HOLLYWOOD—The season three finale of “Revenge” set new standards to revitalizing a series that many had written off. Not only did Jack (Nick Wechsler) get arrested, Aiden (Barry Sloane) was murdered, Conrad (Henry Czerny) met his demise, Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) was committed and Emily (Emily VanCamp) finally won. Oh, I forgot to mention that David Clarke (James Tupper) is very much alive!
So where would season four pick-up? Well of course six-months into the future. I was a bit surprised like previous seasons the episode didn’t open with a mystery for the audience to salivate with for a few weeks. The episode amply titled “Renaissance,” was a welcoming to change and saw Emily at her best. She was celebrating taking over Grayson mansion and finally getting her vengeance. It’s important to note that the series launched with a voice over from Victoria who discussed her fall from grace and supposed rise back to glory.
Speaking of the Queen Bee, she saw herself going bonkers inside the mental ward as she did her best to make friends. The funny thing about The Hamptons is no one suspected that a dark evil was heading their way in the name of David Clarke. Yes, he is planning a homecoming that is sure to stun plenty. Daniel (Joshua Bowman) has appeared to rebound well from the murder wrap he could have faced, but the lifestyle of luxury is slowing dwindling away. His relationship with his former boss, Margaux (Karine Vanasse) has been extinguished as well.
Jack is a cop! Yep, the semi bad-boy who was arrested last season for his involvement in Charlotte’s (Christa B. Allen) kidnapping has turned over a new leaf. He gets the scare of a lifetime when Charlotte decided to pick-up little Carl from school; she gave Jack a taste of his own medicine which he did not like at all.
Looks like season four is introducing a ton of new faces, but not certain how big of a role they’ll play in the narrative. We saw the introduction of Nancy, a woman who literally went AWOL on Emily after she backed her vehicle into her car. Vicky got her hands on a cell phone and called home, but didn’t expect Emily to answer the phone. Seems these two ladies will continue to trade spars the entire season.
Charlotte bonded with Daniel about their hatred of Emily, and their fall from grace. Seems his naïve little sis continues to think money grows on trees as she asked her brother to cover her rent. Back in the mental hospital, Victoria bonded with Louise as she implemented a new plan for escape involving a suitcase. In an interesting moment, Emily visited her old home and was forced to recall sad memories involving Aiden, and just missed catching a glimpse of her not-so dead father.
The Memorial Day bash was no lavish event, as seen in the past; it was almost like anyone and everyone could arrive to the party. Gideon and Charlotte proved that misery loves company, as they engaged in bad behavior before being busted by Jack and his new cop friend. The olive branch is not really helping to rebuild their fractured relationship.
Phyllis (Yeardley Smith) implemented Victoria’s latest plan by hiding into a suitcase that was taken to the control room. Once inside she launched the fire alarm and rained poured on the compound and Victoria made her escape in grand fashion. Once again she forgot about those who helped her along the way, I think that might come back to haunt her.
Nolan planted a small bug in Marguax’s ear about why Daniel may have really resigned from his position. This prompted her to question rather her brother was up to no good once again. At a charity event, it became apparent Emily’s addiction for vengeance is never ending, as she made a spectacle of a donator who was responsible for the death of man. We later learn that it was the fiancé of Nancy, the woman who Emily crashed her vehicle into. This ruffled Nolan the wrong way asking his friend to acknowledge her ongoing obsession and downward spiral.
In a tense confrontation, Daniel admitted to Margaux that her brother blackmailed him. I have a feeling these two will team up to take down Gideon, but Charlotte could end up in the crossfire. The episode concluded with Emily patching things up with Nolan, but not before receiving a visit to her home from Victoria. The irony is that Emily was none too shocked by Vicky’s escape; it’s almost like she wanted it to happen. The Queen Bee declared war before leaving. The moment that left audiences gasping is when David grabbed hold of his former flame, who was stunned to see him very much alive.
Could Emily learn about her father’s fate sooner than we think? It sure looks that way considering she spills the beans to Charlotte about being her sister! “Revenge” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
