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shadowkat[Apologies ahead of time for the following: typos and poor formatting - it's late and must to bed. This took too long and not sure why I felt compelled to write it frankly. I think I'm addicted to my live journal, no clue why. But there it is. Also, while this is a bit tacky on my part, it's been bugging me, so I had to try and compare The Fugitive to Ringer to see if there was any thing remotely similar between them. Sorry, guys, I don't see it.
It's under the spoiler synopsis for Ringer. And yes, how pathetic is it that I actually remember the plot to The Fugitive even though I only saw one episode in reruns. If I could remember other things as well as this, such as people's names and how to spell them - life would be so much easier.]
Just finished watching Revenge, which more or less underlines everything that is wrong with Ringer. The two are fairly similar - central protagonist point of view, character seeking vengence, and a mystery at the center. Noirish undertone - in that the protagonist may be anti-hero or at least one of them is. Unlike Damages, both tend to be more soap opera than noir crime. If you like noir/anti-hero, and tight plots and the whole soap opera/Danielle Steele romance pastiche makes you crazy? Rent Damages. You can thank me later.
Revenge is far more polished and classier than Ringer. Makes sense - has better talent behind it. One has A list talent, one has C list. And you can tell. No, I'm not talking about the actors, I'm talking about the Executive Producer/Director who is none other than Philip Noyce. Philip Noyce is an acclaimed screen and television director with a career spanning back to the early 70s. Noyce did DEAD CALM - which turned Nicol Kidman into a star. He directed the pilot. Doesn't mean it will be a great show - he also directed the pilot to Tru Calling, than vamoosed. But the pilot of Revenge has a cinematic tightness and grace that Ringer is sorely lacking. Where Ringer is jarring and campy, Revenge is graceful and classy. It's all in the direction.
And all you have to do is watch Ringer and Revenge back to back to understand why "direction" is important for film. Also about how important narrative structure, acting, production value, and cinematography are to television and film.
The other bit is the writing. Revenge is simply tighter. And far less predictable. (Both are predictable to a degree, don't get me wrong, but one is less so than the other.) Not as cliche as Ringer. Also unlike Ringer, Revenge provides the information in smoother and less clunky manner. The plot is actually logical or more so. The heroine pro-active. The story twisty, without being obvious. Romance is central, but not quite as predictable, and clearly not the point. It's not a great show, but it is fun and has a classy vibe - reminds me a little of Dynasty meets Count of Monte Cristo. In short, one is campy cult and one is mainstream.
Here's the two plots side by side. Ringer vs. Revenge.
Ringer:
The series opens with a woman (Bridget) running from a killer and fighting him off. Then flashes back. Bridget after being arrested for prostitution and possession of an illegal substance has entered the Witness Protection Program to testify against an evil mob boss. In what appears to be flashbacks, although the direction and camera work don't make this clear, Bridget is in an AA group, and has a sponsor. In the group she mentions that her twin has contacted her after several years of no contact and not speaking. Not really clear how long. And she has to see her twin sister, no matter what. So she knocks out one of the agents guarding her for Witness Protection and takes off to the Hamptons to see her twin sister Siobhan. The two have a high old time reminiscing, while conveinently avoiding all of Siobhan's friends, acquaintances, and family members. Siobhan tells Bridget that no one in Siobhan's current life knows Bridget exists. Bridget tries to apologize for what happened to someone named Scean, but Siobhan stops her and says she's forgiven (it's obvious she's not by Gellar's expression, but apparently Bridget is dense). They go out on a boat and Bridget falls asleep for some reason (Siobhan probably dosed the champagne, although why anyone would bring champagne on a motor boat out in the Hamptons with her alcoholic and drug addicted sister is beyond me. Maybe it wasn't champagne? ) When Bridge wakes up, Siobhan is gone. Bridge assumes she committed suicide and drowned. So tries to rescue her. Bridge, hon, clearly it's too late and this would be the time to call for help? But no, Bridge can't do that she's on the run from Witsec or wait the Marshal's service. So in true soap opera fashion, she takes Siobhan's place. And thinks this won't be that hard. Knowing zip about her sister's life.
