I’m sure Emily Thorne never thought it would be easy, and she didn’t expect to exact some Revenge without breaking a few eggs, but this week all her plans are going to hell in a basket thanks to a few people who are very unhappy to have her meddling in their affairs.

It’s Fourth of July, because this show loves its celebrations just as much as Vampire Diaries, and there’s a lot of explosive tension in the air. Can you believe no one is revenged this week? Instead, we’re in for some very “Intrigue”-ing storylines.

Nolan: Frank is here. He knows it was me who made the tape.
Emily: How?
Nolan: Because he’s better at this than we are.

First thing we need to talk about: Lydia is still alive and in a coma? She fell five stories from a balcony, crushed the car below, and had a trickle of blood coming from her mouth the last time we saw her. I thought she was as good as dead. Surprise! I feel so deceived and tricked, which I imagine is exactly what Emily’s victims feel each week. So why should I be surprised that the show has moved on to tricking us now, too? This could be so bad for Emily if Lydia ever wakes up.

But right now Emily has more important problems to worry about: She tells Nolan to email the video of Frank attacking Lydia to Conrad in order to protect themselves. Only it seems to backfire when Conrad then shares it with Victoria, who then mentions it to Frank, and the rest, as they say, is history. It’s history for Nolan because now Frank wants to know who’s setting him up and discovers Emily’s friend on the building’s surveillance camera after Lydia’s accident. Uh oh.

So not only is Lydia out there unconscious with suspicions about Emily, but now Frank is starting to realize Emily could be involved in everything, too. Why, Nolan? Why would you go running to Emily right after Frank attacks you? He’s obviously going to see you two together and become suspicious. I couldn’t believe it. I think this might be one of Nolan’s biggest mistakes. They’ve just gone from being the attackers to the prey, and Frank is not someone I want on my tail.

Tyler: Forget it. I’m just trying to tell a story.
Emily: Oh, I believe that.
Tyler: Why don’t you tell your girlfriend to take a step back? Who does she think she’s talking to anyways?
Emily: That’s a very good question.

Meanwhile, Tyler’s also out there causing unexpected mayhem. At first I thought Tyler might actually be into Daniel, especially after he drugs his friend and seemingly makes a pass at him. But now I’m starting to think that rather than be with Daniel, he wants to become Daniel. He’s doing a good job at playing everyone and discrediting his old friend. (Although bashing your head into a wooden pole just to tell everyone that Daniel beat you up is more creepy than anything.)

I’m guessing he’s hoping Victoria will take him under her wing once she realizes Daniel is a lost cause. It’s too bad Emily knows a little something about creating a fake personality, and she’s not willing to let him mess with her already carefully crafted plans. (The dinner where she calls him out on each one of his lies might just be my favorite Emily vs. Someone moment ever.)

Emily: Like life, revenge can be a messy business. And both would be so much simpler if only our heads could figure out which way our hearts will go. But the heart has its reasons, of which reason cannot know.

Then there’s Emily’s emotional well-being to worry about, too. After weeks of dancing about, she’s finally forced to turn Jack down after he asks her out at Nolan and Declan’s urging. Emily only has Nolan to blame for this because he just wouldn’t let up until he convinced Jack to give into his feelings for her. I wonder what Nolan’s goal is in trying to get Jack together with Emily? Do you think she has feelings for Daniel now, too?

Everything is getting a lot more complicated with each new episode. I can’t wait to see where it all goes next.

Notes and Quotes:

Do you think Victoria was ever involved with Frank, or is it unrequited love?

Nolan: Look who finally closed the girl next door.

Nolan: The thud you hear is the sound of Lydia hitting the roof of the taxi five stories down.

Frank: Who’s idea was it to make the video?
Nolan: You mean the double rainbow thing? hell if I know, the guy’s a genius.

Nolan: Can’t a guy hang with his Broheim?
Jack: No, and don’t ever call me that.
Nolan: So what’s the haps with you and Ems? Sounds like Danny Boy is starting to pull ahead.
Jack: There’s no haps. I’m just not her type.
Nolan: You’re everyone’s type.

Next week:

Frank is onto Emily, and Nolan is onto Tyler. (Also, CCH Pounder guest stars.) The game is afoot!