TV REVIEW: Everyone’s Looking for “Intel” on Revenge

“Intel” is Revenge’s latest offering where everyone is looking for a little information, shady dealings abound, and Emily shows she will do anything to protect those she loves.

This was a fast paced episode (what Revenge eppy isn’t?) where there were not one but two twisty turns revealed at the end. Daniel was a busy little bee, Emily was a ruthless little bee, and Victoria is the Queen Bee, always seeming to come out on top. Oh, and as far as those twisty turns goes… there’s a new pregnancy and a new bad gal revealed in this one. Whew, let’s look at life in the Hamptons.

Emily’s Little Chamber of Horrors

It’s torture time with Emily using the guy she captured from Victoria’s hospital room as a punching bag. She’s ready to administer a hot poker to the body when Officer Ben shows up at an inopportune time saying he needs two minutes. Really, only two minutes. Disappointing.

He doesn’t really say what he needs the two minutes for but finally admits, “I would love to take you out. You’re gorgeous… and you don’t drive the speed limit.” Aw, shucks, Officer Ben.

Emily says she’s just not dating right now. That’s code for “I still have Aiden on the brain. In a towel. All wet. Go away Ben.” Two minutes up, buddy.

He leaves and Emily goes back to “work,” cutting bad guy’s neck and giving him a chain necklace… a really, really tight chain necklace. Finally, the guy gives up a name.

Jack, Just Do It!

Jack is still flirting with hot FBI agent Kate Taylor, and she wants it bad. Real bad. I’m not talking intel either. She says she’s leaving in the morning, reminding him that his little cop job will still be there in the morning, but she’ll be gone. Yes, she’s leaving in the morning. Jack was all ready and willing last episode, but now he’s got an Emily headache or something and turns down sexy Kate. There will be no getting Jack and his Beanstalk tonight, agent.

David and Victoria Creepin’ Us Out

The cops are questioning Victoria about the attack. Don’t you remember anything at all? And how the heck did David (aka old guy) fight off all those attackers on his own? He claims he’s a ninja and they buy it.

David’s next stop is Nolan, asking him to get Emily to back off of her latest quest. “She’s my little girl.” Nolan assures him that she promised to stay out of it. Um, you believe her because she’s so good at “staying out of it?”

Next creepy scene is Victoria and David at the beach looking like they’re filming a new Cialis commercial. They’re all kissy face, gazing longingly at each other. Don’t you love how Victoria looks like she’s going to a fancy pants ball even at the beach? Full makeup, hair a silky helmet of heaven (no beachy waves here), and cocktail dress hugging those curves. I think she even had on pumps.

(ABC/Danny Feld)
NESTOR SERRANO, MADELEINE STOWE

Louise Is Crazy Cute

Cutest couple of the night goes to… Thelma and Louise. I mean Nolan and Louise. They hook up again, so to speak. “Hey Lucy,” he greets. “Hey Ethel,” she answers. The pair drink Bloody Marys with Louise reminiscing about her mama’s penchant for sending her to nut houses even when she was little. Nolan says he remembers reading about Louise’s daddy drinking himself to death. Yeah, keep sipping that drink; I think it’s 10 a.m. In a pretty d-bag move, Nolan calls Margaux telling her to look into Loopy Louise’s dad’s demise. I get that Nolan is working on his public image and Miss French girl can help, but trashing Red’s reputation in the process is so not-Nolan.

Later, Nolan meets back up with Louise who calls him on the backstabbing. Apparently, Margaux is looking into Daddy Dearest’s death; wonder who put her on that scent?

“You claim the deer you shot. I know you’ve been working with Margaux. For the life of me, I can’t understand why. I was real with you,” she adds teary eyed. Okay, Louise, you had us at looney bin. You gotta admit, this girl is a sort of cute, “too many cats” crazy not ice pick you while you sleep crazy. Important distinction.

Nolan comes clean about the Margaux connection. Louise tearfully says, “You protect your friends like family. Now, I know where I stand.” She leaves looking a little more broken than before.

By episode’s end, Nolan dumps Margaux. Yay! He picked Louise! Way to redeem yourself, blondie.

Daniel Is Here, There, Everywhere

Daniel is a man on the move tonight. I think he has a scene with every woman in the Hamptons in “Intel.” First stop, recent ex, Margaux. He shows up delivering breakfast, looking all cute in his preppy blazer and scruff on the face. She says, “Take your breakfast and go. Bye Danny.” That was a quick stop.

Next up, visit with dear old mom. Victoria begins the heart to heart with a major gloating session where she says, as incredible as it is to all of us, she still has David. “Even after he reunited with Emily. I love David…” She claims she’s sick of being miserable and wants peace. She wants Daniel in her life to complete her version of the Norman American Horror Rockwell Story. Daniel says no way crazy lady and leaves.