Before she can do the smart thing and take off with her sister's money, she runs into Siobhan's hubby (whose name I forget and we'll call Ion (that's the actor's name)). Apparently hubby and Siobhan aren't sleeping together at the moment, because he doesn't share her bed and she doesn't have to worry about sleeping with her sister's husband. Next day she meets Gemma, Siobhan's best friend, and some cute guy who keeps stalking her. Gemma turns out to also be an architect designing a new place for Siobhan and her hubby - a loft. Before Bridget can vamoose, she has to go to a charity function Siobhan agreed to host, and puts on a red dress that she looks horrendous in. She also has to fend off the Witsec Marshal/Cop hunting her down. And oh, do interference with hubby's annoying teen daughter who looks and acts as if she wandered off the set of Gossip Girl or 901210. And is of course an addict just like Bridget was, and all around screw-up just like Bridget was. So Bridget is bonding with her already. Next up, Bridget meets Stalker guy at the fund-raiser she's stuck co-hosting in the ugly red dress. Stalker guy turns out to be Gemma's husband, who is of course having a hot affair with Siobhan. Gemma has caught on to the affair, just not who it is with - as far as Bridget knows. Bridget tries to leave again, is stopped by hubby again, and a phone call from Siobhan's doctor, apparently she skipped an appointment that was supposed to be for that day, good thing too - since Siobhan is pregnant. No clue whose baby it is. But clearly she's slept with hubby at some point because he immediately assumes it is his. While the lover thinks it is his. Bridget confuses both, by being cold to the lover and warm to hubby. Near end of the episode, someone tries to kill Bridget - but it is actually "Siobhan" they are after, and oops Siobhan isn't dead after all, she's alive and well in Paris. Surprise.
Next episode Bridget decides to try and leave again...but gets stopped again and again by the constant oblivious and at times hilarious interference of the clueless hubby. Although the bit that gets her to decide to actually stay is the teen addict that reminds her of herself. She just can't leave poor Siobhan's step-daughter in the lurch, after all the things Siobhan did for her. But she spends most of the episode attempting to hide the guy she killed in the loft. Who apparently doesn't smell. And carries a cell phone. Which goes off during another function that Siobhan agreed to host.
[As an aside - several people on my flist, not just one or I'd have shrugged this off, have compared the above to the Fugitive. This continues to bewilder me. And I'm wondering if we may be watching two completely different series? Hey, it happens. OR I'm remembering the story of The Fugitive wrong?
Correct me if I am wrong - but wasn't the Fugitive about a guy who was wrongly convicted of killing his wife and hunting the guy who did it (the one-armed man) while being relentlessly pursued by a US Marshal? Each week The Fugitive would get distracted by some stranger who needed his medical expertise or skills. He'd help this stranger (some guest star) then just as he is thinking of sticking around - he'd have to leave either to find the one-armed man, or escape the US Marshal. The stranger would often help him do one or the other, or both. Each week you had a story that wrapped up, while this proverbial carrot out there - which ensured people would stick around each week to see if the Fugitive ever cleared his name. The series finale was for quite a long time the highest rated episode in TV history, until MASH's series finale, and the episode Who Shot JR? knocked it out of the water. The Fugitive spawned several copy-cats, The Incredible Hulk, Highway to Heaven, Heaven something or other, Quantum Leap, and shows such as Angel and Nikita attempted to copy the format until the writers got bored or the ratings dipped, and they gave up and went serial. Modern audiences don't have the same patience that the Fugitive's audience had. We aren't willing to wait fifteen years for the character to get his carrot, assuming he ever does. Nor do we trust the writers to deliver.
The only thing Ringer appears to have in common with the Fugitive is...that Bridget wants to be redeemed for being a drug addict and loser - so she decides to stay in NYC instead of running away and help Siobhan's family and be Siobhan, while hidden from the mob. Except wait - the Fugitive wasn't about redemption, since he wasn't guilty. He didn't stay anywhere. And It was about helping strangers each week and changing locals. I guess you could call this a reverse fugitive and that Bridget is staying to help a new stranger each week..except wait what strangers? I suppose you could call Bridget's step-daughter via Siobhan a stranger? But that's sort of pushing it. Particularly since the step-daughter is one of the main cast members and will be in the series most of the year and isn't a random guest star. There's no episodic wrap-up here. Revenge is actually more episodic. Outside of a new question being answered each week, which is not quite the same thing. Unless I've remember the Fugitive wrong or am confusing it with another series completely? ]
*Revenge - The show opens with a murder. It's the engagement party of Emily and Daniel. A has just been shot on the beach. Another guy with a hoodie is trying to hide the body. But a young guy (literally the gay brother from Gossip Girl who is now playing a heterosexual hottie), and his girlfriend (turns out to be Daniel's sister) finds the body and scares off the guy with the hoodie. We don't know. It looks like he did, but it is not clear. Meanwhile up from the beach we find out that it is Emily and Daniel's engagement party, but Daniel is missing - he's on the beach - apparently the guy who just got shot or the guy in the hoodie. I'm guessing the former. Emily tells us in a voice over that she is here to seek revenge.
