We open to David (James Tupper) and Amanda Clarke (Emily VanCamp) standing in shock amidst the rubble of Grayson Manor. Confused firefighters mumble reassurances as no one yet knows Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe) is dead.
Hacker, Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann), doesn’t even know the mansion has exploded–he’s been with his sexy social worker, Tony (Josh Pence, The Social Network). But Nolan can’t avoid the real world for long. When his boy toy hits the showers, Nolan finds alarming texts from Amanda, “Grayson manor is on fire!” and “please call.”
Oh, shit.
Back at Victoria’s apartment, her only friends Margaux (Karine Vanasse) and Louise (Elena Satine), dig through some wreckage of their own. It’s not long before the two find a note from Victoria. In the letter, Victoria apologizes … for committing suicide.
My Dearest Margaux, I write to you … filled with sadness. And I’m afraid I will be passing that sorrow onto you–for that I am sorry … as the pain runs too deep … I’ve decided to end my life. Know that my heart is full of love for you, now and forever. Eternally Yours, Victoria Grayson
But Louise thinks it’s murder. And unfortunately for Amanda, so does Hampton’s finest. Both Amanda and David Clarke will be interrogated by hot detective, Ben (Brian Hallisay). But can Amanda tell Ben her alibi?
Problem is, Amanda’s alibi is heartless, hack novelist, Mason Treadwell (Roger Bart, Desperate Housewives). Mason was hired by the Graysons to frame David Clarke and lock up young Amanda to keep her quiet. So considering he worked for the Graysons, I’m not sure why she agrees to meet with him, in her car.
Mason seizes the opportunity, dropping Victoria Grayson blood samples through a Visine bottle. C’mon, Amanda. When you’re the #1 suspect murder suspect, don’t let a slimy, best-selling novelist into your car. I don’t understand Amanda’s lapse in judgement here. As a trained assassin who can read people with a Robo-Cop accuracy, she’s far too trusting of someone who lies for a living.
“The side effect of happiness is naiveté,” Mason Treadwell reminds Amanda, as he leaves. Mason’s adage hearkens to The Count of Monte Cristo, the Alexandre Dumas novel on which Revenge is based. In the book, the saying, “Happiness blinds,” is spoken by Edmond Dantes before his friends betray him and he becomes The Count. Like young Edmond blinded by happiness, Amanda doesn’t see Mason’s true intentions. And it’s going to land her in jail, rocking a bright orange jumper.
And of course, Jack (Nick Wechsler) returns just in time to watch Amanda get nicked. “You are under the arrest for the murder of Victoria Grayson,” Ben says gleefully. Jack pouts as Amanda gets hauled off to jail, screaming “That bitch set me up!” in a refreshingly white trash way.
With this slew of hard evidence, things don’t look good for Amanda. We’ll see her fate next week in “Plea,” the last episode before the series finale.