“Before embarking on a journey of revenge first dig two graves.”
At this point, you probably know Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter aka Agent 13 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. VanCamp first premiered as the character in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. She then appeared in Captain America: Civil War. VanCamp will reprise her role as Agent 13 in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Before VanCamp was kicking ass, she was cooking up revenge schemes in ABC’s Revenge. Even though Revenge was once ABC’s highest rating show and one of the main actresses, Madeleine Stowe; was nominated for a Golden Globe, the show was canceled after four seasons. Which, I think, was way too soon.
The Show’s Background
ABC’s Revenge told the story of VanCamp’s Amanda Clarke. Once, Amanda had everything. Then, Amanda’s father was framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Her father was killed in prison and it is assumed that it was all done by the wealthy socialites in the Hamptons – led by Stowe’s Victoria Grayson. Eventually, Amanda trades identities with another woman and becomes Emily Thorne. After that, now Emily injects herself in the Graysons’ lives and sets out to take down those responsible ruining both hers and her father’s lives.
Revenge may have had somewhat of a soap opera storyline, but it was done in such a crafty and smart way. Throughout the four seasons, the web that Emily wove became wider. More was put on the line and Emily’s prowess was unmatched. Throughout the series, Emily had the chance (many times) to abandon her path of revenge and simply be happy. For Emily, though; there was no happiness to be had until she brought down the Graysons. There were some schemes that were so well executed and seasons two and three had some of the best and most heart stopping cliffhangers.
What Was the Core of Emily’s Motivation
Almost every episode had me at the edge of my seat. There were so many twists and turns. At the heart of all of this was a little girl who was simply sad that her father had been taken away from her. In the end, her father was just a pawn in the Grayson’s game of chess. Emily’s father was insignificant to the socialites – but, for Emily/Amanda that was her whole world. And it had been taken from her and tossed out, without any care of what that did to the little girl who had nothing.
Equal to VanCamp’s acting was Stowe’s. Victoria Grayson was a worthy villain and probably one of the most conniving characters ever to grace TV. Seeing Emily and Victoria duke it out every week was truly a treat. One I looked forward to and one I could have kept watching. There was something so powerful about ABC’s Revenge – every episode was so full of substance. Even Emily was a character who you didn’t know if you could always side with her. She was also a character who was flawed and even questioned her own motives, especially towards the end. Season four was a roller coaster.
Basically, You Need to Watch This Show
ABC’s Revenge was rich with side characters too, such as Gabriel Mann’s Nolan Ross, Nick Wechsler’s Jack Porter, and Josh Bowman’s Daniel Grayson (who VanCamp is actually married to in real life). Each side character made the show even better and I truly miss them ever since Revenge ended.
While Revenge did have an ending that made me content, it was far from being wrapped up in a bow. There was so much more that could have been done. In an age where there are shows unworthy of being renewed, ABC’s Revenge could have gone on for a couple of more seasons.
Did you watch Revenge? What did you think of it?
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