And there's a lovely quote by Confuscious that states -"When seeking revenge, be sure to dig two graves" - neat summary of the series theme right there. But we aren't told quite why. Yet. There's a bit of friction between Emily and a guy named Nolan, and the mother of her fiance - Daniel, Victoria - played by Madeline Stowe (who is a favorite actress of mine - also well established, and has either made a deal with the devil or has an excellent plastic surgeon. Watch Madeline Stowe - she shows you how to play bitchy and compassionate and subtle, without campy.) Victoria after giving a lovely speech in favor of her potential new daughter-in-law, asks her where her son is. Emily says he went out to the beach to take a walk. We're also introduced to Emily's friend the event planner. At that moment - Victoria's daughter comes screaming up the walkway to the house to announce that Daniel has been shot. Horrified, Victoria races to her son's side, while Emily looks stricken and upset, but is she?
Flashback five months, to Emily renting the house that the engagement party is later held in. We see her flashing on the times she spent with her father in this house. And examining photos of the current owners. Lydia Davis. The show slowly reveals why Emily is doing what she is doing via flashbacks, it also shows up the people she is plotting against, along with the innocents who may get in her way. Through the episode we slowly learn who each of the player's are, their relationship to Emily (the focal point or Protagonist) and what she thinks of them. We aren't told what their agenda's are - that is left a mystery.
Emily, the protagonist, unlike Bridget is more of an anti-hero than hero here. And we know what she plans is not going to end well for anyone. Van Camp plays the role subtly with great restraint. She's likable and not over-the-top. And quite attractive. Not too thin like a lot of actresses. And she is matched quite expertly by Madeline Stowe, who is playing the antagonist. The performances make Revenge more like Damages or more accurately a Life Time Movie than Dynasty or Desperate Housewives. It's not over the top nor played for satire.
At the end - we are told that Emily's injured father had wanted better for her, for her to be able to forgive. But much like The Count of Monte Cristo, Emily is far too damaged for that. Revenge is all she has left of her father. And we are shown how Emily gets rid of Lydia Davis - Victoria's best friend who happens to be having an affair with Victoria's husband, Conrad. Lydia, Emily's Dad's former Secretary, testified against Emily's father and wrongly accused him of sending hedge funds to a terrorist organization. She aided Conrad and Victoria in destroying Emily's Dad. Like Ringer - Revenge's business of choice is high finance. OR the world of banks and brokers. These people have more money than they know what to do with and are our current villains. (Occupy Wall Street has demonstrated that.) But unlike Ringer - we're given a bit more information on the money biz. As well as info on how Emily got her funding. Emily unlike Bridget is a smart, pro-active heroine. Not reactive. And the actress gets across the plotting behind her eyes. (And unlike Siobhan, she seems to have plotted this carefully.)
We are told at the end, the Emily had been held in prison - juvenile detention center - most of her life. Nolan states that he was friend's with her father, that he hates these people as much as she does - that he saw first hand what they did to her and her father. He also tells her that her old friend Jake, who currently runs his father's tavern and has possession of her old dog Sam, still has a thing for Amanda Clark - but Amanda Clark, Emily tells him, is dead. That was who she once was. There's a lot held back in Revenge. The pilot doesn't feel as pushed as Ringer or crammed. And the plot makes logical sense. I'm not laughing at the absurdity.
We are given as much info and set-up in Revenge as in Ringer, but it is conveyed in a better manner, and is far less cliche and obvious. Also far less campy. Ringer is unintentionally funny with it's straight out of a pulpy romance novel plot twists. I roared with laughter during most of it. If you don't take it seriously, it is admittedly a lot of fun. Gellar actually does this sort of comedy well. Revenge - is fun in another way...the weird thrill of watching someone take down people you don't like. Both are soapy. But one feels like it has a bit more polish than the other. I almost wish we could combine them. Take the polish and talent from Revenge and the twin twist from Ringer. But I don't think that would work.
I don't know which will survive. Ringer has a better chance because it's on cable network CW, which doesn't require high ratings - or 90210 wouldn't still be on the air or Supernatural for that matter. And Smallville would have ended after five seasons. None of those shows would have survived on ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX. On the other hand - it's pulling in lower ratings than Melrose Place did...so it may depend on the production cost. Can't be that high - it's too cheesy and doesn't do any location shots or very little. Mostly blue screen. While Revenge is all on location, and clearly has a very high production value and stellar talent on board. That show has got to cost somewhere around 6 million. It does not look cheap. Ringer I'm guessing is maybe 700,000 possibly a little more. Very cheap production value.
Also, Revenge is a bit sluggish - too much emphasis on twenty-something romance. Not enough on Revenge from what I've seen of the previews. Although Nolan and Jake interest me a bit, as does Victoria's back story. But the Curiousity factor isn't quite as high as Ringer's. Mostly because Ringer has told me zip about Siobhan and far too much about Bridget, which makes me think there could be an interesting twist coming up...which while completely illogical, might be a lot of fun.
(If I cared that much about logic I wouldn't watch True Blood.)
