Best Served Cold

Okay, I know I haven’t updated ze blog in the longest time but I plan to take advantage of what’s left of the holidays and post the entries and photos I failed to in the past weeks — no, months. Let’s begin with my new favorite series — Revenge. It is DELICIOUS. What can I say, every episode is served up cold.

I was in the throes of writing a chapter for my thesis when I found out about the show. I only knew it was based on The Count of Monte Cristo, but any story toying with the vengeance theme (think Kill Bill or even Valentine) is my kind of story, so I gave it a go. The initial scenes of a pilot episode are crucial, and I have to say, I was hooked within the first few seconds of Revenge, mainly because of the lead character’s introductory narration:

When I was a little girl my understanding of revenge was as simple as the Sunday school proverbs it hid behind. Neat little morality slogans like, “do unto others” and “two wrongs don’t make a right.” But two wrongs can never make a right because two wrongs can never equal each other. For the truly wronged real satisfaction can only be found in one of two places — absolute forgiveness or mortal vindication.

This is not a story about forgiveness.

Right after she narrates the last line a character gets shot in cold blood. DELICIOUS! Next thing I knew, I’d temporarily set aside the task of thesis-ing and opted to go on a Revenge marathon. I also developed tonsilitis that weekend but that didn’t stop me from catching more episodes.

What I love about this show, aside from the plot, is that it makes no qualms about being a soap or a telenovela, as we like to call it here. There is no cheekiness on display, no subtext that begs to say, “I know this is a cliché but…” The show serves up one cliché after another, and does so unabashedly. We know of all the tropes in soap operas, but the creators don’t seem to care. And yet, the show has remained fun to watch and has even managed to be slightly unpredictable.

Not to mention, Emily Van Camp, who plays the protagonist (or antagonist, depending on how you see her) is perfect for the role. She’s a sweet thing, this girl-next-door. But never trust the blonde with doe eyes because she will slit your throat in your sleep.

I’m stoked (and impatiently waiting) for Episode 11 (Duress), which airs January 7th, practically a month after the last episode. The plot thickens and a recent development has left all of us viewers dying to know what happens next (especially with this one character). Can’t wait for next week!

To end with, here is one of my favorite scenes, an exchange between Emily and her Japanese mentor, Satoshi:

LOVE. HER.