It needs to be known… I watch a lot of TV. And when I put something in my top 5 shows list, it really does mean something. ABC’s Revenge is close to the top of that list. The show follows Amanda Clarke, a girl who comes to the rich area of the Hamptons, to seek revenge on the corrupt, power hungry and deceitful family, the Grayson’s, who framed her father for financing the terrorist act of downing a commercial plane. Clarke changes her name to Emily Thorne, a name that is explained later in the series, and worms her way into the “it” scene in the Hamptons.

But revenge is never easy as Emily has to fight against the ghosts of her past life and the temptation of happiness. Victoria Grayson, the vicious matriarch of the Grayson family, does not make her job any easier, trying to destroy Emily at every cost. As soon as Emily steps into the Hamptons she starts to set a plan in motion that will expose the Grayson’s and their co-conspirators for betraying her father’s trust. This network of corruption extends from the Grayson’s business to a writer to a priest.

The show is fantastic and is full of twists and turns that keep you engaged throughout the whole show. I can never truly predict what is going to happen. Each season is opened with a flash forward to a climactic event that sees everyone in some sort of danger, and then the first half of the season builds up to that moment.

The cast in the show is outstanding. Emily VanCamp plays Emily and does an outstanding job of portraying the revenge thirsty girl who lost her father and will stop at nothing to find retribution. On the other side of the coin, Madeleine Stowe plays the cold and cruel Victoria Grayson. I find Stowe’s performance to be one of the most chilling on TV. Gabriel Mann plays Nolan Ross, Emily’s only friend who knows her secret and is willing to help her. Nolan was close with Daniel Clarke, Emily’s father, and has a successful technology corporation thanks to his investment in his ability. Rounding out the rest of the cast is Henry Czerny as Conrad Grayson, the man responsible for Daniel’s framing and Victoria’s husband, Christian B. Allen as Charlotte Grayson, the Grayson’s youngest daughter, Josh Bowman as Daniel Grayson, the heir to the Grayson name and Emily’s on again off again lover, Ashley Madekwe as Ashley Davenport, the Grayson’s party planner who wishes to rise to their level, Nick Wechsler as Jack Porter, Emily’s childhood love, and Connor Paolo as Declan Porter, Jack’s younger brother.

The show is a must watch and is filled with drama and deceit at every corner. The first and second seasons are currently available on Netflix, and the third season is currently airing on ABC, although it is taking a slight break until March 9, when it will start at its new time of 10/9c.