ABC's juicy nighttime soap opera about righteous vengeance among the rich and beautiful in the Hamptons was one of the success stories of the 2011–12 season, thanks largely to the gleeful bad behavior and queen-bee commanding presence of Madeleine Stowe, who plays Victoria Grayson, the community's social monarch. Victoria is also the major nemesis of Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), a beautiful, well-to-do young woman who settles among the old-money stalwarts with the intent of exacting revenge on the people who destroyed her family. Part of the show's attraction is the contrast between Emily's pretty, seemingly benign, society-girl exterior and her inner self—a ruthless, focused, brutally committed individual on a mission. Luckily for Emily, one of the youngest tech billionaires in the world, Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann), becomes a trusted ally and volunteers to play sidekick. Added to the storyline is the familiar collision of the arrogant vacation crowd versus the working folk who live in the town year-round. Revenge is lavishly produced pure melodrama, delivering exactly what the premise promises: a takedown of the rich and powerful in a culture where bad behavior is standard social currency. Compiling all 22 episodes from the 2011–12 debut season, DVD extras include audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, a blooper reel, and music videos. A guilty pleasure, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Revenge: The Complete First Season
Buena Vista, 5 discs, 924 min., TV-PG, DVD: $45.99 Volume 27, Issue 6
Revenge: The Complete First Season
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