Revenge

Revenge's second season has come to a close with this week's two-hour season finale, which is basically Revenge: The Full-Length Movie. Seriously, there is a lot crammed into this double episode, beginning from the moment Carrion is activated and the lights go out in Manhattan. The show has been muddled this season by subplots and superfluous characters, but I appreciate how the finale closes out a few lingering story lines (turns out The Initiative isn't quite what we were led to believe . . . or is it? And — hold for dramatic pause — somebody dies! Not a dry eye in the house, as Conrad would say.

Yes, death, explosions, tears, and screaming: everything we've been missing from Revenge lately turns up in the finale. The final moments also contain a huge reveal. Sure, it's something we already know, but Jack Porter sure doesn't. To go over the biggest scandals from the last great episode of an otherwise so-so season of Revenge, just keep reading.

Though titled "Engagement," this week's Revenge episode has so much more in store than a simple engagement plot. Emily and Daniel are back on for marriage, much to Aiden's chagrin. Charlotte is still acting out, Jack is trying to put all the pieces together (isn't he always?), and somebody dies! The unexpected death isn't even this week's biggest shocker. Revenge really returns to form this week — the kind of form it was in last season, not this season's hot mess.

After all the twists and turns this episode, I can't wait to see how Revenge ties up all the loose ends (or doesn't) in next week's two-hour season finale. I'm ranking the biggest highlights after the jump.

After viewing this week's episode of Revenge — aptly titled "Identity" — it's more obvious than ever that the show has lost its way. Since when am I supposed to be feeling pity for Victoria, who has requested help from an unlikely ally in search of her long-lost firstborn son? Why should I care about Charlotte, the poor little rich girl turning to a life of meaningless club-hopping and making out with girls in alleyways? Remind me: who is getting revenge on whom? I used to be firmly invested in the saga of Jack and Emily, and lately Jack is just getting on my nerves. This is one frayed revenge plot, if you ask me.

Despite the fact that the show is off the tracks, "Identity" does have its share of gasp-worthy moments as the Graysons are put on the spot during an in-home interview. Let's go through this week's biggest scandals when you read more.

This week's Revenge jumps ahead six weeks from Padma's disappearance, and Nolan is on the hunt. He also looks like a crack addict after spending weeks locked in his office sans sunlight. Victoria is preparing for the masquerade ball — vital this year as last year's was called off due to Conrad's imprisonment — but she's getting a bit spooked, suddenly haunted by the ghost of her firstborn. Emily is, of course, behind the pranks, but it's all for a greater good: avenging her father. Right? What's the goal again? It's pretty muddled.

Emily is also back with Daniel — "reunited and it feels so good," as the Page Six article puts it — and Victoria is less than satisfied. Let's go through this week's biggest scandals when you read more.

This week's Revenge finds our recently wayward heroine getting getting back on track with her plans for vengeance, with a little unexpected support. Emily's foster brother, Eli, is in town, and guess what? After burying "Amanda," he knows Emily's real identity and calls her out on it. Meanwhile, Nolan is busy trying to help Padma get her father back from the Initiative (that plan goes less-than-smoothly), and Jack has really started to annoy me. I know his wife just died, but maybe it's time to let it go and stop with the amateur Hardy Boys routine.

The best part of "Victory" is that Eli seems intent on helping her get back on track to destroy the people who wronged her, starting with their former caretaker. Let's go through the week's biggest scandals after the jump.

It may have taken the death of a major character, but after this week's episode of Revenge, it looks like Emily has finally rediscovered her primary purpose. Amanda is dead, her body recovered by the coast guard. Jack, gripped with grief, is struggling to put the pieces back together. He's getting some of it right, but his accusations are suffering from a case of mistaken identity. Charlotte is also attempting to come to terms with her "sister's" passing — will she ever realize Amanda wasn't related to her? "Retribution" is slower than most episodes, but I think that's a positive thing. Lately I've found the show to be packing so much in, but not all of it is good.

I'm looking forward to seeing Emily go back to basics, even if she's coping with the guilt of Jack's discoveries and accusations. Let's go through this week's biggest scandals when you read more.

As promised, this week's Revenge brings drama, trauma, and loss of life. "Sacrifice" picks up directly after Jack and Amanda set off for what becomes the honeymoon from hell. It's all sexy time and sleeping on the deck, until they realize — dun, dun, dun — there's a Ryan brother hiding out on their boat, and he sure is angry! Back on dry land, the Grayson clan is getting ready to announce Conrad's candidacy for governor. Emily and Nolan aren't in attendance because they're busy being lifeguards and patrolling the high seas to save Jack and Amanda. I know, it's a lot to take in.

We lose not one, but two Revenge regulars this week, but I'm only kind of sad about one of them. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty scandals when you read more.