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Revenge - Madness - Review: "Simply, Madness"

Jan 16, 2015

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Wow, this definitely was one heck of an episode. But with a show like “Revenge,” and a title like “Madness,” how could anyone expect anything less than what we got this week? This episode truly was, madness. So much happened in those mere 40 minutes, I don’t know where to throw myself first.

It isn’t the first time Emily’s ready to leave, that she’s done, or at least she thinks she is, and for the moment being, she wants to be done. (Nice try “Revenge,” but no one’s falling for this old trick!) I don’t think she could ever, truly be done. She tried it once, she had a glimpse at a normal, revenge-less life, in the beginning of the season when she got Victoria institutionalized, and if memory serves right, she failed miserably. Emily’s never going to get the happy ending Nolan wants for her, and the question remains, after all she’s done, does she still deserve to have one?


“Death for Victoria would be merciful. She has nothing left. Now is the time to let her suffer. Please, I sacrificed my whole life for this moment, don’t rob me of it.” –Emily


Whoa, Ems! That was one cold statement you delivered there, even for you, even talking about Victoria. That line was delivered with so much detachment, with so little guilt, so little remorse, almost psychopathic. Maybe I’m hell bent on seeing the good in her even after that statement, and at first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it because on one side she wants her nemesis to suffer, in the same way she suffered during her painful childhood, but on the other, she doesn’t want to be there to watch. She blames Victoria for ruining her life, yet, she still feels compassion for her. Maybe she’s not as cold and indifferent as she lets others see. I’ll repeat it, Emily was never a murderer, she’s not all good but she’s not that, not a murderer, so killing Victoria was never her intention.

Now that Victoria has nothing left, no one left to lose, Emily thinks she can run away, after a job well done, to get to know the father she was robbed out of. She thinks she can run away from the place they once described as paradise, now that her revenge has been completed, now that Victoria’s alone. The last few “loves of her life” are either dead or despising her. (The episodes are getting better and better as the David Victoria romance seems to die out. Just finish the poor suffering plot off with a shovel, so we can move on shall we?) She has one kid in rehab, wanting nothing to do with her, the other one dead. Victoria has nothing left, no one, so she grabs onto Margaux, onto her unborn baby, and with them, onto the idea of a family. The idea of being alone, it always scared her. Family is one of the few things she’s always been motivated by, so Victoria will never let go of them, they’re the only family she’s got left, and Victoria, she’s the only family Margaux’s has right now. In some way, they both need each other.

Margaux is still hell bent on proving Daniel’s innocence, even though the case is closed, even though Emily managed to convince everyone, most of all Ben, of her innocence. She lands herself in the hospital, exhausted, with no one there to answer for her, other than the still grieving Victoria, the woman who’s terrorised by loneliness, the mother who’s got no kids left, the future grandmother who wants her grandchild to know who her father was, who wants him to be remembered by his life, not by the lies surrounding his death.

“If I am to come clean, and there were to be no secrets between us. I’d have start with a damaged little girl named Amanda Clarke, also known as Emily Thorne.” -Victoria

Victoria tells Margaux everything, after making her to keep it a secret, and all I could think of when they zoomed in on a shot of Margaux was, “Doesn’t count I had my fingers crossed. I had my fingers crossed!” She’s a journalist; of course none of it is going to stay a secret. I get why she did it though, why Victoria told Margaux the truth. She’s seen, with front row tickets, what lies, and covering them up with more lies, can do to a child, can do to a broken down little girl. Not every child is like Amanda Clarke, but secrets have a way of getting out, and when they do, they hurt everyone in the passing.

I really wish we would have heard how Victoria put a spin on that whole David /Amanda Clark story, because she has a way of having explanations, excuses, for every bad thing she’s done. I wonder if she took the responsibility for some of the things that happened to Amanda. Most of all, I have to wonder if Margaux will believe everything Victoria is telling her, or if, being a journalist, she’ll do some digging of her own, it wouldn’t be true to her character if she didn’t. I’d love to have Margaux as the objective party in this war between the ladies, then again, maybe Ben could be it because he too knows the truth now.

