The journey into the past on Revenge was an intriguing departure from the current story, but didn’t really provide any new insight. Of course, we learned why Amanda (now Emily) decided to seek revenge against the Graysons and their conspirators, but beyond that it was a whole lot of the same.
I was a little disappointed in “Legacy” because I hoped that the look back would reveal a secret we didn’t know already. Instead, we were given information about how several events occurred, but none of them created new questions or mysteries.
What was the point? New Year’s Eve was a pivotal day in the Hamptons. Victoria and David first met at a New Year’s Eve party. Were we supposed to gain some sympathy for Victoria as she remininced about their introduction? I hope not. Sure she was sad, but it was her fault! She turned on her love. No sympathy from me!
While Victoria was mourning David, Conrad started an affair with her best friend, Lydia. And, that same night, Conrad and Victoria agreed, separately, to sell David’s house to Lydia. We didn’t know the Graysons had bought David’s house, but is there a reason we need to know that now? Will it come up again?
The other conspirators just proved that they deserved to be taken down by Emily. They showed that they horrid people with no remorse.
Another backstory that didn’t add much was about the Porters. Nolan bought the Porter’s home, but didn’t know he was displacing families (nice to know Nolan was always noble). We learned that Mama Porter divorced her husband without seeing her sons and caused their financial difficulties. This could play into the story later, since we haven’t met her yet. Will she be coming back?
Nolan’s offer to Mr. Porter also led Jack’s girlfriend to smooch Nolan at midnight instead of Jack. Nice punch, Jack! Again, nice backstory, but what does it mean? Nolan and Jack are friends now.
The big reveal was that Amanda started her quest to bring down the Graysons and their conspirators when they killed her father’s friend, Roger, and her only lead to finding out how to clear her father’s name. Again, interesting, but is there a reason for us to find this out now?
I enjoyed the episode for the background it provided, but wanted a little more. I hoped it would end with a “oh my …” moment. A reveal that was shocking and propel the story forward. Instead, we got a look at the past and then a scene letting us know that Emily and Daniel are still together and in Revenge time, it was New Year’s Eve.
In the remaining two episodes, I may have to retract my complaints if the show builds on any of these reveals. That is a reversal that would be a pleasure to make.
Clacked by Carla Day 
on May 10, 2012 @ 00:34 EST5EDT
