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Revenge: Justice

"Sorry to interrupt your regularly-scheduled plotting."

Revenge's shift to courtroom drama the past two episodes (ever since it returned from the hiatus) has felt very jarring. I actually always imagined that this would be how the second season would look like. And while I usually enjoy law machinations, I felt last week that the show was missing something. Sure enough, this feeling continued throughout the first half of this episode. Then, Daniel confronted Emily at her house and my faith was renewed by the end of the hour. This is one show that barely had a single misstep throughout its marvelous first season so I'm positive it will go out on a high.

First off, I'm surprised Daniel's trial ended so early. It's actually quite the impressive move on the writers' part because the storyline could have easily been dragged out until the finale by a lesser show. They obviously still have some marvelous stories up their sleeves which is undeniably exciting.

As for Charlotte and Declan, I was ready to start another rant about just how useless and annoying the characters are and then Charlotte went ahead and got interesting for the first time in a while. I surprisingly enjoyed her bad girl scene as she bribed the maid and proceeded to have sex with her drug dealer. If the writers decide to make her a full-on villain instead of a love-struck idiot with the IQ of a shrimp, the character just might work yet.

And finally for the second week in a row, Revenge delivers a knockout ending. I absolutely loved everything from the cinematography to the rousing score as the writers delivered a fake-out and we realized Lee (instead of Daniel) had hung himself and Emily came to the realization that the Graysons did indeed murder her father. I've said it a million times this season and I'll say it again, she's a fantastic protagonist and I can't wait to see what sneaky plans she intends to hatch as we wind down the season.

Vengeful Bits:

- Wonderful slow-motion opening of Daniel's trial and Emily's excellent voiceover (for once). I really, really enjoyed her insight about jurors.

- Daniel drinking again. That can't be good.

- Conrad threatening Dominique made me despise him even more, if that's possible.

- Fantastic scene with Daniel confronting Emily before the police storm in and she eyes her bag.

- Can Declan just die already?

- Brilliant move by Emily putting the bloody sweatshirt in Lee's car.

- Victoria screaming at Conrad for scaring off Dominique was a surprisingly touching moment for the character.

Devious Delight:

- Victoria: Go home, Emily. And tomorrow, deliver the performance of your life.

After last week's underwhelming episode, this was a strong hour and a welcome return to form.

3 out of 4 bloody sweatshirts.

Previously posted at Nad's Reviews.

4 comments:

  1. I didn't have a problem with this episode. Then again, I've never thought Revenge was this completely amazing show, so less-than episodes don't bother me all that much.

    I continue to like the blurring of morality, especially when Emily's schemes spiral into unexpected circumstances. I also think the ensemble are being used well, especially characters that used to be such drags (Declan, Charlotte). I feel like the only remaining weak link is Ashley, whose characterization continues to be inconsistent. Plus the girl playing her is absolutely terrible.

    Also, "Dominique" is typically the female spelling, versus the masculine "Dominic" (or "Dominik", as on the show). Got me a little confused there. Heh.

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  2. This has got to be the single most overrated show on TV right now but I enjoy teading your reviews about it. Go figure.

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  3. This episode was a little clumsy, but I'm delighted the trial is over (It was all getting a little too ZZZZZzzzzz). I loved the ending, though. I'm really excited to see what new heights this will take Emily's vandetta now that she knows the Graysons were responsible for her father's death directly now.

    Great review as usualy, Nadim.

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  4. I loved the time jump in this one. Rather than drag out the lead up to the trial and then the trial, we have gone from Labor Day to December 16 (the best day in the calendar year) and the trial is over. Bravo, writing staff.

    It's nearly 3.00 in the morning, and I am still watching. I feel like all those great books that have kept me up all night, "I'll just read[watch] one more chapter..."

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