Final stop, a return visit to Margaux. Daniel shows up to fight for her, confessing “I’m in love with you.” Margaux has her own confession. “I’m pregnant.” What? Oh, Revenge, you twisty little minx. Just when we think we might get a little Emily/Daniel redux and you throw this in the mix. Love it!

(ABC/Danny Feld)
BRIAN HALLISAY, EMILY VANCAMP

Emily’s Revengenda

Emily continues her quest to find out who attacked her dad, who kidnapped him, and who tried to run him over. Nolan reprimands Emily… “Really, torture, Emily?” Really, Nolan, you’re shocked? Best friend does end up freeing Emily’s punching bag. She’s not amused, but how mad does she ever get at bestie with the heart and hair of gold?

Emily goes looking for intel from Officer Ben by asking him out on a date. She begins their night at the bar with, “Congratulations on solving the Conrad Grayson murder. He says, “Let’s not talk about murder.” Oh, silly boy. This is not a real date. Ben suggests a little game of darts – loser has to answer questions. He says he’s “a bit of a dart throwing king.” Impressive. Of course Emily wipes the floor with him, or dart spears him into answering questions. They play pool and Ben admits he had a bad ex wife who dumped him. “How’d you move on?” asks Ems. When Ben goes in for a touch on the face, maybe kiss, Emily almost takes off his hand. Love that girl! Date over.

Much later, Emily finds Ben at the basketball court and says sorry, or as much of an apology that she can muster. She admits it wasn’t a date, it was a search for intel. She also reveals that she lost someone (RIP Aiden). Emily’s looking a little vulnerable and almost convinces us that she’s being sincere. She confesses she’s looking for info on the attacker on David Clarke. “What is it with you and David Clarke?” asks Ben. Emily says the mole in the station has gotta be Alvarez, the police chief. Ben says no way. He’s not dirty. Then who is it? Oh, we will find out soon enough.

David is King of Shady Town

You knew David was up to no good the minute he arrived back on the Hampton scene… the way he immediately hooked back up with Victoria, the way he didn’t connect with Emily, the way he attacked Nolan, and most importantly, the way he talks in that darn Batman voice. Tonight, he looks shadier by the minute.

We find out that a guy David worked for a couple of years ago is now looking for him. It’s Malcolm Black! Who’s that? No clue, but the name sent a little shiver down every Revenger’s spine, right? Not to mention that David said “he’s worse than Conrad.” This is the guy who threatened Amanda’s life if Clarke didn’t do exactly what he said. Now, apparently he wants money.

Speaking of shady, Police Chief Alvarez meets with Victoria giving some intel and suggesting she avoid hanging out with David Clarke. Hmmm, I think chief wants a little Vicky in his life. At this point, it seems Ems might be right, and he might be the mole.

The lovey dovey honeymoon period is over. Victoria and David finally argue. Yes, that is a fight I want to see. Accusations fly… “you hid the fact my daughter was alive” and David leaves to blow off a little steam. And to go looking for an old safe where he stashed five million dollars. Flashback time to six months ago, or maybe many years ago. Hard to tell because Victoria and David look exactly the same minus the soft, gauzy look of the scene. Victoria is laughing over the five million dollars they skimmed from hubby Conrad. Oh, rich people problems! You steal five million and he doesn’t notice?

David is a flurry of activity the last ten minutes of “Intel.” He leaves a flash drive in the safe, stops at Nolan’s and says he’s leaving town. He tells Nolan all about Malcolm Black.

Victoria finds out about the Malcolm/David connection on her own. She discovers that Mr. Black wants money and offers up a picture of Emily instead. Keep that in mind. Revengers.

Emily’s Pretty, Oh So Pretty

Daniel and Emily have another encounter this week. No elevator in “Intel,” this time it’s a bar. Danny says, “You look pretty.” He knows that means one thing – she’s after someone, and he pities the fool. They’re all flirty and cute and I can’t help wanting them to hook up. He confesses the Margaux problems and she says don’t tell me your problems, adding “you never fight for anything.”

ABC/Danny Feld)
EMILY VANCAMP, NICK WECHSLER

The Mole Revealed

So who’s the mole? In the surprise twist of the night, we see Agent Taylor in her hotel room, fresh out of the shower and all alone. She gets the Victoria given pic of Emily delivered via room service. The next surprise is an officer not named Ben showing up. Yes, Jack decides it’s been way too long and drops by the FBI agent’s room. Wow, what doesn’t this girl get? Intel on the Emily/Amanda identity and now a little cop alone time. This will definitely not be the last we see of the agent.

What did you think of “Intel?” Did you like badass ninja Emily in action? What about Louise? Is she growing on you a little? Could Nolan be any cuter? And what is up with Ben?

So what do we have to look forward to? So much, I think I need a flowchart to keep up. Intel on Malcolm Black, intel on Louise’s background and current plan, intel on Agent Taylor, and most importantly intel on who is going to DIE next week. Yes, the promo promised a death. My money’s on Ben because Nolan and his outfits are just too cute to die.

Revenge airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on ABC