Also while the acting and direction are far better in Revenge, the dialogue isn't. Sort of boring actually - not clunky, just dull. And Revenge lacks the black sense of humor Ringer has going for it in that it's not nearly as funny and takes itself a tad too seriously. Also none of the men are quite as hot as Ion Gruffuld.
Both are definitely serials, whether you see them as soaps or not is up to you, but definitely romantic mystery thriller serials aimed at an 18-34 year old female audience. With anti-heroes. Not anthology or episodic vigliante/super-hero shows. These babies will never be episodic. Not a chance in hell. I'm willing to bet you a million on that one. No, they'll be melodramatic mystery serials, with lots of cheesy cliff-hangers. At the moment, Revenge has less cheesy cliff-hangers than Ringer, and wraps up its episodes more neatly. I think you can come in and out of Revenge far easier with far less commitment. So Ringer is actually more serialized. Odd, I know, but there it is.
If you want smarter gritter fare, yet the same theme and cliffhanger feel - without the cheesy soap opera? Rent Damages starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne - about a pair of anti-heroines who for two seasons went after each others lives with knives (literally). In S1 - Close destroys Byrne's life. In Season 2, Byrne works hard to destroy Close's life, and comes close to succeeding. In this particular trope - it's probably the best you'll find writing, direction and acting wise. But...not as comforting. More violent, and the characters aren't as likable. Also has elements of legal procedural written all over it. Another really good show that has a smart heroine, and cliff-hangers, and similar themes is The Good Wife. Yes, I know, it looks like a legal procedural but it really is not. Would I be watching a legal procedural? I don't think so - would rather watch paint dry personally. Actually if you want a smart heroine, a case that wraps up each week, smart writing, stellar acting and good direction and a lack of cheese? Watch The Good Wife. And skip these shows entirely. If you want a kick-ass heroine, revenge theme, but also wraps up each week? Nikita. Or you can try Charlies Angels (I'm not, didn't like the first two versions) or Person of Interest (too episodic for my taste).
Revenge? B-
Ringer? C+
It's under the spoiler synopsis for Ringer. And yes, how pathetic is it that I actually remember the plot to The Fugitive even though I only saw one episode in reruns. If I could remember other things as well as this, such as people's names and how to spell them - life would be so much easier.]
Just finished watching Revenge, which more or less underlines everything that is wrong with Ringer. The two are fairly similar - central protagonist point of view, character seeking vengence, and a mystery at the center. Noirish undertone - in that the protagonist may be anti-hero or at least one of them is. Unlike Damages, both tend to be more soap opera than noir crime. If you like noir/anti-hero, and tight plots and the whole soap opera/Danielle Steele romance pastiche makes you crazy? Rent Damages. You can thank me later.
Revenge is far more polished and classier than Ringer. Makes sense - has better talent behind it. One has A list talent, one has C list. And you can tell. No, I'm not talking about the actors, I'm talking about the Executive Producer/Director who is none other than Philip Noyce. Philip Noyce is an acclaimed screen and television director with a career spanning back to the early 70s. Noyce did DEAD CALM - which turned Nicol Kidman into a star. He directed the pilot. Doesn't mean it will be a great show - he also directed the pilot to Tru Calling, than vamoosed. But the pilot of Revenge has a cinematic tightness and grace that Ringer is sorely lacking. Where Ringer is jarring and campy, Revenge is graceful and classy. It's all in the direction.
And all you have to do is watch Ringer and Revenge back to back to understand why "direction" is important for film. Also about how important narrative structure, acting, production value, and cinematography are to television and film.
The other bit is the writing. Revenge is simply tighter. And far less predictable. (Both are predictable to a degree, don't get me wrong, but one is less so than the other.) Not as cliche as Ringer. Also unlike Ringer, Revenge provides the information in smoother and less clunky manner. The plot is actually logical or more so. The heroine pro-active. The story twisty, without being obvious. Romance is central, but not quite as predictable, and clearly not the point. It's not a great show, but it is fun and has a classy vibe - reminds me a little of Dynasty meets Count of Monte Cristo. In short, one is campy cult and one is mainstream.
Here's the two plots side by side. Ringer vs. Revenge.
