After an explosive season finale, many fans of ABC’s hit freshman drama Revenge are wondering just one thing: what’s next? With various lives in danger, interesting twists that showed the drama’s soapier sides, and even a powerful enemy, the final episode was definitely one of the strongest of the series yet. But, what do the writers have in store for us next? That’s for creator Mike Kelley to tease as he revealed that a popular setting and structure will be returning, along with some fresh new surprises.
*WARNING: If you haven’t seen the season finale, spoilers do follow*
In an interview with TV Line, Kelley revealed that much like Season 1, the second season will begin with a big event that is seen in a flashforward much in same fashion we began the bulk of Revenge: summertime in The Hamptons. Kelley says this is “like the Fire & Ice Ball [in Season 1] — and also some pretty dark twists and turns — so that we can build toward that like we did last season and give our audience another roller coaster.”
There’s no question that some of the series intrigue did leave once we solved the large murder mystery that ended in 15 episodes, but most of the interest still remained thanks to not only investment in the characters but also the fallout resulting from what exactly happened on the beach. Once we went into hiatus, the final six episodes very much had a contained story that still centered on the characters and the overarching concept and then again felt like something completely different theme-wise to the building anticipation the season brought.
As for what exactly that big event will be, who knows. Kelley hints that ”there will definitely be a wedding next year, and there will definitely be another death. I won’t say exactly who’s getting married to whom, but that’s going to be some of the fun.” Well, the three strongest candidates happen to be either Conrad/Lydia, Jack/Fauxmanda after the baby bump reveal, and even possibly a more shocking Daniel/Ashley after we saw the two getting somewhat cozy in the finale’s final moments. Then again, with Jack officially cutting off his could-have-been-relationship with Emily, there’s still a chance that our heroine could go running back to the man she once loved, and the engagement could be back on.
Speaking of death, a trio of lives were left hanging in the balance within the final montage. While many expect that Lydia may die in the plane crash, there are skeptics (including myself) who refuse to believe Victoria Grayson is dead as well. Kelley didn’t exactly reveal who bit the dust, but he did state “Yes, it’s an important death. At least one of the characters will have died, and it’s going to be difficult for fans to [accept]…I’ll tell you that there was a death, for sure. There are at least three people in jeopardy, and one that you didn’t know about. There is definitely a major death that occurred last night. You’ll know in the first episode [of Season 2] who is gone and why.”
Now, the obvious character to be slain would have to be Lydia, because if not her character has cheated death twice all in the time of less than one year. Due to heavy criticism concerning the character and her storylines, the writers may even be willing enough to cut Charlotte loose as well. But, if they’re ballsy enough to go for true shock value, Victoria may be the one in a casket following the night’s events. Rumors have been spreading that actress Madeleine Stowe only wanted to pursue one season of the series, though judging by her fan-favorite status, acclaimed performances, and possibly her growing devotion to the cast and crew, it’s likely they may not be willing to give her the axe just yet.
Also concerning the baby of all twists, Fauxmanda’s return was both a bit predictable but the baggage she happened to be carrying onboard was not. So, where do we go from here? And after nearly five months away within the story’s time frame, what has brought up the character’s return as this incredibly convienient time. Kelley says “When we reveal where Amanda’s been and what exactly has happened in the interim and what her reason is for coming back, it’s going to be another big Revenge surprise.” Could she be working for Takeda? The Initiative? Emily’s mom? The possibilities sure seem to be nearly endless.
Kelley states that the writers don’t meet to begin the season until next week, with production set to begin in July on the second year of 22 episodes. More information is likely to be revealed in the coming months, but until that fans will likely be at Emily’s request and rewinding the DVR to “play it again”.