Very soon, Emily is going to have to tell the world that she is, in fact, Amanda Clarke, because there aren’t much people left that do not know. I’m actually excited to see how that’s going to go. Ben was on the other side of the door listening in, and I seriously have no idea how he’s going to process the news We still don’t know that much about him so, it’s hard to predict. One thing is certain though, through his blooming simile relationship with Emily/Amanda, he’s going to be collateral damage, sooner, rather than later. I’m not sure he’ll be surviving the next few episodes.

“Gentlemen prefer blonds, you know that.” –Nolan

I’m not sure if gentlemen do, but Nolan sure does. I complained, last week, about the lack of Nemily, now that he has found himself a new tortured soul and that Emily has her father back. This episode definitely quenched my thirst. He wants to help his other partner in crime, the one he’s been hanging out with lately, the one who could never replace Emily. She’ll always have a special place in his heart that no one can ever take away, no matter what she does. I love their relationship so much, and feel it’s the heart of the show.

This episode diverged from their usual dynamic, because Nolan is rarely the one asking for help. It helps us annihilate the impression that this friendship is one-sided, not that I ever doubted it. She agrees to help Nolan, and join Louise and her brother for dinner, Emily and Nolan’s farewell takedown, before she leaves the Hamptons. She rarely listens to anyone, anyone’s hunches besides her own, but ultimately, she gives Nolan’s a chance even though she has doubts on Louise.

“Is your revenging sense tingling?” -Nolan

Emily assumes what we’ve been assuming since the beginning of the season, that Louise is crazy, after overhearing the red head and her brother argue over pills. Simply because she’s Emily, and she’s awesome, she suspects something’s wrong with the pills Louise is taking and has them tested.

Turns out, the Xanax isn’t solely Xanax.

Louise isn’t crazy? What the hell? That’s a bummer. I’m seeing a whole new storyline on that front, and other than Emily and Nolan resuscitating the red sharpie together, I’m not too sure I’m invested in Louise’s family drama. We don't really need another useless storyline, the writers need to focus on the core characters, and finish the story they already started.

Elsewhere in the Hamptons, Jack receives a surprise visit from the one and only, Malcolm Black, showing up, on his doorstep, very much alive, and looking for his daughter. He, by the same time, makes it known that he can take him down in a second, that when you have something to loose, when you’re a father, you’re that much more vulnerable. What does that say for Malcolm when he realises he’s already lost his daughter? Nothing good, because David told Malcolm his daughter was still alive, and this lie, this gamble it’s definitely going to cost him in the next episode.

“Conrad ruined my life, but Malcolm, he damned my soul to hell.” - David

Some of us wanted to be shown what happened to David when in Malcolm Black’s custody (Yes, I’m speaking to you Aryam Manzueta) and we got exactly that in this episode, starting with the day everyone assumed he died, 12 years ago, (Revenge has the same timeline we do, right?) showing us how one man’s trash became another man’s prized prisoner. Showing us how David had to kill an innocent man, in cold blood, in order to save his daughter.

David stayed in Malcolm’s custody for a couple of years, (Anyone knows exactly how long?) pretending to be the criminal mastermind Malcolm thought he was. We’re still fuzzy on what exactly it is that Malcolm does for a living except that he’s a bad guy, unless I missed something.

With a plan that’s not really a plan, but more of a suicide mission, David, in his stupidest move all season, which is saying a lot, decides he can take down Malcolm Black, alone. For once I was rooting for Jack, and I applauded his effort because, TV reality usually bypasses the easy way and go straight for the impossible way. In Jack’s case there was a simple way, and it included trusting the legal system. He turned in the USB key, full of incriminating information on Malcolm Black, and had him arrested, as easy as one, two, three. But it turns out the legal system has way of screwing with them because Malcolm got out of holding shortly after, and the USB is probably now destroyed. I’m curious to see how he managed that. Could Alvarez still be in the picture?

