REVENGE “Struggle” recap: Let it go

Remember when Emily’s journey of revenge all began when her father, David, told her the truth about how he was framed by the Graysons (and others) and subsequently was killed in prison? And remember how, in the journals that he left behind for her, he told her to let it go so that she would not go down the path of revenge that would ultimately consume her? Well, it seems that children should listen to their parents a little more because it would seem this generation of young Hamptonites can think of nothing but seeking revenge, while their parents try to seek forgiveness in whatever way they can, regardless of the means they use to achieve their ends.

Victoria Grayson is never pleased. Photo: ABC

Revenge “Struggle” Recap

Emily’s blackouts finally have a cure!

The doctors told Emily that her blackouts and headaches are not caused by her shooting, which can only mean one thing: that they are all psychosomatic, that is, it is literally just all in her head. Usually, one would go see a psychiatrist to treat such symptoms, but Emily cannot risk spilling more than just the regular beans to a shrink. So, Nolan uses his “Find a Former Friend” app to locate Aiden, convinced that he is the only person who can help treat Emily. And of course Nolan is right.

subscribe now: small screen scoop

follow the tv blog on twitter: @ssscoop

facebook more your style? small screen scoop on FB

The cure, as it turns out, requires a little chloroform, kidnapping and drowning. All this is meant to help Emily reach her subconscious, to understand what it is that is causing her to lash out on the people who have love her instead of those who are meant to be her enemies. While she is underwater, Emily finally hits the spot in her memory where she remembers her father and the night before he was arrested – when she caught him in bed with Victoria.  All this serves as a reminder that, as she busied herself with plotting to ensure she become a Grayson, she had forgotten the reason why she was there in the first place – to take down the Graysons.

Does Stevie have an ulterior motive?

After almost thirty years away, Stevie Grayson returned to the Hamptons to confess to Jack that she is his biological mother. This is not news that anyone wants to hear, especially not when she tells you that your father has been sending mementos of your childhood to her for years and you wonder why it took so long for her to come back into your life. Suddenly, it hits Jack why he had never seen any photos of himself as a newborn.

Emily Thorne is giving her croc eyes. Photo: ABC

Having tried so hard to distance himself from the Graysons, Jack is reluctant to let Stevie into his life. But with a little wisdom from Emily (now that we think she has recovered from her brain fades), Jack decides to at least listen to her side of the story. It turns out Stevie is a recovering alcoholic – sober for almost twenty years, which would explain why she frequented the Stowaway back when Jack’s Dad was still alive. Being drunk and attracted to the bartender, she began an affair with Carl (the Dad) while still married to Conrad, and in order to hide the pregnancy, she left the baby for Carl to raise with his wife while she went away for rehab. Honestly, how a Hamptons socialite was able to hide a pregnancy is probably part of the Hamptons magic, but then Victoria came along and stole Conrad from Stevie, which is reason enough for the first Mrs Grayson to want to stay as far away from the Hamptons as possible.

Nolan and Victoria plotting together???

What could bring Nolan and Victoria together? Under the guise of Nolan’s chairmanship of the Hamptons Art Walk, Victoria has a deep and meaningful discussion about the only thing they have in common – their love for Patrick. Having seen how Patrick could ruthlessly kill anyone who posed a threat to Victoria (anyone remember Fr Paul – killed in a car accident meant to rid the world of Conrad?), the loving mother is concerned that Patrick’s rage will one day do more damage to him than her money can salvage.

Here’s their three-step plan:

Step 1: Nolan tells Patrick that he has become his mother’s henchman/personal executioner. Victoria names the would-be victim and Patrick rids the world of the trouble-makers. At the same time, he reminds Patrick that he was meant to be an artist, not a murderer, and what a shame it is that he will be missing out on a famous Italian artist’s special visit to the Art Walk, a visit which Nolan had arranged back when they were still dating, meant as a surprise for him. (Oh, did I forget to mention that Patrick was shirtless and glistening in this scene? My bad!)

Step 2: Patrick decides that he is going to go to the Art Walk even if Victoria disapproves. As expected, famous Italian artist strolls by and inspects Patrick’s pieces, declaring that he has potential and offers him an apprenticeship in Tuscany. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that would give Patrick a new life and a chance to get away from his past and a potential future in the slammer.

Well, Emily Thorne still has great style. Photo: ABC

Step 3: Patrick is undecided about the offer of apprenticeship. It would mean taking him away from the mother he spent his entire life looking for, not to mention being away from Nolan who, no matter how he tries to resist, is no doubt the love of his life (OK, this is completely from my wishful thinking but come on, you all agree, right?). Just for that extra push, Victoria tells Patrick that Stevie’s fight to take over Grayson Manor may prove to be more than she can handle and hints that she may need to find “a way” to get rid of this little problem. Ah-oh! Has Queen Victoria named her next victim for Patrick to dispose of?

Fortunately, Patrick is still smart enough to realize that Nolan was right – he needs to get out from under Victoria’s spell before he becomes (more of?) a serial killer. Following his tearful departure, leaving Victoria with only a voicemail message, Victoria revisits Nolan and the two mourn the loss of their beloved Patrick.

What’s up with Daniel?

While his new bride has been having blackouts and disappearing in the middle of the night, Daniel has been getting increasingly suspicious that she is conspiring with his father, having secret rendez-vous at the South Fork Inn. Daniel is smart enough to know not to trust any private investigators his parents have used in the past so he finds his own – someone who seems to be worth a dime because not only did he find Emily breaking into Conrad’s hotel room (co-conspirators would usually be invited), but he also found Aiden carrying her out and then managed to follow them, unnoticed (Aiden is losing his touch?), to Aiden’s secret lair where he got photographic evidence of Emily and Aiden kissing. So now what is Daniel going to do with this new bit of information?

A new beginning

Say goodbye to the old Infinity Box. Thanks to Nolan, Emily is now the proud owner of Infinity Box 2014, which can only be opened with Emily’s fingerprint (it is probably bullet-proof, too). It is timely to revisit the reason why Emily is there at all – looking back at her father’s journal, she remembers David mentioning getting a visit from a lawyer who had promised to help his case, only to find out a few days later that she had been disbarred for drinking (does that actually happen?). Emily puts two and two together and realizes that Stevie Grayson is the alcoholic lawyer who had visited David in prison.

What’s next?

So what is Stevie’s connection? How did David not know who she was? Why did she go to help him? Did the Graysons arrange for her to be disbarred? What is Stevie’s real motivation for coming clean with Jack, other than (perhaps) feeling guilty about abandoning her child and wanting to meet her grandson? Is she going to become Emily’s ally or another enemy to take down?

Leave your comments below and share your theories!

Tune in for more Revenge on ABC Sundays at 10/9c.

Photo: ABC. Written by Valerie Leung. Share your Revenge theories with her on Twitter (@valshopaholic) and read her blog LibragirlRules.com.