too suspicious of Emily and her motives here?moreless
It probably wasn't genuine (even though I liked it too) but at least it was smart. She's been talking down to him and nobody likes being talked down.
Nolan's a resource but she doesn't NEED him. If she didn't have him she would just have to find another resource. Also he let himself get played by a con-artist. Let's not act like Nolan isn't a rookie at this.
Hard not to be suspicious of Emily and her motives because she's a tough one to figure out. Id like to believe it was genuine and it was turn for their relationship...but like you, I wouldn't put it pass her if it was strategic. Honestly, I don't think she knows how to be genuine friends and connect with people anymore. It may not even be deliberate or calculated on her part, but just the way that she is now.
my roomate's aunt makes $83/hr on the laptop. She has been without work for 8 months but last month her pay was $8682 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Read more on this site...Nuttyrich . com
Your roommate's aunt? Do you also know how much your mailman's nephew makes an hour or your beautician's step-cousin? Stop being so nosy, spam-bot!
As far as Declan goes. His and Charlotte's romance is so boring and I prefered him on Gossip Girl. I also preferred Ashley on Secret Diary of a Call Girl but hey that's canceled so I hope her charcater will get some backbone and maybe turn on Emily of Victoria or something. Maybe she should start sleeping with Conrad in an attempt to up her station in life. I also wish that Tyler would have shot Amanda by accident or even Charlotte.
One reason you might be bored with it is because they haven't been having much go on. Deciding not to live together but to continue dating is kinda a state of status quo. I think something exciting could be on the horizon for those two. Will it be teenie...probably. But you have to let yourself digress into the adoloscent angst.
I am going to have to look into this Secret Diary of a Call Girl character. Because you're not the first one to wish Ashley would just morph into that character on this show and frankly it sounds pretty good.
Golden Globes better give Best Actress to Madeleine Stowe. They bucked tradition and gave it to the very deserving Katie Segal last year so why make a mistake this year? I liked Ashley Madekwe better as "Bambi" the hooker who married the prince on "Secret Diary of a Call Girl". Hook her up with Nolan and give her character a better story.
Good show , awesome reviews ...
"...to deliver every one of his lines like a John Waters villain, and it cracks me up."
EXACTLY - a lot of shows did that wrong, I think.
Declans crazy hair should get a spin-off or at least a guest role on the next AHS. Its just plain joy to watch this show as it is to read your brilliant yet insane but also light and easy reviews, Lily. Like a full bowl of your favorite Jelly Beans.
Thanks for making my day!
Can I give it a 15 or 20 rating, please? I absolutely loved this episode. As it started with a sincere apology from Emily to Nolan. Yay, I was right from the beginning! There is a heart beating in that girl's chest! ^^ I was really counting the days and even refrained from watching any teasers although I've heard some tidbits. Finally Tyler is gone... for good? I thought he might be the most handiest suspect for the upcoming crime. I'm really looking forward to the next episodes as Emily and Nolan have now teamed up. Nolan was hilarious and would make a perfect Miss Moneypenny. *lol* As for the Golden Globes I'd gladly give it to the whole cast which is working some entertainment magic together and giving me TV bliss that I can watch again and again! I want a lot more of this!moreless
Victoria stealing Emily's idea was pretty low and classless. Madeleine should get the golden globe.That was very smart of Emily to put Frank's wallet inside of Tyler's pocket so it looks like he killed him. It did kind of look like at the end that Nolan and Ashley might have a lil romance. Overall the episode was one best of the season and Im glad its back.
I loved this episode. The pace was just amazing throughout and everything was very well put together. Nolan is just ADORABLE, he is such a good friend and it was nice to finally see Emily realize that. The invite to Daniels birthday party was super cute!
I LOL'ed when Victoria took out her scrapbook and it was so obviously better than Emily's. Hope the next episode is just as amazing as this one.
I really like the show but I didn't like this episode. I wasn't to impressed with the episode, maybe it was due to the mounting anticipation over the weeks off but meh. Also I found it a bit awkward in terms of it becomes apparent that Tyler is mentally ill, yeah he's an evil pyscho but he's genuninely sick yet they had no qualms about crushing him, apart from an offhand comment from Ashley, it just felt a little bit wrong in how they addressed it.
Also the special effects were really bad with that beach scene when Emily and Jack were setting up the clam bake. Very much a green screen with the waves crashed down and the sand all neat and tidy and perfect.
There was a big build-up into "no one got shot" which left me not loving it at first. TV more often than not does a poor job showing what an illness/addiction actually looks like. They use it to further a plot device and sometimes it's an unfair portrayal.
Okay, will someone give Nolan a hug and some love, please? Better yet, ship him to Brazil and I'll do it myself!
I volunteer myself! I'll hug him! I will! I will!
Maybe Tyler's sexy surgeon brother will stick around and be a new romantic interest for Nolan? Possibly?
That would be interesting but I doubt it. If Nolan does find someone to be with you can bet he'll start pulling away from Revenge driven Emily.
Come on people - we have not seen the end of Tyler.... He'll creep up in the near or not so near future for sure.... You do not invest all this time to create a super unstable villain to just let him go to rehab... He'll be back and do some sizeable damage... This is REVENGE.... and he wants to impart some....
Ok, that was really good as I've come to expect of Revenge, but the thing is; I still get this feeling everytime I'm about to watch a new episode, that that will be the episode where everything that's "clicking together tightly" will fall apart and this show will be back to full-on guilty pleasure, camp mode with more plot holes than anything (because well, there's room for a LOT of those). And I'd hate to see that happen, because it's just too good, and fun, and like Lily said, a joy to watch.