The ending to the episode I absolutely did not see coming. Emily, after figuring out that it was Victoria that tipped Kate off about her true identity, lures her to the lighthouse, pretending to be David. They argue, and they’re going to be able to continue this argument because, who knows how long they’ll be together. Malcolm Black followed Victoria, in an attempt to trade her life for Kate’s. He gets more than he bargained for when he shows up and Emily’s there, revealing who she truly is. The showdown between them should be great.

“Night, night.” -Malcolm



Sorry for the lateness of this review guys, still hope you enjoyed. I love to read what you have to say!

41 comments:

  1. Great review. i loved this episode it was so action packed from start to finish

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  2. A Paragraph is repeated in this review twice. why?

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  3. Sorry man, edited out ;)

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  4. Thanks. Yeah it was intense, though I'm still not feeling the Margaux storyline, the episode would have done great without it. I want her to go... How about you?

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  5. me too! i hate margaux, shes just not doing it for me no matter what they do with her storylines.

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  6. Great ep and review. We got some flashbacks and more Nemily scenes so I'm really happy! lol

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  7. Amazing review of a great episode!

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  8. People wanting Margaux gone? She's finally relevant now! Finally she has a proper role in the main Revenge storyline! I'm dying to see her reaction to hearing the full Amanda Clarke story! I hope Victoria doesn't die, I'm with Emily, I want her to be as stripped and bare as possible by the end of the show and Emily gets her happy ending!

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  9. Thats cool.

    Finally, Jack is doing things. He even has that determined look on his face he sometimes got back in Season 1. I find it great he basically started the whole bee by turning in the USB. THat was awesome. And in any other show it probably would have worked. It was the sensible thing to do. Which is why it wont work on Revenge!

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  10. Great review. This episode was superb and IMO the best of the season. That end was awesome and next week will ne violently good!

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  11. Wait... didn't Malcom found that "David" (Ems) texted Victoria? David mencioned that...
    A nice episode, but looking to the future do you think that Revenge needs to have its 5th season?
    Great review btw. :)

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  12. finally a sneak peak

    http://www.eonline.com/news/615569/whoa-who-s-beating-the-crap-out-of-emily-on-revenge

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  13. That episode was so intense! And i kinda understand why they needed to kill Daniel although I'll probably need lots of time to really get over it...:P

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  14. Yup, that about sums up what we need to be happy, haha!

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  15. Thanks,
    The story lines are always shocking, don't you think? But hearing that makes me even more excited for the next episode!!!

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  16. I'm happy Jack's getting involved! And turning in the USB was the logical thing, I just hope he had the sens to make a copy of something! Wonder how he'll deal with his plan backfiring, and how David will react! Any guesses?

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  17. Same here, but I think Ashley had run her course too, thye don't need 200 plot lines to make the show interesting, by having to much they lose themseles and the essence of the show...in my opinion at least.

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  18. Well thank you very much!

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  19. You think Emily is going to have a happy ending?

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  20. Thanks, the ending was really shocking, and I love the idea of Victoria and Emily having to work together to get out. Or maybe Malcolm will pin them even mre against each other for his own amusement, I would't put anything past him. You say it's going to be violent?

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  21. I agree! Paul Lee DID say that there are strong episodes ahead so he definitely watches out for that and right now i have the feeling the ratings are not relevant.

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  22. Yeah the ending was awesome. It will definitely be violent because for the first time it is rated TV-14 for violence if you watch the promo or the sneek peak you will see.

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  23. Thanks!
    I really hope Jack made a copy, or Nolan, of the information on the USB key. I didn't find it stupid though to try it the legal way, not every freakin police officer can be on the wrong side of things, it was worth a shot. And if they have a copy, then they didn't loose anything.


