Revenge "Duress" Review

Revenge returned with guns (well, one gun). ABC spoiled the fun with guns last month. The Graysons, and assembled guests, were seated around a table on a beach. The occasion was Daniel Grayson's birthday. Tyler stood at the head of the table, gun in one hand. The crazed con man/extortionist aimed the gun at Emily's head, hell bent on putting a bullet through her head, but the screen went black, and the narrative went back to two days prior to the fun with guns at the small birthday gathering.

The effect of the flash-forward followed by the flashback is a mixed bag. Sometimes the device works; other times the device miserably fails. Revenge won't win any awards for quality, regardless of whatever device the writers use in an episode. "Duress" lacked tension and suspense because I knew the characters would emerge from the birthday gathering unscathed. The series opened as Daniel Grayson was shot and killed by a mysterious assailant. The important characters were gathered at an engagement party for Emily and Daniel, which meant no harm would come to the principal characters. The episode was a waste of time. The writers spent too much time on the dull divorce proceedings between Victoria and Conrad; too much time on Tyler's crazy behavior; and too much time before the only interesting part of the episode.

Indeed, the birthday gathering was the most riveting 5-7 minutes of the entire season. Tyler announced that everyone present would play a game of 'Truth or Die,' a name so ridiculous I couldn't help but laugh. I briefly joked aloud about the possibilities of the gathering become a scene from a Sam Peckinpah Western. I felt riveted by the birthday gathering because Tyler demanded Conrad reveal the truth about what happened to David Clarke. I suddenly looked straight at the TV, waiting for the most important dialogue of the season to fall out of Conrad's mouth. The series could've transformed into a daring, exciting and riveting piece of fiction. The audience wouldn't be subjected to endless scenes of the characters discussing the same damn things. I wondered what would happen to Emily's plan. Of course, the writers wouldn't know what to do if the entire concept had been turned on its head. Revenge IS about Emily's quest for revenge and the endless scenes of characters discussing the same damn things. Tyler was only a distraction.

Tyler's not even a plot device. Tyler existed to waste time until Daniel's murdered during February sweeps. Initially, Tyler was a legitimate wildcard. His presence affected each character and scene. The tension and suspense felt earned. Unfortunately, he regressed into a one-dimensional soap opera villain. Tyler wore a suit throughout the episode. In his scenes, he smirked, smashed objects, threatened someone, or laughed maniacally. Tyler became a ridiculous character in a ridiculous world. It was impossible to consider him a serious threat. Though the actor tried, the writing failed him. By the time he drew the gun on the people at the birthday greeting, I dismissed the character and the situations. The resolution of the Tyler nonsense seemed thrown together. Tyler's brother flew into town on Nolan's private jet, who earlier explained that Tyler was mentally ill and needed pills to keep his sanity. The brother reminded Tyler about their parents, which allowed the two young males (Daniel and Jake) to tackle him and TKO him. I don't know where Tyler went, but I suspect he'll return by May Sweeps.

The only positive of the episode was the reconciliation between Nolan and Emily. I'm sure no one recalls my paragraph (or possibly multi-paragraph) ramblings about my affection for their friendship. The series succeeded wildly with that pairing. The brief break-up affected me far more than it should have. Emily and Nolan's first scene included the reconciliation, and she actually apologized to the sensitive billionaire. Somehow, someway, watching the two characters scheme once more in a horrible series made this sad and down blogger smile. And that counts for something.

Some other thoughts:

-Oh yes, I have other thoughts about "Duress." The narration was abysmal yet again. I wonder if Emily VanCamp sighs deeply before recording these trite and cliché narrations. Emily Clarke ruminated on the meaning of duress. Duress surfaced several times in the episode. Conrad and Victoria's pre-nup was rendered null and void because it was signed during Victoria's pregnancy, which meant she was under duress, and allowed her to collect 50% of the assets earned and collected during their marriage. The voice of Emily Clarke told us about the power of being under duress: sometimes, it brings people together. For example, she and Daniel became closer after the gun nonsense at the birthday gathering, while the legality of duress completely screwed Conrad. Emily remarked, to the audience, that duress can tear people apart. WOW.

-Declan, that bastard, told Fake Amanda about Jack's previous feelings for Fake Emily/Real Amanda. Fake Amanda immediately asked Jack about his past with Fake Emily. The girl developed jealous eyes. I'd quote Iago from Othello right now but not for Revenge. Instead, I'll opine my belief that the writers spent 2 minutes breaking the scene. It was the most generic and recycled piece of writing between a jealous girlfriend and her oblivious boyfriend.

-Emily's been sort of reduced in recent episodes. The main action was centered on her yet she's become a directionless character. Emily's targeted Victoria's lawyer because he chose not to go the extra mile for her father, instead taking a bribe from the Graysons to protect their fabricated story. Next week's episode should return the majority of the focus to Emily. But we'll see.

-Elle Triedman wrote "Duress." Jamie Babbit directed it.

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