Politics and casting cameos undermine otherwise solid 'Butler'

Politics and casting cameos undermine otherwise solid 'Butler'

"The Butler" is alternately touching, sobering, depressing and even unnerving. Half of this movie will make you feel like a better person for having watched it; the other half will leave you wanting to pick fights on Internet comment boards. "The Butler" is alternately touching, sobering, depressing and even unnerving. It is a beautiful example of how time allows us to set aside politics, but current events will still get under our skin. Half of this movie will make you feel like a better person for having watched it; the other half will leave you wanting to pick fights on Internet comment boards. "Lee Daniels' The Butler" (named for its director) offers its audience a near-comprehensive take on the civil rights movement of the 20th century, told through the perspective of an African-American butler named Cecil Gaines. Gaines, played by Forest Whittaker, is a real-life character, hence the "inspired by" at the beginning of the film. The story begins in the Georgia cotton fields of the 1920s, where Gaines worked with his parents in near slave-like conditions. Emancipation feels like mere lip service as his mother is assaulted and his father murdered in quick succession, without a whiff of accountability. This experience shifts Gaines from a field worker to a "House Negro," starting a journey that will eventually lead him to the White House as a butler, where his childhood frames his observation of the decades to come. As a high-profile servant in the White House, Gaines effectively becomes a fly on the wall for all the great moments of the second half of the 20th century. His "inside man" perspective is mirrored by his son, Louis (David Oyelowo), who dives headfirst into political activism while his father takes the more reserved approach. This polarity between Gaines and his son drives the film's central question: What is the best way to affect real change? Gaines chooses to be the quiet example, biting his tongue when those around him (frequently the current president) talk about his plight as though he isn't standing at attention in the back of the room. Louis chooses a more proactive path that initially brings him into the fold with Martin Luther King Jr., but veers into uncertain waters when the Black Panthers choose to fight fire with fire following King's assassination. To its credit, the film seems to have a good grasp of the pros and cons of each approach, and for the most part manages to keep any party from feeling too picked on. The all-star cast that peppers the screen in everything from lead roles to glorified cameos is one of "The Butler's" most interesting elements, but also its most distracting. Whitaker is perfectly balanced and sympathetic as Gaines, Oyelowo shows great depth as Louis, and Oprah Winfrey plays Gaines' wife Gloria with grace and reserve. But as interesting as it is to see John Cusack's take on Richard Nixon and Alan Rickman's interpretation of Ronald Reagan, a more anonymous cast for the laundry list of historical icons might have allowed for better audience immersion than "The Butler's" game of "spot the celebrity." Some of the casting choices, such as Jane Fonda's role as Nancy Reagan, will no doubt fire the flames of political controversy. And here is where "The Butler" stumbles. (Mild spoiler alert.) After spending the bulk of the film chronicling the critical mass of the civil rights movement through the ’50s and ’60s, Daniels moves at high speed to use the 2008 election of Barack Obama as the celebratory capstone of Gaines' journey. It's a pretty obvious move that is hard to debate, but the move to feature a sitting president whose own legacy is still being written leaves the film feeling a lot more political than it needed to be. It's easy to set aside politics when you have a 50-year buffer between you and someone's interpretation of history; it's something else when that same someone is telling you how to feel about current events. "The Butler" has some wonderful moments that are powerful and moving, but its scope will ultimately (and unfortunately) polarize its audience. "Lee Daniels' The Butler" is rated PG-13 for scattered language (including racial ephitets and one use of the F-word), some brutal but largely bloodless violence, and some mild sexual content. Joshua Terry is a freelance writer and photojournalist who appears weekly on the "KJZZ Movie Show" and also teaches English composition at Salt Lake Community College. You can see more of his work at www.woundedmosquito.com.




