Ever since Emily Thorne moved into the Hamptons, all events in Revenge have gone according to her master plan, though it’s still unclear exactly what that plan entails. There hasn’t been any real problems, nobody’s figured out her secret, and no one’s had to die. That is, until now.

This week everyone’s “Guilt” is on display, and it’s making them all behave irrationally with surprising results. The question is who will be strong enough to understand and feed off their own guilt, and who will let it consume and eat them alive instead? 

David: Never underestimate the power of guilt, Amanda. It compels people to some pretty remarkable places.

It all starts with a murder, more specifically Lydia’s murder as she falls from above and slams onto a car. I would have thought the show would leave this little fact out as a surprise for the end of the episode, but I guess they figured it would create a bit more suspense this way, and it did. We all knew within the first few minutes that Lydia would later die, so the rest of the episode became like watching a ticking clock race toward the end.

Lydia’s back in town this week because you just can’t keep a bad woman down. Four episodes ago in the premiere, she lost everything after Victoria found out she was sleeping with Victoria’s husband Conrad, and now Lydia’s here to get it all back, starting with her house Emily’s now living in. Of course, we can’t have that because then where would Emily sit down for a cup of tea while she circles people’s faces with red marker and plots their downfall?

Lydia: I’m so happy that we’re friends again.
Victoria: Well it certainly appears that way doesn’t it? But then again appearances can be deceiving can’t they? And you’ve practically made it an artform. Understand something Lydia, everytime I smile at you across the room, or we run into each other at luncheon, or I welcome you into my home? Let that smile be a reminder of just how much I despise you. That everytime I hug you? The warmth you feel is my hatred burning through.

It was enjoyable watching Lydia and Victoria face off against each other this week but felt a little like kiddie league after we’ve had the pleasure of watching the epic showdown that is Victoria and Emily. Move out of the way, Lydia! At this point you’re just playing second fiddle and in the way. The one thing Lydia does manage to do well is get under Victoria’s skin. I can’t believe Conrad gave Lydia a cool $10 million to keep her appeased and then bought Victoria a $200,000 Mercedes to salve the wounds of his infidelity. Ouch!

Even worse is Lydia having the gall to tell Victoria her affair with Conrad is in the past. Weren’t you just screwing him last week, Lydia? It’s obviously just a tactic to get back into Victoria’s good graces and reclaim her throne as right hand woman. Too bad Victoria doesn’t believe a word she says and suspects her of being behind everything that’s gone wrong in the last few episodes. Sorry Victoria, Lydia isn’t guilty of all that drama, but sadly she’ll die for it just the same.

Hoping to gain forgiveness from her daughter, Victoria passes on the car Conrad bought her to Charlotte. It works about as well as it did when it was originally gifted, which is to say not well at all. It does work to give Charlotte and Declan something to do though when they get pulled over for speeding. I like the two characters, but I’m still having trouble latching onto them and caring about their teenage drama.

Emily: I wish I had someone like that.
Daniel: You have someone like that now.

Daniel and Emily on the other hand, I’m loving more and more each episode. I’m very happy with how their relationship is progressing and the fact they went all the way this week, but I fear how it will all end up since it’s still uncertain whether Emily has any real feelings for him. But at this point, Jack needs to step up his game because he’s quickly getting left behind in this triangle. I can’t decide whether I like that Daniel’s going to be working for and maybe become friends with Jack at the bar, now that he’s on the outs with his parents and their wealth. I wonder if this will become a problem for Emily’s inner-Amanda.

One thing I don’t understand: Why wasn’t Emily more interested in fixing her relationship with Daniel, seeing as getting close to Victoria’s son is part of her master plan? It ends up being Daniel who comes by instead to make amends. We’re also no closer to finding out the deal with Tyler, but I love that Emily is now onto his games.

Emily Thorne: Guilt is a powerful affliction. You can try to turn your back on it, but that’s when it sneaks up behind you and eats you alive. Some people struggle to understand their own guilt, unwilling or unable to justify the part they play in it. Others run away from their guilt, shading their conscience until there’s no conscience left at all. But I run toward my guilt. I feed off of it, I need it. My father died never knowing if I would ever come to believe his innocence. For me guilt is one of the few lanterns that still light my way.

I’m also close to admitting Nolan is my favorite character. He really helped Emily out this week, well every week, by covering up Amanda Clarke’s catering gig at the Grayson’s after Lydia spots a younger Emily in an old picture. I just really hope Nolan isn’t suspected of murdering Lydia now that his fingerprints are all over her house. I’m sure that video tape he took of Frank attacking her will come in handy very soon.

Notes and Quotes:

Victoria: I had my hands full. Perhaps you can tell me where your hands have been?

Nolan: Whats my little girl with the infinity tattoo up to today?

Victoria: I’ll handle her from this end, and you handle her from yours.

Did I hear right and Conrad embezzled funds to a terrorist group?

Next week:

Emily’s getting in way over her head.