Home Featured TV Shows All TV Shows Movie Reviews Book Reviews Articles Frequently Asked Questions About Us

Revenge: Destiny

"The story I have to tell... is far from over."

Revenge was undeniably my favorite new drama of the past year, so I obviously had high expectations coming into the season two premiere. This year will definitely make or break the show and at the moment, it could really go either way.

While it's so great to have Miss Thorne back, my fears for the show unfortunately seem to be coming true. Much like it did in the finale, Revenge is starting to veer away from the story of one girl's quest for vengeance in the Hamptons and into the whole conspiracy angle with shadowy agencies and shifting allegiances. That might work for Alias, but here it comes at the expense of Revenge's uniqueness which was somewhat grounded. I know it sounds like I'm harping on the show, but I'm still immensely attached to many of the characters and relationships. Emily's complicated dynamics with both Daniel and Nolan are highlights.

Nevertheless, I understand that a show has to evolve and I think it will still manage to subvert my expectations and produce another great year. We've got so many intriguing elements to deal with, from Victoria's new purpose to the truth behind Emily's mom and what happened to her. Moreover, that ending was fantastic with Emily and Nolan catching the White-Haired Man with Victoria, culminating with our favorite kickass heroine uttering a single spine-tingling line: "Let them." Suffice to say, I'm definitely pumped.

Vengeful Bits:

- The year begins with another flash-forward. This time the Amanda boat is decimated under the ocean and a body is found. I'm not especially excited for that but I did love the chilling transition (and cinematography) to Emily bound underwater.

- So let me get this straight, Ashley thinks she's Victoria now? Kill me now.

- Jack and Declan are still as boring as ever. A pity...

- Emily and that red dress. Wow! Emily VanCamp is looking mighty fine this year.

- I really appreciated the various nods to the pilot, particularly the boat scene and Emily spotting a frenemy in slow motion. Last year it was Victoria, now it's Ashley.

- Emily and Nolan as roommates? Hilarity ensues. Can't wait.

- Loved Emily asking Jack if he's sure the baby is his. We've all been thinking it. Let's just hope Takeda ain't the daddy. My money's on his protege.

- Will you look at that, they made Charlotte mature, interesting and finally likeable. Who would have expected that after she was the worst character on the show last year? An impressive achievement, to be sure.

- They sure dragged out the Victoria reveal. I don't think anyone ever believed they had the guts to kill her off. Not enough screen-time for her in this episode, as far as I'm concerned.

- Another excellent nod to the pilot with Emily on the pier being watched by someone on Grayson balcony. This time it's Daniel, not Victoria.

Devious Delights:

Emily: Wanna go for a drive?
Nolan: Sounds vaguely Revenge-y.

Nolan: (At Victoria's memorial) Creepy. You think she's somewhere looking up at us?

Emily: What they did to my father, they did to my mother too.
Nolan: And now they're coming for you.
Emily: (smiling) Good. Let them.

- Although Revenge is changing a bit too much for my taste, the premiere was a nonetheless intriguing hour of television.

3 out of 5 clam cams.

Previously posted at Nad's Reviews.

4 comments:

  1. While I agree with you completely that I would much prefer the show to remain as the story of one woman against her enemies and to avoid a big conspiracy, I am intrigued by this one. As long as it remains focused on the characters we know and love, I am willing to let it play out.

    Ashley is a character we can lose, and quickly. The romance with Daniel and her bossing her assistant around annoyed me to no end. Let's find a way to banish her.

    The Jack/Amanda thing is going to end badly, but not soon enough. And, Declan doesn't bother me so much. I just wish they would give him something to do besides tell Jack what to do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Exactly Chris. While I don't like the show morphing so much, if they manage to keep the focus on the few brilliant characters, then I'm willing to let it slide and accept it as a natural evolution for the show. Let's just pray they don't lose sight of what's important!

    And I HATE Ashely. What an annoying character. They should have killed her off yesterday (hopefully she's next to Emily's hitlist).

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoyed this one. There was a lot to like. I especially like that Emily has tried hard to build a relationship with Charlotte. I've always thought of Charlotte as a nothing character, but I felt for her this time, locked up when she had done nothing wrong. Poor Daniel. I'm feeling for him, too. He's angry and drinking too much, and he obviously still loves Emily.
    I'm also very fond of Nolan, and I loved him moving in with Emily. And the new hair. And the clam-cam.

    I'm really not following the martial arts thingy at all, but don't we have a new actor playing Takeda?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yup Billie he's new. I prefer the old one. This one is a bit too cartoony and mustache twirly for me! Glad you're already in season 2 and enjoyed the first season :)

    ReplyDelete

We love comments! We moderate because of spam and trolls, but don't let that stop you! It’s never too late to comment on an old show, but please don’t spoil future episodes for newbies.