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Steven Spielberg, George Lucas: 'Implosion' of Film Industry Coming, $25 Tickets for Movie-Goers

Steven Spielberg, George Lucas: 'Implosion' of Film Industry Coming, $25 Tickets for Movie-Goers

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have some grim news for the future of the film industry.The directing duo recently spoke at the opening of a new media center at the University of Southern California and predicted that a two-tier system for movie ticket prices could force a premium for summer blockbusters on ticket buyers. "You're gonna have to pay $25 for the next Iron Man, you're probably only going to have to pay $7 to see Lincoln," Spielberg told students at the University of Southern California. Spielberg and Lucas explained that the inevitable future collapse of a half dozen or so massive blockbuster films at the box office will force a change that won't make movie-goers happy consumers. "There's going to be an implosion where three or four or maybe even a half-dozen mega-budget movies are going to go crashing into the ground, and that's going to change the paradigm," said Spielberg. Lucas added that he believes some films could follow a 'Broadway play model', which means there will be fewer releases and certaint films that stay in theaters longer and be more expensive to see. "You're going to end up with fewer theaters, bigger theaters with a lot of nice things. Going to the movies will cost 50 bucks or 100 or 150 bucks, like what Broadway costs today, or a football game. It'll be an expensive thing. ... (The movies) will sit in the theaters for a year, like a Broadway show does. That will be called the 'movie' business," he said. "There'll be big movies on a big screen, and it'll cost them a lot of money. Everything else will be on a small screen." Spielberg also spoke on his recent hit, Lincoln, and just how close the Academy Award winner came to premiering on HBO, rather than in theatres. (Photo: Dreamworks) "I think eventually the Lincolns will go away and they're going to be on television," Lucas added. "As mine almost was," Spielberg interjected. "This close - ask HBO - this close." "We're talking Lincoln and Red Tails -- we barely got them into theaters. You're talking about Steven Spielberg and George Lucas can't get their movie into a theater," Lucas said.



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Thieves allegedly broke into the hotel room of a Chopard employee.

Thieves allegedly broke into the hotel room of a Chopard employee.

CANNES, France -- Thieves broke into the room of a House of Chopard employee at the Novotel hotel and stole jewels that were being kept in a safe. The robbery took place just hours after the cast of director Sofia Coppola's new film The Bling Ring walked the red carpet Thursday night for the premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The Bling Ring is a true story about a group of teens who broke into celebrity homes to steal their valuables. Chopard was hosting a gala event across town at the same time. "It's horrible that someone went out and did that," The Bling Ring producer Youree Henley told USA TODAY. "The fact that it happened on the night of our premiere is kind of amazing. I guess there are a lot of Bling Rings out there." "I can see someone snatching up the movie rights and doing a movie on it and having the premiere here. It will be Bling Ring the sequel." Coppola told USA TODAY, "I was going to say that it's a publicity stunt (for her movie). I feel very Bling