Guilt - Part 1 of 2 - The Graysons & Co.

Episode Synopsis: I don't even know how a brief summary can do this episode justice. So. much. happened. Lydia decides to take back her life and makes a cameo appearance in the Hamptons before returning to her NYC penthouse and doing a swan dive off her balcony. Emily's plans finally aren't going exactly as she would hope, and she ends up bestowing a little more responsibility upon Nolan. In minor news, Charlotte is still mad at Victoria for not loving her and Daniel decides the Grayson lifestyle isn't for him. So he does the logical thing and takes the open bartending job at Jack's bar. Yeah...that's going to work out well. 

I know, I know this the probably the worst screencap ever but it was the only time I could get the full-frontal view of Victoria in an age-appropriate, form-fitting appropriate dress. Her tatas aren't hanging out and it's clinging in all the right places. Even though it's hard to tell with my awful screencap, this green is such a lovely color on Victoria. I love how these Hamption ladies aren't afraid of breaking out the color wheel! 

Did Victoria mistake the Open Arms Benefits for Prom? While her dress is pretty exquisiite with a lot of faboosh tucking, pinning, and detailing, it's one of those dresses that the really rich girl at your high school would wear to prom simply because the dress cost like $5,000. Take away the detailing and the color is drab and doing nothing for Vicky's skin tone.  

And what is with that updo?? You're not 17, Victoria, going to Junior Prom. Did you see the rhinestones in there? Well, in her case they're probably diamonds and not those sticky things you get at Claire's

I just love that a super-wealthy person's "casual" wardrobe is a dress shirt with the collar open. Normal people would wear a t-shirt and ratty sweatpants, but then, I suppose the Grayson's aren't exactly normal. I believe it was fellow YKYLF staffer Ann who pointed out that Casa de Grayson was the size of her neighborhood.

One day, the YKYLF staff was hanging out in our breakroom over doughnuts and champagne (read: we were at our individual locations chatting on the private staff FB group. No, I am not posting a link.), and someone pointed out that Charlotte was young Jenna Rink in 13 Going on 30. Thanks to that revelation, that's all I can think of her as! And in stark contrast to the high schoolers on Gossip Girl, Charlotte dresses exactly as I would hope a rich adolescent should. I'm sure it's some designer dress but it's fun and colorful and perfect for joyriding in a $200,000 Mercedes. 

Such a cute romper! If you're going to get arrested and thrown in jail, this is how you should look. 

Oh hello Daniel! Looks equally as good with no clothes as well as in a tux. Almost James Bonds-esque. Almost. Since he's decided the family biz is not for him, maybe he could join the MI6's training program?

There's something about Frank...he's shady yet (seemingly) loyal and kinda...hot. Yep, I said it. Maybe I've been watching The Bodyguard too much? I will say his five o'clock shadow needs to go away. Either grow it out or keep it clean.

I wonder what his backstory is...I think every character on this show is supremely interesting and I want to find out more about them. I hearby request that the writers concoct a companion guide, complete with character profiles and histories!

Guilt - Part 2 of 2 - Those Who Hate (or work for) the Graysons

I have decided that Ashley is my favorite. Her accent, her clothes, her hair. I'd like to be her, minus the crazy boss. Just look at this adorably flattering dress. Sure, it's a conservative cut, but the yummy eggplant color is gorgeous.

And those shoes....I die! Actually, I might if I tried to walk in them. Perhaps she should lend them to me so I can practice.

Another example of her PLL-worthy hair. Seriously, this girl can pull off any look. 

We all love to hate Lydia, but it's hard to hate her in this dress. Take note Victoria: the length, the form-fitting but not too tight action, the color: all age-appropriate and flattering. 

What? What is this outfit? It's like she's Stevie Nicks in a Victoria's Secret runway show. I hope that's a swimsuit on underneath, and not underwear. Cover yourself, woman!

While I may not advocate some of Lydia's sartorial choices, her benefit dress was the episode standout for me. The train on the back was a little unnecessary but it made for an even more dramatic fight scene with Frank. BAM! POW!

Is there anyone more preppy than Nolan? I was fully expecting him to be sporting khakis with this sweater-button-down-polo combo but then he turns the corner wearing plaid shorts. His shirt is striped and his shorts are plaid--he may be giving Chuck Bass a run for his money in the pattern-matching department. 

In real life, Gabriel Mann is 39 years old. No that's not a typo. 3-9. I swear he could pass for a 12 year old with this buttoned-up polo.

Nolan got cutely excited when Emily let him have a role in securing Emily's identity. Aww, he just wants to be included! His wardrobe for a little B&E: a zip-up sweater hoodie under a sport coat. Way to be bad-ass Nolan...bad. ass. Here, have a swig from my sarcasm cup.

Jacks sports a pretty uninteresting wardrobe, but I'm loving on his field jacket. I hope we get to see him dress up a bit soon--I bet he looks delicious in a suit and tie. I hearby volunteer to evaluate said suit, when the time comes!

It's nice to see "Billionaire Emily Thorne" looks just like the rest of us in the morning. Yoga pants, cami, perfectly coiffed hair and makeup...

The dress Emily wore to Victoria's Tea of the Week was nothing special. A bit too formal and ladylike for a girl Emily's age. The ruffled hem at the bottom adds in some fun, but overall it's the type of dress Victoria should be wearing. Maybe Emily's doing the whole "dress like the boss" routine in an attempt to get in V's good graces?

Another benefit, another blah colored dress. I think she wore something like this last episode. And the episode before. Don't get me wrong - this is a very pretty dress but I'm just not feeling it. Could Emily start taking some risks with her wardrobe?

Risky wardrobe or not, I CAN NOT wait for next week...I'm so addicted to this show! Who will Emily target next? I hope it's Victoria's stylist.

Mini Recap: Guilt

You voted, we listened. Due to its stellar approval rating, Revenge will now be featured in its very own recap! Enjoy!

Lydia's back in town, and she's onto Emily. Is it any surprise that she winds up getting TOTALLY MURDERED? Nolan is his usual awesome, planting whale-shaped USB hidden cameras all over the place. Unfortch, now he has Lydia's death caught video. MURDER USB! Daniel gets cut off from his father's money after he refuses to work for such a skeeze, and finds himself the newest bartender at Jack's club. And he also makes up with Emily, and then they totally hook up! And in plotlines nobody cares about, Charlotte and Declan are arrested for speeding. 

Emily's Target
Lydia. I know, Lydia's already been on the receiving end of the RED SHARPIE OF DOOM, but she blew back into town just in time for a second (lethal) dose of REVENGE!!

Charity Gala of the Week
A gala to thank the Graysons for helping out the victims of that plane crash that THEY WERE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR. Awkward. I'm not sure if Emily selected this charity for the event, but she certainly enjoyed watching Victoria's reaction to this "honour."

Best Dressed 
Emily's white-gold strapless number was gorgeous, but I might have to give it to Lydia's backless sequinned gown.

Most Soapy Moment
Victoria slaps Conrad! I'm crossing my fingers that every week I can have a SLAP COUNT. This week's just the 1. But it's a pretty great slap.

Stop by on Friday for Kate's take on this week's non-stop rollercoaster of soapy goodness.