    I don't think we'll get to see Emily's reaction to all this, because after being kidnapped by him, what's the point in either David or Jack to tell her about their failed plans. Maybe though he'll flaunt in her face the fact that her dear daddy has nothing left over his head. This war between David and Malcolm will not end before either one or both are dead, and I think it'll be both, do you agree?

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  24. Well thank you, I'm really not sure if Malcolm had tapped into Victoria's phone to track her and David, I assumed he had followed her, maybe you're right! As for the fifth season, all I can say is what Revenge needs is an end date, because it's not the show you can run forever and with an end date it's easier to structure. I wouldn't mind it having another season, need, is another story though, because it doesn't need one. I just hope the series won't be cancelled and have a cliffhanger type of ending that will never be answered. I want closure with this show, I don"t care when, but I want closure.
    How about you, any thoughts on a possible fifth season, though seems more than unlikely right about now...

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  25. Frankly my dear, I thought David/Jack was Dumb and Dumber. I get what you are saying about the legal way, but my point is that Jack himself as a cop is on the wrong side of things - so trusting the system seemed terrible naive. . We'll see what the entire story about Malcolm Black/ David is, I hope! The war between them will not leave both standing but since they brought David back I doubt they kill him off just yet, so my vote goes to that Malcolm Black dies.

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  26. I personally think she will. Plus we've been following her journey throughout this show and wouldn't an unhappy ending or her death kinda be a disappointment to fans? I'm thinking mostly in terms of what will do the show and the storyline justice. How do you think it'll end? Unless she sacrifices her death to complete her revenge mission which at the time of her death is officially finished? That'd be sorta poetic.

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  27. If so happens, perhaps more of Malcom Black , I can't imagine another storyline :(

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  28. Hahaha I laughed pretty hard at your dumb and dumber comparative, Jack has since the beginning of the series been terribly naive, annoyingly naive at times, and knowing just how much people Malcolm has in the inside of the system should have rung a bell for Jack. Especially sine he had to shoot done his lover. His actions though seem pretty true to the character. I'm not too sure it's actually a good thing though!


    I don't know why I have the destinct feeling that Emily and David will never actually get to know each other, and that Malcolm and David will ultimately self destruct.

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  29. The storyline with Malcolm right know is moving at an extremely fast pace, which is why I've been absolutely loving the episodes, I don't feel they could stretch it out that much without ruining it.
    I don't know, I think I'd love to see more of Revenge camp with Takeada, but that's all I can think of right now. What do you think?

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  30. Hahaha, you can console yourself with the fact that at least, they didn't kill him off in the first season like we all thought he would!
    Daniel's death definitely brought out a whole level of madness.

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  31. Episode like this is definitely why I've been watching the show for 4 years!!!

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  32. Nice, I'm excited to see a gorier (is that even a word) of Revenge! Love to see kickass Emily, both the actress and the character!

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  33. Personnally, I think Emily could never be finished, never be satisfied, and that's basically what they've been showing us, that every time she thinks she's done, someone else or something else happens.


    The first episode of the first season of Revenge started with a Confusius quote: "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." Personnally, this is how I think they'll finish, with her grave. Maybe that's just me, dark... hahah. I don't know I just don't see an epilogue kind of ending with her sunbathing on the beach with Nolan and Mai Tai. You'd be dissapointed without a happy ending? Personally I only hate open-ended endings.

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  34. Ouuuu, thanks for that! Looks awesome.

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  35. i know, I'm loving all the action lately.

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  36. agreed this is one of the main reasons why i love the show. its a soap and it becomes a thriller when it needs to be.

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  37. You're probably right haha but I think that everyone will agree that He was the hottest guy in the show!

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  38. Won't find me arguing with you there! ;)

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  39. Good to hear that! :)

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  40. To be honest this show is so unpredictable it's hard to tell what's gonna happen at the end. Maybe she couldn't stop because she was still too angry and now that she has her dad back it'll give her a new lease of life, and she'll be able to just let it all go once she's finished with Victoria. I don't see them both alive by the end of this.

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  41. Like a little spin-off? I would like that idea

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