Ring just being here. Everything is so glittery. It all feels connected." Coppola and her cast have an alibi, she joked. "We were at a premiere and a party." Chopard loans expensive jewels to actresses who are walking the red carpet at the festival. Actress Julianne Moore already has appeared in Chopard jewelry. "The jewels stolen are not part of the collection of jewels that are worn by actresses during the Cannes Film Festival," said Chopard's Raffaella Rossiello. "The value of the pieces stolen is far lower than those in the figures circulating in the media," she said. Rossiello would not say why the jewels were brought to the Novotel during the film festival. Cmdr. Bernard Mascarelli, spokesman for judicial police in nearby Nice, said the jewelry could be worth approximately $1 million. "There must have been either an inside complicity, or people who were in contact with this person and knew that the person had jewels." Chopard, the Swiss-based watch and jewelry maker and one of the sponsors of the film festival, also manufactures the crystal and gold Palme d'Or trophy and has put the precious item in a safe, undisclosed location. The 120-room Novotel caters to businessmen and is well off the Promenade de la Croisette, where many expensive shops, restaurants and hotels are located. The lobby is decorated with red and green fake leather furniture and a refrigerator with a selection of food that guests can take to their rooms. The manager of the Novotel confirmed an internal investigation is underway. One employee described the situation as "surreal." Another, who would not give his name because he is not authorized by the hotel to talk with the press, said, "It's crazy right? Nothing happens here." This isn't the first time that there has been a robbery at Cannes. In 2009, a lone gunman walked into a Chopard jewelry store and made off with $8 million worth of bling. Also in 2009, a group of armed men wearing Hawaiian shirts and masks riding motorbikes nabbed $21 million in jewelry from a Cartier store in Paris. Bulgari also lends significant jewels to actresses for appearances on the red carpet at the film festival. Next week, Jessica Chastain will wear jewelry from Elizabeth Taylor's collection at a screening of the restored Cleopatra. No changes are being made for the event, according to a spokesman. related stories $1 million in jewels stolen at Cannes film fest13 hours ago Roger Ebert in Cannes: Chaz carries the torch10 hours ago 'Gatsby' makes a grand entrance at Cannes1 days ago Showbiz Minute: Idol, O.J. Simpson, Cannes1 days ago Freida Pinto reveals her beauty secrets1 days ago USA NOW Who's the richest man in the world? | USA NOW video May 17, 2013 More Stories: Report: Woman jumped from ship, boyfriend followed Report: Woman jumped from ship, boyfriend followed Cruise Logs | 1 week ago Prison hasn’t been kind to OJ Simpson Prison hasn’t been kind to OJ Simpson For The Win | 5 days ago Katie Couric goes public with banker boyfriend Katie Couric goes public with banker boyfriend People | 1 week ago Is It the End of Stainless Steel? Is It the End of Stainless Steel? Oven Info | 5 Signs Tom Cruise Is Gay 5 Signs Tom Cruise Is Gay The Informer | 06-29-2012 Molly Ringwald — Except Sometimes Molly Ringwald — Except Sometimes Theater Mania | 04-18-2013 Five Things You’ll Be Glad Newsies the Musical Changed From the Movie Five Things You’ll Be Glad Newsies the Musical… TickPick Blog | 10-23-2012 Video: intimate Footage of DJ Tommy Trash Video: intimate Footage of DJ Tommy Trash Thump by Vice | 05-01-2013