Ringer:
The series opens with a woman (Bridget) running from a killer and fighting him off. Then flashes back. Bridget after being arrested for prostitution and possession of an illegal substance has entered the Witness Protection Program to testify against an evil mob boss. In what appears to be flashbacks, although the direction and camera work don't make this clear, Bridget is in an AA group, and has a sponsor. In the group she mentions that her twin has contacted her after several years of no contact and not speaking. Not really clear how long. And she has to see her twin sister, no matter what. So she knocks out one of the agents guarding her for Witness Protection and takes off to the Hamptons to see her twin sister Siobhan. The two have a high old time reminiscing, while conveinently avoiding all of Siobhan's friends, acquaintances, and family members. Siobhan tells Bridget that no one in Siobhan's current life knows Bridget exists. Bridget tries to apologize for what happened to someone named Scean, but Siobhan stops her and says she's forgiven (it's obvious she's not by Gellar's expression, but apparently Bridget is dense). They go out on a boat and Bridget falls asleep for some reason (Siobhan probably dosed the champagne, although why anyone would bring champagne on a motor boat out in the Hamptons with her alcoholic and drug addicted sister is beyond me. Maybe it wasn't champagne? ) When Bridge wakes up, Siobhan is gone. Bridge assumes she committed suicide and drowned. So tries to rescue her. Bridge, hon, clearly it's too late and this would be the time to call for help? But no, Bridge can't do that she's on the run from Witsec or wait the Marshal's service. So in true soap opera fashion, she takes Siobhan's place. And thinks this won't be that hard. Knowing zip about her sister's life.
Before she can do the smart thing and take off with her sister's money, she runs into Siobhan's hubby (whose name I forget and we'll call Ion (that's the actor's name)). Apparently hubby and Siobhan aren't sleeping together at the moment, because he doesn't share her bed and she doesn't have to worry about sleeping with her sister's husband. Next day she meets Gemma, Siobhan's best friend, and some cute guy who keeps stalking her. Gemma turns out to also be an architect designing a new place for Siobhan and her hubby - a loft. Before Bridget can vamoose, she has to go to a charity function Siobhan agreed to host, and puts on a red dress that she looks horrendous in. She also has to fend off the Witsec Marshal/Cop hunting her down. And oh, do interference with hubby's annoying teen daughter who looks and acts as if she wandered off the set of Gossip Girl or 901210. And is of course an addict just like Bridget was, and all around screw-up just like Bridget was. So Bridget is bonding with her already. Next up, Bridget meets Stalker guy at the fund-raiser she's stuck co-hosting in the ugly red dress. Stalker guy turns out to be Gemma's husband, who is of course having a hot affair with Siobhan. Gemma has caught on to the affair, just not who it is with - as far as Bridget knows. Bridget tries to leave again, is stopped by hubby again, and a phone call from Siobhan's doctor, apparently she skipped an appointment that was supposed to be for that day, good thing too - since Siobhan is pregnant. No clue whose baby it is. But clearly she's slept with hubby at some point because he immediately assumes it is his. While the lover thinks it is his. Bridget confuses both, by being cold to the lover and warm to hubby. Near end of the episode, someone tries to kill Bridget - but it is actually "Siobhan" they are after, and oops Siobhan isn't dead after all, she's alive and well in Paris. Surprise.
Next episode Bridget decides to try and leave again...but gets stopped again and again by the constant oblivious and at times hilarious interference of the clueless hubby. Although the bit that gets her to decide to actually stay is the teen addict that reminds her of herself. She just can't leave poor Siobhan's step-daughter in the lurch, after all the things Siobhan did for her. But she spends most of the episode attempting to hide the guy she killed in the loft. Who apparently doesn't smell. And carries a cell phone. Which goes off during another function that Siobhan agreed to host.
[As an aside - several people on my flist, not just one or I'd have shrugged this off, have compared the above to the Fugitive. This continues to bewilder me. And I'm wondering if we may be watching two completely different series? Hey, it happens. OR I'm remembering the story of The Fugitive wrong?
Correct me if I am wrong - but wasn't the Fugitive about a guy who was wrongly convicted of killing his wife and hunting the guy who did it (the one-armed man) while being relentlessly pursued by a US Marshal? Each week The Fugitive would get distracted by some stranger who needed his medical expertise or skills. He'd help this stranger (some guest star) then just as he is thinking of sticking around - he'd have to leave either to find the one-armed man, or escape the US Marshal. The stranger would often help him do one or the other, or both. Each week you had a story that wrapped up, while this proverbial carrot out there - which ensured people would stick around each week to see if the Fugitive ever cleared his name. The series finale was for quite a long time the highest rated episode in TV history, until MASH's series finale, and the episode Who Shot JR? knocked it out of the water. The Fugitive spawned several copy-cats, The Incredible Hulk, Highway to Heaven, Heaven something or other, Quantum Leap, and shows such as Angel and Nikita attempted to copy the format until the writers got bored or the ratings dipped, and they gave up and went serial. Modern audiences don't have the same patience that the Fugitive's audience had. We aren't willing to wait fifteen years for the character to get his carrot, assuming he ever does. Nor do we trust the writers to deliver.
