"Revenge," the soapy melodrama that has captured my heart -- and an unfortunate amount of my time -- over the last year came to the end of its first season last night. If you're someone who's resisted watching this gem of a television show all year long, now is the time to give up and give in.
Since the series premiered in September, ABC has treated viewers to months of Hamptons billionaires throwing fabulous society events, double-crossing each other, cheating on each other, falling in love and even committing a murder or two. After 22 episodes (and a truly OMG finale) fans are deeply engrossed in the ever-complicated affairs of Emily Thorne, Nolan Ross and The Graysons -- me and some of my co-workers included. (Nothing like a heated midday discussion about why The Stowaway is the only place that anyone in The Hamptons seems to hang out.)
I've already openly expressed my not-so-guilty love for "Revenge." It's a show that knows exactly what it is (a nighttime soap opera full of beautiful people, escapist plotlines and pithy one-liners) and embraces that wholeheartedly. It's brought us one of television's best characters in Nolan Ross, protagonist Emily's frenemy and sexually ambiguous protector. And to boot, "Revenge" really is all about the women (and some badass women at that).
At HuffPost Women, we're all about using the summertime to do all those things you just didn't let yourself get to during the year -- even if those things are silly like watching really frothy television programming. So here are nine reasons that you should use the next three months to binge on "Revenge."
LOOK: 9 Reasons To Watch (Or Re-Watch) "Revenge" This Summer
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The Opening Monologue
Who wouldn't want to watch a TV show that begins with a Confucius quote? The opening will satisfy your cravings for low-brow entertainment while still assuring you that "Revenge" has more substance than "Real Housewives of Orange County."
It Starts During The Summer
There's no better time to watch a TV show about a glamorous summer than during the summer. (Bonus points if you watch it while you're actually in the Hamptons. Also, good luck with that.) While I've loved watching it in real time, there's been something sort of odd about watching Emily and Nolan trudge through the snow in Montauk while it's 75 degrees outside my window.
Victoria's Death Stare
If looks could kill...
Full clip <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr55ie7LE50" target="_hplink">here</a>.
Emily's Death Stare
Enough said.
Full clip <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn-ZdzHTwcs" target="_hplink">here</a>.
You'll Get To Watch A Real-Life Couple Come Together
Emily van Camp (Emily Thorne) and Josh Bowman (Daniel Grayson) are a real-life couple -- as well as duplicitous fiancees on the show. They started dating while filming "Revenge."
So. Many. One-Liners.
<strong>Some Examples:</strong>
<br>
--"This is getting kinkier and creepier by the moment." (Nolan)<br>
--"It doesn't get much simpler than a clambake." (Victoria)<br>
--"You ever notice how whenever you want girlfriend to leave she keeps popping up like the homicidal stripper version of whack-a-mole but whenever you need to find her she vanishes?" (Nolan)<br>
--"You look like a demonic succubus." (Conrad)<br>
--"The guy was feeding him shots like a frat boy to a freshman." (Nolan)<br>
--"Destruction is in my DNA. Take it up with Darwin." (Emily)
Nolan's Outfits
"I'm a three on the Kinsey Scale" Nolan Ross not only has a way with words and computers, but he also has a <a href="http://www.wetpaint.com/revenge/gallery/revenge-fashion-nolan-rosss-top-5-most-jaw-dropping-outfits" target="_hplink">serious sense of style</a>. Lots of pastels, brightly patterned argyle sweaters, bowties, color coordinated pocket protectors and white before Labor Day.
You Can Play The Name Game With The Whole Cast
Almost all of the actors in "Revenge" have been on other shows or in films, but none (besides Emily Van Camp and Madeleine Stowe) were widely known. Keep an eye out for Betty's lover from season 2 of "Mad Men" (Nolan Ross), Serena's little brother on "Gossip Girl" (Declan Porter), the sheriff's son from "Roswell" (Jack Porter) and young Jennifer Garner from "13 Going On 30" (Charlotte Grayson).
Summer Is A Reckless Time -- And So Are The "Revenge" Plotlines
Summertime is all about letting loose. The characters in "Revenge" understand how to let their baser instincts take over sometimes. They go on benders, propose impetuously, slash their husbands' pricey artwork, install hidden cameras in each other's homes, pop pills, burn down houses, have affairs ... you get the idea. And because it's fictional, there are very few consequences. Sometimes it's just really fun to watch characters (literally) get away with murder.
So go forth, be merry ... and indulge yourself this summer with some not-so-high-quality television.
"Revenge," the soapy melodrama that has captured my heart -- and an unfortunate amount of my time -- over the last year came to the end of its first season last night. If you're someone who's resisted...
"Revenge," the soapy melodrama that has captured my heart -- and an unfortunate amount of my time -- over the last year came to the end of its first season last night. If you're someone who's resisted...
Just when I had gotten to the point where I thought Emily Thorne's revenging was getting stale, "Revenge" managed to pull off one hell of an OMG finale. More than one life was potentially lost!
They say that when it rains, it pours, especially in the Hamptons. Emily is out for blood, Victoria makes a surprising alliance and a devastating loss brings Emily and Jack closer together. Much closer.
My wife loves the show. Recently, we drove to Stonybrook to see if the college there was a good fit for our son, and then at 5pm she wanted to see the Hamptons. We had a grand time, though we came back to Albany at 3AM. The mansions are stunning.
Libertarian5: My wife loves the show. Recently, we drove to Stonybrook
love this show!!!! Love Nolan Ross - I hope they do a quick scene on how Nolan went from grunge/dark haired to wasp two polo wearing internet billionaire and how did David Clarke meet him.
NYCSingleMom: love this show!!!! Love Nolan Ross - I hope they
Yeah, I'm already on it. i like to watch serials again all at once, it helps make the story more streamlined. I might have to skip over the part where Jack and Amanda's dog dies...I burie a pet 6 years ago and it still hurts so that was painful to watch....
John_Hazelton_Smith: Yeah, I'm already on it. i like to watch serials
I love everything about Revenge with the exception of one thing.....and since it is technical, it has nothing to do with the storyline. The one thing that "bugs" me every episode is the SOUND! The background music is so loud it drowns out the dialouge and when I miss the words, I lose the impact of the scene. I hope this will be taken into consideration for the future and I am looking for a long future of Revenge! It's a fantastic show!
Carolyn_Elmore: I love everything about Revenge with the exception of one
Coming from someone who's far from fond of the concept of "revenge" itself, I've gotten caught up in this drama too. The characters, the location the story is set in, the twists, the suspense. I love the character of Nolan Ross. I cried for hours about Sammy last week and just wanted to give Jack a big hug. The opening monologues are great. And the finale was, wow. I'm not opposed to rewatching season one, but I am looking forward to see where the story goes in season 2!!!
KimberleyKnox: Coming from someone who's far from fond of the concept
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