And am I less nitpicky or did they get a better green screen budget? Cause those scenes at the beach with Emily and Jack were pretty decent, or at least streets ahead of what we've seen in the first couple of episodes.moreless
I think they bumped up their budget all around, because I have noticed the special fx, while perceptible, are much cleaner. Also, fancy new opening title with the giant CGI wave! Although I liked the simplicity of the old one better.
That episode was postively stellar for mostly two reasons.
1. Presumably the end of Tyler.
I couldn't tolerate Tyler any longer, the guy literally made my skin crawl and I cringed every single time he appeared on camera. (Which means Kudos to the actor because he played the hell out of that part...which also means no offense to said actor but if I ever run into him in person I would be torn between scratching his eyes out or hauling ass.) Watching that kid unravel was a sight to see. I mean he made me start rooting for the rich people and who wants to do that?! I can see him returning though...oh yeah...crazy never stays away for long.
2. Emily apologized to Nolan.
I like the dynamic duo that is Emily and Nolan...but it's even better now that Emily treats my boy Nolan with respect. I mean she apologized to him, acknowledged that she trusts him...it was a stepping stone to an actual genuine friendship. And his face lit up. It's all the guy wanted.A friend. He totally continues to be the show/scene stealer...he stole the episode and got battlewounds in the process. Love that guy!
Now about Declan....that kid continues to be a nuisance. Is he actually necessary? I'm sure he's relevant for some reason or another but I haven't quite figured out what purpose he serves other than standing around like Ponyboy and making asinine comments.Are they remaking The Outsiders? I highly recommend him for any role of a greaser.moreless
Lol about greasers. Yeah, it blows my mind that A) Connor Paolo is supposed to be in high school and B) as you said his version of high school is straight up out of like, Rumblefish. He and Charlotte are locked into their little good girl/wrong side of the tracks romance and have no chemistry with each other at all and the writers don't give them anything else to do. They don't even show up onscreen that much anymore, and when they do I generally start rooting around my couch for lost m&ms.
ROFLMAO! Thanks to Charlotte and Declan time, I've acquired approximately $1.75 from the cushions of my couch.
I just completely and totally agree with everything you just said. Tyler needs to be gone FOREVER - someone should have done away with him, once and for all, a long time ago. Also, regarding Declan: What is the deal - why is he still on the show? He is a total, teeny, tiny waste of space, and contributes nothing but whining to the show. Speaking of whining and being bitchy and just generally annoying, isn't it time for Victoria to give Ashley the boot, and finally get rid of her??! She is almost as creepy as Tyler... almost.
I still think Ashley may have potential! And that's not just because I feel compelled to at least support the only token minority of the Hamptons.
I totally agree with you especially about being sick of Tyler
No more Tyler. Ah well it was good while it lasted. I bet when Emily saw that Victoria stole her idea about the scrap book in her head she was "you son a b***!"
Who is "Tilda"? STOP TYPING THIS REVIEWS IN YOUR IPAD !! hahahaahhahhha...
Also I prefer the simple elegance of an etch a sketch for my writing.
She means Tyler.
Victoria's lawyer was the lawyer who refused to appeal Emily's father's case. Even though Emily took him evidence that would have helped proved his innocence. (There was a short "memory" flashback.)
Haven't watched it yet but I know it will be great, as they all are - best guilty pleasure ever since the OC. Only diff, this one is good...
AH!!! I finally figured out who Tyler reminds me of thanks to you! Oliver, from The OC! Am I the only one?
Greee-aat episode. I was kinda scowling at Ashley when she told Emily she should have more empathy, I mean, Tyler was clearly a psychotic, lying, blackmailing creep and she was like: 'oh just give him a good nurse and a band-aid, he is ill!'. Seriously?
Haha, Victoria's stealing Emily's idea was brilliant, really. I laughed out loud at that one. Classic Victoria. And Kara... I feel kinda sad for her because Jack is still clearly into Emily. And Kara only wants to be happy :( No?
Mini music video: always gets to me. Always makes me ponder. About life. And Emily's natural hair colour. That stuff.
I think the black hair is supposed to be dye. Like she dyed it in the juvvy bidet as a rebellious teen inmate.
I can't see why a prison would allow inmates to dye their hair.
For the purposes of this story,apparently the blonde young Amanda grew up to have jet-black hair that she now dyes blonde as "Emily".
I think the black hair looks like a terrible wig, anyway.
Bingo.
I just realised that Victoria, in the flashback, only sent Daniel away. Could she be pregnant with Charlotte at the moment the whole thing went down? And if so, whose child is Charlotte? It would be sooo campy for Charlotte to turn out to be Emily's half sister (and, if it is still doing the advertised Count of Monte Cristo remake, suiting). Or does everyone know this already and I'm just picking up on it? Because I really wouldn't put it past me.
I loved this episode, and I hope Nolan doesn't let his bad instincts about people lead him down the path of Ashley's wrath. I don't really care for Ashley myself but hey, with Tilda out of the way, who better to become the villain?
I have to say, I adore Madeleine Stowe as Victoria Grayson, I actually LIKE the woman. She is not so different from Emily herself as she turned out.moreless
Fan rumors that Charlotte is really David's child have been around for a long time.
Yes, I thought so already. But I don't usually read forums, so I'm reaaalllly slow to catch up on my own ;)
Yeah I sometimes suspect there is going to be a revelation later on that Charlotte is Emily's half sister...which would make the fact she always sides with Conrad super uncomfortable and explain why Madeleine would say she sometimes regrets having Charlotte...they also need to get her a storyline that doesn't involve Declan, because the actress seems pretty rad.