The only thing Ringer appears to have in common with the Fugitive is...that Bridget wants to be redeemed for being a drug addict and loser - so she decides to stay in NYC instead of running away and help Siobhan's family and be Siobhan, while hidden from the mob. Except wait - the Fugitive wasn't about redemption, since he wasn't guilty. He didn't stay anywhere. And It was about helping strangers each week and changing locals. I guess you could call this a reverse fugitive and that Bridget is staying to help a new stranger each week..except wait what strangers? I suppose you could call Bridget's step-daughter via Siobhan a stranger? But that's sort of pushing it. Particularly since the step-daughter is one of the main cast members and will be in the series most of the year and isn't a random guest star. There's no episodic wrap-up here. Revenge is actually more episodic. Outside of a new question being answered each week, which is not quite the same thing. Unless I've remember the Fugitive wrong or am confusing it with another series completely? ]
*Revenge - The show opens with a murder. It's the engagement party of Emily and Daniel. A has just been shot on the beach. Another guy with a hoodie is trying to hide the body. But a young guy (literally the gay brother from Gossip Girl who is now playing a heterosexual hottie), and his girlfriend (turns out to be Daniel's sister) finds the body and scares off the guy with the hoodie. We don't know. It looks like he did, but it is not clear. Meanwhile up from the beach we find out that it is Emily and Daniel's engagement party, but Daniel is missing - he's on the beach - apparently the guy who just got shot or the guy in the hoodie. I'm guessing the former. Emily tells us in a voice over that she is here to seek revenge.
And there's a lovely quote by Confuscious that states -"When seeking revenge, be sure to dig two graves" - neat summary of the series theme right there. But we aren't told quite why. Yet. There's a bit of friction between Emily and a guy named Nolan, and the mother of her fiance - Daniel, Victoria - played by Madeline Stowe (who is a favorite actress of mine - also well established, and has either made a deal with the devil or has an excellent plastic surgeon. Watch Madeline Stowe - she shows you how to play bitchy and compassionate and subtle, without campy.) Victoria after giving a lovely speech in favor of her potential new daughter-in-law, asks her where her son is. Emily says he went out to the beach to take a walk. We're also introduced to Emily's friend the event planner. At that moment - Victoria's daughter comes screaming up the walkway to the house to announce that Daniel has been shot. Horrified, Victoria races to her son's side, while Emily looks stricken and upset, but is she?
Flashback five months, to Emily renting the house that the engagement party is later held in. We see her flashing on the times she spent with her father in this house. And examining photos of the current owners. Lydia Davis. The show slowly reveals why Emily is doing what she is doing via flashbacks, it also shows up the people she is plotting against, along with the innocents who may get in her way. Through the episode we slowly learn who each of the player's are, their relationship to Emily (the focal point or Protagonist) and what she thinks of them. We aren't told what their agenda's are - that is left a mystery.
Emily, the protagonist, unlike Bridget is more of an anti-hero than hero here. And we know what she plans is not going to end well for anyone. Van Camp plays the role subtly with great restraint. She's likable and not over-the-top. And quite attractive. Not too thin like a lot of actresses. And she is matched quite expertly by Madeline Stowe, who is playing the antagonist. The performances make Revenge more like Damages or more accurately a Life Time Movie than Dynasty or Desperate Housewives. It's not over the top nor played for satire.
At the end - we are told that Emily's injured father had wanted better for her, for her to be able to forgive. But much like The Count of Monte Cristo, Emily is far too damaged for that. Revenge is all she has left of her father. And we are shown how Emily gets rid of Lydia Davis - Victoria's best friend who happens to be having an affair with Victoria's husband, Conrad. Lydia, Emily's Dad's former Secretary, testified against Emily's father and wrongly accused him of sending hedge funds to a terrorist organization. She aided Conrad and Victoria in destroying Emily's Dad. Like Ringer - Revenge's business of choice is high finance. OR the world of banks and brokers. These people have more money than they know what to do with and are our current villains. (Occupy Wall Street has demonstrated that.) But unlike Ringer - we're given a bit more information on the money biz. As well as info on how Emily got her funding. Emily unlike Bridget is a smart, pro-active heroine. Not reactive. And the actress gets across the plotting behind her eyes. (And unlike Siobhan, she seems to have plotted this carefully.)
We are told at the end, the Emily had been held in prison - juvenile detention center - most of her life. Nolan states that he was friend's with her father, that he hates these people as much as she does - that he saw first hand what they did to her and her father. He also tells her that her old friend Jake, who currently runs his father's tavern and has possession of her old dog Sam, still has a thing for Amanda Clark - but Amanda Clark, Emily tells him, is dead. That was who she once was. There's a lot held back in Revenge. The pilot doesn't feel as pushed as Ringer or crammed. And the plot makes logical sense. I'm not laughing at the absurdity.