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Game of Thrones By the Book: Theon Gets Cut Down to Size, Joffrey Fears Dragons

Game of Thrones By the Book: Theon Gets Cut Down to Size, Joffrey Fears Dragons

Hello, friends and bannermen. Sunday's Game of Thrones gave us sex, creepy feelings and sometimes both in the same scene! How did the episode match up with the books? How did it differ? This weekly chat series is for fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books, upon which HBO's fantasy drama is based. It's meant to be a safe haven to discuss spoilers and changes from the novels and how they have played out or will play out in the TV series. Hanh Nguyen and Sadie Gennis are longtime fantasy fans of varying levels of geekiness who will sound off on all things Westerosi (and beyond!). [Warning: If you're a Game of Thrones fan who has stumbled upon this chat and haven't read the books yet, begone! Instead, check out our recap of Sunday's episode "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" for a spoiler-free discussion.] Game of Thrones "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" recap Hanh: Uh, wow. For once I'm glad that Theon's torture was not explicitly shown. I have to assume that they were going to castrate or geld him, since that was alluded to in the books. I just wish he tried to get away instead of getting turned on by the whore -- who is not one of the good whores on this show! But I suppose being tortured made him befuddled. Sadie: I actually don't remember any allusions to Theon parting ways with his little general. Hanh: Yeah, I think it's more of hinted at Sadie: Hmm... I doubt it will go much farther than the physical torture stages, but hopefully we'll start to see him emotionally break pretty soon. Even though I'm a Theon sympathizer, I'd love to see him become Reek (rhymes with weak), etc. He's very traumatized from Ramsay's torture, but we saw him try to escape still. That's note something Reek would dare attempt. Ramsay's so twisted, I couldn't help but worry what he's going to do with Theon's thing once it's off. Hanh: I feel he already has! But any sort of removal/damaging of his manhood will surely do so. His idea of self-worth and power was so wrapped up in womanizing. And he won't bounce back like Varys did. It makes me wonder how far they're going to take Theon's story this season. I know that his sister will come in, so at least that much we'll see, but not until the end though. Sadie: Asha/Yara and Theon will be reunited?! Hanh: Not certain about reuniting, but Yara will definitely show her face. It may have something more to do with Balon though. Sadie: Ahh, okay. That's right. We still haven't seen the kingsmoot. Reading Book 5 and watching Season 3 are leaving me so mixed up, especially since they decided to bring Theon's story line into this season. Hanh: It makes the most sense to do so since Season 5 (or 6) couldn't really work in flashback. But I think a midseason miniseries would have been a lovely alternative. Sadie: Or maybe just run Game of Thrones daily and all year round, soap-opera style. Money, schmoney! It'd be worth it! Hanh: Ha! I don't know if my poor heart could take it. As it is, the suspense and foreshadowing for Episode 9 is killing me! Sadie: I knooow! When Robb and Talissa were being so sweet and tender -- I just died. But talk about gratuitous nudity! Hanh: Well, it allows us to see how Robb got a baby in her so fast. Sadie: Haha. True. And there definitely has been a lack of shirtless Robb recently. Now that we're talking, this whole episode was so romance heavy Game of Thrones star: Shae is more than Tyrion's mistress Hanh: Orell is part of a love triangle! That was different. Sadie: Yes, that was ... interesting. I kind of wish that Orell had simply hated Jon because he was a crow and a turncloak. Or maybe because he's a warg who doens't warg out. Not EVERYTHING has to come down to sex (though GRRM might disagree) Hanh: Exactly. I'm trying to understand the point of that scene. Ygritte on the show already said she knows Jon is loyal to his cause. So it's not like Orell's suspicions are new to her. Sadie: Exactly! The entire interaction seemed a little out of nowhere and slightly irrelevant, which makes me wonder if Orell's lustful interests in Ygritte will serve some purpose later on. Hanh: Right. He might be the spur for Jon to leave with a well-timed incident or something. OK, let's move on to the saddest romance on the show: Tyrion and Shae. I mean, the series has made Shae so much more than she was in the books that I'm about as heartbroken as she is that Tyrion is going to go through with this marriage to Sansa! Sadie: Making her Sansa's handmaiden has added such a great dynamic! Of course, in the books Shae didn't give a flying f--- about Tyrion marrying her They've really made us root for them! Talk about sadism. Hanh: And it really does show