Revenge 1x19 - "Absolution"

[dreamingahead]

This was such a gorgeous, brilliant episode with some of the most powerful acting yet. Basically, Revenge's answer to everyone who doubted the show would be able to keep its pace after "Chaos". I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! ALL THE FEELINGS.

Also, Gabe surprised the fans by live tweeting it with us like. a. boss. Jfc. It was magical.

Comments

[josiefier]

This episode was filled with SO MUCH epicness. I can't even decide where to begin. But speaking once again of Nolan's father - I will accept nothing less! -

[dreamingahead]

This episode was filled with SO MUCH epicness. I can't even decide where to begin.

IKR, so much OTP screentime! They must be really catching on as to whom it is we REALLY tune in for, lol. Do you think Nolan kept Emily's secret from Carole? It's very likely given his own involvement in her plans, I don't think auntie would approve of what they've been up to... but then again, she's a hbic herself, so.

The resemblance is striking, ngl. You need to @imisspluto this particular pic NOW or forever hold your peace.

And yay for me, so far, not being that far off! I like when that happens lol.

I've noticed that with Revenge, you aren't forever confused about what the hell it is the writers are trying to achieve with this or that storyline. They've done well with the flow so far, which makes the show gratifying to stan.

[josiefier]

It's hard to say if he told her. I think he might have given her half-truths. That seems to be another thing this show is good with, which explains another reason I love it lol. I could see Nolan telling her some of the things Emily and he may have been involved with, but definitely not all

[dreamingahead]

I could see him taking off to Lancaster to recharge his batteries after an intense takedown to talk with his aunt about Emily & how he can't live with or without her, lol.

So, yeah. I clearly have a lot of feelings about this lol.

Obviously, lol. See, now you've done everything in your power to make it happen! ;)

... there are a ton of breadcrumbs, sure, but they do seem to eventually come back to them. At least so far.

Oh, sweet consistency! Never leave me.

By the way, didn't the Graysons' lawyer call off Ashley's job offer because he found out it was her who sent the pics of Daniel from the beach to the media? Wasn't Nolan the only one who knew that? Makes me wonder...

[agnes_bean]

I'm just gonna go ahead and state the obvious that never in a million years did I expect Nolan to have an "Aunt Carole".

I agree that this was totally unexpected, but adds a whole other layer to his story that is fantastic. I WANT MORE NOLAN FLASHBACKS RIGHT NOW.

I love how Emily calls Nolan when she’s already inside the house
This was fantastic. Another subtle reminder of how smart Emily is - as you say, she knew Nolan would go for the journal, and she knew how to catch him.

I think her frustration also comes from the fact that she has to rely on someone to tell her what her father wanted for her instead of having been able to talk to him herself.
Oh, this is interesting - I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense. I think she has a lot of mixed feelings about Nolan's comments about her father. They hurt her, so she doesn't want to hear them for that reason; at the same time, as you say, believing them is a leap of faith on her part. Not a huge one, but any amount of trust is hard for her.

Nolan's face when she leaves,

[agnes_bean]

Oh, and another thing about that last scene -- I love how he gets up and moves closer to her once she explains what's going on. Their relationship is so casually and easily intimate, which is pretty astounding given how reserved she is as a person.

Moments like that are why I love this ship so much. When they're not actively fighting, they're so damn natural together.

[dreamingahead]

Also, how much do I love that the two most important women in Nolan's life are strong and terrifying when they want to be? I love male characters who love HBIC women.

THIS. Nolan is fascinated & terrified by all HBICs in his life and it is THE BEST. I really hope we get to see more of aunt Carole! Like I said... Emily & Nolan MUST visit. Ooh, and in the morning, when Em's still asleep, Noles could talk to his aunt about how much he loves her & she's too focused on reveeeenge to notice (her walking in on that conversation is optional). I love it when he talks about her with other characters, he gets this look in his face, which, be still my heart.

Also, I'm sure Carole would be very interested to find out David had another daughter... if she doesn't already. #obsessing over the depth of her revengenda awareness tbh

This continues to be one of my favorite things about his character. He doesn't trust easily, but as soon as someone is kind to him he's theirs, 100%.

OMG. <3 SO VERY, VERY NOLAN

[agnes_bean]

Also, I'm sure Carole would be very interested to find out David had another daughter... if she doesn't already. #obsessing over the depth of her revengenda awareness tbh
Oh, good question! Very interested to know more about her indeed. Love that actress. (Fun fact: She also has a small part on Breaking Bad, so I had a fun "OMG HER" moment when she appeared).

They are on the same wavelength when it comes down to the things that matter to them the most

Yeeees. Yes yes yes.

