The show takes a step back in pace after last week's finale-like extravaganza. Not that there aren't enough twists this week to change to the story drastically...
It does kind of amaze me how Caroline tries to keep things positive every week. "Sure we lost some folk last week and one of us turned into yet another supernatural being, but all is cool 'cause we in high school" or whatever. The episode doesn't give her and her friends much time to breathe though. Stefan is coming back to school to keep an eye on Elena and Rebbekah is joining him. Looks like we're going go spend a lot of time in school this year.. Oh who am I kidding, even the teachers are seen more off campus.
About that: Alaric is trying to teach Elena some fighting skills, which, after a dead aunt, numerous attacks and a relationship with a predator, seems kind of late. But the intentions are good. Now, Elena didn't get her kung fu on but she did get some self esteem. I love it when characters have to convince themselves they are strong. But in Elena's case it kind of worked. Her message is basically that she continues to believe in the human side of Stefan. No matter how many innocent girls he forces to play Twister.
Much pressing matters arrived in the form of Tyler, who has a mysterious and rather dangerous loyalty to Klaus. Lots of story potential there. But instead we spend much of the episode in the ghost world, as Vicky tried to get back to our side. I don't know how it all worked but the end result was that even people who are on out side concerning Klaus form a threat to Elena and Matt is a wiccan now.
I didn't really care for the ghost story though it offered up some nice twists and insight to Matt. But even better was the ending with Jeremy and Anna. Bonnie who? And for the first time I'm deeply concerned for Katherine, even though she doesn't have to worry about contract negotiations or anything.
Yes, this week was all about wrapping some stuff up. But more importantly, it set some things up that we'll likely see develop in the next couple of weeks. If anything, it got me stoked for the next big episode ofThe Vampire Diaries which can't be too far away.
In the best episode yet Revenge steps up its game. As the story unfolds, the web of lies gets some much needed clarity.
The episode opens with a shocking twist. Unfortunately it's also the episode's biggest twist which begs the question why the writers insist on giving everything away from the start. Not that it really stops the episode from being extremely addictive. For the first time, Revenge is the powerful drama it always promised to be. Besides the usual lies and infidelity, the show added murder, passion, hatred and guilt.
The episode was all about stories being exposed. Trevor's (aka the sneaky best friend of Daniel) sabotage came to light but only paired with him stirring the pot some more. Daniel realized his father's mistakes which led to him fixing some of them. His relationship with Emily also broke new ground, adding layers to how far Amanda Clarke actually is willing to go.
Somehow most of the characters acted surprisingly sincere, which carried the episode. Whether it is Victoria begging her daughter for forgiveness, or Emily looking at Jack or Lydia wanting her life back, it was all real and heartfelt. It offered some much needed insight in what these characters truly wanted, adding new dimensions to them and creating sympathy with the viewers.
I also loved how the story moved. We were given some background to the flight crash in '94, where Victoria stood in all of her relationships but more importantly, the element of installing a spy-cam in Emily's house offered some great developments. Everything worked extremely well en kept the engagement of the viewer. Add an event, power struggles and uncovered secrets to the mix and you have a new kind of Dallas. Only this one is more serialized, with deeper integrated mysteries and a very diverse set of players. I can't help but wonder where this show will go, but I'm hoping it's going go be good.
