When Revenge premiered last season, it was not a show to watch. It was ignored by all of the fall tv press and most television journalists believed that it would be a show that would be canceled after it's third or fourth episode. Much to the surprise, and delight, of television viewers, it gave us something we didn't even realize we had been missing. A frothy, over the top, soap opera featuring a deliciously bitchy performance by Madeline Stowe.
If you have never watched Revenge before, here is a brief rundown: Emily Thorne has returned to the Hamptons to take revenge on the people who framed her father for a terrorist act he didn't commit. The main focus of Emily's wrath are the Graysons, headed by corrupt businessman Conrad and malicious matriarch, Victoria. They are the ones who made Emily's father their patsy, mainly because Victoria was cheating on and planning on leaving Conrad for David. In each episode, Emily takes down someone who was implicit in the cover up, crossing off items on her "revegenda," what fans lovingly call her revenge agenda.
Viewers flocked to the show in it's Wednesday at 9 pm time slot and it became a surprise hit for ABC during the 2011-2012 season. The network had so much confidence in the show that when it revealed it's 2012-2013 season lineup, the show was given Desperate Housewives old Sunday timeslot.
Unfortunately, much like DH before it, Revenge floundered in it's second season. Instead of focusing on Em crossing names off her list, it broadened to focus on the Americorp Initiative, the group that had the Grayson's take down the plane. It is needlessly convoluted and not even the most eagle eyed, devoted viewer could explain it to you so it made sense. The actors on the show are hazy on the details. That is not good. The show began losing viewers, not enough to result in cancellation, but enough to give the suits at ABC a jolt.
So, it's not a huge surprise that news broke last week that creator/executive producer/showrunner, Mike Kelley, was stepping down. He may stay on as a consultant, but he won't be performing the day to day show running duties. This is a good and a bad thing. I never like it when someone who created a successful show is forced to step down. This is their baby and I feel like it's wrong for them to step away from it. On the other hand, showrunners sometimes get the idea that their show is their show and they aren't beholden to anyone, when they are beholden to a lot of people. They have a responsibility to the cast and crew, the viewers, the network. So, if Kelley was unwilling to make changes that would have improved the show, then maybe this will turn out to be for the best.
Is Revenge beyond saving? Absolutely not. Here are a few ways that Revenge can get back on track.
1. Keep It Simple Stupid The show excels when it doesn't focus too much on the overarching terrorist plot that the Graysons got involved in. This is a pretty ridiculous soap opera, so trying to make sense of these serpentine, conspiracy plot twists, it kind of highlights that fact and does more harm than good. We don't need to know all the details. Broad strokes will do just fine.
2. More Emily and Victoria Emily and Victoria are the reason most viewers tune in. They love to see the bitchery on display whenever the two of them are in the same room. It feels like this season, those scenes have been too few and far between.
3. Kill Aiden. This season introduced a man from Emily's past who has a vendetta against the Initiative. Aiden was trained by Takeda. He is hot and British, but he is boring. He is not a very compelling character. Also, Emily already has Daniel and Jack to vie for her affections. Aiden is just one too many. Off him.
4. Have someone learn Emily's secret. If I had my way, Jack would find out that he was never married to the real Amanda Clarke by this season's end, but I think it may be too early for that. I can't imagine Daniel or Victoria or Conrad finding out, so why not Charlotte or Ashley? I think that helps keep Emily from getting to be too super human.
So, there are some ideas from me, but I want to hear from other Revenge watchers. What have you guys thought about this season? Yea or nay? Do you have any ideas on how to get it back on track?
So, it's not a huge surprise that news broke last week that creator/executive producer/showrunner, Mike Kelley, was stepping down. He may stay on as a consultant, but he won't be performing the day to day show running duties. This is a good and a bad thing. I never like it when someone who created a successful show is forced to step down. This is their baby and I feel like it's wrong for them to step away from it. On the other hand, showrunners sometimes get the idea that their show is their show and they aren't beholden to anyone, when they are beholden to a lot of people. They have a responsibility to the cast and crew, the viewers, the network. So, if Kelley was unwilling to make changes that would have improved the show, then maybe this will turn out to be for the best.
Is Revenge beyond saving? Absolutely not. Here are a few ways that Revenge can get back on track.
1. Keep It Simple Stupid The show excels when it doesn't focus too much on the overarching terrorist plot that the Graysons got involved in. This is a pretty ridiculous soap opera, so trying to make sense of these serpentine, conspiracy plot twists, it kind of highlights that fact and does more harm than good. We don't need to know all the details. Broad strokes will do just fine.
2. More Emily and Victoria Emily and Victoria are the reason most viewers tune in. They love to see the bitchery on display whenever the two of them are in the same room. It feels like this season, those scenes have been too few and far between.
3. Kill Aiden. This season introduced a man from Emily's past who has a vendetta against the Initiative. Aiden was trained by Takeda. He is hot and British, but he is boring. He is not a very compelling character. Also, Emily already has Daniel and Jack to vie for her affections. Aiden is just one too many. Off him.
4. Have someone learn Emily's secret. If I had my way, Jack would find out that he was never married to the real Amanda Clarke by this season's end, but I think it may be too early for that. I can't imagine Daniel or Victoria or Conrad finding out, so why not Charlotte or Ashley? I think that helps keep Emily from getting to be too super human.
So, there are some ideas from me, but I want to hear from other Revenge watchers. What have you guys thought about this season? Yea or nay? Do you have any ideas on how to get it back on track?
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