They could have just kept talking at that distance, but no, as soon as she told him about Daniel and he picked up on her dejection, he crossed over to be with her. It's... phenomenal.
Oh yes, good point. I feel like they got used to being in each other's space as a matter of precaution, but at this point it's just natural. They gravitate towards each other just because. THAT'S chemistry, to me. THAT is why I ship them.

AND THE MOST AMAZING PART, IT DOESN'T EVEN REALISE HOW FLAWLESS IT IS YET, IT JUST UNASSUMINGLY IS SO EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY. YES. I feel like

[agnes_bean]

More...

I wonder if Emily left that rose on David's grave not only to remember him, but also on purpose... as a warning.
Me too. It seems a little sloppy if she didn't intend someone to see it...

Jack coming clean to Daniel about the hoodie! Didn't expect that. NOT the smartest move tbh, Jack, but I suppose he also made the mistake of thinking Daniel was ~good/
Jack, once again, proves that he is in the wrong story. He's just too good of a guy for this world. Actually, he reminds me of Ned Stark from Game of Thrones - a good, generally honorable person caught up in a world where EVERYONE ELSE around him, even the good people, are manipulative liars. He's playing by a different set of rules, and it could get him in a lot of trouble.

To end on a lighter note, Nolan paying Declan's tuition was LOVE. His concern for Porters which exists outside the Emily bubble is my favourite, they're really becoming his other family. <3 It was great how he kind of did it in memory of David who helped him when he really needed it.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[dreamingahead]

It seems a little sloppy if she didn't intend someone to see it...

I've come to understand that nothing Emily ever does is just because. It definitely gave Victoria a winter-unrelated spine chill, lol.

Jack, once again, proves that he is in the wrong story. He's just too good of a guy for this world.

THIS WHOLE PARAGRAPH, BASICALLY. Your Ned Stark parallel is spot on in the most troubling of ways... let's hope Nolan & Emily's affection for him will be enough to keep him safe.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I NEED TO SEE ALL THE NOLAN/DAVID SCENES YESTERDAY.

[agnes_bean]

Your Ned Stark parallel is spot on in the most troubling of ways... let's hope Nolan & Emily's affection for him will be enough to keep him safe.

I worry for him. But I do think he'll be okay precisely because he has Emily and Nolan looking out for him -- poor Ned was totally isolated in King's Landing, and Jack is not. Also, on a meta level, while the writers of Revenge are a tricky bunch, they have yet to show anything near GRRM's level of sadism towards their characters, and I think they like Jack too much to kill him...

Which is good mostly because I love his and Nolan's bromance and Nolan would be so sad if he died :( (Sorry Jack -- I really don't care about what happens to you for your own sake!)

I NEED TO SEE ALL THE NOLAN/DAVID SCENES YESTERDAY.
YES YES YES I WANT ALL OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.

[catteo]

Basically perfect episode was perfect. I was actually totally caught out by the reveal that Carol was AUNT Carol. Everything Nolan/Ems was perfect as always. I was really intrigued by Emily checking up on Charlotte - I'm excited to see where they're going to go with this. I feel like Charlotte could maybe be an unexpected ally.

I wouldn't be altogether surprised if Emily somehow manages to get Victoria onside in her war against Conrad. I'm just not entirely sure how she's going to keep the anti-Daniel-ness of it all a secret.

Couldn't believe it when Daniel fully covered up for Conrad. Pretty sure that's a decision he's going to come to regret! I'm so sad that the finale is so soon. I just want it to go on foreverrrrrr!

[dreamingahead]

Basically perfect episode was perfect. I was actually totally caught out by the reveal that Carol was AUNT Carol.

IKR. IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, BUT WENT EVERYWHERE. <3

I love how Nolan/Emily are consistently the best thing about this show, amazing in every possible way.

I'm excited to see where they're going to go with this. I feel like Charlotte could maybe be an unexpected ally.

I've been wishing for their eventual alliance ever since I found out they were sisters! Wouldn't that be deliciously dramatic? IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

I wouldn't be altogether surprised if Emily somehow manages to get Victoria onside in her war against Conrad.

AS MUCH AS THIS WOULD MAKE MY HEAD EXPLODE, IT'D PROVIDE FOR SUCH GOOD TV, NGL.

Couldn't believe it when Daniel fully covered up for Conrad. Pretty sure that's a decision he's going to come to regret!

The incident on the beach certainly tapped into his dormant true!Grayson genes, didn't it? NOW EMILY WILL MARRY HIM, AND IT WILL BE ALL HIS DAMN FAULT, lol.

I'm so sad that the finale is so soon. I