Revenge: The Complete Third Season

Though many of its most ardent fans consider this third season of the glossy ABC primetime soap opera to be a return to the quality of the debut run following a disappointing sophomore year, others will feel it is more of the same: a fairly absurd but almost ridiculously watchable tale of machinations among the rich and beautiful set in the glamorous Hamptons. The linchpin of the plot remains Emily Thorne's (Emily VanCamp) determination to avenge the framing of her father at the hands of the Grayson family, by marrying into the clan and destroying it from within, although she faces a strong rival in conniving Victoria Grayson's (Madeleine Stowe) efforts to outmaneuver her. The third season arc is cleverly structured, beginning with the shooting of a major character before flashing back to six months earlier and following the events that led up to the gunplay, after which the labyrinthine narrative continues before ending in yet another murder that will serve as a springboard for the next season. Revenge isn't really much more than slick trash, but like the best soaps, it is addictive, with Stowe in particular continuing to impress as the devious Victoria. Extras include an audio commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, and a blooper reel. A guilty pleasure, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)