I must say, I’m excited to see what everyone thought of ABC’s new show, Revenge. As someone who usually prefers my dramas to be a bit more fantastical, it was quite a surprise for me when I saw it a couple weeks ago. Part soap, part mystery, part thriller, it’s sure to have everyone talking each week.

I thought the “Pilot” did a good job at captivating us, thanks to a flashback early on. (It’s too bad I then missed the change to “Five Months Earlier”. Yeah, that part’s kind of important.) From there it’s a wild ride as we get to know just who’s this Emily Thorne, and why does she hate all these people in the Hamptons? 

Confucius: Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

Young, blonde, and seemingly innocent Emily Thorne is celebrating her engagement with what appears to be the entire Hamptons. But wait! This isn’t as happy an occasion as everyone would have you believe. Because, as our ominous narrator tells us, this is not a story of forgiveness. We quickly realize her fiancé is MIA. There are suspicious glances and whispers between her and another guy, Nolan. Then, somebody is shot dead and dragged along the beach by Jack. Emily brushes some sand off her hand. Did she have anything to do with her fiancé Daniel’s murder? And more importantly, what the hell is going on?

Sorry, but we’re going to have to wait until the timeline comes around again to find out. Our real story begins five months earlier. Emily Thorne, who’s actually Amanda Clark, has returned to live in her childhood home and the place where her father was taken into custody in the dead of night sixteen years ago. He ended up dying in prison while she lived in social services until she came of age. Using the money he left her, Emily’s now back to seek revenge on those who framed her father. (Against his wishes, mind you.)

Emily: Two wrongs can never make a right because two wrongs can never equal each other.

But Emily’s going to sure as hell try. She’s the perfect amount of sweet and cold, innocent and evil. We’re supposed to identify with her and feel the satisfaction she does in taking down those who have done her wrong. But is she actually the sweet Emily she displays when talking with her friend Ashley, or is that just an exterior for the calculated Amanda she shows when attacking Nolan? Can she be both people in one? And where does she draw the line? All very interesting questions as the show goes on.

It’s also hard to say how long she’s been planning her takedown. I’m sure she’s been at least thinking about it since she turned 18 and Nolan turned up with information from her father. Also, if she was only supposed to forgive and forget, then why did her father and Nolan give her all that information? But the better question is when did she start putting the plan into effect? Did she meet Ashley with the plan of using her to become friendly with Victoria? And I wonder if she had anything to do with Lydia’s husband’s affair. Or am I thinking too much about this?

Emily: Amanda Clark no longer exists.

Despite my reservations about Emily, actually I don’t trust anyone except the Porter family, I’ll have to admit it was enjoyable watching her take down Lydia, who testified against her father, and begin her war with Victoria. The way she asked Lydia how her ‘husband’ was doing and Victoria’s reaction was priceless. And Victoria and Conrad do seem to be the masterminds who set up David Clark, judging by their argument later in the episode. Was Victoria having an affair with David, and they had to take care of the problem? Is Victoria’s youngest daughter Emily’s half-sister?

Then, there’s the the Porter family and more specifically, Jack. They were both really young when Amanda was taken, but he’s the only good connection left to her old life. (He’s even still taking care of her dog and has a boat named after her.) It’ll be interesting to see if she can salvage something of herself through him. I feel romantic conflict waiting in the wings. (And Nick Weschler from Roswell is also not bad too look at.)

This is show is a soap opera in the best way: It doesn’t really feel like one but is just as delicious.

Notes:

Is it clear yet that I’m expecting all kinds of twists and turns with this show?