how sad Tyrion is -- he cares too much about what people think of him, that he ignores when this woman, who has treated him better than any of his own family, is in love with him. I could almost understand him being loyal to Jaime, but Tywin has done him no favors. Then again, if you're going to be a wretched Halfman, I guess it's best to be one in a rich and respected family. Sadie: So true, because once Tyrion is flees Westeros we see what it's like to be just a regular Joe Halfman (and it ain't pretty). Even just when Cersei asks for his head, no one seemed to hesitate before killing every dwarf they saw in an attempt to get the reward. Hanh: Damn you bloodthirsty Westerosi! *shakes fist* Game of Thrones' Rose Leslie gives scoop on climbing the Wall Sadie: It's so frustrating to watch Tyrion and Sansa separately discuss their impending marriage. I feel like if they could just communicate with each other honestly, they could be happy together. Not in love, but happy in a way Hanh: Right. I'm glad they've made it clear in the show that he's not interested in her because she's a child (athough that comment about already having evil notions not needing company was great). And if she knew his mind, they could become conspirators in a way. Sadie: Exactly! With Casterly Rock and Winterfell, they could prove formidable foes to anyone. Hanh: Oh, and Margaery's sex talk with Sansa was hilarious! Sadie: Oh my god, yes! I learned a lot from my mother, but definitely not THAT! Hanh: LOL. They should have more moments like that when Sansa is unwittingly funny. Like back in Season 1 when she says she doesn't want anyone good and brave, she wants Joffrey! And Arya snickers. Sadie: Sansa's definitely her best when at her most clueless. In the words of Leslie Knope: Oh Sansa, you beatiful naive clueless newborn baby. Though lately, I've started to feel as though Bran is the most clueless of the Stark children I'm totally on Osha's side when it comes to their desire to go beyond the wall. It's nothing short of insanity. Hanh: Really? I think as a sheltered prince of Winterfell, most of the stuff he's been taught are couched in terms of legend.I think what he's learned on his own has made him be more than his upbringing. So much has happened to Sansa, and yet she lives in a fantasy world. Whearas with Bran, I feel he's more open, probably because he's a warg. Sadie: It'd be one thing to go beyond the Wall with some sense or understanding of the danger, but they simply aren't prepared. This was the first time Bran had any idea that there will be White Walkers to contend with. He's so focused on finding the three-eyed raven so he can learn to fly, that he hasn't fully comprehended how they're going to get there and that people might actually die. Hanh: I always got the feeling that they would be avoiding as much trouble as possible and will be undercover. I mean, hiding is obviously not proof against White Walkers, but I had to assume they knew there were crazy dangers — White Walkers or otherwise. I feel this quest is actually of such importance that it has to be done. It's the only way Bran can contribute to the fight. Game of Thrones' Coster-Waldau on Jaime losing his hand... but not his hair! Sadie: How is this contributing to the fight though? They're following Jojen and Bran's dreams, but they're not quite sure why. And who's to say the power that sends them these dreams is on #TeamRobb. It's all such a mystery! Hanh: I don't think of the dreams are on a side politically. I think it is part of the nature of what's happening in the world, in the bigger picture that is what's being fought. The fight isn't just with the kings. That's why things beyond the Wall are being stirred up. And Bran is one of the few left in Westeros who may have the ability to understand what's going on. Sadie: It's true, but we still aren't sure what gods/powers are on the side of good and which are on the side of evil. Maybe Bran is being lured by darkness! Hanh: I don't think it's either good or evil. It's interesting the religious system in this world. The Lord of Light has been proven to be a true god by resurrecting Beric. But depending on who the pracititioner is -- Thoros or Melisandre -- it seems that the actions are neither inherently good or bad. (i.e. a gun isn't evil, only who wields it). I feel that the old gods may still exist concurrently with the Lord of Light -- Sadie: Exactly what I was starting to say! I feel as though all the gods are "true" gods. But OK, if R'hllor is a legit god, then there is some other force (it who must not/hasn't yet been named) and I'm waiting for THAT to manifest itself beyond simply the White Walkers, which is why I worry about Bran. I'm overly cautious. And would need more answers before abandoning my society for a dream. Hanh: Worrying about Bran is normal. But I don't know... sometimes I think the quest must be done! Sadie: What if he becomes