PILOT REVIEW: Revenge

REVENGE

Starring: Madeleine Stowe, Emily VanCamp, Gabriel Mann, Henry Czerny, Ashley Madekwe, Nick Wechsler, Joshua Bowman, Connor Paolo, Christa B. Allen
Created by Mike Kelley
Written by Mike Kelley, Directed by Phillip Noyce

Revenge is an unconventional new drama from ABC that is about exactly what its title implies. A loose takeoff on The Count of Monte Cristo, set in the Hamptons, it is unlike anything else so far this season. That alone is a good thing but there are some flaws to consider as well in this show. It centers on a woman, formerly known as Amanda and now known as Emily (Emily VanCamp) who returns to the place she lived as a child to exact revenge on the people who ruined her father's life. The main villain is Victoria (Madeleine Stowe), a socialite who basically runs the island and was once romantically involved with Emily's father. Her family includes philandering husband Conrad (Henry Czerny), daughter Charlotte (Christa B. Allen), and son Daniel (Joshua Bowman), who Emily immediately flirts with (he also ends up dead while engaged to Emily as we see in a flash forward scene at the beginning). Rounding out the cast is Emily's childhood friend Jack Porter (Nick Wechsler) and mysterious island member Nolan (Gabriel Munn) who knows Emily's secret former identity.

THE GOOD: As I said before, this is unlike anything on TV. While it sounds like a mini-series and not a permanent TV show, it certainly has an interesting and very layered plot to begin with. Emily VanCamp is strong in the lead role and a complex character. If the show lasts, it will be interesting as they continue to explore her past and present. As Queen Bee Victoria, Madeleine Stowe was a bit understated at first and in my opinion, not quite mean enough. But she improved as the episode went on and was particularly strong during her speech on the boat. The cast in general seems good even though we're just starting to understand the characters. The episode also did a nice job of tying up a few loose ends at the end of the episode while leaving many questions in tact. Also from a cinematic standpoint, it's very well done with beautiful houses and beautiful people (on the outside).

THE BAD: There are some flaws in this show. First of all, how in the world is it going to sustain itself if it were to last 2-3 seasons? This seems to be a very specific story with a start and end point and anything beyond that, would feel forced. Much like Prison Break a few years ago. It just doesn't seem like it's built for the long haul. The story got a little convoluted at times but it ironed itself out pretty well over the course of the episode. The beginning didn't play very well at all to me because I just felt confused but by the end, I had appreciated it more. It's the kind of story that really needs viewers to focus in and see what's happening. Also it's soapy to the max but some people like that. All in all, these are nitpicky things. It was a good pilot.

BOTTOM LINE: This would be the perfect show if it were to just run this season or even just 13 episodes for that matter. I'm intrigued enough to want to know what happens with this story but I don't know that I want to get into a long drawn out soap opera with these characters. I'm hoping it does just enough in the ratings to play out its story without doing well enough to try and extend it.