We are given as much info and set-up in Revenge as in Ringer, but it is conveyed in a better manner, and is far less cliche and obvious. Also far less campy. Ringer is unintentionally funny with it's straight out of a pulpy romance novel plot twists. I roared with laughter during most of it. If you don't take it seriously, it is admittedly a lot of fun. Gellar actually does this sort of comedy well. Revenge - is fun in another way...the weird thrill of watching someone take down people you don't like. Both are soapy. But one feels like it has a bit more polish than the other. I almost wish we could combine them. Take the polish and talent from Revenge and the twin twist from Ringer. But I don't think that would work.
I don't know which will survive. Ringer has a better chance because it's on cable network CW, which doesn't require high ratings - or 90210 wouldn't still be on the air or Supernatural for that matter. And Smallville would have ended after five seasons. None of those shows would have survived on ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX. On the other hand - it's pulling in lower ratings than Melrose Place did...so it may depend on the production cost. Can't be that high - it's too cheesy and doesn't do any location shots or very little. Mostly blue screen. While Revenge is all on location, and clearly has a very high production value and stellar talent on board. That show has got to cost somewhere around 6 million. It does not look cheap. Ringer I'm guessing is maybe 700,000 possibly a little more. Very cheap production value.
Also, Revenge is a bit sluggish - too much emphasis on twenty-something romance. Not enough on Revenge from what I've seen of the previews. Although Nolan and Jake interest me a bit, as does Victoria's back story. But the Curiousity factor isn't quite as high as Ringer's. Mostly because Ringer has told me zip about Siobhan and far too much about Bridget, which makes me think there could be an interesting twist coming up...which while completely illogical, might be a lot of fun.
(If I cared that much about logic I wouldn't watch True Blood.)
Also while the acting and direction are far better in Revenge, the dialogue isn't. Sort of boring actually - not clunky, just dull. And Revenge lacks the black sense of humor Ringer has going for it in that it's not nearly as funny and takes itself a tad too seriously. Also none of the men are quite as hot as Ion Gruffuld.
Both are definitely serials, whether you see them as soaps or not is up to you, but definitely romantic mystery thriller serials aimed at an 18-34 year old female audience. With anti-heroes. Not anthology or episodic vigliante/super-hero shows. These babies will never be episodic. Not a chance in hell. I'm willing to bet you a million on that one. No, they'll be melodramatic mystery serials, with lots of cheesy cliff-hangers. At the moment, Revenge has less cheesy cliff-hangers than Ringer, and wraps up its episodes more neatly. I think you can come in and out of Revenge far easier with far less commitment. So Ringer is actually more serialized. Odd, I know, but there it is.
If you want smarter gritter fare, yet the same theme and cliffhanger feel - without the cheesy soap opera? Rent Damages starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne - about a pair of anti-heroines who for two seasons went after each others lives with knives (literally). In S1 - Close destroys Byrne's life. In Season 2, Byrne works hard to destroy Close's life, and comes close to succeeding. In this particular trope - it's probably the best you'll find writing, direction and acting wise. But...not as comforting. More violent, and the characters aren't as likable. Also has elements of legal procedural written all over it. Another really good show that has a smart heroine, and cliff-hangers, and similar themes is The Good Wife. Yes, I know, it looks like a legal procedural but it really is not. Would I be watching a legal procedural? I don't think so - would rather watch paint dry personally. Actually if you want a smart heroine, a case that wraps up each week, smart writing, stellar acting and good direction and a lack of cheese? Watch The Good Wife. And skip these shows entirely. If you want a kick-ass heroine, revenge theme, but also wraps up each week? Nikita. Or you can try Charlies Angels (I'm not, didn't like the first two versions) or Person of Interest (too episodic for my taste).
Revenge? B-
Ringer? C+
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Spoilers
Date: 2011-09-23 02:09 pm (UTC)Ah, this is what you are missing. This decision has *not* happened, though it may soon. The last time we saw Bridget she was on her way out of town. (That was the second time she started to run in one episode.) She couldn't force herself to leave when she saw step-niece in the same trouble that made her own life so miserable (partly because Siobhan gave up on her). I don't think there has been any discussion of Bridget redeeming herself, just reforming her alcoholism and getting her butt out of danger if possible.
The CW will be thrilled you don't see the parallels between Ringer and The Fugitive. That will make it all the fresher for you.
I watched Revenge for laughs the first night. Both shows have all the trappings of prime time soaps (including the insanely rich main characters). The vibe is different, which is why I can stand Ringer. Plus Revenge already has many more characters who refuse to act like real human beings. That's what I can't stand about most soap operas. "Oh my God! She returned my van Gogh, which I grovellingly gave to her to prove I belong in the court of the Queen of all Queen Bees!" "Ah, I've just got my butt out of the reformatory, and had a bazillion dollars dropped in my lap. I will go spend a few years in finishing school, then go live with people I hate with a fiery passion, so I can get REVENGE!" "Oh, I want to help you so much, Emily! But if you don't let me, I'll be your worst enemy! ... Well maybe, second worst... Surely top ten!"