a crippled Darth Vader? Trying to do good, but corrupted by The Force? And then Rickon would end up being Luke! Hanh: Rickon is kind of whiny already... But we already have someone who's lost a hand. Sadie: Just kidding. Rickon would be an ewok. No. Jar-Jar Binks. Hanh: Ugh, now that's going too far! I don't like Rickon, but he is at least a Stark. Sadie: True, true. I'll apologize to Starks everywhere before they have my head Hanh: Speaking of people who like to decapitate ... (Good segue, eh?) Joffrey had an interesting scene with Tywin. Sadie: Oooh, I had almost forgotten. It's actually nice to see that Joffrey is interested in the role of a king beyond the ability to murder without consequences. Even if he still is a lazy and sadistic pr---. Hanh: Well, I loved the whole power play there. Tywin was completely ruling him (standing over him, saying that Joff had to come to him for meetings). Game of Thrones: The trouble with Joffrey Sadie: If I remember correctly, Robert and Aerys didn't bother attending council meetings, really (and if they did, they weren't in a state of mind to contribute). So points, Joffrey. Hanh: Oh no, I don't think so at all. Joffrey still isn't going to go to meetings. Sadie: But at least he tried! Hanh: Although he discussed it, I don't think he has any intention of really going. He was more like whining. He's king. If he wanted to, he could order the Hand to move the meetings back to the Council chamber. Sadie: I found it interesting that he didn't order it. Joffrey loves telling people what to do, but you're right. He only whined, because it seems as though Tywin's the singular person he's still intimidated by. Hanh: Yep, Tywin is the one person who can put Joffrey in his place. Cersei has lost her hold over him. And Tyrion dare not slap Joff again (alas). Too many whores have suffered at Joffrey's hands because of Tyrion! Sadie: Someone has to slap Joffrey before he bites the dust. I need more GIFs! Hanh: But what I thought was interesting was one thing: For once, Joffrey was right in that Daenerys is more of a threat than Tywin thinks. Sadie: How is he the only one worried about a Targaryen with dragons? It's the most frustrating example of dramatic irony. Hanh: Yeah it's interesting... Joffrey believes in dragons still, when everyone thinks they're extinct. But it's kind of the same with the other folk (giants, etc.) north of the Wall People forget to the point they think they're just legends. And when they least expect it, "DRACARYS!" Sadie: Well, Tywin believes there are dragons, but only "apple-sized" ones. Which would still scare the crap out of me! Hanh: Ooh, they're bigger than apples now! I think maybe... large jungle cat perhaps? Sadie: They're huge! Oh yeah, definitely. Like little lionesses. Defining Game of Thrones from A to Zorse Hanh: And then there was one less magical animal in the episode -- the bear! Sadie: And don't forget the maiden fair! Jaime was a full-on hero in this episode, barely a hint of Kingslayer at all Hanh: Exactly. I loved that moment when Qyburn sneeringly asked how many lives he's saved. And Jaime said, "Half a million -- the population of King's Landing." Put that in your pipe and smoke that, Maester! And now, he can add Brienne to those saved. But even though I knew how the bear scene ended, I was still freaked out when he was trying to climb out of that pit with only one hand. Sadie: Yeah, that was intense! Not to mention painful.They gave us quite a gruesome glimpse of that stump earlier, so using to climb could not have been comfortable Hanh: But it was so worth it! Sadie: I do think that after he rescued her was definitely the first time Brienne saw Jaime for the good person he is. Mainly evidenced by a type of slack-jawed, shocked stare. Hanh: Oh, but this brings me to two moments of foreboding. The first was when he's leaving Harrenhal and tells Roose, "Tell Robb Stark I'm sorry I couldn't make his uncle's wedding. The Lannisters send their regards." Because of course, when Robb is killed in the books, one of the guys says, "Jaime Lannister sends his regards" while impaling him. Sadie: Yes, that was so painful! And of course, Roose must have been snickering inside. Silly, ignorant Jaime. I truly believe if he had made Robb's wedding, it would have turned out much better for the Starks. Hanh: Sadly, we'll never know. And then, the episode ended with the "Rains of Castamere" playing over the credits. Argh!!! The trap is closing. Run, Robb, run!!! Sadie: I get so close to shaking my TV at moments like that, trying to warn Robb. Soon I'll have to be physically restrained. Hanh: I'm sure the Bastard of Dreadfort would be happy to help! OK, on that note, let's see what our readers think about the episode. Is seeing Robb's happiness just cruel? Do you want Theon to be put out of his misery? Sound off in the comments below! Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.



