Revenge Review: “Epitaph” (Season 4 Episode 11)
This season of Revenge is getting better and better, despite how much I hate the loss of Daniel Grayson.
I could go on and on about how much I was hoping he and Emily would get back together just before he was shot dead, even though I disliked him up until a few episodes before his death. This is a show that knows how to manipulate our emotions, that’s for sure.
Now, I imagine the goal is to start rooting for Emily and Jack to be together, like we did early on in the series. I appreciate the direction that Jack’s character is taking. His life continues to change because of Emily. He says he knew he’d eventually have to kill someone when he became a cop, but killing a woman he was falling for has taken a toll on him. The plan to get rid of her body makes matters even worse. It’s a flawed plan, and the arrival of Malcom Black shows that Jack may be in serious danger.
David Clark is what has made this season my favorite so far, especially since we see how much he and Emily have in common. David is angry with Emily that she got involved with the whole Malcom Black business, especially since it has ruined his plan to kill Victoria. He is very much taking on a fatherly role, in his own way, at least. He even pulls the “because I said so” line on Emily when he insists Victoria stay with her so they’ll both be safe.
As for Victoria, she’s obviously upset that the plan to keep everyone safe is going to ruin Daniel’s reputation. Okay, and who can blame her? Only moments after seeing her son dead on the floor, she watches as David, Jack, and Emily concoct a story that makes him look like the bad guy.
Victoria: I won’t be a prisoner to your lies anymore.
David: I was a prisoner for two decades because of yours. You can hold on one more day.
As Emily says in her emotional explanation of the events later, it isn’t out of character for Daniel to be violent. Let’s all not forget that Daniel shot Emily at their wedding. Still, she’s grieving his death too, no matter how much she doesn’t want to show it. Emily, as usual, is infuriatingly stubborn when Jack suggests she take a break with the cops. Her story about not wanting to hurt Daniel, but finally shooting him because she knew what he was capable of is just about perfect. It finally settles Ben’s suspicions, but it is also grounded in truth.
Emily isn’t allowed at Daniel’s funeral, but she watches it from afar. The fact that she isn’t allowed to be there is an awful blow, and it shows an alliance between Margaux and Victoria that is bound to become stronger throughout the season.
Other thoughts:
- I find it completely unbelievable that Nolan would have turned his back Louise as quickly as he did. He should know better.
- Margaux is becoming more and more likable. I’m glad that she doesn’t believe the story everyone is telling about Daniel, and it’s going to be interesting to watch her as Emily’s adversary.
- I really enjoyed the montage of Daniel and Emily moments as a way to honor his character.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.