Re: Spoilers
Date: 2011-09-23 02:45 pm (UTC)how is this similar to The Fugitive? The Fugitive wasn't a story about Redemption. That was Angel. And even if it was - that's about 90% of the tv shows on.
Ringer reminds me a lot of well...a Nora Roberts novel. Not all soap operas are like Desperate Housewives and Revenge. The daytime variety is actually closer to Ringer.
Re: Spoilers
Date: 2011-09-23 03:35 pm (UTC)Re: Spoilers
Date: 2011-09-23 03:51 pm (UTC)I'm sorry, I'm flailing here...do not see any similarity whatsoever.
Fugitive? Episodic.
Ringer? Serial
Fugitive? Innocent, wonderful man, on the run for a crime he didn't commit, who saves people in different places while he hunts for the guy who actually did the crime.
Ringer? Guilty drug addict who agreed to testify about an evil crime boss in exchange for immunity, but chooses to run because a) she doesn't trust Witness Protection, and b) she wants the chance to make it up to her sister who she clearly hurt in the past. The Marshal is tracking her so she can testify against this horrible crime boss who got out because she ran.
Fugitive? Good Doctor's better nature comes to the fore and he helps strangers, regardless of whether he identifies with them or not.
Ringer? Is out the door, running away again, but chooses to stay to help drug-addicted step-daughter (which is so contrived it's hilarious, I mean of course she has a step-daughter who has the same problems she did), and does it because she sees herself in the girl.
Fugitive: The mystery - who killed the Doc's wife and will he ever find the killer?
Ringer: Why did Siobhan fake her death (which Bridget doesn't know about) and when will Bridget find out about it, and when will everyone find out Bridget isn't Siobhan and isn't pregnant, whose the father of the baby and how will Gemma react if it is her hubby's or it comes out that Siobhan is having an affair with him - but not at the moment because Bridget took over Siobhan's place, while Siobhan is in Paris. Does Siobhan know she's pregnant? What will hubby do? And what is hubby planning with his business partner? Should we trust the business partner (probably not - since you never should in these shows)? Will teen step-daughter go off the rails when she discovers who Bridget is? (Hmmm...providing the plot of this thing is a bit similar to recapping a daytime soap, except they've never done twins, with one faking their death or disappearing while another takes their place - oh wait! They do, all the time. Never mind.)
Re: Spoilers
Date: 2011-09-23 04:07 pm (UTC)Re: Spoilers
Date: 2011-09-23 06:15 pm (UTC)As for Revenge/Ringer? This writer does a better job of articulating how I felt about Ringer and Revenge, my mixed feelings regarding both:
http://wrongquestions.blogspot.com/2011/09/thoughts-on-new-tv-season-2011-edition.html
I'm not defending why I like or dislike it. Honestly, I'm with the writer above, mixed. Gellar's performance is part of the problem.
My posts are always about an attempt to better understand my views and opinions on things, as well as those around me. Not a defense of them.
My apologies it if came across defensive - am somewhat irritated by other things at the moment and occassionally things can come across oddly online particularly when posting quickly.
As you know - I don't edit that closely and post fast.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-24 09:13 am (UTC)The production values are certainly a big step. Ringer appears to have been filmed for about five bucks an episode.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-24 04:10 pm (UTC)Sigh. Yes.
When I read that Philip Noyce directed Revenge - it explained a lot.
So much can be fixed by production value and direction. ABC is clearly putting a lot of money into Revenge. A lot more than whomever came up with Ringer. Also has gotten more viewers - Over 13 million according to the ads, how true that is, no clue.
Ringer right now appears to be averaging 2.1 million if that - but it is also on the CW, which isn't HD in numerous areas.
SMG obviously realized there was a production problem, because she got rid of the production team that did the pilot, and hired people who had worked on Buffy. (Caterers, Makeup, Costumes, Set Design, and Hair.) And it did make a difference. She no longer looks so washed out and the second episode looked a lot more polished than the first.
I can't really say that I find the plot of Revenge more interesting, I don't. Actually the plot of Ringer interests me more - even if it doesn't quite make sense in places and has a few plot-holes. I can also see where Revenge is going more or less, not quite sure where Ringer is going.
At this point, the most interesting part of Revenge is the casting of the ludicrously pretty VanCamp.
Thought much the same thing. Van Camp is an interesting casting choice - up til now she's mainly plaid the "nice girl next door" role. Curious to see if she can play a crafty bad girl out for Revenge, regardless of the cost?
I'll try it for a few more episodes...if only because it is the only show on Wed at the moment. But it's not as much fun as Ringer.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-26 03:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-26 04:11 pm (UTC)Revenge feels a bit more like "pure entertainment" or "trashy soap"...but admittedly all we've seen so far is the pilot.