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Revenge Review: And The Truth Shall Set You Free Read more tv spoilers at: http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/revenge-review-and-the-truth-shall-set-you-free

Revenge Review: And The Truth Shall Set You Free  Read more tv spoilers

For a series that hit a slump in its sophomore season, Revenge sure knew how to finish strong. I mean, THAT is how to do a season finale, right? The past several episodes have just picked up momentum that didn't stop tonight, culminating in what was perhaps the best episode of Revenge season 2. In the wake of the Initiative's attack, secrets were revealed and lies began to unravel, leaving basically everyone scrambling for some sort of "Truth." This is a difficult review to write because there's almost too much to say. This might be out of order and pieced together with information from the two-hour finale, but here goes nothing. "Truth" picked up immediately where "Engagement" ended. The lights are out and everyone is stuck. While the lights are off, Emily and Nolan urge Aiden to go on the run. Emily cannot and will not let him become the next David Clarke. Victoria and Jack seem to have a deal regarding Conrad and they look for the laptop that was stolen from Jack's apartment during Fauxmanda's funeral. When it isn't in the safe in Conrad's office, Victoria gives Jack a file on Amanda Clarke and sends him on his way. After 5 hours, just long enough for people to begin to panic, the lights are back on and so is Conrad's quest for the Governor's mansion. Emily and Nolan plan to visit Takeda to ask his advice and instead find his body and his infinity box. In it they find a picture of Takeda's late fiancee' and the photo of an unnamed man Emily believes to have killed Takeda. Emily finds Aiden at his house preparing to leave and learns that he killed Takeda, but not before he asks her to run away with him and give up her revengenda. It doesn't seem logical that Emily would have such a hard time believing that Takeda would have an ulterior motive in training the two of them and setting them on their own paths for revenge. I get that Aiden lied by omission when he didn't tell her what he knew about Takeda's fiancee' as soon as he learned it, but she lied about Jack. All's fair in love and revengendas? But still, it's quite the quandary. I understand that Takeda was her mentor and taught her the ways of revenge, but why was it so hard for her to accept that Takeda's fiancee' was on Flight 197? She's a smart woman. She should've been able to piece these things together quickly enough to know that Aiden was telling the truth. Conrad's warning to Daniel to stay away from work that day should have been enough of a red flag to signal that something else was in the works, but it wasn't until the man from the picture in Takeda's box showed up to work on the Grayson servers that things started to fall into place. And even then, they were falling from way, way up in the sky and settling very slowly. There was so much misdirect before the reveal that Grayson had not only been working for the Initiative this whole time, but he was actually a part of it. An active member making plans and profiting from the fear of others. His slow reveal to Daniel followed by his complete confession to Victoria regarding his complicity and help in planning was just diabolical. He became more evil than even Victoria seems to have been able to imagine. Conrad's membership in this elite group of profiteers nearly proved fatal for Jack. Had it not been for Nolan's voice mail, Jack would've been in the building and on the same floor as the bomb. It was great to see Nolan think on his feet about how this all must have been triggered when he started looking into Victoria's first son Patrick, and while I can't blame Jack for not wanting to trust Emily, Nolan admonishing Jack to trust her again was great. Much has been misunderstood between Jack and Emily all this season, so hearing Nolan finally speak up for her was nice. What was not great, for Jack and Charlotte, at least, was the fact that Declan was in the Grayson Global office when the building blew up and was injured in the explosion. Charlotte lied and said she was with Daniel instead of telling him the truth about being with Regina and that lie cost him his life and her baby a father. When he told Charlotte that he was expected to make a full recovery, I knew right then that he wouldn't survive. RIP Declan Porter. His death was the catalyst for Jack to step up his revenge game with a gun he stole from the Graysons and Ashley's help. With a press pass, he was waiting in the wings for Conrad's acceptance speech, prepared to shoot the man who cost him everything. Or he was preparing to shoot Daniel. (And since Daniel might have killed Aiden after they fought over Emily, maybe he deserves it just as much as Conrad does.) Jack seemed to re-aim the gun just before Emily made it up the stairs to stop him. And stop him she did. With the biggest reveal in two seasons. Emily told Jack the truth about her identity. Or, rather, she let him figure it out for himself by telling him that he's always known the truth if he really looks inside himself. Jack knows that Emily is really Amanda Clarke and part of him always has. While Emanda dropped her bombshell on Jack, and Patrick showed up on Mommy Dearest's doorstep, in a twist I did not at all see coming, and which will prove interesting when Revenge season 3 airs this fall, Nolan got arrested for cyber-terrorism based on his many visits with David Clarke and a video confession from Padma Lahari. Was the message recorded before Trask killed her? Or is she even dead at all? I suppose we'll have to wait a few months to find out. What did you think of "Truth"? Do you think Aiden is dead? Was the Revenge season finale everything you hoped it would be and more? Be on the lookout for the latest Round Table and in the meantime, check out the Revenge quotes page where you can rate your favorites and add your own! Read more tv spoilers at: http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/revenge-review-and-the-truth-shall-set-you-free/#ixzz2TAQ5fTQ4


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