For weeks, all I have heard on blogs was the built up anticipation surrounding ABC’s newest television series Revenge – set to premiere September 21st. The shows I usually watch are on CW and FOX so it is rare for me to venture outside of those comfort zones, but I’ve been a fan of Emily VanCamp since her days on Everwood (are you still acting Gregory Smith?) so I was curious to see her in a lead role in a series. I heard she was decent on Brothers and Sisters, but I’m willing to bet that her character was nothing like the character she portrays on Revenge as “Emily Thorne.”

The pilot episode of Revenge leaked sometime last week and I think since ABC knew they could no longer hold fans off before the premiere date, they decided to just release it as a special preview. Watch the entire pilot episode here (like I did!)

To avoid any spoilers, I’ve written my review underneath the cut.

Emily VanCamp is smart, cunning, and breathtaking in her new series. There are a few flashbacks within the pilot episode that do not provide for that much character development, but we quickly learn that “Emily Thorne” is the character that we root for. Having recently moved to the Hamptons, Emily is surrounded by a wealthy community that happens to be involved with a series of lies and deceit. Even though she hasn’t revealed to us her plan yet, we’ve pretty much figured out by the title that Emily is much more bad ass than she appears to be. She is, after all, getting revenge on the same people that destroyed her family and put her father behind bars. While we are fully aware that Emily’s life is not normal in the slightest, her character manages to blend into her new surroundings and has an in from her best friend. They make such a cute pair! However, I can’t help but wonder how that relationship even started and if it was created with intentions to get closer to the community that she is trying to take down or if they are legitimate friends.

Also featured in the pilot are Marc Blucas and Connor Paolo who are no strangers to television. According to Wikipedia former Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Blucas was only able to play the role of Emily’s dad for the pilot episode because he has prior commitments with the show Necessary Roughness on USA. He will be replaced by Connor Tupper. Connor Paolo recently left the set of Gossip Girl for this role on Revenge and I cannot wait to see more of him! Hopefully I’ll be able to look past the whole Serena’s little brother thing.

I was hooked after the first episode and I think I’m ready to see some more of it. Looks like this show is getting added to the fall television lineup! See ya Ringer – it was nice knowing you.