ABC advertised the episode as a game-changer for the last week. No doubt the beginning of November sweeps motivated the advertising department at the network to promote "Charade" as if it was the most important episode in the 2010-2011 television season. Well, "Charade" isn't the best hour of the TV season, nor will it be, because Game of Thrones is going to win that award during their second season (which begins in April). I don't begrudge ABC for lying to the audience about the grandeur of the episode. I understand that TV is a business and yada yada. I'll admit that I had more expectations for the episode. Unfortunately, the episode didn't match my expectations. In theory, I should be interested by the escalating drama in the Hamptons. I mean, the real Emily Thorne murdered Frank and found the woman whom she swapped identities with. Lydia awoke from her coma along with her memories of what she learned about Emily. Conrad and Victoria separated. Declan insulted the rich people to their faces. Nolan and Tyler fornicated for some reason.
My favorite scene in the episode was between Emily and Nolan. For the first time in the series, someone asked Emily about whether her plans for revenge were really worth it. Nolan's been an odd source of reason. The incident with Frank spooked the rich sociopath into hiring a body guard and scouting Emily's house to find where people could break in most easily. Nolan seemed perplexed by Emily's icy resolve. The woman barely reacts to anything, much less the possible disruption of her carefully laid plans. So, Nolan wonders why she'd bother with her vengeance-filled lifestyle when she could relax, with her millions, in a nice place, far away from the Hamptons. Nolan also asked her about her feelings for Daniel vs. her feelings for Jack. Emily didn't have interest in discussing the matter with Nolan, nor do I have interest in writing about it.
The episode beat the viewers over the head with its duality theme, especially in the A story. The Graysons were celebrating 25 years of marriage. The New York Times sent a reporter to write a feature about the most perfect couple in the Hamptons. On paper, the Graysons are the quintessence of love and fidelity. In reality, their disdain for one another's begun to poison the family. Charlotte acts out against her mother by inviting blue collar Declan to the anniversary dinner while Daniel debased himself by actually working in a bar, Victoria and Conrad commented on the difference between reality and the flowery NYT write-up. Conrad went for blood when he brought up his wife's affections for David Clarke, which meant we were given flashbacks to the days before Clarke's trial. Victoria was the key to ruining her lover's life. The reasons remain unclear. Their relationship, though, is broken.
Tyler, too, has dual identities--one half is the son of a financially broken family while the other aims to steal Daniel Grayson's life. Nolan defined him as a "gay hustler" when he was given the task to take Tyler down. Tyler used his homoeroticism to seduce Nolan. Nolan allowed it to happen because he's collecting evidence to destroy the man's image within the Grayson household--a homosexual sex tape is one way to wield power. Tyler doesn't seem particularly dangerous; however, Mike Kelley told EW that the Tyler arc is just beginning. I doubt the character just wants an entry level job in Conrad's company.
We learned more about Emily's connections in "Charade." For instance, she's developed a close relationship with the warden. Their interactions suggest Emily learned a great deal about how to live her revenge-fueled life. The original Emily Thorne's invested enough in her double life to murder a guy just to keep secrets. If nothing else, the characters in Revenge are incredibly committed people. They won't stray from their purpose or goals until they are accomplished.
Revenge takes it first break of the season, which means a new episode won't air until November 16.
THE YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK
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